Ride videos (Crow Road)

[magnatom]

I thought I would start a new thread related to this one, as some people might be interested in the videos but not my ride report.

Here are two videos of the Crow Road climb that I did on this route.

The first shows the second half of the climb. The first half was the killer, and would have been much more fun to watch (and more scenic). Unfortunately one of the cables had come out from the recorder, so I missed it. However, this video still has plenty of mumbling and cursing in it, and even a close passing car. (Also note the cyclist coming the other way behind the motorbikes, wheeee! )

The second video shows the descent. Great fun, with only one brown trousers moment (right turn with bracken on either side). There was a headwind which kept my speeds muted (38mph max).

I'll be doing this again, with the aim of climbing without stopping!

 

[yello]

That downhill looks fun! Especially that last section (after the bracken). I thought the left hander looked like it might catch a few people out. Road surface not the best in places, I personally like to try and stay outside of such stuff (rather than verge side) but lines through bends sometimes don't allow.

Nice overtake by the car at the start of the descent too!

 

[magnatom]

Yeah, it isn't the best road. That was my first time down there, so I was taking it easy on the way down. Although I'm not sure I'd want to take it much faster anyway with some of the potholes.

The overtake was nice, a lot better than the first one on the way up video!

 

[woohoo]

I used to do the route a couple of times a week, albeit starting and ending in Possil, (decades ago, I have to admit) and always found the first part of the climb out of Lennoxtown to be a killer; my bottom gear was a 54 . A few years ago, during one of my visits back “home”, I took the family on the route and couldn’t believe how bad the road surface was. It used to be almost perfect but even in a car it is now bloody awful.

Great videos and very nostalgic for me. Thanks

 

[magnatom]

I used to do the route a couple of times a week, albeit starting and ending in Possil, (decades ago, I have to admit) and always found the first part of the climb out of Lennoxtown to be a killer; my bottom gear was a 54 . A few years ago, during one of my visits back “home”, I took the family on the route and couldn’t believe how bad the road surface was. It used to be almost perfect but even in a car it is now bloody awful.

Great videos and very nostalgic for me. Thanks

Oh yes, the first part of the climb was a bit of a shock! I stopped a couple of times on the way up. I will definitely be investing in a new cassette! (my bottom gear is a sissy 39. I think I need a 33!)

The roads are not good. A crying shame!

 

[goo_mason]

I felt ill just listening to you on that.... reminds me just how much I hate any kind of climbing. Now that downhill part, I really LIKE the look of that !

I really do feel pity for my workmate who's doing the Etape Du Tour this year. He's in for soooo much pain on those endless miles of climbing !

 

[Crackle]

Did you say you stopped on a hill. Not done old bean: In future, say you had a mechanical half-way up, we'll know what you mean. Looks a nice ride though.

 

[magnatom]

Goo, that was the much easier half of the climb. The first half was a monster (at least to me!). However, I am more determined that ever and intend (weather permitting) to do the loop again next Saturday. At least this time I will know what to expect!

Crackle, funny you should mention mechanicals. Towards the end of the ride I did have to retighten my front brake calliper to the fork. It had come loose during the ride due to all the rattling (poor roads!)

Anyway, I like challenges, and this hill has just laid down the gauntlet. I will beat it (although I may have to wait until I change the cassette over first!)

I was happy later on, as at a junction I stopped to check directions on my map and I got chatting to three cyclists from Falkirk BC (very friendly). They had fancy bikes and were telling me they were on a recci for a race in the next few weeks (one of the Super 6? I let them go on ahead and I kept pace with them for 3 or 4 miles until they turned off..... OK they may have been taking it easy, but....

 

[HLaB]

Well done Maggers, I done the Crow Road Today, I think the same direction as you (Fintry to Lennoxtown). I think the wind was worse than the hill, when I got to the top I went to change to the big ring only to realise I was already in it, doh. At least the wind helped on the Tak Ma Doon Road, its a better climb (steeper) than the Crow Road but the descent is not as fun.

 

[magnatom]

Well done Maggers, I done the Crow Road Today, I think the same direction as you (Fintry to Lennoxtown). I think the wind was worse than the hill, when I got to the top I went to change to the big ring only to realise I was already in it, doh. At least the wind helped on the Tak Ma Doon Road, its a better climb (steeper) than the Crow Road but the descent is not as fun.

I did it the opposite way Lennoxtown to Fintry. Did you mean opposite direction? Yeah the second half of the climb was mainly a battle against the wind.

 

[goo_mason]

Goo, that was the much easier half of the climb. The first half was a monster (at least to me!). However, I am more determined that ever and intend (weather permitting) to do the loop again next Saturday. At least this time I will know what to expect!

Crackle, funny you should mention mechanicals. Towards the end of the ride I did have to retighten my front brake calliper to the fork. It had come loose during the ride due to all the rattling (poor roads!)

Anyway, I like challenges, and this hill has just laid down the gauntlet. I will beat it (although I may have to wait until I change the cassette over first!)

I was happy later on, as at a junction I stopped to check directions on my map and I got chatting to three cyclists from Falkirk BC (very friendly). They had fancy bikes and were telling me they were on a recci for a race in the next few weeks (one of the Super 6? I let them go on ahead and I kept pace with them for 3 or 4 miles until they turned off..... OK they may have been taking it easy, but....

I realised that, and even thinking about a tougher climb makes me feel ill !

Chapeau, old chap. You're a hardier soul than me. Much respect from a lazy sod !!

 

[HLaB]

I did it the opposite way Lennoxtown to Fintry. Did you mean opposite direction? Yeah the second half of the climb was mainly a battle against the wind.

Just show my recollection of the climb was poor I did Fintry to Lennoxtown direction; the sensible majority were doing it wind assisted direction.