View From The Top

I have 2 canisters attached with a elastic band to the inflator and a tube with tyre levers wrapped in an old sock that goes in my jersey. They fill my left rear pocket. Don't even know that they are there.

Blimey! That was a bit good!

I'm a lover of CO2 for size and ease of use but if I'm out solo I'll also take my mini pump. As for tyres I've moved from Michelin Service Course to Vittoria Open Corsa SC. Awesome tyres, both are and way, way, way cheaper than Conti. Aldi, from today, have inflatior and 4 canisters for £5. Work great. Had a big weekend on the bike myself working up towards Chase the Sun on June 18th. 215km training ride with my mate yesterday in some tough weather and our local hospice had it's annual ride today, 105km, but on some filthy land. Ended up covered in liquified cow ****e and badger ****.

It was scary as fook and "Hillsborough" always makes me think that it could so easily been us.

Many people there that day will remember the crush and being lifted off your feet.

If you only read one piece read this. Men saw their children die due to the police and then the police lied, lied again and carried on lying. http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/apr/26/hillsborough-disaster-deadly-mistakes-and-lies-that-lasted-decades?CMP=share_btn_tw

The c**ts on this thread are now really shown up as gullible, thick c**ts who swallowed the bullsh*t peddled by the establishment, via The Sun, to protect themselves. Utter, utter c**ts.

Keep going and keep going some more.

I 'kin hate Adrian Heath.

Did my fastest 100km/60miler today. Average speed on 20mph+ and 8 KOMs.

Anyone disappointed with the league season is a ****. Europe, however, I'm still nuts about.

Spurs are bloody brilliant to watch. Worthy winners if they pull it off.

Amstel Gold – All I can say is that it’s a dream of an event. We arrived teatime(ish) in Maastricht to a quality barn conversion with all mod-cons which was an easy 10km ride to Valkenburg and a 15min stroll into the town centre and the race start line. We decided that we’d get the lycra on and spin over to Valkenburg to collect the start numbers and to check out the Cauberg. The main cycle route was being dug up for a replacement cycle flyover so once we’d sussed the detour it was a simple ride past the race and event finish line, past the camper vans which already had the BBQs going and clearly many beers had been quaffed, and down the Cauberg itself. Believe it or not this was actually the iffiest bit of the weekend as workmen were laying cables, putting up rigs etc and crash barrier legs threatened to flip us off. Valkenburg was jumping. It was packed and the Dutch were clearly in party mood. This was clearly going to be pretty special. We rode back via the Cauberg safe in the knowledge that we’d set PBs up it the next day, or that was the plan but for some odd reason Spencer’s Garmin didn’t record the climb so as it’s not on Strava Spencer has only officially climbed it once! Headed back into Masstricht and the heavens opened for 5mins and we were like drowned rats which put pay plans to go and watch the football. Hot food and an early night was clearly going to be the new plan of action. Saturday morning dawned bright and clear but breezy. Unfortunately the sunshine would be intermittent, the breeze was most definitely wind and our old friend April Showers would certainly be returning but we headed off in high spirits and were joined en-route by Pat from Melbourne who seemed a decent enough chap. A quick descent into Valkenberg and we beeped over the start sensors. This was it, Amstel Gold. We headed out of town and straight into the first hill which we tapped out a steady rhythm as we settled in to the ride, this was followed by a straight quick downhill and a 90 degree left hander, which, despite all the signs and the marshals, Spencer decided to ignore and go straight on! Once he re-joined me we sat on the front of our peloton tapping out a nice steady 35km/ph tempo until the next hill. As soon as the ground changed to anything other than flat our companions were off the back. To be blunt, the Dutch can’t climb (or descend for that matter). On every single incline and hill, of which there were many, everyone else seemed to be straight into their HUGE granny rings and hurting. I’d seen similar in Flanders in 2015 but this was incredibly pronounced. The looks of incredulity that we got as we chatted away as we climbed past everyone on climb after climb certainly made us feel good. The ride was through stunning countryside, in changing weather on wonderful roads with excellent riding by everyone. After the first feedstation were started on a series of longer climbs taking us into Belgium, and briefly, Germany, which of course were followed by long flowing descents. All of this in a wooded area that was uncannily like Cannock Chase. Feedstation two was arrived at after a couple of downpours so there was no real desire to hang about and get cold but we knew the tough climbing was still to come. We had a series of hills coming that all topped out high in the teens and the penultimate climb of the day, the Keutenberg, which kicked off at 22%. The ride had become busier as the various routes converged and we sat behind a group of 5 fellas as 4 of them pushed their “larger” friend up a tough climb, a few more leg sappers were seen off and then there we were, in front of the Keutenberg. It was a wall. I was feeling good, strong and at ease at went at it with gusto and flew up the left hand side calling out to slower riders to move right and weaving through those busting every sinew on this monster. A look up saw the crest 400m ahead and I flew up it and grinned stupidly at Spencer when he crested, having just avoided the unclipped big bloke that I’d dodged. It was the hardest climb I’d ever done. Only one climb was left, the Cauberg. We headed down into the town, the Dutch again proving to us that they’re not too hot going downhill, and we swung left into the Cauberg and bang, we were at it. Both of us swung to the righthand side, outside of the conned off ride channel, and flew up as the crowds roared. Yes, crowds of people cheering you up the Cauberg! As I went over the toughest part I slowed so Spencer and I could head under the banner together and that just left the run for the line. I opened the sprint up with 500m to go and went full gas with 200m left and it felt bloody fantastic to roll over the line with the commentator calling you name out! Thousands and thousands of expensive bikes were just left in a field as the Dutch hit the beer tents and that was it, Amstel Gold done. It may not have the pull of a Monument ride but 26,000 people can’t be wrong. It was, to me. More satisfying than Flanders as people were better disciplined on the climbs are the riding was less aggressive. Make no mistake, it was a hard day in the saddle but the months of hard riding in the wind and climbing hard short climb after hard short climb on ****ty roads paid off. The Dutch clearly love this race and event and really know how to enjoy themselves and I’d ride it again in a heartbeat.

Amstel Gold was chuffin epic. I would recommend it to any one. Lots and lots of climbing including a 22% ramp!

Get a room you pair of fu_cking tarts.

Considering we have fans who think it's the very height of terrace humor to put a Mars Bar on the head of a steward I would suggest our fan base is in no position to question others.

I'm going. Going for a spin tomorrow to see how I feel as quarantine is over!

I always go, we always lose. This time I'm not going ergo we won't lose!

Had an awful ride. Was struggling from the off and really should have turned around after 25km. Of course I didn't but had to bail out when doing a big Peak climb with my HR setting a new record. Phoned the Mrs to come and get me and she wouldn't as she was out with my girls at a horse show. I had a 50km struggle home through very lumpy countryside. My Mrs made me go to the out of hours doc up at the hospital and it turns out I've got mumps so no wonder I was in bits.

Big ride in The Peaks tomorrow including Winnats Pass which is long, steep and painful. Should come in at around 200km and 3000m. Couple of gentle rides on Monday & Wednesday and then strip and clean the Merckx before heading over for the Amstel. It was either Peak District with a group or race on Sunday but my top end speed is still missing after illness so I'll suffer in the Peaks instead.

They all will. 'Kin love Copenhagen.

This really seems to have you confused. It's about people paying what they should. It's a very simple concept.

It's not very hard. It's about everyone paying their share, not paying more.

That is really, really sh_it.

How did she die?