We did it for the French Divide a few years ago. Seemingly has to be done for any organised activity in France. Our GP provided the letter (for £40!) that just said "I know of no reason why X cannot do this event". Didn't even need an appointment, we just turned up at the surgery, explain...

While I still despise the name, I really do rate my Warroad. It's an excellent do it all bike. I probably ride it more than my Cutthroat these days.

I've an entry for CCC this summer. Big ultra race, smaller version of UTMB

First time I've had to go and get a medical certificate for any race, but appears to be the norm in France. Has to be signed off by a doctor.

Anyone had to get this done before? Just call GP and ask for appointment?

That was me :) Tod Harriers vest.

I learn't my lesson from going out too hard on that race a few years ago. It's quite a brutal one.

If I'd know it was you I'd have stopped for a natter.

Hang on...PaulE... were you in the DPFR vest behind me at the finish?

Edit: and yes, I nearly pulled the plug based on the rain on the way up. It was only the rain radar that persuaded me to bear with it.

Control stamps

I've worn my vest on cold audaxes right to skin - does an excellent job of shifting water outwards so that when I stop, I get less chilly.

I have a core vest and hoodie. I rate them both highly. Longevity....not so sure. But for the weight, they are quite warm. I've used them for winter running under a windproof, and as a take a long layer on rides and runs. However, they don't have much in the way of stretch about them, so be aware th...

Pivot LES?

Ibis DV9?

Being a fell race it's not going to be flat! It was 1km, about 60m climbing, more or less, up then down again.

The longest she has raced though is about 5km...orienteering, so not flat out at all, but not ever stopping. I think that took her about 45mins? It was lumpy.

Well she didn't hate me at the end, so I guess so

Yes, she was really happy, found it hard, but no surprises there.

Teenager With Altitude yesterday. First AL fell race in a while due to injuries. It was as brutal as ever! 26km, 2,200m of climbing, 4hrs 20min or so. Legs are borked today!

Then, daughter did her first fell race today. Can't do them until you are 6 and she is...by 10 days.

Treat it like a mountain marathon and you'd be fine. Could be quite a good trip.

Looping the MTL is very weather dependant for time. Wet for a few days before and it's really slow in sections. Dry and most is fast...but you'll run out of water quickly. It's a "nice" loop, but you'll become intimate with gates through one section.... The bit around the valley is excelle...

Johnallan wrote: ↑Sun Apr 16, 2023 9:50 pm What Greg said. I think there's a campsite next to the Packhorse at Widdop. Great pub and location, also on route but in the wrong direction...

I think that is gone? Not certain!

Look for Old Chamber Camping. Just up above Hebden Bridge - very simple. About 10 min walk down to the pub....20 or so back up :)

Spring into the Dales Audax for me today. "only" 115km, but with 2,200m of climbing in it. Pretty much no flat. I'd done the perm. version of it last year, and "enjoyed" it, but fancied the calendar version as it's a bit different. Weather was excellent, enjoyed the 2km cycle fro...

Climber. I have many guidebooks. They've all been used. Extensively.

As a cyclist, less of them.

Runner, I've used routes, but mainly when running abroad with time-bound constraints.

We can't make the two Irish weekends sadly, apparently they won't let me off teaching for the week to go have fun

Johnallan wrote: ↑Thu Apr 13, 2023 10:34 am
Unsure how best to get to Paris and back from Yorkshire without flying, and also booking Yorkshireman-friendly accommodation

Ride to Dover - ferry - ride. Simple enough :)

Great to see you both gearing up for this. Weather should be turning better (ish) for your next few rides at least.

Really good to see lots of young people coming into the sport. Loads of them. Not just the usual Scandi kids as well!

We're off to the 6 Day in Scotland later in the year as well. Planning on a bit of biking, may try out a MTBO race as well....

Quite an enjoyable weekend orienteering, niche sport that it is...

Untitled by Greg.May, on Flickr

Sums up the weekend pretty well:

Untitled by Greg.May, on Flickr

Relays, last day, 15th out of 50. Chuffed as we thought we’d really fluffed it!