I need a rest

Most importantly you missed out the fact it was a thread on mountain biking full of the polar opposite of everything mountain biking?

In the spirit of wrenching heartlessly the topic away from the intended one - did I hear that Dave sent Alan a picture of the poppies by Voel Coaches at the weekend, competition anyone?

In other news - the rumors are true - I was out on a club ride at the weekend. Will wonders never cease? I was slow, it hurt, and I was tired afterwards; many thanks to Paul and Peter for looking after me (into wind - Engine Hill, Glascoed road, Black Cat, Top of Orme, around the Orme, and home the flat way with a tailwind), and for Dan and Alan for having to head back early so we could drop the pace to something more in keeping with our mood :)

Alans right, although we can all pontificate about the scientific reasons on the way it works, the absolute best we can hope to achieve is to prove the reasons why we are not as fast as we all want. (Which in 99.9% of cases is that we need to be fitter).

The solution however we all know, ride harder, get a stronger heart, get stronger legs, ride faster, puke/cry (whichever you prefer), repeat.

A carbon fibre bottle cage is never going be a shortcut in that basic procedure.

Its painful and not always fun (unless you are an S&M freak) and as you get faster, it doesnt get easier, you just go faster and put your body through the same pain levels.

My motto is to never ever buy any piece of performance cycling equipment in the belief that it will make cycling hurt less. Just buy it because you want to be riding faster as you spew.