A metric century forum ride: Harrogate, Lofthouse, Masham. RAIN STOPPED PLAY [Slight change to route].

[ColinJ]

I thought that I might have to postpone the ride because the National Rail planner is indicating (non bike carrying) rail replacement buses on the 15th, but further investigation shows that is just between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge so if I cycle to HB I should be able to catch the train from there. It'd mean an extra 15 km for the day, but that would be okay.

I'm busy tomorrow, but will come back to this thread on Saturday...

 

[ColinJ]

Sorry for the delay...

I'm watching the weather forecasts for Saturday and am currently not impressed - wet and windy all day!

I don't mind the odd shower but I don't like the idea of getting wet riding to catch my train, being wet on the journey over, wet all day, then wet on the way back too!

I have 2 other dates before September which the ride could be postponed to (subject to the trains running) if rain stops play on Saturday - 29th July*** and 12th August. Let's keep an eye on developments and see if conditions improve.


*** RMT strike action that day, so that might be out too

 

[Peter Salt]

Whatever the majority decides, I'm easy either way.

Potential upside of not doing it on the 15th would be that I (probably) wouldn't have to revert to a spare bike (main requires some work).

 

[ColinJ]

Hmm, my friend Carrie has just been in touch to say that she is all set to join us on Saturday!

Let's say - no worse than sunny spells, damp and windy forecast, go ahead; thunderstorms and torrential rain, postpone?

If we go ahead then I should get to Harrogate station on the train arriving at 09:03. If there were a problem, the next train is due in from Leeds at 09:33. Let's say meet at 09:15 at the back of the station (east side) next to Victoria car park, accessed from East Parade.

 

[ColinJ]

I have just ordered a pair of these lightweight overshoes to wear on Saturday in case things get soggy! The yellow colour is a bit bright, but the black ones cost £7 more, so I'll put up with it. Anyway - it's a safety feature!!!

Assuming the ride goes ahead, will this be the rider list...?

• ColinJ
• My pal Carrie
• @Peter Salt
• @Julia9054 & Al?
• colly
• @Jameshow?
• @neil_merseyside?

Anybody else up to tackling 100 km with one whacking big hill sign up below!

 

[colly]

Sorry Colin I will not be able to come along. Family stuff prevents it.

 

[ColinJ]

I have just ordered a pair of these lightweight overshoes to wear on Saturday in case things get soggy!

Hmm - the blurb says NOT for MTB shoes, which is what I wear...!

The front parts will probably get chewed up by the knobbles on the soles if I walk about in them too much. If they last me at last a year, that wouldn't be too bad.

 

[Peter Salt]

Forecast improved significantly since two days ago. We won't know until the day by the looks of it.

 

[Jameshow]

I have just ordered a pair of these lightweight overshoes to wear on Saturday in case things get soggy! The yellow colour is a bit bright, but the black ones cost £7 more, so I'll put up with it. Anyway - it's a safety feature!!!

Assuming the ride goes ahead, will this be the rider list...?

• ColinJ
• My pal Carrie
• @Peter Salt
• @Julia9054 & Al?
• colly
• @Jameshow?
• @neil_merseyside?

Anybody else up to tackling 100 km with one whacking big hill sign up below!

Sorry cannot do it as have work 20th anniversary picnic in the park!

 

[ColinJ]

Forecast improved significantly since two days ago. We won't know until the day by the looks of it.

Yes, I thought that things were starting to look better.

The BBC forecast still suggests that there might be thunderstorms after 18:00 but we ought to be finished by then.

As for my overshoes...

The front parts will probably get chewed up by the knobbles on the soles if I walk about in them too much. If they last me at last a year, that wouldn't be too bad.

I will stick a couple of layers of sacrificial duct tape on there to offer at least some protection.

I have had problems wearing through other overshoes in that position, so it is a real problem, but they usually last several seasons even without protection.

 

[ColinJ]

I was just looking at the ride thread from the 2018 ride and saw that @tom73 had expressed interest in that one... Tom - you'd be welcome to join us this time, if you'd like to?

 

[ColinJ]

Oh, and has anybody got a lock for the cafe stop? I only have a huge heavy D-lock, which is great for my local shops but I'm not humping that thing about all day!

 

[Julia9054]

Really sorry, Colin - I forgot all about this. Unfortunately we won't be able to join in as we have family staying

 

[ColinJ]

Really sorry, Colin - I forgot all about this. Unfortunately we won't be able to join in as we have family staying

That's a pity (that you can't make it, not that you are seeing your family!) but it can't be helped. I had to rearrange my next visits to Devon and the Midlands to fit in with my family's needs.

Carrie was disappointed when I said that I might change the date because she has arranged dog-sitting for this weekend and can't make other dates so I told her that we would go ahead as planned unless the weather forecast looked awful, which it is looking like it won't be. The risk of thunderstorms seems to be receding and alternating drizzle/sunny spells instead.

If you are free the following Saturday, take a look at the Scammonden thread. I also hope to be doing the Humber Bridge ride again in early August but we'll have to see about that.

Just @neil_merseyside to hear from now then...

 

[Peter Salt]

Dropping like flies