Looks like Kettlewell is fairly fully booked: good weather, school hols etc.
James is in nearby Starbottom just a flat 2 miles away, along with a Rowntree's Random that Tours like this attract: a Chris from Newcastle. Vince's mate. Do give him a warm Team CCA welcome and don't have him fetching all the bidons from the back of the car all weekend.
Well done to all, the stats for todays ride looked terrifying. Thanks for letting some of us gate-crash your party for yesterdays ride, it was a fantastic day, to be riding on next years tour route in such amazing weather. Some epic climbs too. Good to see Geoff for a coffee as well. Thanks and well done again.
Big thanks to Martin for organising an unforgettable weekend and to our trusty support crew and of course, the Doncastermobile Hope everyone got home in 1 piece and appropriately tired? E Anglia now seems very flat indeed
Brilliant ascents and amazing descents, especially the smooth roads coming down in to Sheffield (before the wheel knackering potholes, that is). Amazing timing with the weather, three cloudless days on the trot in the Dales? Rare...
huge thanks to Martin, great organisational skills. ta to the support, and people that brought food to our stomachs, greatly appreciated.
I think the KOM jersey (and complete matching kit) should go to Nathaniel for some blistering turns of speed on the steepest parts of most of the climbs and still having enough to push up over the tops of the hills at a fair lick too. All of that on the heaviest bike with the squeakiest groupset and the dirtiest chain. Well done, that man.
There are some nice hills in Yorkshire. I enjoyed the climbing a lot. There were some amazing views too.
Thanks to MartinL for the drive and enthusiasm for sorting out the major details. Thanks to Martin's Dad and Uncle for giving up their time for us over the weekend. Thanks to Daniel for providing bike transporting facilities. Thanks to everybody else for your company and providing the laughs along the way.
I dont yet remember much about the trip. I expect it will come back to me and I will be able to make sense of it all.
I got too hot on the first day, heat stroke if you will, so was not feeling too great from then on. However this didnt seem to make me cycle any slower than my magnificent tortoise speed.
Sunday was a scorcher. Relentless heat. On more than one occasion my front tyre became unfirm in molten tarmac. As it moved a bit perception slipped. Unnerving, uncomfortable and hot.
We got lost coming out of Hebden Bridge. Clearly we were fatigued and significantly hungry having not reached lunch. Wed got lost as we were adapting the route so we could make Sheffield in time for the trains home. After some debate we did decide on a turning and in fact regrouped with the three others whod gone on ahead. Shaun was one of those and during his café stop had figured out a route to get us back in track.
Upon turning down a narrow street in Sowerby Bridge and passing Back West Street I just had a feeling things were going to be interesting. Soon we were on Scarhead Road. This is a boar constrictor compared to the kitten of Fridays Ramsbottom Rake.
Out ont moor and there was no shade. No relief from the unforgiving sun. The road climbs. Turns. Climbs and climbs again. To normal eyes the view was stunning; mine were smarting from sweat and suncream. I was immune to beauty and only wished to see the road ahead. There was nothing but a dark grey zig zag on the opposite hill. I didnt even sigh. My biddon was dry. Nothing could hurt me anymore.
Coming into Sheffield we encountered several places the Orica Green Edge bus will get stuck next year. What I can say is that next years route will make for very good cycle sport; I am really looking forward to it.
Perhaps the last fork in the road was on the moor above Sheffield. Le Tour 2014 is destined to go left so that was the way we should have gone. However the road going right was signed for the steel city and promised a simple descent and no climbing. Robbie expressed his preference for the right option with forthright language not appropriate to share on this forum. Martin Hillier had gone ahead a little, to maintain his chain tension, and was coming back to us up the hill. Our tired leader Martin L looked up and asked Hi mate, is this the way to Sheffield? It was a great moment, but to be honest does anyone know what Martin H looks like from the front? Ive only ever seen him from the back, far in the distance further up a hill!
Thanks to Martin L for his great route planning and logistics. Thanks too to Nick and Jimmy for their logistic support. Most of all thanks to my fellow CC Ashwell riders. We did not engage in this endeavour because it was easy but because it was hard. We were willing to accept that challenge and with the best of our energies overcome it.
I packed knee warmers which does something to indicate how well I prepared for this tour. Nonetheless I didnt have to despair and I have to give big thanks to everyone who kindly waited for me on every hill. The routes were really all on the limit for me. Especially in the heat. As a result we spent a long time in the saddle every day and think next time CCA do another trip we should bear in mind to build in a bit more recovery/social time and maybe split into two groups. Or simply shorten the distances. It was great to share everything together though.
I'm delighted we all completed this safely. One great strength in cycling in a club are the technical skills in group riding you acquire.
Prologue highlights would include sitting on an empty moor in the heat with Daniel, my very own Bernie Eisel - Pete - and our official photographer nathaniel, while I nursed cramped toes following the vicious climb up Malham Cove. We all realised we'd arrived in the Dales at a unique moment.
Stage 1 highlights would include some lovely if melting new road surfaces. They're really getting ready for next year. Buttertubs is a wonderful climb and descent. I saw stef and a fat sheep square up to each other at speed here. Just a woolly jumper away from something serious. The dales bike centre sold in the idea of watching the tour there well. Camping, big screen, and genuinely into the sport. Good to see Geoff. And he bought coffee for us all: how kind. I want to doff my cap to Jane reprezenting the CCA Ladies Chapter so well.
Stage 2 was a reminder of what a tough sport cycling is in West Yorkshire. Unrelenting and a hard person's game. Respect due to the locals here. probably the hottest day, we clipped the ascending and distance but left in the great climb and drop into hebden bridge via a big gathering of local fancy dress nutters prepping for a hay bale carrying competition. It was a great finish up and down The Strines. You have to respect the pros who ride 25% downhill hairpins at speed for a living. Great pub at Sheffield rail station.
Kettlewell a great location and base. And the pub super efficient at getting us fed and watered.
I encourage any member to rally on creating a club trip. It's not too hard and you'll be sure of a great team. Cheers!
Comments
See you in the pub then on Friday evening.
Should i risk 404's with tubs on? i need all the help i can muster.... Seem to remember this is flint free country
James is in nearby Starbottom just a flat 2 miles away, along with a Rowntree's Random that Tours like this attract: a Chris from Newcastle. Vince's mate. Do give him a warm Team CCA welcome and don't have him fetching all the bidons from the back of the car all weekend.
Hang on...
38 degrees at its peak!!!
Thanks for letting some of us gate-crash your party for yesterdays ride, it was a fantastic day, to be riding on next years tour route in such amazing weather. Some epic climbs too. Good to see Geoff for a coffee as well.
Thanks and well done again.
Hope everyone got home in 1 piece and appropriately tired? E Anglia now seems very flat indeed
One of the best ever. See you Saturday 8am.
huge thanks to Martin, great organisational skills. ta to the support, and people that brought food to our stomachs, greatly appreciated.
I think the KOM jersey (and complete matching kit) should go to Nathaniel for some blistering turns of speed on the steepest parts of most of the climbs and still having enough to push up over the tops of the hills at a fair lick too. All of that on the heaviest bike with the squeakiest groupset and the dirtiest chain. Well done, that man.
Thanks to MartinL for the drive and enthusiasm for sorting out the major details. Thanks to Martin's Dad and Uncle for giving up their time for us over the weekend. Thanks to Daniel for providing bike transporting facilities. Thanks to everybody else for your company and providing the laughs along the way.
I got too hot on the first day, heat stroke if you will, so was not feeling too great from then on. However this didnt seem to make me cycle any slower than my magnificent tortoise speed.
Sunday was a scorcher. Relentless heat. On more than one occasion my front tyre became unfirm in molten tarmac. As it moved a bit perception slipped. Unnerving, uncomfortable and hot.
We got lost coming out of Hebden Bridge. Clearly we were fatigued and significantly hungry having not reached lunch. Wed got lost as we were adapting the route so we could make Sheffield in time for the trains home. After some debate we did decide on a turning and in fact regrouped with the three others whod gone on ahead. Shaun was one of those and during his café stop had figured out a route to get us back in track.
Upon turning down a narrow street in Sowerby Bridge and passing Back West Street I just had a feeling things were going to be interesting. Soon we were on Scarhead Road. This is a boar constrictor compared to the kitten of Fridays Ramsbottom Rake.
Out ont moor and there was no shade. No relief from the unforgiving sun. The road climbs. Turns. Climbs and climbs again. To normal eyes the view was stunning; mine were smarting from sweat and suncream. I was immune to beauty and only wished to see the road ahead. There was nothing but a dark grey zig zag on the opposite hill. I didnt even sigh. My biddon was dry. Nothing could hurt me anymore.
Coming into Sheffield we encountered several places the Orica Green Edge bus will get stuck next year. What I can say is that next years route will make for very good cycle sport; I am really looking forward to it.
Perhaps the last fork in the road was on the moor above Sheffield. Le Tour 2014 is destined to go left so that was the way we should have gone. However the road going right was signed for the steel city and promised a simple descent and no climbing. Robbie expressed his preference for the right option with forthright language not appropriate to share on this forum. Martin Hillier had gone ahead a little, to maintain his chain tension, and was coming back to us up the hill. Our tired leader Martin L looked up and asked Hi mate, is this the way to Sheffield? It was a great moment, but to be honest does anyone know what Martin H looks like from the front? Ive only ever seen him from the back, far in the distance further up a hill!
Thanks to Martin L for his great route planning and logistics. Thanks too to Nick and Jimmy for their logistic support. Most of all thanks to my fellow CC Ashwell riders. We did not engage in this endeavour because it was easy but because it was hard. We were willing to accept that challenge and with the best of our energies overcome it.
Daniel
I'm delighted we all completed this safely. One great strength in cycling in a club are the technical skills in group riding you acquire.
Prologue highlights would include sitting on an empty moor in the heat with Daniel, my very own Bernie Eisel - Pete - and our official photographer nathaniel, while I nursed cramped toes following the vicious climb up Malham Cove. We all realised we'd arrived in the Dales at a unique moment.
Stage 1 highlights would include some lovely if melting new road surfaces. They're really getting ready for next year. Buttertubs is a wonderful climb and descent. I saw stef and a fat sheep square up to each other at speed here. Just a woolly jumper away from something serious. The dales bike centre sold in the idea of watching the tour there well. Camping, big screen, and genuinely into the sport. Good to see Geoff. And he bought coffee for us all: how kind. I want to doff my cap to Jane reprezenting the CCA Ladies Chapter so well.
Stage 2 was a reminder of what a tough sport cycling is in West Yorkshire. Unrelenting and a hard person's game. Respect due to the locals here. probably the hottest day, we clipped the ascending and distance but left in the great climb and drop into hebden bridge via a big gathering of local fancy dress nutters prepping for a hay bale carrying competition. It was a great finish up and down The Strines. You have to respect the pros who ride 25% downhill hairpins at speed for a living. Great pub at Sheffield rail station.
Kettlewell a great location and base. And the pub super efficient at getting us fed and watered.
I encourage any member to rally on creating a club trip. It's not too hard and you'll be sure of a great team. Cheers!
I spent the afternoon cleaning and servicing the bike I took and found that my chain was past its best.
I obviously kept way too much tension in it on the Dales
Thanks Martin! I'll remember this trip forever!!
Daniel, thank you so much for transport.