Author Archive
double world champion!!
25/04/2011 by FactoryPilot.
Congratulations to Matt “Coil ‘oil” Wainwright! The club’s former World Champ is now a DOUBLE World Champ!! All hail The (Return of the..) King of Coal!! Huzzah!
Friday 11th March
10/03/2011 by FactoryPilot.
Anyone available for a ride of 40/50 miles tomorrow morning, from 9.30 am? I should say also that it will be a steady pace due to my enforced lack of fitness…..
120 year Special edition shirt.
19/01/2011 by FactoryPilot.
Since the idea of a one off special edition shirt appears to have gone flat, I spoke to Andy on Sunday regarding my idea of a 120th anniversary special of the club jersey. My idea was to simply switch the black and white on the current club design, giving us what I think would be a very classy looking jersey, yet retaining the current design. Andy then suggested adding 120th Anniversary lettering in various places which would look fantastic. What does everyone think? If the new shorts come through with mor black on than white, then both shorts and jersey would look fantastic!! Get your ideas down here, and lets discuss…….. Brad.
Retro or One-off special jerseys
04/10/2010 by FactoryPilot.
Check out cycle-clothing.co.uk, custom design section for a reasonably priced alternative for producing Ltd edition special shirts.
Mountain Biking.
01/02/2010 by FactoryPilot.
I am planning to go to Dalby Forest on 27th Feb, considering that the BAR has a mountain biking event to be held at Dalby, we could perhaps make this the date for such an event? Anyway, regardless of BAR “qualification” or not, does anyone fancy coming along for the ride? Early start, mid afternoon return, the more the merrier!! I’m going with a couple of mates including Andy Colter hopefully and I have asked some guys from work to go so whoever wishes to go will need to organise their own transport. Come on , have a go……..skinny tyres aren’t the only way……… Brad.
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.
Fred Whitton Challenge 2009
11/05/2009 by FactoryPilot.
The above challenge celebrated it’s 10th anniversary this year and I was glad to be part of it. After getting up at 04.45 (!!!) to a clear and still morning, I stuffed my face with porridge and headed for Coniston with Ange being kind enough to get up and drive me there. Setting off at 06.50 ish to a now overcast sky and cool temperatures, I spun a nice low gear to thoroughly warm the legs through. Hawkshead Hill and the unclassified climb up through Troutbeck came and went without problem, offering some beautifully panoramic views over Windermere. Kirkstone, as always on the Fred, was the first real challenge, however it seemed easier than usual and the wonderful descent into Patterdale was far more memorable. In fact everything which would normally be challenging such as Matterdale end, and the lumps prior to the A66 to Keswick were a breeze and for the first time of my three rides at the Fred, I had chance to appreciate the scenery instead of grovelling and staring at the tarmac 2m in front of me.
Honister pass arrives at about 48 miles…..and it kicks ass! It’s long and hard (ahem….stop it Steve….) with gradients of 25% in places followed by a treacherously steep descent, which thankfully was dry this time. The first feed at Buttermere comes about 5 miles from the top of Honister, and I arrived in 3.17:44, filled the bottles and troughed a banana and set off again….straight into Newlands pass, a long, straight grind at about 20%. After the descent the scenery is spectacular and quite lumpy leading on to Whinlatter pass which I seemed to remember as being fairly easy. I have now altered this to fairly hard as it is quite long with steady sections and steep sections climbing up through a forest. A geat crowd greeted the riders at the top reminiscent of Tour of Britain crowds on Holme Moss, it was brilliant.
The climbs of Ennerdale/Calder Bridge were bathed in warm sunshine and the view out to the coast as you head towards Gosforth kept the pain at bay. I reached the second feed in a time of 5.45:12 and took 15 mins rest to swallow a fly cake and stretch off a little. I set from here with a group for the first time on the whole ride. We cruised along at decent pace taking turn at the front, until a couple of miles from Hardknott pass and I started easing back to rest my legs. It didn’t work…..I nearly made it over the first steep (25% !!!) section coming at 100 miles, but niggling cramp stopped me. I walked up to the middle section which is easier and got back on the bike. Again, as I hit the 33% top section, the cramps stopped me again. My first failure up Hardknott. I got back on for the awful descent when the heavens opened and the temperature plummeted. I sailed up Wrynose while being pelted by hailstones!! The road coming off Wrynose was coated in hailstones, not nice when you’re tired, cold, wet and slowly riding down a 30% slope!!! The lumpy last few miles in to Coniston passed in sheet rain and after hastily grabbing my certificate, Ange drove me home while I shivered and moaned about cold and cramp…..brilliant ride, as always….cheers Fred.
The King is dead, bring back the king!!
14/02/2009 by FactoryPilot.
Does anyone have phone number for (K)ing (H)enry? Having read his Blog entries with riveted interest, I had a moment of enlightenment, and I realised that every word he uttered was akin to the word of God himself!!!!! I have since followed his training tips to the letter, and lo and behold i’ve increased my pedalling rate (or cadence as the Holy one calls it..) from 194 to 195!!! I rang my mate Tony Doyle, and he said “Bloody hell Bradby, that’s well brill!!! Ring King Henry and tell him.” So to cut a long story short, I’d like to invite The King back to the forum for further tutorials in the art of bicycling as written down in The Good Book, “(De)cadence is not a sin.” Join me, and be coached by the right hand of God.
Tuesday 23rd.
22/12/2008 by FactoryPilot.
If anyone is interested, I am going out for a short ride in the morning. I will be at the Fountain pub at 9am. If you are interested, send me a txt message on 07887 943223 a.s.a.p. Time can be altered, run to be determined - 2/3 hrs.
Brad
