PHIL AND FRIENDS CHALLENGE ?
09/08/2010 by johnthewliss.
Phil ligett must really dislike his friends putting them through this ride especially when i spoke to him at the end his words were ( I WOULD NEVER DO THE LONG ONE )
Starting at stannington we made our way to the strines first CLIMBS of the day after this it was up to langsett and across to holmefirth and the second CLIMB of the day holme moss .
From the moss it was a steady run across to glossop and then yes you guessed it a long CLIMB over the top to mam tor
which ended in a sharp CLIMB up over the summit .
After this it was all down hill to the feed station but it was absolutley packed so remembering a nice little cafe we stopped at in hope a couple of weeks ago it was quickly round the hills to the courtyard were we were met by a quiet cafe with those lovely girls a quick cappuccino and coffee cake and off down the road to you guessed it .
WINNATT PASS the major CLIMB of the day (i wish i could say i made it to the top but i didn’t ) half way up that god damn CLIMB a nice lady in a people carrier on her own may i add tried to get past me but there was a car coming the other way so instead of stopping she cut me up and nearly squashed me into the side of the hill unclipping i knocked on the window the window came down and she politely said (well what the bloody hell do you think your doing trying to CLIMB this hill on a bike when there’s cars on it are you mad ) me MAD ,to which she rolled the window back up and sped off .still shaking my head i made my way to the top hopping back on the bike i thought well at least thats the CLIMBING over.
How wrong was i ?
Down the hill and across a valley floor beautiful flat roads nice steady pace and then yes another you guessed it CLIMB monsal head after seeing everyone watching at the top there was no way i was getting off so to the top and a nice icecream well diserved yum yum thats got to be all the CLIMBING done,
after monsal head it was a nice run towards ladybower and from there it was a lovely yes CLIMB up towards sheffield with a left turn and another sharp CLIMB and a couple of miles of flat and back to stannington.
An epic day i had some good company, certificate got and signed by the man himself,
No stats because i forgot my computer but here’s what i know.
150 killometres in 7.30 hours with three stops and the legs are cream crackered:)
Lynda’s Ride 8th August 2010
09/08/2010 by Doug.
The route for this year’s ride was different to the previous three years. We arrived at 6am outside Sowerby Bros Cycles, and about 30 of us lined up for the start. Alex, Craig and Howard Newton, and I represented the Thorpers.
We cycled to Morecambe, suffering two punctures through
Bradford, picking up Craig, who had slept in but managed to get ahead because of our unscheduled stops. A morning stop in Settle, 47 miles in, meant that we could gorge ourselves on sandwiches and drink tea, courtesy of some very kind folk and good organisation.
Afterwards Alex and I decided to stretch our legs and up the pace. Actually we hammered it a bit. It provided some entertainment – we did it for a good 8 or 9 miles and the group spread out. We actually arrived in Morecambe for 11.30am and had time to “see the sea” before the second group arrived. We then went for lunch at a Church Hall - pasta, cakes, coca cola, tea, and coffee were all provided.
The trip back was the hard bit. We had averaged nearly 19 mph going to the coast, but we had some monster climbs on the way back. The Trough of Bowland was truly magnificent – and Widdop Moor played its part in sapping the strength in the legs. Some youngsters joined us on Widdop. Dave rode back with them and gave the “okay” for everyone to hammer it back. We duly obliged.
A very large group played “cat and mouse” at the end – and with all those miles in our legs we all took turns on the front and put in speeds of up to 31mph from Elland to Mirfield. It added to the fun of the day – and we all finished with smiles on our faces.
Our average was 16.5 mph by the end, but the climbs were relentless for the homeward journey. The total mileage was 148 miles. Was it better than the traditional route? I didn’t think so on the journey out; but the return route was outstanding. The other route is more “epic”, but this one was more interesting and more enjoyable, and logistically better – we didn’t have to start and finish in different places.
Hopefully we may have alleviated a little suffering by raising some money for Kirkwood Hospice. A huge thank you to Dave Sowerby for once again organising a marvellous day. I enjoyed myself very much, and it was a privilege to take part.
