Author Archive
Etape du Dales
06/01/2012 by Martyn.
Heads up for Thorpers, entries open but not publicised yet
https://www.sientries.co.uk/event.php?event_id=662
Robbo Ride
05/01/2012 by Martyn.
The Brian Robinson Challenge Ride is on 29th April this year, based once again at the Galpharm
Entries openned today with already a good response
https://www.sientries.co.uk/list.php?event_id=661
sunday run
29/10/2011 by Martyn.
where’s the club run?
Anyone fancy a ride out towards Buxton to watch the national hill climb? We have one of our 2nd claim riders on the start sheet
First rider off at 1100
Group Rides early 2012
29/10/2011 by Martyn.
For anyone who fancies a ride on different roads, with ride speeds to suit all Thropers.
Me and Craig have done this for several years and Lewis rode it last year
http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/12-611/ starts/finishes at Delves cafe Thorne
wanted time trailists
14/09/2011 by Martyn.
Had this request in as club sec,
Hi Martyn, I am the event secretary for the Otley Cycle Club 2 Stage Open Hill Climb. This event sees riders racing up Guise Cliff (just off Pateley Bridge) and Norwood Edge (a few miles from Otley). This year it is to be held on Saturday 1st October 2011. I notice that quite a few Ravensthorpe CC riders have been riding the TT’s I have also ridden lately and wanted to make your club aware of the event as I have some entries from other Yorkshire clubs and I would really like the event to attract as Yorkshire riders as possible, especially with the Yorkshire Hill Climb ‘White Rose Shield’ at stake. As I am sure you are aware not only is it a good event to ride, as a spectator it is also great fun and you can get to see some of the country’s top hill climbers such as Matt Clinton and Tejvan Pettinger. I wondered if you would pass this information onto all your riders to see if any would be interested in riding the event. Details of the hills and a Facebook group I have set up can be found at: http://otleycycleclub.co.uk/openevents.php Entries need to be with me by 20th September 2011 on the standard Cycling Time Trials form along with the entry fee of £7.00 (for both events). These can be sent to me at: The Old SchoolBurley WoodheadIlkleyWest YorkshireLS29 7AX I look forward to seeing some Ravensthorpe CC riders at the event and please do get in contact should you require any further information. Yours in cyclingClaire JessopOtley Cycling Club Hill Climb Event Secretary07900 212630
Long Flat and fast
11/09/2011 by Martyn.
As the wind started this morning Thorpers gathered at the library were , Rich Creaser, Fry up, Sky , Jonny, Craig, Martyn and martin.
Craig and martin were going to Askern, again and the rest set off for Garforth and the Lewis Barry memorial ride.
About 300 riders started setting off in smallish groups, no timing chips or feed stations just a 40+ mile group ride
Rich set off back as he had to be home so after quick snacks the 4 of us got in one of the early waves and rolled steadily through Garforth towards Lotherton. As we dropped down the hill a big fast bunch came past and we tagged on. Reminiscent of the Batley Bash, i heard strain of another one bites the dust as riders shelled out.
We looped to wards Aberford before turning back to lotherton and our towards Church fenton, Sky did well and managed to get in with a small group dropped from the flyers and eventually the remaining trio regrouped and road together on some great quiet roads.
Groups came and went, the wind blew, and the wind blew as we touched the outskirts of Selby, back through Cawood, up towards taddy, then out over Bramham and Thorner
The route back in via Scholes and barwick saw the pace lift and we were soon back in Garforth college for plenty of snacks, banter and no raffle prizes. Sky was waiting for us having got back about 5 mins before
We rode home at a steady pace and all agreed we’d had a great day and would look out for it next year
avg speed of 16 mph and total distance of about 90 miles, but with some good intervals mixed in.
Charity Ride this Sunday
06/09/2011 by Martyn.
Just seen this web site which has an event this Sunday starting in Garforth. Lewis’ aunty is a former world champ and I am sure there will be many other notable names from british Cycling if anyone fancies riding that way?
http://www.lewisbarry.co.uk/
About 80 miles inc riding out and back, no doubt a brisk ride on the course for those who like to stretch their legs?
To Hull and back
05/09/2011 by Martyn.
or a bridge too far?
A good number of riders gathered at Hirsty Towers at 8 yesterday for the ride to the Humber bridge, and back
Lewis was team leader and faithful domestiques were El Pres, Mick the ref, Les, Craig J, Martin, John Parkinson and Louise( one of Dave’s colleagues who has only ever ridden to the windmills) I tagged along for good measure.
We’d drafted a few different routes and garmins tweeted merrily in the morning air as we rolled out through Thornhill, Horbury and Netherton to Calder Grove
Les helped with local knowledge to find a new route into Askern, to a refurbished lakeside cafe where after FEBs etc Phil, Les and Mick left us, but we’d had a fun ride at a steady pace with a few short stops for everyone to catch up.
The showers passed before we rode again and we set off for the south side of the bridge via Thorne, Gunness and South Ferriby.
I’d like to say we had a great ride through quiet roads in new countryside but as often for Thorpers these days i can’t.
Just outside Thorne, after a slight shower as we approached a level crossing, I shouted a warning to the group to be careful as the lines would be dangerous. The crossing was also at an angle to the road and marked by a sign saying “Skewed crossing”
As we started on the crossing i thought the surface was a bit hard, and in order to protect everyone i’d better lie down and cushion their fall. Like a scene from the first week of the Tour bodies flew all over. John P managed to bunny hop ( ride) over me, Lewis bounced down the road and Craig decided to bend my chainring with his thigh and put a series of bloody Shimano sized holes in his legs.
Thankfully and remarkably there was no serious damage to the riders, a few cuts , plenty of bruises and aching limbs but nothing too serious.
Bikes-were a bit bent, and my pannier rack had taken the brunt of Craigs weight, handlebars faced one way whilst gear levers, saddle etc the other but we soon straightened them out.
As we rode off I found that thanks to Craig’s thigh I could only use my granny ring and had visions of spending the rest of the ride spinning at high revs . As we drifted into Thorne and wondered what to do an innocent resident put some litter in his bin in fine slippers and dressing gown so i swooped on him and asked if he had a pair of pliers. He looked aghast and came out with an adjustable spanner so we teased the bent bit straight tested, adjusted and off we went.
Lewis especially displaying great character riding on with blood running from his injured leg, putting some good sprints in for town signs on the way home
Fantastic countryside, a hold up while a barge left the humber for a grotty canal and we rolled across the Humber Bridge, which was awash with ghouls and ghosts with fake blood ( wimps) at about 1 30 to lunch at the visitor centre, good value and fairly quick service.
The route back was towards South cave via back roads bridges etc and then we hit the Gilberdyke road ( or whatever the testers call it), for a known route back via Boothferry, Snaith, Womersley and Ponte
A visit by the puncture fairy, which shredded a tyre and needed use of packing to ride home slowed things, and coffee in McD’s at Airmyn broke the journey
About 12 hours total time and we were back at Hirsties , for some welcome refreshments and thoughts that all rides should end with curry, ice cream and Guinness.
stats from home 219.83 kms, avg speed 23.4 kph, total time 12hrs 44, riding time 9hrs24
route info, http://connect.garmin.com/activity/111949233
Langsett, new style same cafe
01/09/2011 by Martyn.
I called in at Bank View this morning whilst working over that way.
The cafe has had extensive ’surgery’ and you now enter by the rear ( yes I know the danger that comment poses), there are 3 rooms although open plan.
All the cycling stuff, with the exception of an old leather saddle in one room has gone.
There are now toilets inside, wow civilisation?
Service slow , atmosphere 0, doesn’t look as if they want hikers and bikers
