England : Lancashire ColinJ's 103 km or 107 mile 'Back from the Dead' forum ride Sat 29/03/14

[ColinJ]

What about that fella who organised the Rochdale to Blackpool ride? I can't remember his forum name, I've seen him a few times on my uni commute and he's got a road bike now. The one where @potsy did his first 100 miler.

Has @Svendo seen this yet, there's so many pages now!

I think we should probably just let the rider list develop naturally now (though it would be nice to see Svendo again!) ... My theory is that if people are really interested in what I have to say, they will be reading my posts. Or if they are interested in forum rides, then they ought to be checking the rides forum anyway.

I have ridden with over 100 different CC riders and there are people already signed up that I have not yet ridden with before so if we keep alerting everybody we can think of, we could end up with an absolutely massive group, which I don't really fancy. Apart from the responsibility of it, having 5 times as many riders means 5 times more chance of delays due to mechanical problems, crashes etc, and massive delays at the cafe. We also would never get round to even saying hello to the bulk of the other riders. We have managed to lose track of people when there were only 15 of us so I wouldn't bet on keeping track of 100+!

One problem if anybody does get mislaid is that there is no phone signal in the area from Whitewell right through the Trough and round the back of those fells, so we would have no way to get back in touch. That is why I am doing a route sheet for this one, so as a last resort people could follow that.

 

[ColinJ]

I will put up the return leg route sheet, once I get round to writing it!

Meanwhile, here is an emergency map which you can print out or store on your phone. It isn't detailed because you can't read the detail on one small image. Used with the route sheets though, you should be able to navigate your way round if you had to!

PS As you can see - unfortunately, we are close to the M6 on the way back for a while, and cross it several times. It is a shame because you can hear the traffic noise. Still - 80+% of the route is quiet!

 

[ColinJ]

Ooh, you will like this one ... The Trough on 2 wheels, the easy way!



Notes:

• He started at Dunsop Bridge and turned right onto the Trough road. We will be riding up from the left.
• If the road has not been patched then there are some big potholes to watch out for!
• I didn't see many wandering sheep, but they are always a potential hazard up there.
• Sunny weekend days bring out the tourists.
• He went straight on at 11:05 - we need to turn left there - it is easily missed!
• It really is a gorgeous road in that kind of weather. It's grim in heavy rain!

 

[hopless500]

Oh lord. I appear to have volunteered myself (almost) and Mr Hop for this. @Hill Wimp - I'm so going to smack you for this!
Better head back to the start of the thread and get reading

 

[potsy]

Would it be easier to have a list of who isn't coming on this ride?

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Would it be easier to have a list of who isn't coming on this ride?

I thought that's what it was

 

[ColinJ]

I just hope we get a sunny day for it!

 

[hopless500]

@ColinJ, can I just remind you that I am very very very very cr$p at hills. Just sayin'

 

[hopless500]

How many days do we get to do this????

 

[Hill Wimp]

How many days do we get to do this????

I need a day to climb that Alp you called the Trough of Hell or something similar.

I console myself that at least there will be room at the cafe by the time we get there @hopless500 because the whippets will be racing for the line by then.

 

[Svendo]

What about that fella who organised the Rochdale to Blackpool ride? I can't remember his forum name, I've seen him a few times on my uni commute and he's got a road bike now. The one where @potsy did his first 100 miler.

Has @Svendo seen this yet, there's so many pages now!

Yep, thought I'd replied but must have not got round to pressing send. I'll request the day off so hopefully will attend. I will have the Garmin with me of course. The route is a bit like some of the Red Rose Ride crossed with the return leg of the North West Passage.

Was the chap you're thinking of Simba (formerly Fluffy)? I recall meeting at Rochdale railway station for a ride, it may have been the blackpool one but I had to turn back at some point due to something or other.

 

[Biscuit]

How many days do we get to do this????

I too am from the flat lands and will be blowing out of my a*s* on the first hill. You'll not be alone. I promise! :-)

 

[hopless500]

I too am from the flat lands and will be blowing out of my a*s* on the first hill. You'll not be alone. I promise! :-)

yay!

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Yep, thought I'd replied but must have not got round to pressing send. I'll request the day off so hopefully will attend. I will have the Garmin with me of course. The route is a bit like some of the Red Rose Ride crossed with the return leg of the North West Passage.

Was the chap you're thinking of Simba (formerly Fluffy)? I recall meeting at Rochdale railway station for a ride, it may have been the blackpool one but I had to turn back at some point due to something or other.

Sounds about right...so ping @Simba sorry Colin.

 

[ColinJ]

Just ignore my wishes then ... sounds about wrong, sorry Shaun.

Anyway - back to organising ... I think an 08:00 start from Hebden Bridge for the imperialists. Metricians meet at 09:15 at Spring Wood, descend to cafe in Whalley at 09:30 and get yourselves a brew while you wait for us to ride over. (Or go there earlier for breakfast?) I reckon we would arrive in time to set off from Whalley at 10:00.

Sunset is 18:37 that night. It would be nice to get back before that so the imperialists do not have to do most of the ride home in the dark.

It would be wise for the metric century riders to carry emergency lights, and essential for those riding back to Hebden Bridge to carry good lights.