[16th May] Oops little point just remembered this morning - one control on the bike may cause you to get a little damp, so bear this in mind when packing kit to take to transition.

Open24 competitors paddling own boats or neckys - to save the worry of forgetting BCU certificate on weekend of event please feel free to bring it this weekend and we will snap a photo of it and note it on your profile - Kayaking on Open24.

[15th May] Well the weekend is only round the corner and it looks like we will have a bumper turnout with over 250 registered so far. Couple of points to sew in your mind before the day.

Please don't be tempted to collect bike controls whilst running and run controls whilst cycling. We will pick up this misdemeanor when we run a test on the results, but to correct it we have to manually adjust your score and this in turn will delay the prize giving.

No doubt you will be caught up with all the logistics of the day so I'll mention this now. The exit to the field we will use for the start / transition is a blind exit on to a road. Just for a couple of minutes after you have left the start lift your head up to make sure no cars are coming, and decide whether you are going to turn left or right before you step out on the road.

Both the running and the MTBing is amazing, I had a couple of great days enjoying this rarely visited part of the lakes. I hope you have as much fun in five hours.

[8th May] OK its only 10 days to go and the event promises to be a big one. Couple of points to sew in your mind.

Parking as mentioned above the intention is to use the local streets around Broughton for parking. The locals are very amenable as on market day a similar scenario exists. However please please don't block anyone's drive or double park so that large vehicles can not get through. We would also like to keep the market square free so visitors on the day (and hence use local services) have some where to park. Also please keep the noise down when unloading your cars / talking to others - most sensible people will still be in bed.

Food - the local primary school PTA is using this event as a fund raiser and putting on food, bacon butties before the event and jacket spuds after - all complemented by tea and coffee. Prices will be similar to that of Wilfs.

Cycle to the start - yep its a good 20 min cycle to the start probably longer on the way back as there is a hill to negotiate. Eek sorry about that - anyway Anquet profile of route pasted below so no surprises. 3.4 km and 100m of ascent.

I wonder how many people will be using this to try and work out where the start is?

Well - what not to do, if you have monkeys itching to get some action then check out Go-Ape at Grizedale or if you want to take in the sites of the lakes then a trip on the Haverthwaite Steam Railway and on to the steamer up to Bowness is a real tourist honey pot. Be sure to give us a wave when you pass Backbarrow on the train.

If you fancy a bigger weekend in the lakes then a big day up to Wast Water taking in the amazing views is always popular, as well as checking out the ratty line from Ravenglass up the Eskdale valley.

To truly scar the mother in law take the car back over Hard Knott pass via Cockley Beck (Tesco's delivers here!!) to the middle of the lakes - with a clear day stop at the Roman Fort and reflect on what stupidity came upon the Romans to set up a camp on this very exposed part of the lake district.