Author Archive
Thorpers in the news….
24/11/2011 by BenBlyth.
Just seen this on Cyclingnews. We have hit the big time chaps…
Shock as Yorkshire Squad invited to 2012 Tour de France.
Cyclingnews understands that the UCI are about to release the final wildcard place to the 2012 Tour de France to Yorkshires finest Cycling club - Ravensthorpe CC.
The shock announcement, which will send shockwaves throughout the cycling world has come about following months of bitter legal wrangling with the Yorkshire club that have been kept under wraps until now.
Back in November 2010, whilst reviewing the Road Racing rules, Club Secretary Martin ‘Rusty’ Bolt, uncovered an often missed rule that brought about the ‘Thorpers invitation.
Rule 145.3.a Sub section 12b stipulates “Any club formed prior to 1899 with 10 or more members is to be automatically included within the selection process for the Tour de France. Should said club not hold the required points for selection, allowances should be made based on rider style, looks and ability.
With the help of legal experts and club members, D. Tomlinson (specialising in Animal law (in particular Goats)) and A. WhereistheHam (Trainee Receptionist), Councillor Bolt took the ruling, along with an application to the ASO for formal review. Due to the lack of Rider points, the application was backed up solely based on the quality, style and good looks of B.Blyth, the club’s star rider.
Following months of legal arguments the Court for the Arbitration of Sport finally ruled this morning that Ravensthorpe CC should ride the 2012 event.
Members of the cycling world have been giving their views on the controversial inclusion:
Mark Cavendish said on Twitter “Seen Thorpers inclusion in Tour. Pleased for Blyth, classy rider. #BetterthanthatchumpWareham.
Lance Armstrong said: Interesting news on Thorpers in TdF. After my doping over the years that Dutchman De Bokx will fit right in #Manloverules
Fat McQuaid commented; This is a monumental moment for the world of cycling. Seeing a club of this stature in the worlds biggest race can only help build the excitement in the UK.
When asked about the storm of controversy around expected rider D. Tomlinson, McQuaid was a little more coy, “He is a rider I have heard a lot about. As a sport we must embrace people of all types and having the first pre op transsexual male to female rider is something we can’t ethically turn down.
Comment from the proposed squad has been a little more forthcoming:
A. WhereistheHam said “I can’t wait, to get to ride with such talented rides as Blyth is such an honour and I can only hope to be able to support him effectively. The rest of us are really there just for him, and I must say I do fancy him a bit too. I have decided to pack in with Team Swat who I used to ride with as ever since the incident with the pig in the club showers, relations have been strained.
J de Bokx was in a bullish mood, “I am ready. Why wouldn’t I be? I am strong like bull and I have pills, I have lots of pills for everything I could ever need. You need pill? I give you pill to make you write faster.
When questioned about the stringent doping tests that were in place at next years event, De Bokx could only comment “I have pill for that”.
D Tomlinson wasn’t formally interviewed however was heard commenting to a colleague, “I am only really going because I love looking at all the others legs. When they are wiggling away in front of me, what more motivation could you want to pedal harder”. Tomlinson was then seen to walk across and punch fellow rider S.McCall in the face.
Finally, John Gledhill was involved in a bizarre interview, “I can’t wait to ride, I’m the best rider in the club and will win the race. No problem.” He then started licking the interviewers face before riding off in an attempt to drop a 7 year old girl who was passing. She dropped him. He then got off his bike and spent 15 minutes trying to find his own tail.
Watch out with interest to see how the Thorpers do next year…
AGM Start time?
20/10/2011 by BenBlyth.
Could some kind dude (or dudette) let me know what time the AGM starts tonight?
Many thanks,
Benjamin Blyth
Note to all Thorpers - The Blog is back
13/10/2011 by BenBlyth.
For anyone who can’t see this note, I can confirm the blog is back working.
If you can see this you know already. If you can’t see it, now you know and you should be able to see it.
Hope this helps.
P.S - Please can someone come and collect McCall from my house. He has been here three days, wont leave and is drinking out of the toilet again.
BikeRadar Daily Deals
05/08/2011 by BenBlyth.
Just a quick heads up.
BikeRadar email (or Tweet) daily deals from various cycling companies. I am normally pretty sceptical with things like this as the deals are normally useless however they seem to have been pretty good.
Anyway, todays deal is with Shutt VR who made out 120 year jerseys. The deal is pay £10 for a £25 voucher in effect. Looking through the T’s and C’s it seems to be very reasonable, it can be used on Sale items, no minimum spend etc. There don’t seem to be any unreasonable conditions that ruin the benefit.
http://www.bikeradardeals.com/index.php
The deal expires soon and there are only a limited number available.
The Alps - Timed to the minute
25/07/2011 by BenBlyth.
Monday 09:16 - Jack and Doug arrive at Chateau Blyth approximately 17 minutes late. It wouldn’t have been the start Jack wanted but it was the latest we were for anything all trip.
09:19 - Doug questions Ben’s parentage and sexuality for the first time.
19:30 (46 seconds ahead of schedule) - Formula 1 hotel near Dijon welcome the famous European cyclists for their stopover. An all you can eat Chinese is wolfed down before we retire for the evening to sleep (Ben and Doug) or complete 4000 press ups throughout the night (Jack).
Tuesday 14:30 (86 minutes ahead of schedule) - Arrival at Chalet Beyond. Small talk (in Dutch) is completed and in pouring rain we headed down the 9km (8% average) descent (which would be the climb at the end of each ride we did) before turning left and riding the 10km to the base of Alp D’Huez.
16:13 - The base of the Dutch mountain. Once Jack and Doug had ensured I couldn’t get lost on the climb we set off, speedometers set to zero and targets in mind. The start of the climb was a killer but after the first two turns it settled down to an ‘easier’ 8%-9% which allowed a little rhythm.
Unsure if the cold and rain helped we all charged up the climb and finished with very respectable times of 56:04 (Ben), 1:01:00 (Jack) and 1:04:00 (Doug). After two days travelling and the weather we were all well pleased with the effort before heading off home for our tea… just that bloody climb up to the chalet.
Wednesday 07:44:58 (2 seconds ahead of schedule) Jack roused Doug and Ben with a sharp rap on the door to ensure we are aware breakfast is ready and confirm “You are not having sex are you?”
10:31 After a quick trip to Bourg D’Orsains we head out for a 70 mile route taking in the climbs of Col de la Morte which was a stunning, wooded climb which went on and on at around 9% before eventually opening up at the top and allowing us our lunch stop. A beautiful, but cold descent took us down in to the valley and also in to the sun for the first time on the trip. The quiet roads, which contained more cyclists than cars, quickly took us to the base of the second climb of the day, the Col de Ornon. This was tougher than the first climb and the hot weather was a challenge seeing how well wrapped up we were from the morning rain. After cresting the top we wasted no time in hurtling down the long descent, Doug as usual leading the way passing cars as he went.
16:40 (on time) we arrived home, tired but still with time for a masterclass in bike cleaning from Doug.
Thursday - Today was a day off the bike. After a stunning drive part way up the Col de Lautaret we then walked up the remaining five miles to take our place part way up the Galibier. All in all it was an excellent day with fine weather, stunning scenery Didi the devil and Doug pacing Andy Schleck amongst others up the climb.
Friday - One of the best days both on and off the bike you could have. Back over to Alp D’Huez, we spent a couple of hours pottering up and down the climb which was out of this world. Riding through Dutch corner behind a Rabobank car with thousands of Dutchmen and women going wild is something I will never forget. After managing to watch most of the days stage on various TV’s Doug and Jack then managed to find an excellent vantage point to watch the stars go past. Unforgettable.
Saturday - 00:00:01 - It starts raining.
09:01:04 (3 seconds early) - We set off to tackle the first of the days climbs in very wet and cold weather, quite a change from the previous two and a half days. The Croix de Fer was an astounding climb but, like all climbs over there, just went on and on, passing a couple of riders on the way up from Hartshead we eventually reached the top feeling very cold (well, I did, Jack, as usual seemed at whatever temparature he set his own thermostat at that morning). After being convinced to continue by the other two we headed off for the descent. Jack and Doug descended like Pro’s (no, not prostitutes), I descended like a 12 year old girl, actually, no, I was worse than that, I descended like Andy Schleck down to the lunch stop.
After a little food and warming up slightly we decided (after I had finished crying) that we would be foolish to climb the Galibier as planned due to the chance/likelyhood of snow at the top and instead took the easy route home. Just a quick hop over the Col de Glandon. After 12 miles of climbing at 10% and seeing the road rising up in to the clouds we did wonder if we were seeing things. Unfortunately, due to a puncture Jack ended off out ahead and Doug and I brought up the rear (shut it Wareham). This was far and away the hardest climb I, if not any of us, had ever done and I am amazed it isn’t used more in the big races. Eventually at the top, you come out a kilometer from the top of the Croix de Fer so at least we knew the descent. The 2 hour climb that morning took us 20 minutes on the way down.
Sunday - Jack, the machine, got us home after leaving at 08:30 by 21:30.
An unforgettable trip, mixed conditions, amazing scenery and superb company. There is far to much to remember but for next years trip, get training as those climbs are not easy.
P.s - Two dogs - What was it you said? “34-25 won’t get you over the Alps…”?
Chasing Legends
12/07/2011 by BenBlyth.
Afternoon all,
Just a heads up about “Chasing Legends” being shown on ITV4 this thursday at 8pm. It is the story of HTC Highhorse… sorry, I mean Highroad in the 2009 Tour. It is supposed to be excellent. I think it might also be repeated at the weekend as well.
That is all.
Hartshead Circuit - Wednesday @ 7:30pm
21/06/2011 by BenBlyth.
Ladies and…. well, Ladies,
I am flogging my self round Hartshead circuit tomorrow from around 7:30pm if anyone fancies joining me. It looks a cracking day weather wise so thought I would make the most of it.
Love and kisses (especially for Bolty, maybe even a cuddle)
Ben
P.S - I have invited Cheryl Cole but she hasn’t got back to me yet.
Giro D’Italia - Sad news
09/05/2011 by BenBlyth.
Guys,
I expect most people will already know by the time they read this but unfortunately Wouter Weylandt died following an accident during todays stage. Unfortunatelty it seems quite a bit of the aftermath was shown on Eurosport including some terrible, terrible images. I didn’t want anyone to not be aware what they might see if they have recorded the highlights.
Terribly sad news and thoughts go out to all his friends and family.
