oldfatfool
Guru
I blew my tyres up AND got my new attack X kegs out of the wrapper already !!
Will now get sloshed tonight instead.
Will now get sloshed tonight instead.
Forum ride - Hebden Bridge to Waddington, Sun 29th January
- Thread starter ColinJ
- Start date
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OP
OP
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
potsy
Rambler
- Location
- My Armchair
Oh no, I was really looking forward to it too 
Ah well, probably a wise decision really, let's hope for better luck next weekend.
That means I have spent all of 15 minutes getting my bike ready for nothing
Ah well, probably a wise decision really, let's hope for better luck next weekend.
That means I have spent all of 15 minutes getting my bike ready for nothing
Hi Colin,*** RIDE POSTPONED UNTIL SUNDAY 29TH ***
Guys, sorry for being the party pooper, but I've decided to put the ride off until next Sunday, the 29th! I think conditions will be too harsh for a 66 mile forum ride with some hills, given that several of us are really out of condition. I also think that conditions will be too hazardous, with gusts of wind potentially blowing us off the road, into each other, or in front of motor vehicles.
I went for a walk up the hill to Heptonstall this afternoon. The village is only just a bit higher than the high points on tomorrow's route and the wind was roaring across the hilltops. Some sudden violent gusts had me off balance and that was just walking! The windchill factor was horrid - I had a good quality raincoat on and the wind was managing to find its way through somehow.
We would be riding up Cliviger Gorge tomorrow which would be funnelling the wind straight at us. I could see us not actually being able to make forward progress uphill into a 20+ mph headwind!
So, I was already having severe doubts about the wisdom of riding tomorrow, and then I got this PM from totallyfixed which clinched it for me ...
Steve and his wife Helen are super fit and if they struggled, then I know that I would be in big trouble!
So, apologies, but I think I should err on the side of caution. I also think we will enjoy the ride more if it doesn't kill us and we can actually chat to each other as we ride!
I'm now going to go for a walk instead.
I hope that all of you on tomorrow's list will come next weekend instead, and that those of you who couldn't make it will now be able to join us!
Be gentle with me!
A wise decision to defer until next week given the weather.
Many thanks for early evening decision and notification. Also thanks to 'totallyfixed' for his report and advice - much appreciated.
Count me in for next Sunday (weather permitting).
On the plus side, the evenings are gradually drawing out with an extra 2 minutes of daylight each evening now - so it should still just be full daylight at 5 pm next Sunday.
Cheers for now.
Brian
OP
OP
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Yeah, I was looking forward to it too, but I think it would have been a wretched slog rather than the usual fun rides we do.
The main thing though - I would never be able to forgive myself if someone got seriously hurt in a wind-induced accident when I'd anticipated the risk of it happening!
The main thing though - I would never be able to forgive myself if someone got seriously hurt in a wind-induced accident when I'd anticipated the risk of it happening!
Edge705
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Thornton Lancashire
Ok no probs wise decision Col not sure if I'll be able to make it next week but Im sure I'll get out with you boys soon cheers
Pennine-Paul
Goth on a bike............
Well I'm still going out tomorrow,will stay in the valley bottoms unless the
wind has dropped considerably
(they're predicting 25-35 mph,that'll be worse on the tops I expect)
will do a 50mile loop Littleboro/Heb/Sowerby/Elland /Hudds and back
Hopefully the weather will be a little kinder next week
wind has dropped considerably
(they're predicting 25-35 mph,that'll be worse on the tops I expect)
will do a 50mile loop Littleboro/Heb/Sowerby/Elland /Hudds and back
Hopefully the weather will be a little kinder next week
OP
OP
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I think that is everyone accounted for now!
You're a brave man Paul - take it easy out there tomorrow, and let us know how you get on.
I once started from the Blackstone Edge reservoir into a headwind so strong that the only way I could get down the hill to Crag Vale was to stand out of the saddle in a tiny 40/28 gear and force the pedals round. I suspect that conditions could be like that on the hills tomorrow!
My most extraordinary moment cycling in windy conditions was trying to ride into a tunnel on the Costa Blanca. The wind speed in the gorge leading to the tunnel was a killer, but it must have been doing 50-60 mph once it was squeezed into the tunnel. I forced my way to the tunnel entrance in a 39/29 gear and was instantly brought to a standstill. I held a trackstand for a second or two and was then blown backwards off my bike, which shot up into the air and nearly disappeared into the ravine at the side of the road. I managed to grab it, and drag it down out of the air. At which point, I decided that conditions were not really conducive to safe cycling ...
You're a brave man Paul - take it easy out there tomorrow, and let us know how you get on.
I once started from the Blackstone Edge reservoir into a headwind so strong that the only way I could get down the hill to Crag Vale was to stand out of the saddle in a tiny 40/28 gear and force the pedals round. I suspect that conditions could be like that on the hills tomorrow!
My most extraordinary moment cycling in windy conditions was trying to ride into a tunnel on the Costa Blanca. The wind speed in the gorge leading to the tunnel was a killer, but it must have been doing 50-60 mph once it was squeezed into the tunnel. I forced my way to the tunnel entrance in a 39/29 gear and was instantly brought to a standstill. I held a trackstand for a second or two and was then blown backwards off my bike, which shot up into the air and nearly disappeared into the ravine at the side of the road. I managed to grab it, and drag it down out of the air. At which point, I decided that conditions were not really conducive to safe cycling ...
I may be out next week, but had been planning on doing the Evans Ride-It which is a tough old route.
Think it's wise to postpone, I was out this afternoon and it was bloody hard work, as totallyfixed says.
I went out from Todmorden via Lumbutts and Mankinholes (I challenge you to say those names out loud and not giggle. Numbbutts and Mankyholes!) Hebden Bridge, Church Lane, Slack, Widdop, Colne, Nelson, Mereclough back via Cornholme.
Headwind on Widdop Road was phenomenal, and worsened as the valley constantly narrows. Spectacular spray from the reservoir over the dam, soaking several walkers! Descent at Thursden at least steep enough to coast, but when exposed some gusty crosswinds. Coming back through Cornholme got some vicious side gusts in the building gaps. About 12mph avg. on way out and 19ish on the way back.
I was getting a clicking and some near shifts from the drive train, stopped a couple of times to give the chain a quick check, and tightened the rear skewer in case it was a loosening cassette. Chain stopped going through the rear derraileur properly less than 1/4 mile from home, checked the chain again and found this:
Glad that didn't give up on the downhills, or at all really!
Also now discovered I didn't get round to putting a quick link or connecting pin in the tool kit after all, and I'm at SWMBO's tonight. All of that and a brand new 7901 chain are in the toolbox at my house.
Think it's wise to postpone, I was out this afternoon and it was bloody hard work, as totallyfixed says.
I went out from Todmorden via Lumbutts and Mankinholes (I challenge you to say those names out loud and not giggle. Numbbutts and Mankyholes!) Hebden Bridge, Church Lane, Slack, Widdop, Colne, Nelson, Mereclough back via Cornholme.
Headwind on Widdop Road was phenomenal, and worsened as the valley constantly narrows. Spectacular spray from the reservoir over the dam, soaking several walkers! Descent at Thursden at least steep enough to coast, but when exposed some gusty crosswinds. Coming back through Cornholme got some vicious side gusts in the building gaps. About 12mph avg. on way out and 19ish on the way back.
I was getting a clicking and some near shifts from the drive train, stopped a couple of times to give the chain a quick check, and tightened the rear skewer in case it was a loosening cassette. Chain stopped going through the rear derraileur properly less than 1/4 mile from home, checked the chain again and found this:
Glad that didn't give up on the downhills, or at all really!
Also now discovered I didn't get round to putting a quick link or connecting pin in the tool kit after all, and I'm at SWMBO's tonight. All of that and a brand new 7901 chain are in the toolbox at my house.
Pennine-Paul
Goth on a bike............
The winds are set to drop tomorrow afternoon,so hopefully I'll have a tailwind in the morn
and then not too much of a headwind on the return
and then not too much of a headwind on the return
I like Skol
A Minging Manc...
- Location
- Sunny Ashton-under-Lyne
Hooray! I get a second chance. I just told SWMBO and now have permission to do this ride on the 29th so bring it on!
OP
OP
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I knew somebody would be pleased about it!
Even though the forum ride has been postponed, I reserve the right to nip out on my bike in the afternoon for a shorter ride if P-P is right!
potsy
Rambler
- Location
- My Armchair
Wow, lucky escape there Svendo, could have been nasty if that went at the wrong time 
How many miles had it done?
Sounds like it could be a good turn out for the re-run, Skolly, Svendo, maybe Alun and Tubby can now make it?
How many miles had it done?
Sounds like it could be a good turn out for the re-run, Skolly, Svendo, maybe Alun and Tubby can now make it?
OP
OP
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Oh, I'd somehow missed Svendo's post!Wow, lucky escape there Svendo, could have been nasty if that went at the wrong time
How many miles had it done?
Sounds like it could be a good turn out for the re-run, Skolly, Svendo, maybe Alun and Tubby can now make it?
Yes - a lucky escape!
Reading Svendo's report backs up what totallyfixed was saying. I feel better about postponing the ride now.
Now, we'll probably get 6" of snow on the 29th ...!
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