London Phoenix

Really looking forward to your experience of this epic event Steven. I'm up in these wild northern fells at the moment with views of Ingleborough and Whernside. But going south in the morning and then off to warmer climes on Saturday, as you know. I've seen a few of the 'warning bike race on sunday' signs - the mere thought of this event fills me with excitement and awe. The weather will make a big difference to how it goes naturally. Bad weather for me means more epic. I returned hypothermic to be wrapped in the dog blanket after my first go. The rain lashed and the winds were gale force on the tops. It was possible to swim in the lower road to the last climb Pen y Ghent. The only advice I can give is as Astrid says, get up front early on, and hammer it on all road sections. The rest will take skilled and patient care. Get yer trudge legs on for the steeper hill walks and don't loiter. Get comfortable with your bike on your back and be a strong soldier. For the descents take care and try to follow good lines from riders who've done it before. All the descents are rideable but watch out for very uneven often boggy ground and drainage gullies. Yep, going over the bars is pretty certain, but you should have a soft landing in most cases. Take a few gels or better still Kendal mint cake for the mountaineering aspect of it. Above all, enjoy it!! It really is legendary.

I'm almost jealous. *Almost*

Thanks, guys. Here we go. See you on the other side...

Good luck Steven. Sounds nails.

I've just been watching some old videos. Wish I were there...

Anyway - good luck!

Good luck everyone doing this one

Good luck Steven an d anyone else doing this. I'm actually slightly jealous. But only slightly.

Well that didn't quite go to plan. I got through the road section at the start unscathed but just after the farm yard at the bottom of Simon Fell, there was a bit of a bottleneck. I had to stop but unfortunately someone behind didn't and they smacked into the back of my bike shearing off the rear mech. I haven't looked at the Garmin yet but I reckon I managed 15 mins. Gutted doesn't really cover it.

Thanks to a very nice chap called Chas from Bury Cycle Speedway Club who gave me a lift back to the Race HQ. I did therefore have the honour of being the first rider back to Helwith Bridge. I was probably passing Derby on the M1 by the time Jebb, Craig et al were finishing.

Roll on next year.

Oh no!
We've all broken off rear mechs in cyclocross races, but not that way. That just seems so wrong!

That's rubbish

Och no Steven! How disappointing:-(