Archive for July 2009
Ravensthorpe on the Alpe d’Huez
31/07/2009 by jack the flying dutchman.
I know, I know - it’s not Contador, but there is some resemblance, isn’t there?
Coast to Coast 2009
28/07/2009 by FactoryPilot.
Hello all, long time no blog.
Can those who sponsored me for the above ride, which was a fantastic ride bathed in sunshine, please bring in their pledges this Thursday, as I am on holiday from next Tuesday for a fortnight and the money needs to be in before I go.
Those still outstanding are:
Rich C - £5
Andy Cal - £5
Stevie Mac -£5
Howard -£5
Keith -£5
John Lanc -£5
Thanks to Martin Lucas who has already paid. Thank you all for your pledges, prompt payment would be appreciated.
Brad.
Charity Bike Ride
28/07/2009 by Alastair Wareham.
As part of my firms 90th Birthday celebrations, the managing partner has asked me to plan a bike ride consisting of 90 miles. We will be raising money for charity but it’s yet to be confirmed which charity we will be raising money for.
I would be grateful for some assistance with planning the route. My ‘boss’ would like to complete the route over the course of three days starting on a Friday and ending on a Sunday. To me, this is crazy as we Thorpers could do 90 miles in a day, easily. However, due to his age; sore knees and some of the other solicitors who also propose to ride having never ridden a bike before, I have no choice but to comply with the request that we complete it over three days.
I need to come up with a relatively flat route which starts in Leeds and ends in Leeds (Dock Street, Bridge End to be exact), with two checkpoints which I would turn into restpoints/overnight recovery.
Jack, I may need to borrow your GPS as my GPS doesn’t tell me when to turn left or right; and as we all know, my directional sense is non-existent.
I need to plan the ride within the next four weeks as we aim to complete the ride by the end of September.
Your guidance and assistance with the route planning would be most appreciated.
Alastair
Bike Bag
28/07/2009 by Tomac-76.
Hello
I am after borrowing a bike bag for a day. Please let me know if any one can lend me one.
Also as I may have mentioned before I can lay my hands on bike suitcases for travel abroad if anyone is ever short, and needs to borrow one.
Are we planning a ride out to the Tour of Brittan stage which starts in Scunthorpe and ends in York. It passes close to Selby. Saturday 12th September.
Hope you are all well.
Rich C
Wanted: Second Hand Road Bike
27/07/2009 by Alastair Wareham.
Dear all,
I’m looking for a second hand roadie to get me through a few winters and quite a few turbo sessions!
Ideally I need something sized between 56cm - 58cm. Would prefer STI shifters but downtube shifters will be considered. Don’t want to spend much over £250.
If anyone has anything suitable please contact Alastair via email - ajmwareham@aim.com.
Thanks
ELMET CC 12 hr 26/07/2009
27/07/2009 by jekyl.
Congratulations to Paul Brierley on his ride of 246.28 miles in the above event.
Tickhill - 26th July
26/07/2009 by Doug.
All present and correct for this ride, which had more than its fair share of “mechanicals” were Alex, Alastair, Brad, Fry Up Phil, Jack, Craig Newton, and myself, Doug.
The plan was to ride to Tickhill, but the ride “evolved” and we all decided on a shorter route to Wentworth. Craig had the first problem with his shiny new bike (very nice), which consisted of a spoke which worked itself loose, and a punctue. He did a sterling job of fixing it whilst we all waited to ensure that he didn’t cop out and go home.
Brad got a puncture shortly afterwards. We stopped in a remote location whilst he fixed the said puncture, whereupon Alastair wandered off into the woods in search of squirrels and beavers, returning five minutes later with a relieved expression on his face.
Off we then went and called at a Garden Centre for an early lunch. There were no fry ups today - just a selection of beans on toast and flapjacks, and Jack’s customary scone, which was devoured in his customary manner.
Captain Al devised a cunningly hilly route back which was tremendous. Even the changeable weather couldn’t spoil it. In the usual manner, there was a lot of hard riding up the hills (Jack and Alastair excelling, as usual - but the rest of us were pretty damn good too), and some fast descending. Craig had yet another puncture which happened at high speed - only expert bike control and a good dose of luck saved the day.
Alastair left us before the final climb from Horbury. Jack was a speck in the distance, but a team effort (i.e. a bit of pacing from Alex and I) ensured that Brad caught him in his own inimitable style, a huge burst of power near to the end, passing him just before the crest of the hill.
This was a very good ride despite the lousy weather. The distance of 60 miles doesn’t sound that much; but it was tough on the way back. The average speed was 15.4 mph. In fact, the only thing that spoiled it were a couple of inane texts from Bolty about how he was riding from London, having missed the train, I presume, and holding court amongst a collection of bearded hippies and hairy women in a bus shelter somewhere.
Doug
Kenny Van Hummel
22/07/2009 by Steve McCall.
In true British underdog style lets celebrate the spirit and bloody mindedness of the man who is the Lanterne Rouge in this years TDF, Kenny Van Hummel. In true Thorper diversity and multi-cultural heritage we can be proud we have a team mate of the same nationality (and probably a better rider) in JDB.
You have got to take your hat off to this guy, out the back quicker than me on an incline (up or down) or Doug into a head wind (taking into account his bingo wings and fuel reserves wrapped around his mid-rift). How does he keep turning himself inside out each and every day just to keep in the race? Apart from wiggo’s fantasic Tour this is the most inspiring story yet!!!!
Allez Kenny!!!!!!!!!!
Howstean
20/07/2009 by D.B.MILNER.
Yes it was i at Shipley but unable to do the distance these days had to settle for Keighley/Silsden then homewards through the rain. Its a few years since i last road to Howstean but i remember it well. Well done LADS sterling ride under the conditions.Club room open this Thursday.
Club Run - Mirfield to How Stean Gorge 19/07/09 (Did the Thorpers make it there ??!!)
19/07/2009 by Al and Sarah.
Club Run Report - 19/07/09 - present were Alex Millman, Doug Tomlinson, Alastair Wareham, Martyn Bolt and Robert Bradby.Woke to a very miserable morning, not very hopeful for our quest to get the Thorpers to How Stean Gorge at last.Its been years since anyone has been there on a club run so we were determined to try and make it regardless of the miserable weather forecast. So the above five set off heading towards Otley via the most direct route through Leeds where we got drenched ! Stopped for a brew at Otley cafe to dry off and Brad turned back home as Ange was feeling a bit peeky (hope you’re ok Ange and not got the dreaded stomach lurgy that we’ve had !)Apprehensively I decided to head on towards How Stean , not knowing how my knee would react especially in view of facing the notorious Norwood Edge. We all got up it safely and went on through Menwith Hill, Dacre Bank, Summerbridge and Pately Bridge. How Stean Gorge is then 8 miles outside Pateley Bridge along some very windey, cyclist friendly quiet roads. We made it at last and what a fabulous ride, great roads and fantastic scenery that even made the weather bearable.Had lunch in the lovely cafe at How Stean Gorge, where we met Sarah, Little Al and Sarahs mum. Sarah said she thought she saw Derrick en route near to Shipley ? Was it you ??!!After lunch, headed on back to Pateley Bridge where Martyn suggested we try a route up to York Folly (I think it was called ?) which was one brute of a hill ! and had the beans on toast stirring. Then back over the main climbs to Otley, where it was decided we would stop for afternoon tea (minus the scones). Then the trudgery of riding back through Bradford and up Manchester Road where we parted with Alastair at the top who had done a sterling job of breaking the 100 mile mark - in fine style, well done mate you made it look a breeze.A great ride, and How Stean will be firmly back on the calendar now as a great route and great cafe.Ride statistics were 90 miles, average speed 15.4 mph.