Show us your.......newbie progress!

[Nomadski]

Reposted from Your Ride Today thread.

Well I finally got out on my first Manchester ride. ColinJ very kindly offered to show me a few sights in his neck of the woods, so met up in Todmorden.

Forecast was a bit grim for later in the day so we set off heading through Hebden Bridge (which I've heard of...somehow) and Mytholmroyd before hitting the first climb. Near the top the wind got a little outrageous, so we diverted off the main road just after Cragg Vale. The view was fantastic.

Hilly climbs was followed by step descents, and on new roads I was taking the downs almost as slowly as I was climbing!

Another climb up Luddenden Foot, avoiding a rather irate driver (irate for goodness knows what reason other than we hadn't thrown ourselves and our bikes into the nearest ditch for him) for another photo op

Then thru Midgley for another climb, at this point the weather started turning from reasonable sunshine to light rain. In the distance, dark clouds were a loomin'.

Photo of a photo being taken of a photo being taken...

A few more skittish descents, this time in light rain, and back through Hebden Bridge (still hadn't figured out how I knew this place) where ColinJ went full evil and looped us back to a monstrous hill that I shall call "Mount Sonofabitch" (although its technical name is Heptonstall Road). The rain lashed down as I huffed and puffed my way up the 1 mile, 10% average gradient, having to stop 3 times for a quick breather while Colin effortlessly span his way ahead of me.

Then the rain got heavier, and for the last 100 yards I was treated to cobbles! And mad bus drivers doing Colin McRae impressions!

Almost at the top I was greeted with the beautiful oasis that was a cafe.

A cold shivering Nomad sat eating his chip butty and drank his tea, but in truth it didn't concern me too much as Colin was great company, even though it was clear from the last climb that he was secretly trying to kill me.

I also had a theory that I maybe read about Hebden Bridge due to some war, perhaps the war of the roses?

(^^ I've looked, it has no history with wars, floral or otherwise).

After the pitstop, and being reassured it was all downhill from here, we carried on up the rest of the climb (there was some left apparently) and then had to stop as Colin was suffering from a slack bottom.

Then followed quite a few sketchy descents, and some unannounced climbs before a final photo op of some more stunning scenery.

Finally making our way back down to Todmorden where we parted ways and I spent 20 minutes loading the car back up for the ride home.

Despite not having ridden too much recently, having the backend of my manflu, and clearly being out of my depth with these hills, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and must give massive thanks to ColinJ for all the local tales he passed on, being great company, and being very, VERY patient!

I also found out it was the second biggest ascent in a single ride, after Velothon Wales - and that was only 150 metres more over an extra 60 miles!

I still don't know where I know Hebden Bridge from.

https://www.strava.com/activities/440284946

 

[bikeman66]

Reposted from Your Ride Today thread.

Well I finally got out on my first Manchester ride. ColinJ very kindly offered to show me a few sights in his neck of the woods, so met up in Todmorden.

Forecast was a bit grim for later in the day so we set off heading through Hebden Bridge (which I've heard of...somehow) and Mytholmroyd before hitting the first climb. Near the top the wind got a little outrageous, so we diverted off the main road just after Cragg Vale. The view was fantastic.

Hilly climbs was followed by step descents, and on new roads I was taking the downs almost as slowly as I was climbing!

Another climb up Luddenden Foot, avoiding a rather irate driver (irate for goodness knows what reason other than we hadn't thrown ourselves and our bikes into the nearest ditch for him) for another photo op

Then thru Midgley for another climb, at this point the weather started turning from reasonable sunshine to light rain. In the distance, dark clouds were a loomin'.

Photo of a photo being taken of a photo being taken...

A few more skittish descents, this time in light rain, and back through Hebden Bridge (still hadn't figured out how I knew this place) where ColinJ went full evil and looped us back to a monstrous hill that I shall call "Mount Sonofabitch" (although its technical name is Heptonstall Road). The rain lashed down as I huffed and puffed my way up the 1 mile, 10% average gradient, having to stop 3 times for a quick breather while Colin effortlessly span his way ahead of me.

Then the rain got heavier, and for the last 100 yards I was treated to cobbles! And mad bus drivers doing Colin McRae impressions!

Almost at the top I was greeted with the beautiful oasis that was a cafe.

A cold shivering Nomad sat eating his chip butty and drank his tea, but in truth it didn't concern me too much as Colin was great company, even though it was clear from the last climb that he was secretly trying to kill me.

I also had a theory that I maybe read about Hebden Bridge due to some war, perhaps the war of the roses?

(^^ I've looked, it has no history with wars, floral or otherwise).

After the pitstop, and being reassured it was all downhill from here, we carried on up the rest of the climb (there was some left apparently) and then had to stop as Colin was suffering from a slack bottom.

Then followed quite a few sketchy descents, and some unannounced climbs before a final photo op of some more stunning scenery.

Finally making our way back down to Todmorden where we parted ways and I spent 20 minutes loading the car back up for the ride home.

Despite not having ridden too much recently, having the backend of my manflu, and clearly being out of my depth with these hills, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and must give massive thanks to ColinJ for all the local tales he passed on, being great company, and being very, VERY patient!

I also found out it was the second biggest ascent in a single ride, after Velothon Wales - and that was only 150 metres more over an extra 60 miles!

I still don't know where I know Hebden Bridge from.

https://www.strava.com/activities/440284946

Great reading! Looks like a fantastic ride. I'd like to think I'll get to do some riding up that way at some point in the future. If you're ever heading towards the Isle of Wight give me a shout, I'll gladly show you around.

 

[Aunty Tyke]

Reposted from Your Ride Today thread.

Well I finally got out on my first Manchester ride. ColinJ very kindly offered to show me a few sights in his neck of the woods, so met up in Todmorden.

Forecast was a bit grim for later in the day so we set off heading through Hebden Bridge (which I've heard of...somehow) and Mytholmroyd before hitting the first climb. Near the top the wind got a little outrageous, so we diverted off the main road just after Cragg Vale. The view was fantastic.

Hilly climbs was followed by step descents, and on new roads I was taking the downs almost as slowly as I was climbing!

Another climb up Luddenden Foot, avoiding a rather irate driver (irate for goodness knows what reason other than we hadn't thrown ourselves and our bikes into the nearest ditch for him) for another photo op

Then thru Midgley for another climb, at this point the weather started turning from reasonable sunshine to light rain. In the distance, dark clouds were a loomin'.

Photo of a photo being taken of a photo being taken...

A few more skittish descents, this time in light rain, and back through Hebden Bridge (still hadn't figured out how I knew this place) where ColinJ went full evil and looped us back to a monstrous hill that I shall call "Mount Sonofabitch" (although its technical name is Heptonstall Road). The rain lashed down as I huffed and puffed my way up the 1 mile, 10% average gradient, having to stop 3 times for a quick breather while Colin effortlessly span his way ahead of me.

Then the rain got heavier, and for the last 100 yards I was treated to cobbles! And mad bus drivers doing Colin McRae impressions!

Almost at the top I was greeted with the beautiful oasis that was a cafe.

A cold shivering Nomad sat eating his chip butty and drank his tea, but in truth it didn't concern me too much as Colin was great company, even though it was clear from the last climb that he was secretly trying to kill me.

I also had a theory that I maybe read about Hebden Bridge due to some war, perhaps the war of the roses?

(^^ I've looked, it has no history with wars, floral or otherwise).

After the pitstop, and being reassured it was all downhill from here, we carried on up the rest of the climb (there was some left apparently) and then had to stop as Colin was suffering from a slack bottom.

Then followed quite a few sketchy descents, and some unannounced climbs before a final photo op of some more stunning scenery.

Finally making our way back down to Todmorden where we parted ways and I spent 20 minutes loading the car back up for the ride home.

Despite not having ridden too much recently, having the backend of my manflu, and clearly being out of my depth with these hills, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and must give massive thanks to ColinJ for all the local tales he passed on, being great company, and being very, VERY patient!

I also found out it was the second biggest ascent in a single ride, after Velothon Wales - and that was only 150 metres more over an extra 60 miles!

I still don't know where I know Hebden Bridge from.

https://www.strava.com/activities/440284946

Brilliant ride!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Well having done a grand total of 577 miles since the 1st of July, I guess I am back here.

 

[Mo1959]

Well having done a grand total of 577 miles since the 1st of July, I guess I am back here.

You and me both Nigel. Between nagging back pain again and really shitty weather I have hardly done a thing the last few weeks. Not that bothered to be honest. Might even just have a really good rest over the next couple of months and pick up again early spring.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@Mo1959 winters usually much worse your end anyway, last winter here was mild, expect the same this year to be honest, its the 2nd week in Dec and temps are at 10+C. I have just been busy with other stuff, all I seem to have lost is a bit of stamina, though I was slower last night than of late, but that could be because it was dark, it was the same last winter.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I am tired now though, I'm getting slower and slower as the year progresses (so many people pass me and I can't keep blaming the bike, lol). This is a once-in-a-lifetime personal challenge for me and I aim to do 5 or 6000 next year. I admire anyone who can do such a mileage in a year, whilst working (or even whilst not working)!

Its got to be those that can do this whilst working, doing it whilst not working is pretty easy, just need to motivation to go out.

 

[Stonechat]

Well having done a grand total of 577 miles since the 1st of July, I guess I am back here.

Good to see you back Nigel
Having done a bit of a marathon effort in October, i.e.
Surrey Legs of Steel, 50 miles and 5000 ft, with evil hills (up to 25%)
Following week Original Box hill sportive, 104 miles, 7000 feet
Following week just a normal club run with local club
Following week Sigmasport CHallenge, which inclucing the cycling to get there and back was 89 miles and 4000 ft

So I Have mostly gone onto the Your Ride Today thread, but still calling in here quite often.
We have not had the worst of the tweather here, I feel for them in Cumbria as we were flooded ourself last year

Sorry to hear your back is playing up @Mo1959 , hope it is no for too long

I am not resting up but trying to retain as much form as possible over the winter, it took a lot of effort to get the speed back this year, to the point where I was fast enough to join club runs.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@Stonechat just looked at my data in garmin training centre, and June it was 15.4, its currently about 14.3, but I am not fused I just enjoy riding, I can still ride 20+ miles without a break (more probably, but thats as much as I have done recently), something I could,'t even a month or two into cycling. I can't remember my first non stop 20+ ride nor any of them to be honest, just all the miles.

 

[sutts]

Its got to be those that can do this whilst working, doing it whilst not working is pretty easy, just need to motivation to go out.

Well, I understand what you are saying, but I disagree that it is ever easy. 10,000 miles on a bike, in a year, is a big ask for anyone. Of course, having the motivation is the key, but it still requires a lot of effort and energy! I certainly won't be trying it again...and as an update, I am now just 96 miles away from my target.

 

[ColinJ]

I'm making a guest appearance in this thread after spotting Nomadski's ride report above. The picture of me pulling a very strange face was because I had a chilly gale force wind blowing towards me at the time. As for my 'slack bottom' ... it was a joke inspired by the road sign behind me!

Yes, it was a fun ride. If any of you are ever planning to come up here to do some cycling and want a guide, let me know and I'll do the same for you.

 

[Stonechat]

I'm making a guest appearance in this thread after spotting Nomadski's ride report above. The picture of me pulling a very strange face was because I had a chilly gale force wind blowing towards me at the time. As for my 'slack bottom' ... it was a joke inspired by the road sign behind me!

Yes, it was a fun ride. If any of you are ever planning to come up here to do some cycling and want a guide, let me know and I'll do the same for you.

Nice offer, I have a hankering to ride up Holme Moss sometime, but that's someway off just yet

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Well, I understand what you are saying, but I disagree that it is ever easy. 10,000 miles on a bike, in a year, is a big ask for anyone. Of course, having the motivation is the key, but it still requires a lot of effort and energy! I certainly won't be trying it again...and as an update, I am now just 96 miles away from my target.

I did just short of it in my first full year of cycling, the year we had lying snow till the end of April here, so I know what's involved, I should have clarified it a bit in that you quoted 5-6,000 which is relatively easy in a year if not working, I should hit 3,000 miles this year, and I have only done 550 miles or so since 1st of July. I did 6,000 last year with two lay off's the bike due to infections, a month doing the front garden (well not quite only 400 miles or so). I also did 3,000 miles in my first 6 months, that was hard, so I am not taking away from your achievement, which is an amazing target, just that the 5-6,000 isn't so difficult in a year as I said that sort of distance is down to motivation and commitment, I didn't have it the latter part of the summer, plus I had to dig a flaming new bigger pond, 4,000 litres, again in Aug, 3ftx6ftx8 1/2ft and all the plumbing, building wiring (its designed should any of the pipes leak it flows back into the pond, its quite clever the design , as all the workings are pretty much hidden but easy to change if need be. Sorry about using both metric and imperial, but a child of the 60's so I work in both if need be.

 

[Stonechat]

Yes I remain resolutely in the miles and miles per hour camp and feet climbed. My Garmin, though configured to imperial, resolutely gives climbing in metres though.

I don't set targets for longer periods as life has the habit of getting in the way, Dad died, we got flooded, wife was in hospital etc., etc.

However I think there is still a slight possibility I may catch up with last year's mileage. If I set a targewt it would've been 5000 miles, but won't make that

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Yes I remain resolutely in the miles and miles per hour camp and feet climbed. My Garmin, though configured to imperial, resolutely gives climbing in metres though.

Must have been a child of the 60's who designed it