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A blast from the past! Haven't been here for years...

Did a few 200k audaxes on it, perfecting the spec - two rear sprockets (69 and 63"), day rack and bag, moving the brake around (from original position to bar end), stiffer fork spring, narrower higher-pressure tyres, etc. Then finally did a 300k audax, which rather finished me off - never did another after that, and the Moulton was shoved, unwashed, under the stairs. Bought one of those new-fangled road bikes with gears and spent a year on that. Then, a few months ago, I moved office to easy cycling distance from my house. Pulled the Moulton out and started using that, but the spec was all wrong - so everything got changed back to OEM spec - kick-shift and all. Seems Moulton got the spec right for commuting! Have added the lovely SKS mudguards, and am looking to see if I can retrofit belt drive.

Thanks for the support everyone. It was an amazing experience to be racing at such an event.

Did anyone see the penny crash? Everyone walked away, though there as some blood and a big wheel died - Penny farthing crash at the 2013 London nocturne, rear facing on bike camera. - YouTube

Saw it? I just missed it by a inch (that's me in the red Rapha jersey)! The guy in front of me rode straight-over the downed penny. The chap who crashed needed a few stiches - and a new wheel:

Yeh - penny f race finished by 8, then get drunk and shout at the other races

Emails to be sent out on Monday supposedly...

So I'm down as as number 1003 - does that mean I'm third reserve...?

Chadders - apart from hipster's favourite, Bob Jackson, there's Ellis Briggs:

Eurosport 2, 9:30 tonight

Nice to bump into a few of you (hi, Taps n Bath!) – I didn’t realise everyone was staying at the Spaltenna – I probably walked past half of you without saying “hello” at breakfast… Sorry to hear of Tika’s crash – there were a few patched up people, making me question my decision of not wearing a helmet when essentially mountain-biking.

After my bravado of entering for the 205k, I felt a bit under-the-weather (or just plain fat…) and turned left instead of right at Piana and did the 135k. (How much time does the extra loop add?). Disappointed at myself but probably a good decision as it still took me 10 hours, and was beat towards the end. What was really disappointing was that I was refused my wine prize at the end ‘cos I wasn’t judged to be wearing vintage gear (plain retro merino jersey, which qualified last time I did it). Tried not to let it take the shine off it, but I was rather down-heartened especially when those in retro-but-new Brooks/Coq Le Sportive/L’Eroica jerseys got their prizes. Only seemed to be an issue on the 135k – a friend on the 75 got his cheese in a horrible modern top. Email to the organiser, I think…

I was just going to chirp up with "T'Eroica" :-) [BTW Pendle Witches is at Easter]. Second May Bank Holiday is the Boulogne Bicycle Rally - dunno if that'd affect entries (I'd probably come & do T'Eroica). Definately need some "strade bianchi" on it.

Starting the 200k at 5:30 if I can tag onto the LFGSS train (probably won't be around for long - I'm reckoning 14-hours to complete it). I'm taking my 1200W light, so could be handy to ride alongside in the dark! This is me on my Ellis B at L'Eroica two years ago:

I'll be wearing my LFGSS cap around Gaoile the week before, so say "hi"

SPDs are a complete no-no, Stedlocks. At the start line last time, someone with Look-clipless had his number removed from him. They only check for downtube shifters, non-aero brake cables and clipped pedals.

I've got a spare Velo Orange bottle cage (was going to put double cages on, but not enough room) if anyone wants to buy it. The clamp is a bit modern but not obvious; buy an ali water-bottle at registeration & you're away. Let me know and I can bring it to Italy.

http://www.eroica-ciclismo.it/documents/iscrizioni%2020120330%20x%20pubblicazione.pdf

48x13???????

...on a Moulton, so it's only actually 67"

First 300k yesterday - 18.5 hours...

Dropping from 48x13 to 48x14 at 200k was a great idea*

Low point: being mistaken for Seldom Killer
High point: being mistaken for Seldom KIller :)

• on 20" Moulton wheels, so not a butch as it sounds
  

Just entered the Monty 300 in three weeks on the back of completing Dunwich Dynamo, my first 300k and on fixed - absolutely cacking myself...

So I got a garmin 800, mainly for training and general stuff, but I want to get the leroica route on it

There's really no need for GPS - the whole route is permently sign-posted (BIG metal signs - like for Alton Towers or other tourist destinations), supplimented on the day.

But good lights are worthwhile - I only took Knogs last time which were a bit useless at 6:30 - I'm taking my 100-ish watt Electron this year for the 5am start, and hiding it under the stem.

I maybe jumping the boat a bit, but how about celebrating "our" Tour success? Woollen "Sky" yellow jerseys...? Where would I get one made?

Smaller wheel = less rotational mass, great for everything till you hit a big hill, even with the right gearing.

Inasmuch as I find the Moulton to be the most comfortable and best handling bike I've ridden, they're hard work on the hill of Yorkshire after I hit it.

I've never got that rotation mass arguement - the tyres (mass) might be closer to the hub, but they're going 'round at twice (?) the speed, so same/similar kinetic energy...? The man at Moulton warned me against fixifying my Moulton 'cos of this but it seems to work as well as my big-wheeled fix.

My train into London was 2-hours late, so I arrived at London Fields at 9:30 to find just about everyone had gone. Jumped on the back of small group just leaving and got as far as the church yard before they started faffing over the route - decided to strike out on my own, and ended up lost in Leytonston. GF navigated me back on route by phone - so glad to see "Rollapaluza" bloke at Woodford Green to know I was back on route! All fairly straight-forward after that panicy start (apart from some roadie congratulating me for doing it on a a Brompton - "it's a Moulton, mate!").

Here is a gpx file http://sdrv.ms/LhTYQX
Not sure on the 705, place it in the newfiles? folder
You may need to convert the gpx to tcx here http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx

Thanks all - got a DD GPX loaded up and found some open-source maps today rather than paying £25. But it'll be my first time with GPS, so don't blindy follow the guy on the orange fixie Moulton...

Just taken the Garmin 705 I got for my birthday out of its box for the first time. Anyone got a GPX file for DD - and some idea of how to load it in...?

Penny farthing race - wonder if I could do the skid comp on it as well...

3rds...?

I booked to come down to Londinium this weekend, but didn't get a ticket :( Is there anything else to do - do you have any museums or restaurants or stuff...?

Might those of those us unlucky in the draw be able to crash the party aftwards...?

Do we think that all 500 selected are going to turn up? I'd guess that some people thought "Yeah, I might put in to go on that Tweed Run" since there was no commitment to log-in at a certain time. Perhaps next time open the draw for 10-minutes at 3am to make sure people are committed!? :o)

Riding it on my fixed-wheel Moulton. Need to find a 10k-ish loop from Euston to bring it up to a full-distance 200k DIY audax.

Have booked a beach hut at Southwold to have a restoritive kip in on the Sunday.

Is there any secure overnight bike parking in central London (sort of valet parking!?)? Don't want to leave my penny farthing on the streets...

Or any recommendations for bike-friendly hotels?

As there are 24 of us on here signed up already, who, subject to a poll/decision making etc, would be up for a custom LFGSS merino jersey?
I have been speaking to oregonCyclewear.com in the states and if we can order 15 jerseys between us, we can get a short sleeved merino with 2 lines of lettering for $66 dollars each....... Seems really good value for 100% merino.
Is this too cheesy?
Have a look and discuss.....

Cheapish LFGSS merino jersey sounds good!