5th September 2010
Jimmy
and Rus headed to very heart of England to test their mettle against Kilotogo's
latest sportive -
Wild Edric. As veterans of the Cornwall Tor, devised by the same
organisers, they knew it was going to be heavy on the hills. Just how
heavy was soon to be discovered...
The 103 mile route claimed
the inclusion of the mythical "Long Mynd" early in the course. When they
said mythical we were thinking of short people with hairy toes (like Steve and
Baggy), not a ball-breaking 35% plus hill! Of the hundred or so people on
the hill, we only saw three who managed to cycle the whole thing. For
everyone else it was a 1.5 mile walk, whilst skating in spds.
Jimmy hit the nail on the
head at the top - "my legs feel like I've done 30 miles, so far we have managed
7.4!" And so it was going to be like that...
We spent large parts of the
day admiring amazing scenery across the Shropshire Hills and into the Welsh
Marches. We marvelled at the beauty of some "why don't we live here" type
villages. But more than anything we climbed, and climbed, and climbed, on a
course that never lets us relax. The organisers claimed a fabled 12 mile
decent after reaching the top of Long Mountain, but with the wind blowing
straight in our faces, there was no freewheeling to be had in between the
alpine-like hairpin bends.
By the second feed-station
at 70 miles we were starting to come to the edge of the comfort zone. More
hills and a splash of rain and before we knew it Rus was about to blow a fuse.
The course organisers clearly knew this was going to be an issue, and offered
the riders a short cut to the line, or as they put it - "the tired rider route".
A pit stop ensued, and a lively discussion commenced. After a serious
chat, Rus decided to MTFU, and followed Jimmy home for the remaining 18 miles,
but not without the now customary Kilotogo sting in the tail. A 3.5 mile
climb from 97 to 100 miles was the final kicking!
So that was that. We
did 103 miles of gruelling climbing (both on and off the bike) in 6hrs 51 mins.
We saw a large chunk of England and Wales that is truly stunning, feels very
remote, and was surprisingly easy to get to.
Quote of the day (from a
member of the Milton Keynes Cycling Club), halfway up the monster of Kerry Hill
"If I was going to be a member of an Institute of Sport there is only one place
in the world it would have to be, and Vegas says it all".
And so in true LVIS style
we finished the day with 8 pints of Big Nev/Shropshire Gold and a fiery curry.
15th August 2010
Singlespeed UK
Champs 2010
Cwm Rhaeder, Wales
A fairly personal account by Nouveau
In some ways I wasn't looking forward to SSUK. I'd been away camping on almost
every free day I could remember and badly needed proper bed and no more sore
shoulders or being woken up at dawn by the sun or rain. But singlespeed events
are usually pretty special, so Kirstie and I loaded up the car with all the crap
that we hadn't really put away from last weekend and off we went. The journey
was pretty good- the valley road up to Merthyr is way more spectacular than your
average motorway schlep and the Heads of the Valleys road is the reason people
buy motorbikes (that and bacon sandwiches). We got to the campsite at Cilycwm (Cilywcm
Valley? Didn't notice any huge computer industry) just after dark and were
greeted by Ant and Celia who'd staked out the Vegas corner next to Shaggy, the
Singletrack lot, the Outcast lot the Surrey lot and the Scottish folk.
With the glorious LVIS Event Shelter up and the fire pit installed, we had the
familiar home from home that comes with being part of the greatest institute in
cycle history. Quite how Ant and Ceelz got so much in to their car is a mystery,
but I'm insanely grateful for every bit of shelter and amazing baked item. And
highly impressed that they managed to forget a tent (fortunately someone a
spare!). I'm sure we meant to have a quiet night, but somehow a jolly mixture of
rum, foamy beer from a giant can, cider and finally midnight port was guzzled
with enthusiasm.
I woke up on race day feeling like it was my last. Every question posed to me
was so difficult it made me want to take a 'fail'. The smell of the portaloos
was indescribably nauseating. I was so desperate I even tried cereal, Alka
Seltzer and a random decongestant in an attempt to consume my way back to
health. Thank goodness the organisers were wise enough to leave the start until
2:00 to give people a fighting chance of recovery. The scenery in mid Wales is
glorious, but the weather is stroboscopic, every 10 minutes re starts the
furious cycle of waterproofs and sunglasses. Celia's amazing giant Chelsea bun
and the arrival of Paddy and Jess should have cheered me up, but all to no
avail.
Eventually the time came for changing in to PE kit and rolling along for the
briefing. We went along but couldn't hear much. The ride to the start was a mile
at about walking pace and I feared for getting dropped. There was the
traditional Le Mans start. We ran up to our bikes to find them arranged in
colour order. I passed a haphazard heap of Jeff Jones bikes that must have been
worth twenty grand at least and picked my trusty old Kona out of the heap of poo
brown bikes (it was gold once...).
The race started on fire road. It didn't look steep, but it did seem to be lung
bustingly hard, and my heart rate monitor was in accord. A couple of sections on
terrifyingly squashy mud was followed by a bridge whose handrails would have
made an effective filter for modern DH riders- no way you were getting metre
wide bars through that. I caught up with Dr Jon (cripes he's got big legs... and
horrible small pants) which was encouraging. But then the climbing started. Or
rather pushing. I'd like to think I can usually ride most hills. but it was
quickly obvious that there was no point- keeping up with a gentle trot was an
arm wrenching effort. There was no way I was going to be able to complete two
laps, let alone three. Or four (maybe that was in the rider briefing, it seemed
irrelevant). The descent from the top is a-mazing. Super fun, covered in lost
multi tools and with alpine levels of braking bumps. But still tiring as hell.
And then came some kind of salvation. In the form of Phil the Horse, whose
incredibly loud belching had heralded the new day. He managed to cheer me up
with a rousing few verses of 'Kiss you all over' and then the reminder that the
beer stop is where it's at in singlespeed racing. We rode along in tandem,
keeping the pace up and being told off for chatting by the marshals. The beer
stop contained something wonderful. It smelt like beer, was sweeter than honey
and seemed to make mid-race tummy aches go away.
Shaggy has been going furiously quickly in every race I've done with him
recently, so finding he was only a corner ahead was pretty encouraging. My only
chance to overtake him, which is his bike exploding, happened and Phil and I
were ahead. As the race went on, the descent got smoother and we got more
familiar with it, even using some pump track experience to get extra speed out
of a few bits. At the end of the lap we were half way there, and it called for a
bit of a Bon Jovi on the soft rock sing-along . Maybe I could finish after all.
Another lap of gaspingly hard climbs, a tiny bite of food and it looked
possible. Five minutes of rain freshened things up nicely. On the last lap I
passed Ant and Paddy, racing hand in hand as ever, then Celia speeding along the
downhill with her rigid forks and gold Surrey bars. The boost of seeing the
glorious purple and gold race wear can never be underestimated. I think I pulled
away from Phil a little on the last decent and collapsed at the finish. In 6th!
Or something! Celia rolled up shortly afterwards- 4th lady and then Paddy
narrowly beat Antony in a sprint finish. Go Vegas!
For the first time that day I actually felt OK again! The weather must have
heard that so it started raining again. We headed back to the campsite. I have
to say that the race organisation was great. Race HQ was in a huge barn. Bar
provided by the local pub, food from Glyncorrwg's Drop Off in their mobile
double decker bus cafe. Prize giving was nicely random- magazines for the top
finishers, throwable objects thrown in to the crowd, then things like titanium
frames decided by tug of war (we really missed the proper big rowing lads there)
and terrifyingly difficult mini bike racing.
Next up was Antony on the platters that matter. An hour of so in and heads were
nodding appreciatively but it was Antony's keen observation that 30 something
males are even more desperate to be able to break dance than most XC riders are
to be able to wheelie that really started the dancing. On came some hip hop,
the crowd formed and natural selection presented the biggest show-offs. Good
times continued in to the night.
The next day, most people went for another ride or trotted off home. A special
mention to Cab, who woke early and rode to St David's to rejoin the family
holiday. Ant, Ceelz, Kirstie and I rode the excellent new trails at Brechfa then
pub lunched while a man with a chainsaw cleared a fallen tree in a river and
flaunted health and safety advice for our entertainment. All in, a brilliant
event- 'props' to Andy "Gooner" Gowan and Matt Page who spearheaded the
organisation. Can Vegas take on the organisational challenge for 2011 and paint
the national champs purple and gold?
8th August 2010
LVIS delivered another set
of finely tuned riders to the start of the Wilton Audax for the second year
running. There were no takers for the 200km route this year, but the 100km
route was the weapon of choice.
The car park chat was awash
with "Barry's Ball Buster" testimonials - many compliments were
received on
behalf of the LVIS Audax organisers, coupled with plenty of requests to ensure
the quality of the cakes is maintained for 2011!
Owing to some early morning
logistics problems (ie a bit late getting out of bed!) the group split into two
on the start line. The first group of Baggy, Jimmy and Rus headed off at
9am, and quickly started to chew up the kilometres. Surrounded by beards
and mudguards, the pace was decidedly friendly. Eventually Baggy started
to wind up the power, with an instantaneous thinning of the pack to a group of
about 10.
Holding the speed north of
20mph, we reached the first checkpoint in an hour. Leading group down to 6.
After a less pacey run over
the next 22m to Blandford we settled into a fine cafe for more cakes. Lead
group now 6.
And so the climbing
started. On a belly full of tea and flapjack the 8 mile climb out of
Blandford commenced. After various grunts, groans, and burps the lead
group was down to 5 at the summit. A quick trot past Madonna's house and
then Sting's house (I don't know my they want to live so close to each other
either?) and the end was in nearing. With about 10m to go the LVIS boys
finally broke free, and the lead group was 3. Three visions of purple and
gold, streaking through the Wiltshire countryside...
Then, in a moment that
would make Barry proud, the leaders caught sight of The Queens Head, Broad
Chalke. Weakened by hours in the saddle, the call of a pint of Badger was
too much. The brakes went on, and the boys took up position on an outside
bench to watch those who had fought them so hard come through.
A slowish ride over the
last 3 miles back into Wilton made for a very pleasurable 5hrs on the road.
Sad news to finish, the
organiser Dave Sambrells announced that 2010 Wilton Audax may be his last.
He has been organising it for 21 years and feels its time for a break. So,
to all those who have had the chance to ride Dave's fine routes we offer a BIG
LVIS THANK YOU.
14th June 2010
Marcus and Baggy took part in the Paris Roubaix sportive:
Most cyclists will have a 'hit list' of classic routes, climbs, locations and
races that they hope to ride at some stage in their lives such as the climb to
Alpe D'Huez, riding the slick rock at Moab, Lands End to John O'Groats, Mont
Ventoux, Finale 24hr, Lanzarote Ironman (for the tri folk) to name but a few.
High on this list for me was to ride the sportive of the Queen of the Classics -
Paris Roubaix. Steeped in history and claimed to be one of the oldest cycling
races in the world the professional race of Paris Roubaix has always been a
spectacle as the pack take on the 255km route that includes 50km of cobbles or
pavé to give it's correct name. As much a test for the bike as the body it is a
race that challenges the best and for many it's just a case of surviving,
staying upright and hanging on for dear life. I wanted to have a go.
Luckily I wasn't alone as Tom (of BAD Tri fame) and Baggy were also keen to see
what all the fuss was about. Tom was already a veteran of the pavé having raced
the Tour of Flanders Sportive which has a similar mix of tarmac and cobbles but
had been warned that the Roubaix stones were a whole new experience.
Despite the name the route doesn't actually start in Paris and hasn't done since
the early 60's, instead it sets off 60km North East in Compiégne. Rolling into
town at 6am the day before the event we eventually found our basic bunker of a
hotel and spent most of day sleeping, eating, checking the bikes, checking the
legs and contemplating our fate.
Soon enough it was time to get on with it and at dawn the next day we stuffed
our route cards into back pockets, grabbed a cereal bar or four, secured all
loose items and set off. The first 100km were promised to be flat and smooth so
the plan was to get into a nice big peloton and stay off the front but we
quickly found ourselves in a group of about 12 so not easy to hide without
ruining international relations. Not that a rather vocal German girl was too
fussed about that as she angrily waved everyone through if she was forced
anywhere near the front. 85km passed quickly though with a few more rolling
hills than we expected and Baggy and I arrived at the first checkpoint feeling
good with Tom just behind having decided to save his legs on the last few hills.
We were met by our Directeur Sportive, Dave who said we had just missed a huge
group of about 80 riders who had come through together, damn! Bottles topped up
and pockets filled we regrouped and savoured the next 15 km of tarmac before the
punishment really began.
As we approached a sharp corner there were a number of marshals smiling and
crowds cheering which we thought was nice but as we turned we realised why they
were there. In front of us was what appeared to be a rough farm track loosely
set with cobbles, we were on skinny tyres, this didn't seem at all right but we
were about to experience our first taste of the pavé. Following the advice of
former PR veterans I changed into a big gear and accelerated onto the track as
hard as possible, there were bottles everywhere, bikes lay in the verge with
riders nearby and every 10m a puncture was being repaired. Pushing hard seemed
to work well as the bike skipped over the bumps nicely and I was soon through
the 2.2km secteur. Stopping with a big grin to wait for others it all seemed to
be going well so far. Tom appeared with foot unclipped as his cleat had shaken
loose and Baggy turned up a few minutes later having ejected one bottle and
clutching the other in his hand. 1 secteur down, 28 to go.
Like a staff member in McDonalds each secteur is given a star rating depending
on how adept they are at serving up their grim delights based on the quality of
the cobbles, number of potholes and general hideousness with 1 star being OK(ish)
and 5 stars being at the top of the Richter scale.. After another 1.8km section
we hit the 3.7km, 4 star Quievy to Saint Python sectuer. This was less fun as it
went on and on and cobbles were wider spaced so my momentum slowly ground down
and the slower you go the harder the bumps feel. Crawling off the end onto
blissful asphalt I pulled over to wait for the others. Tom emerged looking
shaken and not stirred but Baggy had now lost an entire bottle cage from his
post mounted bidon catapult. Someone uttered the fateful phrase "Thank goodness
it's not raining" as sure enough a few km's down the road the sky clouded over
and a few spots of rain were felt. The bone dry, dust covered pavé was now
glistening and waiting to throw the unsuspecting rider into a ditch. Luckily the
bikes seemed to handle well though with all 28mm of rubber being used to our
advantage to weave around the more cautious Euro-roadies. Now raining properly
my snipe-like frame was suffering in the cold and as I pulled into the
checkpoint before Arenberg I was physically shivering, but maybe that was just
the fear of what lay ahead. The Directeur Sportive issued me my rain jacket, and
topped up supplies before sending us out onto the secteur we had all been
dreading the most, the 5 star Trouvée d'Arenberg (or Arenberg Trench to you and
me). The pro's hit this at 60 km/hr and it has been the scene of some
spectacular crashes which is why it's often lined 4 deep with spectators. For
some reason they hadn't turned up today but we tried to put on a good show for
the handful of supporters braving the rain. We rode into it hard and almost into
the back of some Italian mountain bikers who had decided to use their brakes
right in front of us. But the stones soon sapped any speed and for the majority
of it's 2.4km length The Trench made us work for every pedal stroke as each
cobble seemed to stop the bike dead. Surprisingly the majority of riders chose
the smooth cinder track alongside the cobbles but
surely that's like riding to the bottom of Ventoux and then going round it? Sure
it's not the easiest or fastest route but it's part of cycling folklore and
needs to be ridden.
'Just' 17 secteurs and 100km to go.
Now all riding at our own pace so as to stay warm (though the pavé helped our
bodies generate some heat!) we battled on through the rough and the smooth. With
legs getting weary it was getting hard to attack the cobbles with much gusto so
it was now a case of pushing through as best we could. Frequently changing hand
positions on the bars seemed to help on the longer sections and the thick double
layer of bar tape took out some of the sting. It was getting painful to uncurl
my fingers from the bars once back onto the roads though.
Some hours later I arrived at the penultimate checkpoint. After drinking what
appeared to be energy mouthwash, eating some cheese triangles with salami,
several ham sandwiches and an orange I was ready to go just as Tom appeared
looking like he'd crawled out the Somme. The pavé had claimed another victim and
he'd taken a tumble, scraping his knee and producing a nice smear of blood down
his leg. He seemed pleased with this look.
The last 30km were a blur of farmland, villages, lovely smooth rolling roads and
7 more secteurs of pavé. Before long there was a sign for 3km to Roubaix and I
found myself in a group on Londoners as I entered the outskirts of the town.
Somehow we found the strength to sprint between the red lights and suddenly
swung round and into the bowl of Roubaix velodrome, the traditional finish to
the pro race. Feeling bold I found enough pace to get high onto the banking
before swinging round to the finish grinning from ear to ear. Tom was next to
arrive and seemed to be gunning for the line against another rider while still
bleeding from the knee. Powered by the mighty tartiflette from the night before
and a mind-bending, extra strength caffeine gel Baggy romped home too with most
of his bike still working. Next stop, food and lots of it, beer, collect our
commemorative cobble and a fair bit of massaging of sore forearms.
Epic is a term that is often bandied around to describe rides and events but
this is surely one that justifies that title, in fact you could call it
classically epic!
So another one to tick off the hit list and a real benchmark set, time to see
what's next...
7th June 2010
Pics
from
photo-it.com
As usual LVIS fielded a strong team at the Brisol Bikefest, with some strong results though no podiums this year. The puncture fairy seemed to be quite upset with LVIS though - probably paying for several previous years with few problems. Regardless, everyone had a brilliant time as the weather stayed sunny and the LVIS race area was clearly the place to be.
Supremes – 5th/42 - Mixed
Pirates – 98th/124
– Male (though some laps were docked due to 'timing discrepancies'...) - Giles,
Mike W, Dylan, Chris S
Pics are here:
http://www.photo-it.com/bbf/bristolbikefest05-jun-10.htm
Results are here:
http://timelaps.co.uk/assets/uploads/EventReport.aspx?eventID=130AshtonCourt05/06/2010
3rd June 2010
LVIS sent a team to the Finale Ligure 24 hour race in Italy for the first time. Paddy T writes:
A team of 4 intrepid LVIS riders set out from Bristol Temple Meads on an overcast Wednesday morning with the sole intention of conquering the 24h de Finale. After a journey involving four trains, dismantling bikes twice, riding across two European capitals and up one bloody big hill Ant, Celia, Nouveau and Paddy arrived at a semi deserted race course on top of a hill in the Italian Riviera. We were quickly given a guided tour by Riccardo and chose a delightfully shaded camping spot adjacent to some Germans (more of them later). By the time we got set up it seemed right to hit the beach for some race preparation followed by practicing our ability to drink cheap red wine.
Friday was spent reccying the course and realising it was by far the best 24hr race course any of us had seen. Followed by some light exercise in the afternoon and realising that an Italian “XC” route is best tackled with body armour and bigger bikes.
The race on Saturday started in the local town square with a 3km “neutralised” road section and long offroad climb before joining the race course proper. Following a quick read of the Gazzetta and a café corretto in the square Nouveau was off to a blistering start.
The race went fairly uneventfully apart from the music, which included Paddy standing in the change over area being forced to listen to bagpipes, thumping euro beats at all hours of the night and the steady thrum of generators despite their being electric hook-ups provided all over the campsite.
With a total of 32 laps in 24 hours 18 minutes and 16 seconds the Las Vegas Institute of Sport Super Friends finished in 13th out of 50 in the four man male competitive category (apparently you need more than one female to be mixed or some such), which was 48 out of 115 overall in the competitive teams (which we hasten to point out included such bizarre things as 8 and 12 man teams). Despite there being no dance off at the awards ceremony we still managed to pick a prize for travelling to the race by train.
Following the race we had a few more days R & R before tackling the journey home.
We give the race 10 stars for the following: weather, company, course, Don Riccardo of Finale, free buffs, prize sunnies, scorpions, journey booze, arts 'n' craft fun, sneaking in to camp-sites for showers, squirty cream, Italians, Germans, Dave from Holland, 29ers, Euro Lycra, Cippo, Piazzas, Pizzas, Cafe, whether Elaborato, coretto or espresso, Gazetta del Umbrella, Getting lost, big rocks, getting found, bikes in the loo, travel Cluedo, the Stylophone, Lokomotive Stuttgart, stickers and free pasta.
Back to the Germans, both during the race and following it they put together a fantastic video which can be seen here.
Following the experience this year it is anticipated that LVIS will put together a bigger squadron for next year!
19th May 2010
There
was also LVIS representation at the other end of the country with a few entries
in the erenti Cornwall Tor (previously known as the North Cornwall Tor).
Unlike last year the weather was not playing ball, and no matter how much
praying to the Sun Gods was done the prayers were not answered! Waking up to a
grey, damp and windy Sunday morning.
Russ, Jimmy and Giles headed off on the 72 mile route with LVIS jerseys hidden
by wet weather gear ready for a day of wind and rain, but soon started looking a
little like boil in the bag cyclists. After much complaining (from the
regulars) that the start of the ride appeared to be much more "up and down" than
last year we suddenly found ourselves in Port Isaac - and realising that they
had swapped the route direction to last year.
Just after the first feed station the clouds finally released the wet stuff on
us making the descents as tricky as the ascents. There appeared to be as many
people walking down some of the hills as there were walking up them...
Once the hills were done the route turned into the strong headwind making life
very difficult on the exposed straight roads on top of the moors - never has a
flat road felt so steep!
finishing in under 6 hours was a good result and well up the results sheet.
Also entering the 44 mile route, and earning a spot on the LVIS hall of fame
were Jo and Lauren (Mrs Russ and Mrs Jimmy) which was the first ever sportive
that either had entered. Entering one of the most challenging sportives that
the UK could throw at them was either brave or stupid - but at least it will
make the next race seem easy!
All that was left was to shower and head to the pub for some well earned
isotonic Skinners Ginger Tosser...
18th May 2010
LVIS
took part in the Etape Caledonia on Sunday May 16th
looking forward to covering themselves in
purple and gold glory. Undeterred by looming clouds of ash, Baggy, Neil, Nathan
and Jon shlepped up to Scotland by any means possible, regrouping on the
Saturday to register and get in a decent training ride to the ice cream shop and
back.
Although the BBC was staunch in its outlook, the expected deluge of rain never materialised and all were treated to sunny skies and decent riding conditions early Sunday morning. The unexpectedly pleasant weather soothed the nerves as we fought our way through the scrum at the start line to get away about 25 minutes after the first wave which included notable entrants Graham Obree, Ben Fogle and James Cracknell.
The initial adrenaline, overly exuberant pace and resulting high heart rates failed to dissipate and we cracked along at a decent speed. Few if any pace lines were able to break the LVIS stranglehold with any breakaways being chased down with gusto until age and experience got the better of us and we agreed to settle in for the long haul at about the 20 mile mark. Truth be told, a couple of us couldn’t resist the carrot being dangled and the LVIS squad fractured never to regroup until the finish 61 miles and several hours later….
Having never ridden the event before all of us rode measured performances (even if some of those measurements were wildly optimistic), expecting some nasty Scottish climb to catch us out, yet for most this never materialised with even the fabled Schehallion King of the Mountains section being riddled with sustained flat and even downhill sections, clearly the event organisers need to come ride the LVIS Audax to understand the meaning of a true climb.
Closed Roads, a fast course and decent weather saw some great times, notably Baggy who came in at 3.58, 274th 30 minutes behind the Weiner. The rest of the LVIS Squad cruising in at 4.11 and 4.19, having dispatched the local domestiques and Elvis wannabes with ease.
Despite some shady and rather last minute organisation, unpredictable weather and competition hell bent on wheel sucking we had a great time… interestingly If we’d pulled our fingers out and filled in the reg forms correctly we had a team that would have finished 8th overall. Oh and we beat Fogle (if not Cracknell who actually seems to be rather quick for a rower) which has to be good.
20th April 2010
LVIS took on the best singlespeeders Europe has to offer at the Singlespeed European Championships, held in the Forest of Dean and came away with a podium placing, several top 20 placings and a brilliant weekend's memories, not to mention several prizes.
Notable performances:
Andy B for his third place finish. Nouveau, Leon, Marcus, Nick for top 20 placings
Nick (shown left) may well have also done rather that his top 20 finish had he been able to reach his bike which had been hung up in a tree, out of his reach at the start
Bill for winning the prize for 'crappest rider' and a two day mtb skills course
Paddy for winning the dance off to win a set of spangly cranks
Dylan for nearly winning the bike throwing contest
The Belgian team for giving away gorgeous Belgian beer to anyone who wanted any
The Knights of Niche for putting on a fantastic event and even ensuring sunny weather.
Pics will be up in the gallery shortly.
pic courtesy of Richard Lowerson
1st April 2010
Result!
The 2011 Singlespeed European Champions will be hosted in Las Vegas. The
organisers of SSEC10 liked our bid so
much that they've given it to us in advance of the proposed competition to get
it so the organisation starts here! We'll be racing in amongst the desert
cactuses on a course that will showcase the best LVIS has to offer and the
off-bike entertainment is set to be the stuff of legend.
More details to follow as we get them but rest assured that it'll be the best
SSEC ever!
29th March 2010
The
inaugural LVIS Audax was a huge success with 170 riders taking part
and having a great time. The weather changed from the forecast rain
to generally dry conditions with some wind to mix things up. The cake
stops were fantastic and clearly appreciated by all the riders.
Photos are available in the gallery and will be updated as we get more.
Marcus and Andy L, who take the credit for starting and organising such a great event have written a message of thanks to all the helpers:
Cheers, all went incredibly well
and the feedback from the riders was very positive (quotes include
"Best Audax ever!", "Best route sheet I've seen",
"Delicious cakes"). Looks like we're committed to doing it
again next year already!
I think we showed everyone that LVIS
don't do things by halves and hopefully showed some of the younger
riders how much fun Audaxing can be.
It was all down to the
huge amount of hard work put in by all the helpers and we couldn't
have done it without them:
Celia and Ant - cakes, signs, Hill
Control
Tess and Jamie - photos
Baggy and Phil D -
Marshalling
Andy's Parents - Signing on, soup and catering
Giles
- signing on
Kirsty S - serving cakes
Steph - serving
cakes
Marcus E - Hillesley Control
Frasier and Danni
-Glastonbury Control
Martin - Clevedon Control
Cath - cakes and
signing on
Nouveau - posters, map and marketing
Jimmy - photos
and cake serving
Andy W - Bike shop stall
Kirsty M - cake
baker, signing on secretarial duties
Hill WI - pavlova providers
Hopefully I haven't forgotten anyone but if I have then THANK
YOU!
Thank you one and all.
21st February 2010
A reminder about the LVIS Audax taking place on March 28th. With cake! Full details here
14th February 2010
Ian and Baggy took on the Cotswold Corker:
Baggy and I made it to the start of the corker and struggled round the very tough 110km in the mud and bitter cold. It was a good day out as expected, bar a couple of mechanical issues (notably, Baggy’s fancy mudguards getting so full of mud that his back wheel wouldn’t go round). Cleeve Hill remains very steep (some old gents ended up in the ditch as usual), and the roads are still awful with mud, gravel, potholes and ice in roughly equal measure (excellent Paris-Roubaix preparation for Baggy, bar the hills). Cakes were excellent and frequent, and we only got a little bit lost once (an improvement on last year).
1st January 2010
Happy New Year everyone! Here's to yet another brilliant year of purple and gold!