club Run 18/07/10 How Stean Gorge

A poor turn out of only 6 Thorpers set off from a wet and humid Mirfield, Alex, Doug, Phil R, Brad, Mad J and Jack.We were also joined by Ben and Fry Up at Hollings Hill who were late due to Fry Up doing his hair!! Maybe the poor weather put the others off from what turned out to be a excellent but very challenging ride.So 8 riders rolled into Otley for a early stop for tea and to fuel up for the next section of long climbs into strong blustery winds. No time for a fry up for Phil, it was back on to our bikes and off to do battle on the first big climb of Norwood Edge. First blood was taken by Ben who reached the top first quickly followed by Jack and then Doug and Brad, some time later the rest of us arrived and we re grouped. Well we all re grouped except Jack who kept going and was well out of sight and was never seen again. What happened Jack you missed the best part.From the top of Norwood Edge we soon turned left down to fewston  reservoir and followed the quiet roads across to the A59 were we followed it briefly down to Blubberhouses and then turned right to West End on a very quiet but hilly road which leads towards GreenHow. At the end of this road El Presidenty (Phil R) threw the towel in and headed for home, sorry Phil. Now back to 6 we continued on towards Pateley Bridge and down (very slowly for me) Green How Hill which is a very long (2miles), very steep and on this occasion very wet and with scary patches of diesel. All safe into Pateley Bridge it was now a long slog up the valley to How Stean and a well earned lunch, 51 hard miles now on the clock and we all felt every one of them. People started to ask me if there was a flat way back to Mirfield, er NO, but maybe one with not so many hills.So we followed our steps back to Pateley Bridge and then turned left for Summer Bridge and then right over Dacre Banks, two fair climbs before the descent back to Otley down Norwood Edge. Oh hello again the Riverside Cafe for emergency fuel before the drudge of Bradford and Manchester road. 95 miles with a very respectable 15.2mph average speed. Well done everyone, hope to see you all next week for even more of the same.. Derbyshire here we come.. Cheers Alex..

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