Team BKool CycleChat

[Soarerv8]

Bianchi have launched their first UK-based Gran Fondo, dubbed the Double Devil and touted as an ‘extreme’ sportive. The numbers certainly justify that, with the longest of two route options coming in at 121 miles, with 12,227 feet of climbing
The mid-Wales ride will take place on May 29 and features two of the UK’s toughest climbs in the Devil’s Staircase and Devil’s Elbow – which both rear up to 25 per cent. The Gran Fondo Bianchi will also take in some of Wales’ finest scenery as a distraction from the climbing.

Wow!!! Good luck.

Go team Bkool / Cycle chat I will be living this vicariously through you and unlike Bob am not in the slightest bit jealous of your insanity (I have plenty of my own to take care of)

 

[AAAC 76C]

PS: Did I at some point say of Lars' disappointment re his recent real life TT ride that Kruijswijk's 3 minute lead in the Giro d'Italia was almost considered unbeatable unless disaster struck?
Well it certainly did. You have got to feel for the guy, despite being dropped on the big climb he would have kept the Jersey had he not crashed.
Look's like Nibali could win again after his one or more of his main contenders have crashed (out).
I thought that Nibali was about to hang himself because of his disappointment over the past two weeks but having had his blood tested to find he was not ill the Astana rider was back at the head of the pack.
I expect Vinokourov took him aside and gave him some tips on increasing his chances having managed similar comebacks himself in past Tour de France.
It must be so comforting for Vicenzo to have such a farther figure and incredible sportsman to guide him back to form so quickly.

 

[AAAC 76C]

25%!

Make sure you pack some blue numbers...

And some red numbers so you can pretend that you are the most competitive rider!

(I just started that sentence with 'and')

 

[AAAC 76C]

Can I politely ask everyone that has completed the May/June first bonus sprint, other than Bill and Andy, to have another go and improve by over 3 minutes so that I don't have to do it because you a currently pushing me down the GC.
If you could all do that please I will let you all draft me on the next stage without asking for any turns on the front in return.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.

 

[BILL S]

Can I politely ask everyone that has completed the May/June first bonus sprint, other than Bill and Andy, to have another go and improve by over 3 minutes so that I don't have to do it because you a currently pushing me down the GC.
If you could all do that please I will let you all draft me on the next stage without asking for any turns on the front in return.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.

I would think your Stage 2 performance would allow you to cruise the Bonus Sprint 1 at a nice leisurely pace and still end up in the lead.

 

[bridgy]

PS: Did I at some point say of Lars' disappointment re his recent real life TT ride that Kruijswijk's 3 minute lead in the Giro d'Italia was almost considered unbeatable unless disaster struck?
Well it certainly did. You have got to feel for the guy, despite being dropped on the big climb he would have kept the Jersey had he not crashed.
Look's like Nibali could win again after his one or more of his main contenders have crashed (out).
I thought that Nibali was about to hang himself because of his disappointment over the past two weeks but having had his blood tested to find he was not ill the Astana rider was back at the head of the pack.
I expect Vinokourov took him aside and gave him some tips on increasing his chances having managed similar comebacks himself in past Tour de France.
It must be so comforting for Vicenzo to have such a farther figure and incredible sportsman to guide him back to form so quickly.

I really feel for Kruijswijk but bike handling /descending skills are all part of the deal for the pros so fair enough I guess - thankfully not something we have to worry about on bkool!

 

[Add]

Bianchi have launched their first UK-based Gran Fondo, dubbed the Double Devil and touted as an ‘extreme’ sportive. The numbers certainly justify that, with the longest of two route options coming in at 121 miles, with 12,227 feet of climbing
The mid-Wales ride will take place on May 29 and features two of the UK’s toughest climbs in the Devil’s Staircase and Devil’s Elbow – which both rear up to 25 per cent. The Gran Fondo Bianchi will also take in some of Wales’ finest scenery as a distraction from the climbing.

Wow!!! Good luck.

Cheers Randy! I actually think 'luck' will be a factor. At the moment the weather looks idyllic, but this is mid Wales, and they didn't build loads of reservoirs here because of the glorious sunshine!
I look forward to lying to you all about how I breezed this event and whupped Bill.

 

[AAAC 76C]

I really feel for Kruijswijk but bike handling /descending skills are all part of the deal for the pros so fair enough I guess - thankfully not something we have to worry about on bkool!

I don't think he has been overly lacking in that department but you can see in the slow mo he had a last minute re-think and lost the corner.
Impressive recovery from the tumble though!
There is still tomorrow so lets see what occurs, fingers crossed,
If he does not manage to claw back lets hope little Chaves stays there for OGE.
Other than that I would love to see Scarponi win by an 40 minutes and accidentally take pink.

 

[bridgy]

I don't think he has been overly lacking in that department but you can see in the slow mo he had a last minute re-think and lost the corner.
Impressive recovery from the tumble though!
There is still tomorrow so lets see what occurs, fingers crossed,
If he does not manage to claw back lets hope little Chaves stays there for OGE.
Other than that I would love to see Scarponi win by an 40 minutes and accidentally take pink.

I'd like to see Chaves win too (even though he rides for an Aussie team!) - sounds like Kruijswijk may have broken ribs so not looking good for him now at all

 

[AAAC 76C]

I'd like to see Chaves win too (even though he rides for an Aussie team!) - sounds like Kruijswijk may have broken ribs so not looking good for him now at all

Respect to a brave effort then for such a young rider!
However, his team have since provided the following update and it’s unclear as to whether he will be in a position to start tomorrow’s stage.
MEDICAL UPDATE @s_kruijswijk has a small rib fracture and is struggling with pains in his foot and side. New update, tomorrow morning.

Although Froome lost a shed load of time in the Vuelta last year after his spill it was worth it to see Tinkov eat his words!

 

[AAAC 76C]

even though he rides for an Aussie team!

Is that bad?
I feel Aussie's are more British than Brits sometimes in that their National pride is very grounded but strong, unlike some of some of our other colonial partners.

 

[AAAC 76C]

Lars'
If you are watching its good to see the only Dane is a support rider for Nibali but still lies 11th in the GC at 18:41, FUGLSANG Jakob (Lars)

 

[bridgy]

Is that bad?
I feel Aussie's are more British than Brits sometimes in that their National pride is very grounded but strong, unlike some of some of our other colonial partners.

Not really of course - they're just so often our nemesis in sport, and they win far too often! (some of my best friends /family are Aussies etc etc)

 

[AAAC 76C]

Not really of course - they're just so often our nemesis in sport, and they win far too often! (some of my best friends /family are Aussies etc etc)

Not the old get yourself out of a PC hole statement "some of my best friends are ....."

 

[theboxers]

Well this weekend is going to pot in a bad way. Was called out yesterday evening, more of a continuation of the work day really, and did not get home until 12:30. Where's the knackered smilie .

Now been called out again for another site for another fault. .

What was I saying about interupted riding and abandoned sessions