Carrie (TR) started another weekend with Round 6 of the Friday Night Summer Series at Pitsford Water. Carrie led the 5 women for the first two laps at a fast pace, but dropped back to 3rd for the finish. Despite finishing 3rd it was her strongest race yet - looking good for the TransRockies. Gary H marshalled at the event - still nursing a broken toe.

Pete, Richard & Gary T (from R to L) Builth Wells Merida

Sunday saw Carrie (TR) Brian (TA) Martine (TA) Pete (TR) Adam (TA) Gary T (TA) Richard, Jay, Dan, Jo line up for the Builth Wells Merida. Pete, Adam, Gary T and Richard rode together with Pete recovering from a broken shoulder and Richard a bad back they took their time and enjoyed the ride. Brian & Martine pulled-out after 50km due to Martine suffering from a knee problem. Carrie suffered a puncture and a broken chain, Dan came off - buckling his front wheel and cutting his arm and ankle - requiring medical treatment. Jo whizzed round the 50km course.

Brian (TA) Martine (TA) at the Builth Wells Merida start line.

Gary T (TA) competed at the SSMM 24 hour race and reported as follows: 'First lap was a nightmare and wondered what we were doing there. Just like a wet Friday night race but with 500m of ascent. Slippy tree roots, gloopy mud, off camber traverses, unrideable climbs, pushing, muddy clayey tracks, treacherous wooden bridges, mud and muddy water. I hated the first lap but things got better.
Next lap was a night time one by which time the course had begun to dry out. Still unrideable sections but the single track was becoming less slippy short sharp climbs scaleable starting to enjoy it. I then had the sun rise lap and it was still getting better taking 10 plus mins off earlier laps. Last lap was excellent still had some pushing up the land rover track but the rest was great and the fastest I managed 1.12.
Sandy a late stand-in managed the slowest lap at 2.55 but it is long way to walk at night and he done zero training.
No idea where we came but had a good time, no mechanicals or real injuries. Mileage was not Transalp like but the overall physical and mental abuse was fun. Amazed that 90% of people were pushing up very rideable climbs, a lot of
people must train on the flat? The fast guys were very fast and can ride almost anything but thats why they get paid for it I guess. Managed to overtake a few Cats and Numplumz riders just hope they weren't soloist'.

Brian (TA) reported: Martine (TA) had a go at the Dambuster standard distance triathlon on Saturday. It was a qualifier for the World Standard distance champs in Honolulu. She came 5th, so if she had a GB passport, she would have qualified. Pretty pleasing - especially since she hasn't trained for speed (necessary for this distance).

Carrie (TR) and Gary H(TA&TR) had a 50km ride out to a Pub Friday night (excellent Thai food). Picked their bikes up from George Hall Cycles Saturday morning having had their final service before the TA & TR, before heading over to Thetford for a ride around the black and the blue run. Sunday, Gary managed to break his toe in the Rapids at Centre Parcs!

South Downs Way in a day: Gary T (TA) Brian (TA) Martine (TA) Carrie (TR) and Gary H(TA&TR) started the weekend with a curry at Pete's (TR) in Reading. Pete has now been given the all clear for driving (fractured shoulder repairing gradually). 05:30 Saturday the group set off to meet Guy (TR) in Winchester for a 07:30 start. Guy (TA) and Gary (TR&TA) rode together for their second and final training ride together before the TA. They managed to cover the 160km, 3400m route in 11:45hrs not including their lunch stop at the very expensive cafe near Amberley. Carrie diverted from the Devils Dyke to Brighton and caught the train to Eastbourne (120km) whilst Gary T, Brian & Martine continued their SDW attempt arriving around 21:30 in time for a quick scrub-up before heading out to celebrate Brian's birthday with a massive Italian meal.

Sunday the team tried to head back to Reading by train. Despite checking on the National Rail web site and phoning to check travel from Eastboune to Reading via Gatwick was possible on the Sunday of the London to Brighton bike ride, Southern Rail would not let us on the train for our return journey. Southern Rail blamed National Rail, National Rail blamed Southern Rail, in the meantime we were stuck miles from home, due to Southern Rail and National Rail incompetences. Pete came to our rescue by driving down from Reading to collect us. Thanks Pete.

Frank (TR) and Adam (TA) meanwhile spent the did a Sunday 'Fathers Day' ride in the peaks. A short ride at a fast pace. Rushup Edge to Hayfield, back via Jacobs Ladder and then over to Ladybower and back with a final sprint through the crowds at Castleton to the finish line.

Saturday, Sunday 10th & 11th June

Gary T (TA) and Gary H(TA&TR) started the weekend off with Round 4 of the Friday Night Summer Series at Cosford, Rugby.
The conditions were awful and despite these Gary T came in 13th Senior for his highest placing this season. In the old men's Veteran category, Gary H got held up by a crash at the start, but manged to finally take 2nd place in the Vets on the last lap (coming 5th overall).

Nice clean bike after the Rugby race!

Found out Saturday, that Pete (TR) after 2 weeks of pain from his shoulder, after an xray has a fractured shoulder from his bike crash (a tree jumped out in front of him). He will need to be in a sling for two weeks, but hopes to be back strong and fit - a turbo trainer has been mentioned!

Richard & Megan have confirmed their withdrawl from the TransRockies!

Martine is making a slow recovery after her accident.

No wonder they give TransAlp competitors a starters T-Shirt. It's an achievement just to get yourself to the start in one piece after all the training.

Saturday saw Richard (TR) Megan (TR) Carrie (TR) and Gary H(TA&TR) in Builth Wells riding the 43km Rhayader - mbr killer loop. That evening they were joined by the remainder of the teams: Guy (TA) Gary T (TA) Frank (TR) Brian (TA) & Martine (TA). The Rhayader Merida (99.5km 2400m) was enjoyed by all. Frank wrote the following report:

I was up at 7 on Sunday morning for breakfast and some last minute
tinkering. Brian had brought me a saddle so I attempted to replace my old
one only to discover the one of the bolts was cross threaded. A quick trip
to a trade stand secured two new ones, although I dropped and lost the allen
key in the process luckily Martine had a spare. However it turned out not to
be the bolts but the aluminum block! Luckily Martine offered to use of her
post and saddle so all was resolved.

So that just left the matter of the rather noisy bottom bracket to fix. Gary
H reckoned it wasnt the bracket at all and Brain (Muscles) Tear decided to
check the bolts holding the chain rings in place. The last one to be
tightened sheared off leaving part of it stuck against the middle ring
making it unusable. Back to the trade stand but no offers of help this time
as the race started in less than 30mins.

Back to the tent, where only an audience of Richard and Megan remained, to
find the crank remover (see previous emails, bought 20 years ago, never
used), whipped the cranks off, removed the offending bolt, and sheared
another bolt, this time on the small ring, put it all back together and ran
for the start line. The pre-race dump would have to wait.

Spotted Richard at the start, he couldn't bear to watch the end of my
performance as it was heading for a tragedy, so had left for the start. When
I told him I had been planning to ride with Gary T he pointed him out in the
crowd about 5 yards away. When I got there, guess who he was stood next to?
None other than the two Ians, one of Sheffield, the other my ex-wifes new
bloke!

Anyway, on the first downhill my feet came out my pedals so all my weight
was Martines saddle and it shifted into a rather uncomfortable position.
Shame I'd lost the Allen key earlier necessary to readjust it! The remainder
of the race passed of uneventfully, I lost track of Gary early on, I'd
forgotten to start my stop watch so I didn't what time I was doing and I
didn't care, all that mattered was to beat the two Ian's. The red mist had
descended!

Despite the noisy cranks, the bike held up and I absolutely spanked it down
the last road section......fantastic.

I finished on about 6:25

The positions (it's not a race) were Guy 30th, Gary 31st (5:26), Brian 39th, Frank 96th, Gary T 103rd, Carrie 152nd and definitely not last! Both Pete (TR) and Martine (TA) had hurt their shoulders, so Martine went out on the road bike and Pete stayed at home.

STOP PRESS: Richard & Megan may be withdrawing from the TransRockies! Will keep you posted.

Monday saw Gary T (TA) Carrie (TR) and Gary H(TA&TR) in Builth Wells riding the 43km Rhayader - mbr killer loop it fantastic weather.

Gary T (TA), Carrie (TR) and Gary H(TA&TR) started the weekend off with Round 3 at Sulby, Leicestershire, of the Friday Night Summer Series
Gary T crashed once and came in a respectable 21st with a very strong field of Senior. In the old men's Veteran category, Gary H managed to hang on to 2nd for 2 laps before losing 2 places and finishing in 4th - no punture this time just lost his saddle bag which he retrieved on the next lap! Carrie had a better race lapping the only other female competitor.  Sunday Pete (TR), Guy (TA), Carrie (TR) Gary H(TA&TR), Frank and Jay met up for a 71km, 1080m ascent blast around the Chilterns, punctuated with a stop for refreshments in a Wendover pub. Gary T (TA) did a solo couple of loops around Beacon Hill, in Leicestershire clocking up 87k and 1210m. Brian (TA) had spent a couple of days of simulated TransAlp training in Holland!! 192km on the first day, and 133km on his second. Most of the two groups will meet up next weekend at the Builth Wells Merida Event. Martine (TA) has been putting in alot of virtual km's and metres of ascent on her turbo trainer.

Carrie(TR) and Gary H(TR&TA) competed in round 2 of the FNSS at Milton Keynes Bowl. Gary managed to lead the Veterans after the 2nd lap (due to the lead Vet puncturing). On the 6th and final lap he managed to pinch flat hopping a kerb - pilot error! Not sure where he finished, but a long way down the field. Carrie was the first women and won her first prize money (no other women competing!). Sunday they both did a 45 mile road ride around Oundle with the Northampton CTC.

Gary T (TA), Carrie (TR) and Gary H(TA&TR) started wth the weekend off with the first round of the Friday Night Summer Series (based in the East Midlands).
Despite a bad start with Gary H managed to lead the Veterans categories for a couple of laps before going backwards through the field. Finally, a last spurt of effort got him to 2nd place! Carrie came in 3rd in the womens category and Gary T in his first ever FNSS race came in a very respectable 18th in the very competitive Senior category (See report and results at numplumz.com).
Saturday & Sunday Carrie and Gary spent another weekend in the Lakes. Saturday: Buttermere, Honister, Castle Crags, Cat Bells, Back-O-Skiddaw, Ashness Bridge, Watendlath,Rossthwaite and return to Buttermere (70km 1400m). Sunday: Buttermere, Crumock, Whinlatter Pass, Comb plantation to Bassenthwaite, Wythop Hill, Lorton, round Mosser Fell, above Loweswater and return (60km 1400m). The Fred Whitton challenge road cyclists were out in force, grinding their way up and down all the Lakeland passes. Looks like a good idea for next year!

The TA/TR team were out in force over the May bank holiday weekend. Richard & Megan (TR), Pete (TR), Brian & Martine, Gary T (TA), Carrie (TR) & Gary H (TR/TA) all set off early Saturday morning on a 3 day  attempt a loop aroud the Lake District.
Day 1: 80 km 1900 m Ascent, Honister Hawse YHA to Coniston via Buttermere, Black Sale Pass.
Day 2: 50 km 1675 m Ascent , Coniston, to Patterdale YHA via Grizedale Forest, Windermere, High Street.
Day 3: 68 km 1560 m Ascent, Paterdale YHA to Honister YHA via Dockray, Skidaw House YHA, Ashness Bridge.

Two year previously four of the eight person group dropped out on day two when Richard had an argument with a dry stone wall and lost. See report here.  This time luck was not to be any different, as on day three Martine hit a large rock, which sent her over the bars at around 15 mph!

Frank, Carrie and Gary H after a night on the Newcastle Brown at the Limehouse Lizzy concert in Sheffield, we were up
bright and early for a 9.15 start from Castleton (car park £5!).
Up to Hollins Cross, along Rushup Edge and over to Hayfield. A quick diversion up Lantern Pike back via Kinder Res and Coldwell Clough to enjoy the descent of Jacobs Ladder. Up Mam Tor by the road and down to Castleton via Hollins Cross. An excellent day, just as enjoyable as the other way round, and no unnecessary stopping.

Saturday Gary H drove down to Plymouth to attempt his first ever National Points Series race, which was Round 1 held at Plimpton, Plymouth.  A respectible 15th out of 36-ish in very wet and muddy conditions. Sunday was spent with Jack & Lloyd doing a 48km mbr killer loop in the wind and rain, but they smiled all the way round.

Merida Spring Enduro at Builth Wells. A number of the TransAlp/TransRockies teams Gary H, Carrie (TR), Gary T, Adam (TA), Brian & Martine (TA) and Pete & Frank (TR) braved the first of the Merida Enduros, with only Pete being brave enough to attempt the Night enduro.

Friday saw Pete, Gary and Jay spent the weekend riding from Sheffield via Stanage, Ladybower, Cut Gate, Marsden, Todmorden to Mankingholes YHA on a 105 km off-road ride. Sunday, joined by Frank, we completed the 77 km Mary Townley Loop. The next two days were spent riding around the Peaks.
Gary T did a couple of day rides solo around the Peaks.

Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th March

Guy, Vika, Pete and Carrie met up on Saturday at Ditchling Beacon for first an mbr easy and then a medium route combined. Fantastic weather - shorts and tee-shirts. Ditchling Beacon start, headed East first then West later. Sunday another mbr medium route - loop from Steyning. Fantastic weather again still able to wear shorts and tee-shirts.