The Imperial Century A Month Challenge Chatzone

[StuAff]

Tough ride today. http://www.strava.com/activities/222446361 it was absolutely p**sing down all day and the lanes were very flooded. This was my last chance to stay in the game as I am busy next week. So i'm glad to get it over and done with. I was wearing army surplus gortex overmitts and trousers, but after about 5 hours I was soaked, but at least I stayed relativley warm.

Chapeau. Was out Friday night [Hummers' night ride to Pompey, met up with them at Surbiton], rained on and off all night. And out last night (gig in Southampton), and oh joy it was raining again....

 

[rb58]

Top job @Trickedem . I could hear the rain rattling the windows all day and was wondering how you were getting on.

Better get on and clean your bike now.....

 

[sittingbull]

@sittingbull . Just waiting for your November ride to be added bud. Hope you will make it.

Thanks

It's in the bag! Will post up some details, the odd pic and update my GPS plots tonight. It was a cold one

 

[ianrauk]

Thanks

It's in the bag! Will post up some details, the odd pic and update my GPS plots tonight. It was a cold one

Good to hear

 

[sittingbull]

It was Sunday, early afternoon. Conditions were near perfect, bright sunshine, no wind, just a slight chill in the air. I'd ridden most days in the week and saw no reason to layer up any more than I already had. Hebden Bridge was my target destination, one of my favourite routes from last year.

It took me a while to break free of the city, traffic lights and the 'burbs. I was well into the ride when after a left turn I was presented with a fabulous descent and a hint of what was to come in the distance:

I'd decided to ditch the Cateye speedo in favour of another light. As I was following the Garmin breadcrumb trail I mostly had no idea of pace or distance which was strangely liberating. I did click through the Garmin screens a few times and I was going well at around 16.5mph.

Then the daylight started to go and I was progressively climbing. When I stopped for a sandwich at 5pm I was already cold, it was pitch black and I was in the middle of nowhere:

My bike is leaning against a fence this side of the signpost, the reflective strip can just be seen on the tailpack as can the STI lever against the signpost. The red "light" is actually the camera flash off a roadside post further up the road. Anyway I took the next left and knew a truly superb descent awaited me. The only trouble was that it had become so cold that I had to ride with one hand alternatively behind my back to maintain the circulation. To keep the wind-chill to a minimum I kept my speed as low as possible. For the first time ever I was hoping for an uphill section to slow me down and generate a little heat. With a week to go for a qualifying ride I would have bailed at any opportunity in the next 15 miles. I still had over 60 miles to go.

After a few complete stops to regain some circulation and feeling and when most of the descending was over I realised it was a degree or so warmer and that was enough to make the ride home bearable. I saw one gritter on the road and judging by the amount of crackling and popping as I rode along more were in evidence.

I guess this is what makes the Challenge a challenge.

One to go

 

[sittingbull]

Monday saw my final qualifying ride in this year's Challenge

I had an extra layer, thicker gloves and some overshoes. I was a little too warm for the first half of the ride but glad of them later. My route was heading NE towards Burnley.

43 miles into the ride I stopped for some food in Ramsbottom town centre:

I carried on to a little beyond 50 miles and turned around near to Clowbridge Reservoir in Burnley. My speed was dropping off as I was trundling along, I'm still not used to not having a constant display in front of me, but of course centuries are about more than that. A light misty drizzle started to fall with 20 miles to go, then it became heavier resulting in a wet ride.

The satisfaction at completing 2 years of regular centuries is immense Thanks for the support along the way and good luck with that final qualifying ride

 

[ianrauk]

Nice one @sittingbull . That's great going and really good to get it in nice and early. The first of the challengers to finish. Chapeu Sir.
Here... have another one of these for your efforts

 

[sittingbull]

Nice one @sittingbull . That's great going and really good to get it in nice and early. The first of the challengers to finish. Chapeu Sir.
Here... have another one of these for your efforts

Nice and early indeed, I considered going over the weekend but by waiting a day or so it was a qualifier

Thank you kindly, the

shall be "worn" with pride

 

[sittingbull]

My second

is proving somewhat difficult to insert in my signature due to:

The following error occurred:
Your signature may only have 1 image(s).

Any pointers please on what I'm doing wrong?

 

[ianrauk]

My second

is proving somewhat difficult to insert in my signature due to:

The following error occurred:
Your signature may only have 1 image(s).

Any pointers please on what I'm doing wrong?

PM Shaun, he'll sort for you.

 

[ColinJ]

It was Sunday, early afternoon. Conditions were near perfect, bright sunshine, no wind, just a slight chill in the air. I'd ridden most days in the week and saw no reason to layer up any more than I already had. Hebden Bridge was my target destination, one of my favourite routes from last year.

It took me a while to break free of the city, traffic lights and the 'burbs. I was well into the ride when after a left turn I was presented with a fabulous descent and a hint of what was to come in the distance:

View attachment 62601

I'd decided to ditch the Cateye speedo in favour of another light. As I was following the Garmin breadcrumb trail I mostly had no idea of pace or distance which was strangely liberating. I did click through the Garmin screens a few times and I was going well at around 16.5mph.

Then the daylight started to go and I was progressively climbing. When I stopped for a sandwich at 5pm I was already cold, it was pitch black and I was in the middle of nowhere:

View attachment 62602

My bike is leaning against a fence this side of the signpost, the reflective strip can just be seen on the tailpack as can the STI lever against the signpost. The red "light" is actually the camera flash off a roadside post further up the road. Anyway I took the next left and knew a truly superb descent awaited me. The only trouble was that it had become so cold that I had to ride with one hand alternatively behind my back to maintain the circulation. To keep the wind-chill to a minimum I kept my speed as low as possible. For the first time ever I was hoping for an uphill section to slow me down and generate a little heat. With a week to go for a qualifying ride I would have bailed at any opportunity in the next 15 miles. I still had over 60 miles to go.

After a few complete stops to regain some circulation and feeling and when most of the descending was over I realised it was a degree or so warmer and that was enough to make the ride home bearable. I saw one gritter on the road and judging by the amount of crackling and popping as I rode along more were in evidence.

I guess this is what makes the Challenge a challenge.

One to go

Well done on completing the challenge again.

I did that descent in sunshine this afternoon and it was damn cold - I wouldn't fancy doing it in the dark on a cold evening!

 

[sittingbull]

Well done on completing the challenge again.

I did that descent in sunshine this afternoon and it was damn cold - I wouldn't fancy doing it in the dark on a cold evening!

Thank you and yes I've never been so cold on a bike

 

[Shaun]

PM Shaun, he'll sort for you.

Sorted.

 

[Fubar]

Monday saw my final qualifying ride in this year's Challenge

I had an extra layer, thicker gloves and some overshoes. I was a little too warm for the first half of the ride but glad of them later. My route was heading NE towards Burnley.

43 miles into the ride I stopped for some food in Ramsbottom town centre:

View attachment 63067

I carried on to a little beyond 50 miles and turned around near to Clowbridge Reservoir in Burnley. My speed was dropping off as I was trundling along, I'm still not used to not having a constant display in front of me, but of course centuries are about more than that. A light misty drizzle started to fall with 20 miles to go, then it became heavier resulting in a wet ride.

The satisfaction at completing 2 years of regular centuries is immense Thanks for the support along the way and good luck with that final qualifying ride

Well done! If I had a hat I would tip it to you Sir!!

 

[ianrauk]

3 of us completed the 2014 Century a month challenge today. Myself, @rb58 and @Trickedem . A Kent and Surrey loop. I was a bit worried when leaving the house at 7.30am this morning as there was frost on the road. Last time (back in Feb) I went out in the same conditions I went arse over tit just out side my front door. So thought best to take things a little easier. It was a bright, cold, crisp morning. When the sun broke from the horizon it was a lovely sight after gawd know's how many previous days of maudlin grey drizzle.

There were patches of ice and frost on some of the Kent lanes but most of them were dry at least.. Well those that had car traffic. Hitting some of the more out of the way routes, they were very mucky indeed. Still in places having to take it a little easy until the morning's sun had melted the last of the nights frosts. It was still cold but the cycling kept the chill at bay.

Hollingbourne Hill, for those that know it is a killer. It's a long hill that starts off pretty easy but soon ramps up. This is the 13 day in a row of cycling so my legs were really feeling the burn on the climb. There was nothing I could do except keep it in the lowest gear and winch my way up....slowly.

From the top of Hollingbourne, what goes up, must come down. The pain of the climb was soon forgotten with a wonderful long descent down Stede Hill and from there it was 20 miles there or thereabout a level/down hill ride to Yalding for the halfway stop, where egg and bacon sarnies, beans on toast, mugs of tea, cans of coke and a kit kat fed the hungry trio.

So back on the road for the second half of the ride. I usually do this ride on a Sunday. Being a Saturday meant that some of the roads were much busier then usual with a higher ratio of numpty motons. But it didn't spoil the enjoyment of cruising along dry country lanes for mile after mile whilst mixing it up every now and then with some fast flowing A & B roads.

We left rb58 at Four Elms as he was heading north and over the downs to home whilst myself and Trickedem carried on west through Surrey to meet up with the A23 and the last leg north towards home.

So 108 miles for the day. 2014's challenge completed. the 4th year in a row for the 3 of us.

Roll on 2015's Century A Month Challenge... it's only a couple of weeks away