Forum ride - Hebden Bridge to Waddington, Sun 29th January

[ColinJ]

Colin, add me as a "meet en route"

Done!

Rider list

• ColinJ
• potsy
• oldfatfool
• aJohnson
• I like Skol
• dan_bo
• Pennine-Paul
• totallyfixed + Helen
• aJay (at Spring Wood picnic centre, Whalley)
• Edge705 (also at Spring Wood, if he is coming)

Possibles

• Svendo (?)

 

[Alun]

Colin, I'd love to come but I'm nowhere near fit enough, I need a few weeks hard training before I can even think about those hills.

 

[ColinJ]

Colin, I'd love to come but I'm nowhere near fit enough, I need a few weeks hard training before I can even think about those hills.

Try my approach - don't do the hard training, don't think about hills, and apologise to the others about lack of fitness before setting off!

 

[Calum]

Mini-NWP on Saturday, 18th Feb?

Yes! I'll book it off. It was three years ago since we did it last and what a ride it was too...

Colly?

 

[potsy]

Colin, I'd love to come but I'm nowhere near fit enough, I need a few weeks hard training before I can even think about those hills.

Come on Al, you'll be fine.
Keep me company at the back.

 

[aJohnson]

Try my approach - don't do the hard training, don't think about hills, and apologise to the others about lack of fitness before setting off!

That's my plan.

 

[totallyfixed]

Right, just sacrificed a burnt offering to the wind gods [ok it was a piece of toast but needs must] and we will have a relatively calm day on Sunday. I don't have enough clout with the rain gods so if someone else could do that? Actually I look at the jet stream and it's looking promising, will keep an eye on it.
What I really wanted to ask, and bear in mind I lived in Read and as a kid went up the Roman road almost daily, you don't really remember hills being hard when you were young. The only steep bit I can remember is the first bit just beyond the top of George Lane as you are leaving Read, and as I am on a fairly big gear and I refuse to walk, how does it compare with the hill we went up on our last ride?

 

[Alun]

Try my approach - don't do the hard training, don't think about hills, and apologise to the others about lack of fitness before setting off!

Thanks for the encouragement guys, but I would be doing more pushing than riding uphill. I'll work hard for a few weeks and join you then !

 

[potsy]

Thanks for the encouragement guys, but I would be doing more pushing than riding uphill. I'll work hard for a few weeks and join you then !

But this is a flat ride Al

 

[ColinJ]

Yes! I'll book it off. It was three years ago since we did it last and what a ride it was too...

Colly?

Colly has organised another Velodrome trip on the same day as the NWP/mini-NWP! He didn't have much choice, other than waiting a month or two because nearly all the track sessions until the Spring have already been booked.

What I really wanted to ask, and bear in mind I lived in Read and as a kid went up the Roman road almost daily, you don't really remember hills being hard when you were young. The only steep bit I can remember is the first bit just beyond the top of George Lane as you are leaving Read, and as I am on a fairly big gear and I refuse to walk, how does it compare with the hill we went up on our last ride?

Probably harder - click *here* to see for yourself!

On the outward leg, it's a steep descent to the bridge over Sabden Brook, followed by a steady drag back up. On the return leg, the road immediately kicks up from the bridge and steepens round a L-R-L double-s-bend. I'll consult my mapping software for the stats ... okay, the steep part of the climb is 320 metres at an average of 14.1%, but it isn't an absolutely constant gradient, so I'd say varying from about 10% to a couple of short stretches round the bends at about 18%. It will be hard on fixed, but it could well be short enough for you to power up it.

I, on the other hand, will drop right down to my trusty 30/28 grovelling gear as I pay a penance for too much beer, not enough bike!

 

[totallyfixed]

Thanks for that Colin - not. The steepest I have ever got up on this gear was 17% but it wasn't a pretty sight, speedo wasn't even registering! This will be the hardest yet, I had forgotten that stretch of road as I always went the other way at High House Farm where a very old friend still lives today. Quite appropriate that the toughest hill is one I haven't seen since I was about 16 [just a few years ago ]. If it is going to be dry Helen might bring her geared bike, she might need to.

 

[potsy]

If it is going to be dry Helen might bring her geared bike, she might need to.

That's just cheating
Early indications are for a dry but cold day, with light winds.

I'll start with my excuses nearer the time

 

[totallyfixed]

You are absolutely right Potsy and I will tell her you said so

Don't worry she is really slow just now, not on the form that saw her climb the Cat & Fiddle into a headwind in 26mins 55secs, nope you'll be fine she is at least 20secs down on that at this stage of the season. I anticipate a keenly fought contest

 

[potsy]

You are absolutely right Potsy and I will tell her you said so

Don't worry she is really slow just now, not on the form that saw her climb the Cat & Fiddle into a headwind in 26mins 55secs, nope you'll be fine she is at least 20secs down on that at this stage of the season. I anticipate a keenly fought contest

Why have I got a feeling I'm not going to enjoy Sunday's ride
Funnily enough, that's about the same time me and Colin usually get up the Roman Road

*phone rings*
What that? Oh, you want me to work this Sunday boss?

 

[coffeejo]

Why have I got a feeling I'm not going to enjoy Sunday's ride
Funnily enough, that's about the same time me and Colin usually get up the Roman Road

*phone rings*
What that? Oh, you want me to work this Sunday boss?

Wimp