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Then we get on to the mechanical fuckups. The brake cable casing cap wasn't on. The front brakes had been adjusted with the QR lever off, so the front wheel wouldn't come out without undoing the cable. The front wheel wasn't in straight and was way overtightened. The chain tension was set too high. When I adjusted the handlebar position I discovered two of the bolts were barely finger tight; owenreed will be glad to hear I used my torque wrench to do them back up. The mudguards weren't on straight.

Time to start doing all my own maintenance I think.
Sounds like you aready are!

lol thanks Spesh, was hoping to get the mrs into club cycling...not put her off for life! lol i was hopin she wouldnt read about lots of hills...

im sure she might do the shorter route next year.
The club are, I think, going to be running some 'get (back) into cycling' sessions aimed at women this summer. I'll post when I find out more. I think the aim is to encourage people into cycling generally, with a hope some might be interested in club cycling. Other than that, the club has rides most days, with an easy intermediate on Saturday mornings from Hilden Golf Club (next to Hilden station just outside Tonbridge), and a beginners on Monday (if your other half isn't working then). I think that the beginners is the only ride which is supposed to accept flat bar bikes. The members are of all types and are very friendly and sociable.

The hills on the sportive matched the distance: the 20 miler was quite gentle (and shared only a little of its route with the other two routes); the 40 miles had three main uphills (with some nice long downs between); and the 62 mile/100k route, which was the 40 miles + a loop, was a bit lumpy on the loop - but if you follow the links in the first post you should (I think) be able to view a profile of the routes.

I cant remember were men allowed to do this if they wore pink?
Yup, that's the one. Even the marshalls wore pink* ;-)

*I didn't look as good in it as that model :-(

did suggest this to the mrs as we arent far from there at all. but as she isnt the biggest cyclist and hasnt been on a sportive and doesnt like the lycra side of things too much. (and seing as I have taken her out for the past two weekends on long (for her anyway)) rides. we are going to the beach if its nice. and im reliably informed that we are going to the beach even if its not nice! Hope it all goes well for those riding and marshalling and Spesh Needs if you could post up a post ride summary/write up im sure ill be able to convince her and my sister to do this next year.
Well, I might not personally have been in a position to do a write up of the ride, but a write up from a participant appeared in Cycling Weekly this Thursday (around page 60). If you can't afford the cash for that, then the same author has her own blog and posted up a slightly different version there yesterday (Saturday).

It seems everyone enjoyed the day and dates for next spring have already tentatively been put forward.

Do you mean to take a bike on the underground to further out of London? You might struggle with that as they don't allow bikes on a lot of the lines. I think you can do it on the overground from canada water, best to check tho. I had to strip a bike down to parts one time at Old Street, right there in the entrance to the station. I'd just bought it as a resto and wasn't rideable. WHat a fookin nightmare. >:(
Map of where bikes are allowed on London Underground [pdf]

...as you say, the East Sussex/Kent area is beautiful.

The forecast this far ahead is notoriously unreliable, but the met office data currently suggests a cool (as cool as two weeks back - which at the time felt positively balmy) but predominantly dry day.
Not the done thing to reply to one's own posts (and not intended as a bump as the thread is second in the forum anyhow), but I just wanted to update the weather forecast: currently it is forecast for Sunday a max of 15C, dry and sunny with a light (8mph) easterly wind ...

Hi sniffy

I have to be careful that I don't get into hot water here by giving incorrect information, as I have merely been pressganged into marshalling and goodybag stuffing. I mustn't get ideas above my station ;o)

However, on the signup page it says that the closing date for entries is 17 April, which is the day itself.

It is obviously useful if they know who and how many to expect on the day, but I doubt they'd turn down entrants on the day if there is sufficient provision left.

It's got to be better than vegging in front of the London Marathon on telly (particularly now the 6am LFGSS ride has been, erm, discouraged ;o) ).
There you go ... I knew something would happen to make me look a fool. I get used to it.

The organisers have decided that Friday is the last day to sign up for the sportive (and this is now reflected on the sign up site) - so, unfortunately, NO sign up on the day it seems.

Sorry.

Also if anyone knows of any female cycling groups etc. let me know

Cheers
I'm feeling like a stuck record at the moment.

My wife belongs to a ladies cycling club in West Kent - you might want to contact them via this link? There are quite a mixture in the club from reasonable road and track racers; commuters who like a pootle; to single track and DH mountainbike (well, they are just getting this up and running), as well as organising their own sportive this weekend and a cycle to Paris in a month.

Oh, and I cycle too, but not with a club - mainly commuting. Just had to say that to reassure myself that I do exist as a separate entity, as I keep posting about my wife...

Cheers Nhatt. I could just do it on my tourer as I'm not likely to be anywhere near the winner anyway.
Remember, it's not a race (or is it? ;o))

yeah but wearing the missus' pink knickers chafes something rotten whilst riding
Buy her some silk next time, then, you cheapskate ;o)

not me though...only pink thing I have is a work shirt and Im buggered if im dressing up in a suit and riding x miles...
I hate to point out the obvious, but no one ever said that the item you wear had to be*** yours*** ;o)

did suggest this to the mrs as we arent far from there at all. but as she isnt the biggest cyclist and hasnt been on a sportive and doesnt like the lycra side of things too much. (and seing as I have taken her out for the past two weekends on long (for her anyway)) rides. we are going to the beach if its nice. and im reliably informed that we are going to the beach even if its not nice! Hope it all goes well for those riding and marshalling and Spesh Needs if you could post up a post ride summary/write up im sure ill be able to convince her and my sister to do this next year.
Hi jaitch

No ride report from me - marshalling, you see (crippled by that Y chromosome wouldn't you know), but I'll try to twist a few arms around here and get one from one of the ladies.

If you aren't too far from Tonbridge, your mrs might like to try a few of the easier rides with the club (come along for free - he says, not being a memeber himself!).

They have a 'no-one left behind' policy. I think the Monday (beginner) and Saturday (easy Intermediate) rides are quite relaxed and about 2 hrs long. I know that they want to get more women involved locally and hope to get involved with British Cycling's ride promotions over the summer. It isn't all lycra and drop bars (although some of it is, and it is surprising how quickly my wife wanted more lycra once she started riding more in this club).

As I've replied to everyone else I thought I'd say "hi" to Wicksie, too.

Unfortunately, although my wife rides a 52cm, she is riding that day (60 'lumpy' miles, apparently) and her old bike is a heavy Ridgeback Velocity (ha ha ha) hybrid.

I'm not riding, but I guess a 56cm frame might be too large, and as it has been 'whispered', I would be a little reluctant to alter the setings - sorry :o(

looks like fun.
what are the trains like? I don't know Kent too well but there appears to be a distinct lack of trains before 9am on a sunday...
Hi hoefla

Not great I don't think, but I'm not sure of train times. The nearest station is about 5 or 6 miles away if I recall correctly (PT is really not great in Kent on a Sunday, unfortunatly). Perhaps a Tonbridge or Hildenborough start (where the club is based, and both with mainline stations) should be a consideration for next year. But then we'd all miss the loveliness of Bewl :o)

Thanks for putting this up! Looks like a fantastic day out.
No problem !Nhattattack!

It would be good not only for us to raise money for the cause and to have a good day, but also for an independent ladies cycle club to show that they can organise such things.

No doubt there will be teething issues (it is the club's first sportive), but our aim is for people to have a fun day (in whichever way you personally define fun!).

Ooh. My parents live very close to bewl water. It's lovely around there. I'm guessing this is all on road but my first long ride was around the dirt tracks of bewl water. I can still remember the saddle ache...

checks calendar
Hi spybot

The routes (and profiles) are linked to in my original post (the 20/40/60 text). I haven't done a reccy there, but I know this will be road bike suitable, so I doubt there is any (intentional) dirt track, short of the ubiquitous potholes. However, I think some of the ride is on some closed roads at Bewl (although the main section of each is obviously on the local roads). But, as you say, the East Sussex/Kent area is beautiful.

The forecast this far ahead is notoriously unreliable, but the met office data currently suggests a cool (as cool as two weeks back - which at the time felt positively balmy) but predominantly dry day.

Watch me eat my words as the week progresses and the forecast gets clearer!

Sorry, didn't check your links too closely but can we just turn up on the day?

Sounds good fun.
Hi sniffy

I have to be careful that I don't get into hot water here by giving incorrect information, as I have merely been pressganged into marshalling and goodybag stuffing. I mustn't get ideas above my station ;o)

However, on the signup page it says that the closing date for entries is 17 April, which is the day itself [edit: this has subsequently changed - see below].

It is obviously useful if they know who and how many to expect on the day, but I doubt they'd turn down entrants on the day if there is sufficient provision left.

It's got to be better than vegging in front of the London Marathon on telly (particularly now the 6am LFGSS ride has been, erm, discouraged ;o) ).

Hi there
Good evening
I would suggest you start a thread in Rides and Races as well.
OK, I shall do so. I was just put off a bit as, when I looked, all the listings on the first page seemed to be LFGSS specific, and I didn't want to crash the party. I thought this section would be more targeted, as it is the women's section (not something I've found on other boards).
Also is there any chance of people doing a couple of the loops to extend it to an 80 or 100 mile ride?
I couldn't say, as I'm not the organiser - best to contact Bee at the club (use the link above). However, I don't see that it would be a problem as long as they get back before we pack up :o)

Hi - hope it is OK to post this here - I'm happy to edit/remove if not.

A little late in the day to post this, but my wife's club (Kent Velo Girls) is organising their inaugural sportive on 17 April 2011, based around Bewl Water in Kent (SE of Tunbridge Wells), offering 20/40/60 mile options, and something for the kids, too [children aged 6 -16 can have a go at Go-ride activities (not on the road) and can even borrow a bike from British Cycling on the day].

Although a ladies cycling club, and the club has the aim of promoting ladies' road cycling, the event is open to all - men are asked to wear at least one visible item of pink (the more creative, the more kudos!).

There are some raffle prizes: a Specialized road bike; a signed Team Sky jersey; Rapha clothing; Specialized clothing; books; and more... Each participant gets a raffle ticket with their entry and more will be available to buy on the day.

The entry includes a donation to the Breast Cancer Campaign.

Details and entries here and some (not *totally *accurate) Cycling Weekly coverage here

--
I would also welcome any ideas where this could also (legitimately) be posted to reach an appropriate audience?

Night ride:
1 . Velocio
2 . Skydancer
3 . Kirth
4 . Cafewanda
5 . ChainBreaker :-)
6 . Tiswas
7 . HatBeard
8 . middleofnowhere
9 . marcom

1. Jaitch
   
2. lardboy (Got to use me party hat some time)
   
3. ian (conker) [with trampstylee beer)
   
4. sherbertflyingsaucer
   
5. ryanse3
   
6. Yasi
   
7. Tommy Mac
   
8. atticus
   
9. paramounted
   
10. robertt (first forum ride and seriously hoping that I'm not left behind after the first mile)
    
11. Marco
    
12. zazkar
    
13. superjoe
    
14. HatBeard
    
15. Wibble
    
16. JAMIE
    
17. pt
    
18. almac68
    
19. Pistaboy
    
20. Louis
    
21. jamestz
    
22. Photo Jim
    
23. party_paul
    
24. OLC seriously hoping i can drop robertt in the first mile ;-)
    
25. thecalmdoc - first forum ride. Can I bring along some friends?
    
26. tomass
    
27. CHUG_IT
    
28. SculpturedHuman
    
29. pootsmanuva
    
30. MotherGirl
    
31. dimi3
    
32. boggle
    
33. tanya g
    
    1. perpetual motion (first forum ride as well)
       
       

5 am start:
1 . John H

1. ryanse3
   
2. CHUG_IT
   

Webber's got to be the unluckiest man out there.
Still got a decent result, though.

20s penalties for Hamilton and Alonso - former for excessive blocking, the latter for the 'bump'

It's a shame that the same drop down isn't available in v3 to take you back to v2.