The Knutsford Great Race. (Ordinaries)

[Exit Stage Left]

On Sunday 5th Spetember.
The Knutsford Great Race

      YouTube
            - The Knutsford Great Race - Penny Farthing Trials
   

[clarion]

Looks like fun.  Anyone we know competing?

[Charlotte]

*raises hand*

I had a film crew round at the SEEKRIT BUNKER tonight, interviewing me for  documentary they're making about the race. 

I taught one of them to ride - poor guy was trembling afterwards 

[clarion]

Chapeau, dear heart!

[andygates]

I'll be providing immoral support and rubdowns.   

[ed_o_brain]

Not competing, but planning to be there for the fun and frollicks.

[clarion]

I'll be providing immoral support and rubdowns.   

If ever there was a perfect job description for you, Andy...

[RichMoss]

We're planning to be there too (in pedestrian/spectator, rather than velocipediary mode though).

Good Luck to all. Charlotte - will your steed be sporting full touring kit?

[RichMoss]

I taught one of them to ride - poor guy was trembling afterwards 

That was unrelated to the riding the Penny I assume <Richard checks passport, leaves country>

[Charlotte]

Good Luck to all. Charlotte - will your steed be sporting full touring kit?

Oh no.  Stripped down bare for racing.   Disc wheel, natch 

That was unrelated to the riding the Penny I assume <Richard checks passport, leaves country>

[andygates]

Good Luck to all. Charlotte - will your steed be sporting full touring kit?

Oh no.  Stripped down bare for racing.   Disc wheel, natch 

Coraplast and woad.  It's the way forward.

[andygates]

I've just read the programme (!) and it tickles me greatly that the morning, in addition to warm-up and course familiarisation, will be given over to fitting transponders to the pennies.

The programme is:

9.30 - 12.00
   
   Riders Registration, scrutineering, race numbers, team T shirts, fitting of race transponders, riders warm up session on the course and briefing session
11.00 - 1.45
   
   Mereside Brass Band performance
12.45   
   Hobby Horse World Championship Sprint
1.00   
   Boneshaker World Championship Dash
1.30   
   Riders Assemble for a Group Photograph
2.00   
   Start of the Knutsford Great Race
5.00   
   Finish of the Knutsford Great Race
5.15   
   The Prizegiving Ceremony

[RichMoss]

I've just read the programme (!) and it tickles me greatly that the morning, in addition to warm-up and course familiarisation, will be given over to fitting transponders to the pennies.

tickled me too - maybe they're steam-powered

[Exit Stage Left]

Transponders will be essential, as there are 50 teams, the circuit is only one kilometre and the race is three hours long. Even an average pace of 20kph would produce 3,000 passes. Which is a lot to keep track of. There is also the problem that a team can have up to 4 riders. Hopefully there will be some form of commentary to keep the spectators informed.
I'm doing the Northern Dales 200 on Sunday, so I'll look forward to seeing a report.

[andygates]

Oh absolutely.  I'd hate to marshal it with manual counting - you'd need a team of tickers and that's hard enough in tri pool swims.  Marshal under-counting and rider over-counting are nightmares even before you get to perfidious behaviour. 

[Charlotte]

I'll look forward to seeing a report.

We need a hashtag.

#knutrace?

[andygates]

#greatrace?  I can't promise a pie fight at the end though...

[andygates]

Looks like it's #pennyfarthing by virute of the Official Tweeterer tweeting it.   

Have you worked out what the top speed on your beastie is?

[Mercury Jim]

Im riding this - with a team from the Forest Town (Mansfield) Track League - so thats Richard from Matlock , Rob from Beauvale and another ordinary owner who i dont know

We've got 2 bikes to use - i can just about ride the bigger of the 2. As 2 of the others in the team are about a foot taller than me, i think the smaller machine maybe safer for me

I'll be in a Derby Merc (blue and white) top at some point, Richard in either Matlock (orange) or Forest Town (black and Team Sky style blue)

give us a cheer
i think im going to be in pain by sun pm 

jim

[Exit Stage Left]

A change of plan means Heather and I shall be coming along, give us a wave as you pass.

[Andrew Br]

Adding to the yACF contingent, I'll be joining a group of Chorlton Wanderers at Tatton tomorrow.
I'm riding out separately from Stockport after playing 5-a-side. I may be a little tired.

OT- It was shaping up to be a fantastic weekend because I thought the Trans Lancs Rally was on in Heaton Park today. Old trucks and buses, 5-a-side, bonkers bike racing and riding to/from them all. It doens't get much better than that.
It turns out the the TL Rally is tomorrow  .

I must read things more carefully 'cos I'd have set off to Heaton Park if Helen hadn't spotted my mistake 

[Charlotte]

The whole pennyfarthing world has converged on Knutsford! Kat and I are the only women riders apart from one other, in a field of about eighty.

Tomorrow is going to be awesome.

[RichMoss]

...and have you seen that one of the race prizes is..........





........Cake!

[Charlotte]

 

[ed_o_brain]

Have we got a meeting point for the yACF contingent?

I've planned my route and fettled the bike.