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outstock
29th/30th August 2000, Appletreewick
The UKs first singlespeed festival went off successfully this weekend at the New Inn - that Yorkshire hostel famed equally for the host John Pitchers and it's wide selection of Belgian beers.
Organised by Chipps Chippendale, scourge of editors everywhere for his singlespeed slant, the event was attended by the full range of singlespeeders. We did think try to sum up the mix of attendees but it was so broad ranging that whatever and however you ride you would have found someone there to get on with.
The event kicked off on Friday night with introductions and Belgian BEER in the New Inn. Introductions and re-introductions were made, selections were made from the New Inn beer menu, and the night disappeared into a haze. We can remember that Brant Richards actually bought everyone their first drink and at least one person tried to drink a pint of 10% Cherry beer. Top effort and take a bow Dom Perry.
Saturday morning saw even more people arriving for the "big" ride, but there were notable absences due to beer induced illnesses. Take another bow Dom Perry. Nearly 30 people - mainly but not all singlespeeders - then set off and had a glorious day in the Yorkshire Dales.
What to say about the ride but it went up, went down, and took place under a burning Yorkshire sun, somehow skirting all the wet weather hitting everyone else. We can only conclude that the weather gods loves singlespeeders. Sure there were climbs so steep that we often had to resort to bottom gear (walking), but when the descents were such fun and the Yorkshire scenery so fantastic no-one cared. Like all good rides there were lunch, beer and ice cream stops. Who could ask for more?
Saturday night and down the road to the Craven Arms for food before back for more BEER. And people were still arriving even at this stage. Saturday night degenerated into a blur of beer and familiar faces and probably talking a load of shit far too loud. Personally I blame the Hoegarden.
Sunday morning and why does the hangover seem worse? I'm sure I only drank the same as Friday.
The day kicks off with a short ride over Appletreewick pasture and ends in disarray as some continue to Hebden Ghyll, while others insist on returning to the New Inn to sample the lunch menu. That was it as far as organisation went and various splinter groups ate lunch then went riding, or went riding then ate lunch, or just ate lunch and soaked up the sun.
By late Sunday afternoon there was nothing left but to say goodbyes, thank the landlord, and promise to keep in touch and look forward to the next big social gathering at Cheddar for the UK championships. See you there.
big girls blouse
Saturday 29th August 2000
 The editor of 32:sixteen was honoured at Outstock when top womens team "Not The Brighton Bike Babes" made him a member of the team, and gave him his own trademark sunflower.
This is the first time a man has been made a team member and as he is neither from Brighton, nor a babe this is a quite an honour. When asked how the award made him feel the editor was too overcome with emotion and Belgian beer to make a snappy response. However after sleeping it off he was finally able to declare: "I feel like a new man".
The team sunflower was worn with pride on the Sunday rides and will now be worn whenever the ed is competing. Just look for the fat bloke with the smile and the flower in his hair.
In a previous incarnation as "The Brighton Bike Babes" the team are past winners in the womens category at Red Bull, and traditionally place well at events such as the UK singlespeed championships, winning it on several occasions.
top quote
Overheard from one of Saturdays ramblers, when passed by 20-odd smiling and dusty singlepeeders: "the friendliest bunch of mountain bikers I've met".
Just goes to show that having no gears improves ones temperament and manners.
thanks
Big thanks for the weekend go to...
Chipps Chippendale for organisation and putting the word out.
John and Sarah Pitchers for hospitality above and beyond the call of duty.
The New Inn bar staff for patience with a bunch of pissed up one-speeders.
The ride guides for keeping it all together and moving along.
Whoever provided the weather. How nice to put away a bike clean but for a coating of fine Yorkshire dust instead of heavy Yorkshire peat.
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