Any sign of Paul Marshall yet?

Thought he would be done by now but not heard anything.

Paul Marshall texted me this morning. He spent night at top of climb out of Penmachno. Sounds like he was happy and in good spirits. Brilliant job by all. My son has just done a picture for me ' to cheer you up daddy for missing your bike race' https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2950/15327499367_4e5f00c...

Great thread. Dave barter should be along any minute going by his spot tracker.

What is the thoughts on the route from the early finishers?

Wow. Sounds very tough.

Where are you / where did you all bail?

Hmmm. This is making my decision to drop out feel more vindicated. That and worsening manflu today. Had a text from Paul Marshall, he was in barmouth at 4.20. I suggested he might get through the hike a bike section before dark. Not so sure now. He did say that the trails were ace to that point thou...

I've got two tabs open and flick between them.
Ian is stopped just short of bryncrug for 16mins. Puncture?

Is it just me or is ians not working?

Gutted. Woke up this morning and the slight tickle in my throat yesterday has turned into a sandpaper feeling and sinuses totally blocked. Doubt that attempting bb200 will be a good idea feeling like this. Pretty much everything packed as well. Looks like I'll be spending the day putting all my kit ...

hmm Bala is only half an hour's drive from my inlaws.

think a late night/early morning extraction call may be on the cards.

i am now very very very worried.

Given that the forecast is firming up, with a fair bit of rain inevitable, what's everybody thinking of wearing? I think I will now go for full leg & arm soft-shell with a gore-tex waterproof jacket for the heavier showers. The norwegians are forecasting good weather. Only a light shower and go...

My daughters second birthday today, so I did some good training on the bouncy castle. I will continue with the training this week as it has been going for the rest of this year. Thinking about it and saying 'oh sub standard ' repeatedly. Got to sort new cleats in shoes, fit rack and pack everything....

Dhb roubaix gilet arrived two days ago.

New cleat plate arrived this morning. (thought I ordered a pair!?)

Still waiting for alpkit fuel pod.

Looks like a ceremonial sacrifice room.

Don't go up there at night on a full moon.

There's an old adage in engineering that goes something like ' if it looks right it'll go alright.' That looks so totally wrong I wouldn't want to even touch it. It looks like a cut n shut! Mountain bikes can (should) look pretty too. :wink: https://farm1.staticflickr.com/127/389551860_a83b3c7cb9.jp...

Just watched this for the second time. Skye and Cuillin just look amazing. The editing and shooting is beautiful and music really works without being twee. I know Akrigg is prob a bit smoother at this sort of stuff. but as a bike video one of the best i have seen. I like videos that are short and fu...

You may wish to avoid going up here though: http://streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=448278 ... &A=Y&Z=106

Hmm bb prep gone a bit awry, went to fit new cleats and bolts seized. After considerable drilling I managed to remove one cleat. But the bolt is completely at one with the plate. Ordered new cleat plates, coming on Monday. It will be fine! I hope. I think I've worked out the last few hills from the ...

Is it me or does that lump at 50k look properly evil?

Sea level start to 400m then back to sea level.

Is this the same bit of middle of nowhere where we may be venturing next week?

I'll add my prep woes, and get my excuses in early. So due to lack of quantity of riding I've gone for a technique of last minute cramming. With the idea of going hard every ride. Except last Monday and yesterday's ride I got a migraine within an hour of finishing. :cry: Considering I haven't had re...

25 1/2 hours.

I bivi'd for 5 1/2 hours.

Secretly I was hoping to go sub 24 this year. Stop less, easy!

Er but after reading the other threads where stu has been saying how the route is tougher and knowing I've done far less riding this year, I'll be happy with a similar time.

2 season sleeping bag and bivi on bars in dry bag. lights and gps mounted above. small bar pouch with food. down jacket, tarp, heavier spares/tools, dry thermals and back up food in frame bag. camelback with water, 1st aid kit, waterproof jacket and phone. fuel tank with more food in it. undecided a...

Rain. It's bound to rain.

i would like to beat my time last year. But I'm not holding up too much hope as it sounds like it's going to be tougher.