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Ha! Thanks, I like it. Sounds like all letting/estate agents are as bad as each other, but with some being slightly worse.

Hello Manchester folk.
I'm starting my PGCE in September so going to be looking for somewhere to live (ideally a studio/bedsit without shared bathroom/kitchen), have you any suggestions on: 1. where is cheap; 2. where to search for flats; 3. if there are any decent estate agents.
Looking forward to meeting a few of you & I may even give this polo a go...

I'd be up for this, if a train down wasn't going to cost over £100! Curse living up north...

Yesterday I did my first Audax. I was apprehensive about this: what do I do?; what if I get lost?; what if I fall off? Turns out my worries were all nonsense, I rode with three others (who I am going to call Mr Belcher, Miss Squeaky-Wheel & the Human Garmin) all from the cycling club I am in so we all looked after each other (at least two of us had never done an Audax before).

Arriving at HQ in Garstang I was greeted by the smiling faces of friends & wishes of good luck, enjoy yourself & had a hot cup of tea. My brevet card was stamped, tea was drunk then 9:00am we all set off.

Clouds were overhead but a warmth was in the air...looks like it could be a nice day! Everyone was smiling & chatting for the first couple of miles, cycling at a swift pace, enjoying the undulations. After an hours cycle we reached Waddington, three of us stopped at the cafe 'are we supposed to stop here?'...confusion...so we had a hot drink, well why not? We were making good progress, others were here, fluids needed to be topped up. Off we go again, up some hills, down some hills, no flat, lush greenery on every side, the promise of sunshine, one wrong turning which took us down an amazing descent, which we then had to go back up. Through Downham & along familiar roads where I bumped into someone I haven't seen for at least 5 years, she offered a cup of tea but we were close to the halfway pitstop. From here it felt like constant up, the undulations I had been promised were no longer, relentless up...ah here's the top...up...what more up?!...up...surely, no...up...along glorious country lanes, focus on the countryside, ignore the hills. East Marton, we are nearly at the halfway check point, the sun came out, blue skies appeared, the Abbots Harbour Cafe & food was here.

Brevet stamped, refuelled & refreshed we set off, up hill again. Mr Belcher (so called because of the number of incredibly loud & deep belchings) was struggling, the food hadn't kicked in, cafe legs not warmed up, so at the top of a long climb we made sure he had some water, a banana, some energy gel & continued on our way. My saddlebag was squeaking, Miss Squeaky-Wheel had a squeaky wheel & the Human Garmin was beeping for turns. Mr Belcher suddenly found his second wind & disappeared in a flash, only to be slowed by yet another incline. Deliriousness was setting in, giddy heads, laughter, too much sugar? Sunshine? The joy of riding with others?

Checkpoint two at Halton West, no-one had a pen so photographic evidence was taken, off we go. BEEP turn right...Through Grindleton, West Bradford...the Human Garmin starts cramping in his legs, up hills are struggles, which end in him having to walk, 'only 20 miles more!' we offer cheerily, along with water & snacks & stretching exercises. Back through Waddington, we stop at Bashall Barn, the smell of a brewery is strong. Stretches & cold drinks are drunk, warnings of the next climb are warned, worried faces stare back...we set off again. The climb up to Chipping was steep, most of us grind up, I found it alright, just kept focusing on getting a few meters at a time, then I was at the top. The Human Garmin struggled, the cramp was bad, he kept going. Past the gliding club, watching a glider on it's way up, the climbs now out of the way, we could smell the cake! Stopping to wait for the cramp to dissipate, listening to the sounds of belching & squeaks we giggled. Setting off singing songs of spinning, bicycles & cake.

The final two miles were the most glorious miles I have ever ridden, tree lined lanes, dandelion lined verges, gentle descents & what felt like a bike which had become like a homing pigeon flying. HQ was in sight, we made it, high fives were had with smiling faces. Brevet cards stamped, sandwiches, cakes & tea consumed weary legs rested we had done it. Once home I discovered how sunburnt my arms are – ouch!

This was one of the hardest rides I have done, certainly the hilliest. It was also one of the most fun rides I have ridden & I now have three new friends in the cycling world.

Tl:Dr – Did my first Audax, hilly, sunny, hilly, someone had cramping legs, squeaking bikes, squeaking saddlebags, giddy heads, more hills, cake & sunburnt arms.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/315444740

Cazakstan, yup! See Hats for one if you're on the ride, if they all disappear & you want one (this goes to everyone) drop me a PM & I'll make some more up.

Mmm cake...alas no, I'm not sure cake would travel too well, or last till Sunday! (not that I'm saying Hats would eat it all by then)

I am also jealous.

Hopefully a small parcel to make up for my absence has arrived with Hats though...

1. Cazakstan
   
2. Cafewanda
   
3. Jess (I don't know how to do your fanci bit in user name!)
   
4. bothwell
   
5. Hats
   
6. Nick-Nack
   
7. Poots
   
8. Doctor Cake
   
9. LittleHeather
   
10. missmouse
    
11. betty
    
    

Will have to check that it doesn't clash with anything else, & that I have the monies in the bank, so a provisional in for me. Now, comfy road bike or fixed, that is the question...

Done, also shared on the facespace. I can't believe it has come to this though.

Had a wonderful ride out today from Preston to Leyton Moss RSPB. I would post the Garmin route but the darn thing seems to be a bit hit & miss when it decides to record the route (only started recording from Garstang on the way up to the wetlands, then from Garstang to Preston), it also turns itself off over any significant bump in the road. It is frustrating!

Anywho, did 75+ miles in wind, rain & shine, ate cake, drank tea & saw ducks.

Hello,

If anyone living up North (or elsewhere), fancies what could be a beautiful ride, on Sunday 19th May there are some Audax cycle rides. Unfortunately, I assume due to the weather, not many people have signed up this year. I thought I would try to drum up some riders for them (& so that I hopefully have someone to follow to avoid getting lost).

Fingers crossed for good weather as the countryside round here really is lovely.

Here are the details:

All rides start at Claughton, near Garstang, 8 miles north of Preston, Lancashire.

Fleet Moss 212km (132miles)
A challenging ride through the beautiful Forest of Bowland, on to Dent in the Yorkshire Dales, Then Hawes, with the infamous Fleet Moss climb taking you to Kettlewell, returning to the HQ via the Ribble Valley.

Lunesdale Populaire 158km (98miles)
Not as tough but still a challenging ride. Follows the Fleet Moss route to Dent then onto Sedbergh in the Yorkshire Dales, through Kirkby Lonsdale, then returning via Quernmore to the HQ.

Pilgrim's Way 112km (70miles)
A moderately hilly ride, through the beautiful Ribble Valley countryside via Waddington & onto West Marton, returning to the HQ via Chipping.

More details are available from rvcrc-fleetmoss-2013 (at) hotmail.co.uk

Details about audax's www.aukweb.net

Todays ride - wet, windy & so, so cold. Why is it always horrid weather on a Sunday!

Now in need of tea, blanket & food.

Of course! Not sure how long it'll be before I get round to fabric, sewing etc, but if you're happy to wait?

I've started the Northern leg of Guinness #8, alas no cake, no bike, no drunken conversation...sniff...wish I was there.

Hats, I am going to do some fabric ordering this week. Expect an improved, revised owl in the future. It seems there has been a spate of missing owls recently.

Today I have made crumpets. I thought they were delicious, but my family are weird & criticised the lack of holes in the top...

Saw a chap in a Garmin jersey on a black fixed bike on Wilmslow Road about 2.30pm this afternoon, should have DAS'd but my brain was too slow (too slow to see the make of bike too). Maybe in a few months, all being well, I'll be cycling round Manchester too.

OWLS! Oh this sounds great, I wish I could come but I may have accidentally said I would take part in/had my arm twisted/got told I was taking part in an audax (it looks mighty hilly too).

Definitely Wray, I remember looking at the signpost as I wasn't sure how it was written. The chaps I ride with really know their way round the area & are great guides (I follow blindly not knowing where I am).

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/294634589

Today was glorious! The sunshine was a proper bonus to a good cycle out with the local group. We ended up in a village called Wray that has a scarecrow festival. I'm going to have to go & see this when it's on as apparently the whole village is decorated with them everywhere. The countryside round here really is beautiful & I'm so happy to be able to go out on my bike to enjoy it.

It's been a weekend of riding out in the countryside twice in three days, I think this is a record for me as I have been so lazy not wanting to step foot out the front door. There are some great rides round Preston & I am really enjoying myself, & surprising myself with keeping up with the intermediate group. Today there were several ups & downs where I kept saying how much I hate hills then powering up the short steep hills, & keeping going up the long slow ones - they now think I'm a closet hill climber!

I do think my garmin is fibbing to me at times, Fridays ride I burnt 66,000 calories & today I hit 63mph...

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/291190221

Here is the group with Pendle hill in the background, but no witches to be seen.

It's about time I got my Mercian on this here thread, I have finally got round to taking a few quick snaps of him...

What? I'm not wild...are you sure it was me?!?

It's good to be back in the smoke, even if it is a swift visit. See you all Wednesday.

All being well I will make this...I have plenty of time to book a train & find somewhere to stay.

1. 50/14.
   
2. Bernie
   
3. Rogan
   
4. Pinnochio Poots
   
5. Jake
   
6. PP
   
7. deLights
   
8. shinkuu kiss
   
9. cnkr (ian)
   
10. tomsvoboda
    
11. betty
    

Next week I shall be making a long overdue appearance (sadly there may be no cake though...please don't hate me!), going to have to figure out the dreaded public transport though. I am super excited & also glad that I get to come for Steffbeers.