My longest ever ride...

[Ajay]

Sounds a good ride - need to ride Bowland some time.

Maybe we should organise a Bowland forum ride!

+1 on the "organise a Bowland forum ride"

I'd be up for a forum ride round this area as I've not been able to manage any of the other forum rides as yet.

I'm up for a Bowland ride too. Based in Poulton nr Blackpool

What length / difficulty of route would people be up for? By definition it would be a hilly ride, I wouldn't want to put people off, but if folk are travelling, then they should at least experience some of the best climbs!
I thought maybe a start point at Crook o' Lune (couple of miles east M6 jtn 34 / a few flat miles along the Lune cycle path from Lancaster station).
I've got a few routes in mind which may be suitable, from 45 to 77miles. Post what you think, if there's an interest I'll put something up in the Forum Rides section.

 

[Spinney]

Chapeau if you went UP from Dent to Ribblehead! I did a shorter version of that last Thurs - Carnforth - Ingleton - Ribblehead - Dent - KL - Carnforth. I might even attempt your route when I feel fit enough for my century this year - but from Carnforth and going the other way round - can't face that climb out of Dentdale, especially on a long ride!

I'd be up for a forum ride or two. Can manage 60 miles easily at the mo, hoping to get fitter during the year, but happy to go for a shorter social one as well. Trouble is I'm only up north part of the time, so dates might not work out. But if I'm at the right end of the country I'd come along.

From Crook o Lune we could go over the Cross of Greet, Slaidburn, Trough of Bowland. But anything really - I've done many of the variants already, but the countryside is so good I'm quite happy to repeat them!

 

[Ajay]

Chapeau if you went UP from Dent to Ribblehead! I did a shorter version of that last Thurs - Carnforth - Ingleton - Ribblehead - Dent - KL - Carnforth. I might even attempt your route when I feel fit enough for my century this year - but from Carnforth and going the other way round - can't face that climb out of Dentdale, especially on a long ride!

I'd be up for a forum ride or two. Can manage 60 miles easily at the mo, hoping to get fitter during the year, but happy to go for a shorter social one as well. Trouble is I'm only up north part of the time, so dates might not work out. But if I'm at the right end of the country I'd come along.

From Crook o Lune we could go over the Cross of Greet, Slaidburn, Trough of Bowland. But anything really - I've done many of the variants already, but the countryside is so good I'm quite happy to repeat them!

Chapeau back at ya Spinney, it's a long old slog up to Newby Head whichever way you slice it!!
If you're doing 60 milers easily on our hills then you've already got a century in the bag!
You've got the short route I was thinking of spot on, (plus Littledale to add a sting in the tail), the 77 mile route would add Bowland Knotts, Cow Ark, Chipping and Harris End Fell - very tasty

 

[Spinney]

If you're doing 60 milers easily on our hills then you've already got a century in the bag!

Where did I say 'easily'!!
I pick my gradients...

I have done a couple of centuries - one 2 years ago in Yorkshire, mainly flat.
One last year, Carnforth-Ingleton-Hawes-Kirkby Stephen- M6 corridor to Sedburgh - KL - (minor diversion to Burton in Londsale to make sure the mileage was going to be >100!) - Carnforth. But no hideous hills on that either. It probably took me considerably longer than it would have taken you!

I'd like to do at least 2 this year.

I also want to try to do the northern loop of the Lancashire cycle way in one day, but I'll need a bit more training before that. I think its about 138 miles. As I live on it, there's no excuse, really! It will take some time...

 

[zexel]

Hi zexel
good luck with your 1st 100miler next month, once you get that milestone distance out of the way any ride less than a century will feel like a gentle leg strecher

So you're going through France south to north? Won't that feel like you're heading uphill all the way

The Ventoux is a must, you should make the effort to ride it at some point. The climb itself isn't so bad, the gradients rarely get above 10% so quite tame compared to British climbs. The difficulties come if you push yourself hard, and the weather condition on the day. On my first attempt I went up on windy day (dont ), I took the classic route from Bedoin up through the forest, by the time I emerged at Chalet Reynard it was seriously strong. There were still some riders going up so a followed a group, as we got onto the exposed mountainside the gusts became increasingly violent, to the point at which we dismounted and were trying to walk, all the while being shot-blasted by the gravel and scree! By the time we neared the Simpson memorial, it had become dangerous, for the first time in my life I was actually blown off my feet, a dutch guy near me saw his carbon pride n joy tossed 100m down the road. We'd seen enough and turned back
A couple of days later and the mistral had blown itself out, so I went up again, this time via Malaucene, a very different ascent, much more open than the forest, more changes of direction / gradient / views. Getting to the summit was pure elation, although I wasnt on my own - half of Holland and Belgium was up there or so it seemed. The views are outrageous, as it's an isolated mountain, rather than a hemmed in col you can see to infinity (and beyond on a clear day). I descended to Sault and returned to base via the sublime Gorges de la Nesque. Probably my best day on a bike.
Crikey, at 85kg I'd hardly call you a big unit, I'm 6'2" aswell, but 104kg - whats that, 3 stone difference!! If I can get my lardy arse over the Tourmalet and Ventoux then you've no excuse!!

My France trek was originally planned and conceived as a 'non' hilly route, but I have a feeling there will be a few 'slopes' to contend with somewhere. I do like the idea of always riding towards home.

It will be 10 days, the route goes, Montpelier - Narbonne - Castelnaudary - Toulouse - Cahors - Brive la Galliarde - Limoges - Issodun - Orleans - Rambouillet - Beauvais - Calais.

You're right about the 100 miles, it is just a psychological barrier that once broken, no longer exists. I can't wait to do it. It's the 'Flat out in the Fens', and no hills . Do you see a theme here!

Thanks for writing about your Ventoux experience, must admit I feel less 'scared' about it now. You've sold it! I will definitely do it next year. It's just a 'barrier' to overcome after all.

Thanks again for taking the time to write about your experiences. Mucho helpful.

 

[OldnSlow]

Hi Ajay

You certainly didn't ride like 104 kgs when we were riding the ColinJ ride to the coast a couple of weeks ago.
I think you'v got your conversion figs wrong!! You were knocking on well & RammyLad & me were struggling a bit to keep you in check.
I'v put some more weight on & i'm more or less back upto my summer weight of 61 kgs. I know, but i'm only little!!

Of course you are talking here about my more or less daily rides thru Bowland-sher - Chipping, Cow Ark, Trough, Jubilee Tower.

I'v been out in the sunshine for 4 consecutive days, Thursday thru Sunday.
Saturday - 104 miles - out to Knott End again, across the ferry, sat in the sun eating fish & chips at Knott End cafe
Sunday - 108 miles - out round Settle, back to Bowland, over The Trough, sat in the sun outside Joe's teashop at Slaidburn
Monday - had a very sore bum, was sitting down very carefully - Ouch!!!

Garz - +2 on the "organise a Bowland forum ride"
Up from Dent is really steep. This was the route of the "Howgill Hammer" last year.
We'll see if it's the same route this year.

Ajay - this Sunday 17, i'm riding the Bay Dash, 60 ish miles starting at the Halton Army Camp at Lancaster with a few guys i know - all old n slow like me.
Are you doing this?

Stay upright everyone

 

[Ajay]

Nice work OldnSlow,
no, sadly my figures are correct - 104kg = 16st 5lbs. The old power/weight thing means I'm useful to have around if a headwind needs bulldozing, but when the roads get steep I slow to a walking pace and wrestle my way up! Maybe I should've taken up rowing, that's probably the sport I'm built for, and they usually race on flat courses, don't they?

Impressive mileages there, shouldn't you be taking it easy at your age, haven't you a garden to look after?

Enjoy the ride on sunday, I'm out of the area otherwise I''d have joined in.

See you soon!

 

[Ajay]

I also want to try to do the northern loop of the Lancashire cycle way in one day, but I'll need a bit more training before that. I think its about 138 miles. As I live on it, there's no excuse, really! It will take some time...

That sounds like fun day out, if you want some company give me a shout!

My France trek was originally planned and conceived as a 'non' hilly route, but I have a feeling there will be a few 'slopes' to contend with somewhere. I do like the idea of always riding towards home.

It will be 10 days, the route goes, Montpelier - Narbonne - Castelnaudary - Toulouse - Cahors - Brive la Galliarde - Limoges - Issodun - Orleans - Rambouillet - Beauvais - Calais.

You're right about the 100 miles, it is just a psychological barrier that once broken, no longer exists. I can't wait to do it. It's the 'Flat out in the Fens', and no hills . Do you see a theme here!

Thanks for writing about your Ventoux experience, must admit I feel less 'scared' about it now. You've sold it! I will definitely do it next year. It's just a 'barrier' to overcome after all.

Thanks again for taking the time to write about your experiences. Mucho helpful.

That's a nice route through France, sure, no mountains, but you'll have plenty of hills, don't worry
I did Flat Out in the Fens last year, did the long route - 163 miles all in after a minor detour due to missing a turn! It was harder than I was expecting, it was the hottest day of the year, and no hills mean no free wheeling, gotta pedal all the time!! Enjoy