Hilly, scenic 102 km (63 mile) forum ride, Whalley, Sun 6th May (?)

[ColinJ]

You really looked like you were improving on the way to the Cafe stop,
Totally Fixed and I were just about keeping up with you

I wasn't making a huge effort along there and couldn't understand why I was getting ahead of everyone. I think it was the B5392 from outside Macclesfield to the A34 at Siddington. I have just checked the tracklog on my GPS and it tells the story. I was doing 20-25 mph which is a reasonably brisk pace, but the map shows that it averaged 2% downhill, which explains it - heavy things fall more quickly than light ones when wind resistance comes into play!

Really think you ought to get your leg checked out,was reading some old posts today from
a couple of years ago and you said it was playing up then,if your gonna need a new hip
then do it sooner rather than later.

A friend of mine had it done and he wished he'd had it done years before instead of putting up with
the pain, hoping it would get better.

I know that arthritic hips never repair themselves, but I think it would be foolish to even consider surgery until the situation gets pretty bad. All surgery has risks and several of my family have picked up serious infections in hospitals.

I don't know if the current generation of hip replacements last better than they did a generation ago, but I know my dad was holding out because the implants only had about a 10-15 year life span then, and subsequent replacements were rarely as successful as the original ones. He left it too late though and spent nearly 25 years in pain and with poor mobility.

i find that ibuprofen works well if used for short periods,not long term use.
I find combination of core exercises for my back and i use ibuprofen only when
the pains a bit too much to bear, better than popping pills every day.

I won't take pills every day. If my leg(s) get so bad that I need pills to function in everyday life, then I'd have something done sooner rather than later.

 

[Pennine-Paul]

paul, when are you thinking of doing this? i might join you on the brompton. i'm finished at placement soon and will have some days off during the next few weeks.

First decent day after colins ride,Let everyone else "enjoy/suffer" the hills first

It's mil's 65th birthday on the 5th May and I know I'd be no state to tackle this route on
the Sunday,I'd only be holding everyone up as well,sooner tackle the route at a relaxed pace
resting at the start of the steep climbs before tackling them,just to see how many I can conquer

Or not.............

 

[ColinJ]

Really think you ought to get your leg checked out,was reading some old posts today from
a couple of years ago and you said it was playing up then,if your gonna need a new hip
then do it sooner rather than later.

I'd put the problems I was having then to the back of my mind and forgotten about them!

I suspected then that it was due to the blood supply in my upper leg being reduced by wearing over-tight shorts. (My legs getting fatter made them too tight.) That's why I started wearing baggy shorts last summer. It actually did make a big difference so I'm hoping that 90% of the recent problem is due to poor blood supply not the joint itself, although I do know that the joint is on the way out.

I've got baggy shorts for warmer weather and have now ordered baggy 3/4 length Endura Humvees for this cooler weather. Let's see if wearing them instead of the tight Lycra 3/4s improves things ...

I've also got a new cassette on order for the Basso. I'm going to switch back to it and leave longer, hillier rides on the Cannondale until I have lost weight and am fitter - I'm just straining myself climbing on that. Let's hope the new shorts and cassette arrive before Ajay's ride at the weekend or I could end up hobbling about off my bike in Cumbria!

 

[400bhp]

Looking like I Should be up for this-train arrives in Whalley at 10:04.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I'm looking iffy unless I can get the CAAD fettled this week. I need a decent bearing press so I can fit the BB30 adapter, or if I can get it to Leisure Lakes one of the workshop guys said he may be able to do it on their Tuesday late night but it's not guaranteed.

Watch this space...................................

 

[ColinJ]

Okay, now we have ...

• ColinJ
• potsy
• Ajay (Whalley to Chipping)
• totallyfixed and dr_pink
• smokeysmoo and Ben (subject to Cannondale fettling?)
• kiwi-sal
• 400bhp
• PMarkey (if okay with family)
• oldfatfool (probable)

As mentioned previously - I am planning to come in by bike from Accrington station so the earliest I can get to the start will be about 10:30.

Now then - I just phoned Cafe Marmalade in Whalley. They are under new ownership and I have good news! They will be open Wed-Sun and are going to try 09:00-16:00 hours on Sundays to see how good business is, which means that we can start rides from there instead of the car park at Spring Wood. Hours may be longer on Saturdays. You can park up at Spring Wood as usual, then freewheel down the hill into Whalley, turn right at the mini-roundabout and the cafe is on your left at 73 King Street - Streetview. (The cafe may be changing the name, I don't know, but it won't be physically moving!)

So if you want to get there in good time and call in at the cafe, please do so. If you like the place, try and encourage them to keep their relatively early new weekend opening time. I told the owner that I frequently organise rides from Whalley and will suggest that riders meet at the cafe. Let's aim to start from outside the cafe at 10:30. (I'll call in at Spring Wood anyway just in case anybody doesn't spot this message.)

I'll get there as quickly as I can from Accrington station but obviously I am subject to the train running on time and not having any mechanical problems on the way over. I have several of your phone numbers. If I get held up, I'll text one of you.

If there is a significant delay (and you feel brave!) - why not venture out from the comfort of the cafe and have a go at the stiff climb of Whalley Banks up Moor Lane past Painter Wood and Nab Side farms to the comms tower on the summit? (Yes - I know - you won't have had the chance to warm up, so ride to Clitheroe and back first!) I've never ridden that climb, but it is reputed to be a bit of a challenge! (Hint, hint, dr_pink! ) Here on Streetview. Average of 11% for 1.2 km, with no easy sections and some sections at 15-20%.

NB I am going to be offline for 5 days so I won't be able to take part in this thread again after tonight until Saturday, 5th May, the day before the ride. I'll make a point of checking in on Saturday lunchtime.

 

[potsy]

If there is a significant delay (and you feel brave!) - why not venture out from the comfort of the cafe and have a go at the stiff climb of Whalley Banks up Moor Lane past Painter Wood and Nab Side farms to the comms tower on the summit? (Yes - I know - you won't have had the chance to warm up, so ride to Clitheroe and back first!) I've never ridden that climb, but it is reputed to be a bit of a challenge! (Hint, hint, dr_pink! ) Here on Streetview. Average of 11% for 1.2 km, with no easy sections and some sections at 15-20%.

I'll see you at the cafe

 

[smokeysmoo]

Chainset and HT2 BB ordered

So as long as; A) Ribble deliver in good time, B) I can get the BB30 adapter fitted, and C) I get the chance of a quick shakedown ride then everything should be fine.

Oh yes, and D) the freakin' weather bucks it's ideas up

 

[potsy]

Oh yes, and D) the freakin' weather bucks it's ideas up

Well, the weather jinxes are coming so don't expect too much
I'm keeping the guards on and won't be buying any sun cream

 

[smokeysmoo]

Well, the weather jinxes are coming so don't expect too much
I'm keeping the guards on and won't be buying any sun cream

I don't have any guards for the CAAD, but then again I'd be at the back regardless so wouldn't be causing a problem in that respect

The Ribble is still in full winter commute mode, (minus lights), but I wouldn't entertain doing this ride on it from my current fitness position. I'll be lucky to get round it on the CAAD

 

[potsy]

I don't have any guards for the CAAD, but then again I'd be at the back regardless

We've heard that before

 

[400bhp]

Chainset and HT2 BB ordered

So as long as; A) Ribble deliver in good time, B) I can get the BB30 adapter fitted, and C) I get the chance of a quick shakedown ride then everything should be fine.

Oh yes, and D) the freakin' weather bucks it's ideas up

Hope you can make it - we can compare bb's

 

[totallyfixed]

Bump, seeing as his nibs is away. Busy weekend for us including this ride, race Saturday, Pendle ride Sunday, race Monday and a lot of driving in between, hope she is up to it

 

[potsy]

Bump, seeing as his nibs is away. Busy weekend for us including this ride, race Saturday, Pendle ride Sunday, race Monday and a lot of driving in between, hope she is up to it

No slacking dr_pink

Can I get my excuses in early and say I have a slight injury, hopefully won't stop me riding but I'm having a niggly pain in my right thigh.
Only happens when I grind a bit, spinning seems fine.

 

[totallyfixed]

Oh that's ok then seeing as it's a flattish ride, thinking of persuading Fossy to come on his fixed
Actually as I am typing this dr pink is sweating hard on the turbo, didn't even need the whip tonight. The race she is doing on Monday is hell on wheels, 9 miles up Shap.
Seriously Potsy, take it easy this week.