washsaint

Yep VFTT, it was the thin air. Never experienced anything like it before. The first couple of miles were the worst trying to work out the best breathing method. Once that was sorted it was then mind over matter - 15 miles up is twice the longest climb I have done before so getting into the right mindset was key. Once that was all sorted I really enjoyed the ride up and the views were incredible. Even managed to reach the top without being short of breath but is was so darn cold I just wanted to get down to warmth! However, there were some hallucinations near the top - thinking rocks were sheep and the like! One hell of a ride you did - at a helluva pace. getting the rides in while you can?

Erdogan is an Islamist fascist. Freedoms - personal and press - have been eroded for years under this guy. Anyone who dissents against erdogan basically gets jailed: including the military. His policy with the Kurds, cosying up to ISIS, etc. were all driving Turkey away from the secular, inclusive ways of Ataturk. He was moving Turkey so far away from the Ataturk model that they could easily have become another Islamic state.

Did it! Mount Evans conquered! What an epic, epic ride: the air was as thin as heck and the scenery was incredible. VFTT - I can 100% guarantee it would be exceptionally difficult. On one uphill segment during the descent I hammered it and could not breathe....actually after the first couple of miles and tryign to breathe it was not too bad. Keeping a steady cadence and trying to keep the HR steady was the key: I would even say it was tougher on the descent with the state of the road, constant riding of brakes and massive winds trying to blow me off the edge! Absolutely epic and chuffed to bits: Mount Evans is 1000m higher than any other road in Europe and is the 5th highest paved road in the world! If you ever get the opportunity to try it, well worth the pain! https://www.strava.com/activities/641860464

what a load of ****** Shurlock (as ever). He was not as poor as some of the idiots on here made out and should be set up for a cracking season. Koeman had his favorites - and Cedric was not one of them.

Recovery going well then VFTT? I hear you to a degree.....poodling along at a slow speed can be frustrating which is why he wanted to go out today and I said no, group ride for me! Missus not happy but I could not have done 3 days in a row!

Lets hope Cedric can carry this form into the new season. He has played superbly on the whole in this tournament.

Another cracking group ride in the beautiful Virginia countryside - glorious day with temperatures in the high 80s and low humidity (quite rare for this time of year out here!). The best thing right now though is my 12 year old boy has decided he wants to take up cycling. Couple of lovely rides around 20 miles each with him this weekend and in a year or two I think I will be struggling to keep up. getting him off his computer games and enjoying being outside makes all the efforts worthwhile and seeing him enjoy himself, with a big smile on his face and having serious bonding time is totally awesome!

Unlike other clubs, we go about our business quietly and, on the whole, away from the media spotlight. Unlike clubs like West Ham who seem to tweet about every player on the planet they are interested in, we go and find players that are not the finished article and improve them so that when, or if, they move to a massive club we make a huge profit and reinvest in 2 players to improve the squad. The fact that we constantly seem to find these hidden gems and don't pay over the odds, say 30 million for Deeney, means we will only continue to become stronger. It could be, although time will tell, that Puel could be a masterstroke. With his reputation for developing players this could be a great fit - dare I say it like when Pochettino was here? As great as Koeman was for us I think you would find it hard to argue that he developed players significantly. Hopefully 2 more players and we will be well set for another cracking season.

You're absolutely right....DW is terrible. That's why the England setup rate him so highly and he is Englands goalkeeper coach. Unbelievable......................

I really don't understand why we are trying to force Pelle out. he has been excellent for us and is a proven commodity. We complain enough when players look to leave yet think it would be good business to force Pelle out. You can't have it both ways. I will be very sorry to see Pelle leave if indeed that happens. If he truly wants to stay why not offer him a 1 or 2 year contract extension? For sure, it is unlikely we would be unable to find a similar quality striker for the 8 million we paid. On his day he is unplayable

That is the segment - because of time constraints I will be starting at the Ranger station and not Idaho Springs. That will halve the distance and leave about 3.5K of elevation change. It is the altitude I am most concerned about - the climb will start at over 10K feet. Hoping nice and slow and steady will do the trick as I have the fitness at sea level. Not sure about bug ring though!!!! No room for error on the descent that's for sure! VFTT - I thought you were off the bike yet you still seem to be doing mental mileage?

What a fantastic article and makes you proud to be a Saints fan. The 'Southampton Way' is real and great to see that other sports and top clubs are looking at what we do. This shows the club is trying to do things the right way and long may it continue.

Lol....no chance of landing him with some of the other clubs that are sniffing around. Our previous big signings did not do so well so spending 30m Euros on this guy would not fill me with confidence. We seem to get real gems in the 8-12 million range (Pelle, Tadic, VVD, Redmond, Bertrand, Long) as opposed to the big money bracket (osvaldo, Ramirez)

Yay.......finally got the OK from the missus to go do Mount Evans next week when out in Denver for my kids soccer tournament. Highest paved road in the US and not sure how I will handle the altitude (14,000+ feet) but looking forward to giving it a try. Reading reviews the last week or so looks like it will need to be winter weather gear!

You utter helmet. Sure you must be a skate on a wind up.

While having full faith in the Board and looking forward to the new season.....it would be nice to get some replacements in sooner rather than later. We badly need a replacement for both Mane and Wanyama and with Pelle looking like he is off too we are in danger of being short in key positions with Rodriguez and Austin's history of long term injuries. Really unimpressed with some of the reputed links to players we are interested in - in order to kick on we need some real quality to be added. Truly hope that we get some business done in the next 1-2 weeks and that it is for quality players. Appreciating that Leicester have just won the League - but they seem to be doing some very astute business early and could be in a very strong position come the start of the season. Us, I'm less convinced about: great that the U21s will be given a chance to impress but, based on last season, very few seem ready for the step up. Hopefully worrying about nothing................

Certainly a lot of positive commentary from the other side of the Channel and from people who should know. Hopefully we have made another great decision - time will tell.

It would be good if we brought in some real quality this window. Not impressed with who we have been linked to since Puel came in. If Pelle goes (and I hope he doesn't) then I certainly hope we have a top notch replacement lined up. RObson Kanu, Berahino, et al are not what I would call top notch. Be great if we got the guy from CSKA but looks like he is going to Leicester.

Hey Pancake - doesn't matter about the speed or the distance. It's all about having fun and just enjoying the rides (at least in my book).

Disappears into the ether? Are you truly that dumb? Have you looked at the accounts? This myth about us selling players and the owners pocketing the money is just that: a myth. If the money was disappearing into the ether our owners would not be owed multi-millions. Or do you think she is quietly taking the cash back to Switzerland in plastic bags? We are run as a sustainable club and we are currently punching way above our weight. If you cannot be happy with finishing 6th/7th and getting into Europe consistently then I truly pity you - this is one hell of an achievement when you consider at least 7 clubs generate 3-4 times more revenue than us. Still - we're being cynically used. What a completely daft statement.

This penalty shoot out sums up this game (and the Euros in general) - awful!

Jeez...no wonder Pelle does not take penalties for us!

You really are a prize t**t aren't you? Total muppet. What were your views on Pochettino then? Why don't you give the new guys a chance before spouting off your usual crap? The club has earned the right to be given the benefit of the doubt - the constant improvement has shown them making the right decisions even if fans vehemently disagree. While I don't know a huge amount about him and was underwhelmed when he was made the favorite for the job the feedback from people in France has been encouraging. At least the younger players will be given the opportunity to impress and challenge for a place in the first team. Under Koeman that no longer appeared to be the case and must have affected the younger players confidence and mindset. If they prove they're good enough hopefully they will get the chance now. Welcome Claude and looking forward to bright, attacking football and another exciting season.

Absolute stunner of a ride in Marin County, Ca today. Incredible riding on the Pacific Highway and through Redwood forests. Simply the best ride I have ever done (albeit slow). Some of the climbs were brutal in the extreme and I certainly needed the compact on the rented Bianchi. If you ever get the chance to ride in Marin County - take it! https://www.strava.com/activities/624121016

Like......but you're wasting your time VFTT. This board seems to be populated by absolute morons of the highest order. Wah, wah, wah....not fair. Not even going to a big club (Liverpool!!!). wah wah wah. Pathetic little babies