Excellent day. Somewhat tired having ridden to the start and home again afterwards adding 30 odd miles to the day.
Jolly nice that the route went past my front door!
Someone on another forum referred to "that nasty climb" - the cheek of it! That's where I live!
When I got home people were still riding past.. Was delighted to see that they were all still smiling!
Hope everybody had sun cream on..

Hi Everyone and here's a report on some of the tales of today.

Captain B picked me up just before 8am and off we went in the dilly to Ludlow and as we arrived at the Rugby Club the signing on queue was about half a mile long and our first plan of attack was to join the queue. Signing on took quite a while but this was no problem as we were all lapping up the sunshine.

Our 9am start time had gone out the window and I guess we all got together at the start for about 9.30am, our group consisted Capatain B, Myself, Dave (DJ) Powell, Dave Perks, Martin H, Simon W, Viv Tolley, Bob Woodley.

So off we went and Captain B and myself did the lead out and stuck on the front pacing for about the first ten miles and then for our sakes it was time to let a couple more through. Not long after the climbs started to appear and boy were some of these tough and must say I was out of gears on some of them and lost a bit of ground however those first to the top eased to reform our group. The first check was at Clun and I think we were ready for that and a cup of well earned tea. Then on to the next check point at Knucklas where we did a short stop and off again a not long after it was a BIG CLIMB up to the observatory station on the way to Knigton, a bad spell for me up that lot and Dave (DJ) paced up there with me whilst the others pulled away. At the top of the climb DJ and me missed the right turn and we carried on flying down hill for about a mile and a half before realising this, about turn slog back up and then we were back on track and then we bashed away passing various riders all the way to the Eardisland check point where we met back up with our gang. Now regrouped it was the final leg back to Ludlow and again some of this is a real uphill drag before dropping down back to Ludlow.

Back at the finish we were certainly glad of a cup of char and some cake and a sit down on the grass, yes that was a tough route and could have done without the extra 3.75 miles due to going the wrong way (is that supposed to be called extra training !, hum).

We couldn't have had a better day for this and great to catch up with Danny and all his organisers, another superb event also great to see so many familar faces.

Well it has to be said that Clive and Simon did masses on the front today, full respect to them and some excellent pacing and navigation. I certainly paid the price of being over geared on the steep long climbs and thus messed me up a bit and had to sit in a lot.

Another big well done has to go to Dave (DJ) as during the week we had a boys day ride and he crashed badly and knocked his front teeth out and grazed himself really badly. I never thought Dave would be out today and especially going so well and a thanks to him for pacing me up that big steep climb. Somebody's going to have to try some bit to get The Crash Trophy off him I recon.

Well done everyone another great tough day out.

Bye for now,

Big Ring

Hi Everyone,

Just to say if anyone else fancies coming along I recon you can unofficially enter on the day, Danny Mason is the orgainser and if you mention Climb-On-Bikes CC, Clive Beacon or Robin Jones you'll be ok.

So roll on tomorrow , and I believe we intend to start the ride at 9am.

Bye for now,

Robin

Hi Everyone,

A number of people have asked me what time do we want to start the ride ? and basically previous years I believe we've kicked off at 9am.

So the best thing is to get there around 8.15am and then there's plenty of time for a chat and signing on etc and lets say we'll kick off at 9am.

A few more pals of ours are also doing the event i.e. Adrian Pudsey, Simon Williams, Chris W, Viv Tolley. So obviously it'll be nice to see them there as well.

Bye for now,

Robin

Hi Everyone,

Just a reminder that it's Shropshire Highlands Challenge time next weekend .

As far as I know the following have entered i.e. Captain B, Dave (DJ) Powell, Gerald M, Dave Perks, Martin H and myself, so c'mon guys and gals who else is up for this?.

Bye for now,

Big Ring

Hi Everyone,

The Shropshire Highlands Challenge is on Sunday 20th June and as always the H.Q. is at the Rugby Club in Ludlow.

Some of us have now done this event many years on the trot and it's always a fantastic day out on the bike, it's now become a bit of a pilgrimage .

This year the distance is 62.5 miles and a bit shorter than normal and an ideal opportunity for anyone to have a bash on some stunning country lanes which pass through loads of fantastic countryside and sleepy villages.

Basically you can download an entry form online from the internet at :-www.shropshirehighlandschallenge.co.uk the entry fee is £8.50 which is a bargain when you see how much free refreshments and food is on offer throughout the day.

At the moment Captain B and myself have entered so C'mon Guy's and Gal's who else is up for it ?.

Bye for now,

Robin