A 3-loop forum ride from Hebden Bridge (28/50/54 miles)

[potsy]

Ah, that's a possibility. It did sound like a slipping chain, but with so many new parts on and everybody having had a go at tweaking the shifting, perhaps that is unlikely.


Oh right, well you have no excuse not to come then! Using it would mean that your recent weight loss would effectively be neutralised but you've still got the extra fitness and you'd have those low gears! The only real killer hill is on the last 4 mile loop and that is optional!

Couple of times on Monday I came to a stop and went to shift my pedals to where I wanted them to set off, noticed there was no resistance at all when I went to set off, just like when you turn them backwards, only did it twice but has got me thinking.

The hybrid would be OK I guess as a plan B, only trouble is I've not used it since (checks MCL) December last year, and before that July. Will need to give it a good check over and maybe ride to work on it Friday as a test run.
Will also look to see if I can shed any weight from it, it's definitely built for comfort not speed (like me)

 

[ColinJ]

Couple of times on Monday I came to a stop and went to shift my pedals to where I wanted them to set off, noticed there was no resistance at all when I went to set off, just like when you turn them backwards, only did it twice but has got me thinking.

I think you're onto something there! If your chain was slipping it would make a racket and there would be some friction.

 

[PaulB]

This sounds great to me and I'd be there but I'm suffering the worst chest infection I've had for years right now. I'm one big ache and it feels like I'm recovering from a HUGE ride but I'm not. It's all the coughing and the sneezing and the weepin' and de wailin'.

Without a drastic cure descending upon me, I couldn't say a yea at the moment.

 

[ColinJ]

This sounds great to me and I'd be there but I'm suffering the worst chest infection I've had for years right now. I'm one big ache and it feels like I'm recovering from a HUGE ride but I'm not. It's all the coughing and the sneezing and the weepin' and de wailin'.

Without a drastic cure descending upon me, I couldn't say a yea at the moment.

Well perhaps it is unlikely that you will feel that much better in only 4 days if you do feel up to it on the day, you could always pop over and do the first loop and pack it in after that if you didn't feel up to continuing.

You know how slow I am, so the pace shouldn't be a problem!


Funnily Enough, Pennine-Paul was just getting over a bad chest infection when he came out on the last forum ride. He was coughing and spluttering all the way round but did his longest ride ever by over 40 miles on fixed!

 

[Pennine-Paul]

Thought I'd shaken that cough off but it's returned today with a vengeance

Not working tomorrow so doing a flattish 40 miler round Manchester

Be up on Saturday to do the first loop,then ride to L/boro and home

 

[Steve H]

Great idea for a ride Colin. I'm not going to get permission from her indoors for a full day out when I'm out all day Sunday the week after for Spring into the Dales, but I will try to get across to put in Loop 1. I'll probably ride across from Brighouse, do the first loop and then ride back to Brighouse. Will get me just over 50 miles for the day which will be a good training ride for the week after!

I'll have to be a 'maybe' though in case I end up with some childcare duties during the day.

 

[colly]

I'll see if I can manage a pass out for this.

I won't know until later in the week because I have family staying and I don't know if anything is planned yet for Saturday. (I am last to know as per usual)

 

[ColinJ]

Be up on Saturday to do the first loop,then ride to L/boro and home

Great idea for a ride Colin. I'm not going to get permission from her indoors for a full day out when I'm out all day Sunday the week after for Spring into the Dales, but I will try to get across to put in Loop 1. I'll probably ride across from Brighouse, do the first loop and then ride back to Brighouse. Will get me just over 50 miles for the day which will be a good training ride for the week after!

I'll have to be a 'maybe' though in case I end up with some childcare duties during the day.

I'll see if I can manage a pass out for this.

I won't know until later in the week because I have family staying and I don't know if anything is planned yet for Saturday. (I am last to know as per usual)

Well, hopefully I'll see all 3 of you for at least the first loop!

Speaking of which - Loop 1 route map on Bikely.

 

[Fiona N]

Sounds just the thing to get me out of bed and onto the bike on Saturday. So please count me in too.

And it doesn't mean taking that 6am train either. I get an hour's lie-in

Just realised though that it means the train gets in at 9.47am - where do I find you between 9.45 and 10am if not in the car park?

 

[Christopher]

Fi I am pretty sure there's no trains between Preston and Carlisle after noon on Sat - AFAIK they are closing that line between noon Sat & noon Sun every w/e in April.

 

[ColinJ]

Sounds just the thing to get me out of bed and onto the bike on Saturday. So please count me in too.
And it doesn't mean taking that 6am train either. I get an hour's lie-in

Just realised though that it means the train gets in at 9.47am - where do I find you between 9.45 and 10am if not in the car park?

If we know you are coming, we'll wait for you. I'll PM you my phone number if you decide that you are coming.

Fi I am pretty sure there's no trains between Preston and Carlisle after noon on Sat - AFAIK they are closing that line between noon Sat & noon Sun every w/e in April.

Well spotted!
Fiona - if that doesn't put you off you could always ride over from Hebden Bridge to Keighley and go back on the lovely Settle-Carlisle railway. The 18:14 from Keighley is a direct train getting to Dent at 19:23 or Garsdale at 19:28, either of which should give you a nice ride home.

We could modify or replace our 3rd loop to accompany you to the top of the A6033 and when you set off for Keighley we could enjoy a 4.5 mile descent back to Hebden Bridge. (For you, from the summit, about 4 miles of descent and 3 miles of flat to Keighley station.)

Here's our Loop 2 route map on Bikely.

 

[Svendo]

I like this new drip feed on the route! I'm dying to know what the 'not taken a group on before' climb is for loop 3...
I might be along on Sat, depends on family obligations and that.

 

[potsy]

Sounds just the thing to get me out of bed and onto the bike on Saturday. So please count me in too.

And it doesn't mean taking that 6am train either. I get an hour's lie-in

Just realised though that it means the train gets in at 9.47am - where do I find you between 9.45 and 10am if not in the car park?

Don't worry, Colin won't be there until 10.01 anyway

I like the mystery loop 3 idea too, if Colin's doing it then so am I

 

[phil_hg_uk]

So I had an x-ray last week on my hip (some of you may remember I mentioned it) and went to the docs today for the results and he said "well I expected to see arthritis on your hip joint but there isnt" (so I called him a misserable bugger for expecting the worse) I have sticky muscles apparantly one muscle is sticking to the other when I stretch it. I have been getting twinges if I stretch my leg to one side so I have to go see a physio and maybe have and injection or two but the best bit is it doesnt affect my bike riding

So I quite fancy this ride but i have never been to hebden bridge and have no idea of its layout but I roughly know how to get there from harrogate (very roughly) and I have to make sure the bike will fit in the car as well.

Colin will you have a phone with you on the day so if I dont get there on time I can find out where you lot will be and can you give me some pointers on location and parking etc please.

Should I bring some rope so fiona can tow us all up the hills, from what I have read she will be round the course before anyone else has done up their shoes

 

[ColinJ]

I like this new drip feed on the route! I'm dying to know what the 'not taken a group on before' climb is for loop 3...
I might be along on Sat, depends on family obligations and that.

It's got about 600m at 15%, quite a lot at about 10% and and a couple of sections of 20%. It averages 12.5% for 1.8 km. You'd be fine but potsy and I might be whimpering a little!

I first tackled it when the man that used to give me a lift to work announced that he had never seen a cyclist ride past his cottage (3/4 of the way up); they always got off and walked. Of course, I went and tackled it that very evening!

I gave him a wave as I rode past in front of his window and casually breezed on up the road, then almost killed myself riding up the 20% bit in case he was still watching me!

You can probably work out where it is but I'll keep it as a secret until after the ride. If you don't make it, I'll show you where it is later!


PS I've only gone and scared myself now! I was going to do the ride on my Cannondale with its 39/29 bottom gear but I suspect I'd struggle to get up this particular hill without my Basso's 30/28. I might nip out and do a warm-up on the Cannodale tomorrow then have a go at this beast. I have a slightly painful right leg and I think I might have problems ...