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Youch! Good luck with that!

I got soaked....but it was great!

I do believe I spotted Mr Hillbilly from my office window, going sarfbound on Bishopsgate.

About 09:45am

Those overshoes are great, especially for the money. But they are very warm!

In other news, am I the sole TNRC representative on the Hell of Ashdown? I've only seen Martin and Ved's names down, and they're riding for some Raphapaluuuza comedy outfit.

I couldn't make my mind up, so I listed both: Rolla / TNRC

I only jumped on the TNRC wagon at the last minute, but I am very glad I did.

You are great bunch of people who have made me feel very welcome. Thanks

Tues was a great night, the awards were well deserved.

Ved should get best dressed male award for the awards night, a fantastic effort!

On way. Ruffle fail, but Tux and Harry Hill instead!

Good job the Loproloco clown ride was held before this change. The old setup, allowed 2 laps of the the circus to be completed, before the cars tried to run Coco and friends down!

Two pics that I saved from Phil's batch...

Thanks. They may have changed the route, I am kinda sure the first hill wasn't Porlock. Not judging by pics I have seen of it.

We were following signs to it, but then we peeled off into quieter roads.

[FONT=Tms Rmn] [/FONT]
Yep, the weather forecast for once was accurate, we woke up to driving rain and 40-50 mph gusting wind!

Got down to the start for 7am, but they held off to 8am, while weather calmed down a bit. Start was confirmed for 8am and 100 mile route was cancelled. The relief in the room was tangible. We could wuss out, but with an excuse!

Queued up in the rain and left at 08:15. Bit of a warm up round the A39 and then a left turn into the lanes. First big hill caused carnage, loads of kooks in the wrong gear getting off and walking at the very first sight of a slope. The hill was pretty steep and under tree cover (like Surrey), so loads of leaves and some bright spark put a cattle grid half way up. I dismounted and walked around the grid and then got going again. As I plugged my way up the rest of the hill I was accompanied by the sounds of people falling on the grid. I was very glad to have fitted some brand new Conti 4 Seasons (sorry hippy).

After the hill, there was a descent further into the woods, at the bottom of which were some cobbles in a very nasty state. The cobbles were covered by leaves, so you didn't see them until the last minute. What did the organizers put there? A warning?....no. A marshal?....no. A photographer?...yep....bloody genius! I can't wait for the photos to be published.

We went up onto the moor then. The wind and rain were simply incredible. You had to just enjoy it, else it was hell. There were climbs like Dartmoor, but with a 30mph headwind with 40mph+ gusts.

A highlight, scenery wise, was the descent (thankfully) down Countisbury Hill. This was followed by a very long, but nice, climb out of Lynmouth and back onto the moor.

By the time I reached the feed station, at the halfway point, the weather had improved a lot and we were treated to a nice fast, flat section. The ride eased up a little now and last 20 miles were good fun. Had to be so careful in the sheltered roads though, looking out for gates and other gaps in the hedge, because the wind would be howling across the road and take your front wheel. Not fun at 30mph.

A final little climb through the picturesque village of Dunster, provided a sighting of Minehead Butlins and the finish . Butlins managed to look magical, like Disneyland, to the tired riders. I crossed the line to my enormous relief.

I had not been riding very well and was passed by way too many people on the hills. But I managed 4.30hrs, finishing in the Gold time (just) and 175th out of 1000+ riders. The Gold time I owe to quite generous times for the 100k route. I don't think I would have managed it on the 100 mile route.

I would recommend the sportive and also the route. Very glad I did it.

If anyone missed out entering or wants to do some training for the Hell of Ashdown, my brother's club (GS Avanti) are holding their own sportive next year on 17th January. The middle half is similar to HOA in the fact that you take in Kidds Hill and Groombridge Hill, but that's about it.

HQ is about 5 miles south east of Orpington, so easy to get to.

http://www.riderhq.com/events/kentishkillersportive

**Kidds **Hill
Groombridge hill

Suspect!

Des...bad news mate...hope the insurance comes thru.

Signed up for HOA. 09:55 slot

...and black detail

No problem...will have plenty of white at least

Yikes! Basement cat knows!

Although I am more worried about my use of the English language after all these years!

It's not helping my phobia

Enough with the Scary Clowns!

It's not help my phobia......whimper whimper

**THE FIRST TNRC AWARDS CEREMONY TUESD*AY NOVEM*BER 3*RD. 6pm O*NWARDS. *THE OFFSIDE BAR, CITY ROAD.*
http://www.offsidebar.com/

1. Clintsmoker
   
2. Abigail Collins
   
3. Sam
   
4. BMMF
   
5. BuckMeMyFaith
   *6. Ved *
   
6. Werewolf
   
7. Oliver Schick
   
8. hippy
   
9. jonny
   
10. andyp
    
11. mashton (hopefully +Tori)
    
12. marcom
    
13. purple_mj and ...
    15 ...what time did you get back sj
    
14. pistolero
    

Also, many thanks to Zed and the others who waited for me when I dropped me coat (yes, me coat...oh the shame...but it's £40!). I thought I would be able to catch up, but no way would I have. I'd still be out there!

Quote:
Originally Posted by BMMF
No way. 59" for everyone next year. Them's the rules.

Much respect, you were flying! I'll shutup on my 60" and HTFU

Dear TNRC,

I was lucky enough to attend your ride on Tuesday 20th Oct in the Surrey hills.

I'd like to say that I was made to feel very welcome by your courteous members and I had a very good time. The ride was challenging but more than doable. Although next time I will try a bigger gear. The descents killed me off quicker than the climbs.

The extra comedy moments of wrong turns and mechanical failures were a great touch and added to the already fine evening. I hope all involved got home safely.

I was up again at 05:30 and back on the bike for my commute, much to the alarm of my legs, who made their complaints felt. But it did not matter, because I had a huge smile on my face.

Heres looking forward to next year and more night shenanigans.

Much love,

pistol

Sam, I'll have a 32mm head spanner on me.

I have a phobia of Clowns! It's gonna be a scary ride!

Myself and Sam are meeting you out there. The list, as it is, is spot on for groupsave.

Sad news. Hoping it wasn't fatal too.

That new road layout is a right mess. It's much busier now and more confusing. I have been beeped numerous times, while waiting to turn right into Leman St, by drivers who don't realise it's a right turn only lane.