Manchester bike and Tri show

Popped along to the bike and tri show at GMEX in Manchester on Saturday.  Have to say for a small, first time show, it was pretty good.  Lots of nice give aways (i.e. gels and energy drinks) and lots of interesting stuff to see.  Also, got some cracking deals on some Hilly running socks (you can never have to many socks....)!

Highlight was meeting Andy Holgate - what a super nice and refreshingly normal chap.  He signed our book for us and gave my other half some really good triathlon advice.  Thoroughly nice bloke!

ha ha Mr Spartan

Thanks for your kind words Beth, lovely to meet you and your husband. Glad that you enjoyed the show, as a first timer at one of those type of events it seemed to be good....I resisted the urge to buy the £10k Pinarello I was drooling over as it would have cost me more in divorce fees !!

Great to catch up with you Cougie and a whole host of other people from these forums

you could have bought the bike from the book proceeds holgs .or do you need the film deal to clinch it

 Now which famous actors could best play holgs in the film version

I'd need a film deal for that Seren

I'll definitely go again next year - hopefully they'll get some more exhibitors there and there'll be more good buys to be had (and freebies...)!!

I had to drag other half and brother away from the £15k Pinarello bike as the puddle of drool on the floor was becoming embarrassing - my car didn't cost that much!!!!   And I love the fact that they no longer put pedals on the bikes as apparently (according to the sales dude) someone once tried to pedal one away!! 

It was good to meet Mr holgate again . number 2 book signed , thanks for that . as for the show ? food was good but some of the bullshit on the stalls was funny . Energy drink with no sugar ? 3 cals ? total bollocks. some nice bikes for the rich folk . £1 for hilly sock  just great even when the women on the stall asked "do i know what they are for " keeping my feet warm what els ! .

Hi all... have been lurking since reading the first 'Can't...' Met THE Mr Holgs also and the lovely Chris. Thanks for answering all of our numpty questions and apologies for the giddy 'One Direction' like hysteria... we really were SOOO excited to see you!

Realised that if I am to stop being a mere 'filing' I need to swarm magnetically towards the ship to reach full iron-ness (maybe for vet 50?). Consider my courage to comment as real commitment and appreciation of bits I have taken on board.

Hoping to get lots of guidance about scary things like the leap into HR training...Does it really work? SOOO sad not to get a go of 'tribars' at the show

Hi ges 

I enjoyed the show and managed not to spend too much money, although the Willier bikes looked lovely, met Holgs and he was very nice, sampled far to many energy gels, sweets, bars etc

Hope it returns next year

Hi Ges, welcome to the forum - it amused the hell out of me when you compared me to One Direction - I couldn't stop laughing. It was lovely to meet you, we are a friendly bunch on these forums so you'll be ok......most of us don't bite.

As for things going to my head, there's no bloody chance of that, I'm very well grounded and knocking about with this lot would keep anyones ego in check.

I too hope that the show returns next year ( with or without me ) and I look forward to the rival Triathlon Show North that is taking place in Bolton on the 18th and 19th May to see how the two differ.

Good for the north west.

I ended up looking around for a couple of hours and then discussing which train to get home whilst sat in the pub all afternoon...good start to the outlaw training.