New Wheels
29/07/2010 by BenBlyth.
Thorpers, I’m hoping you can help.
My current wheels on the ‘best’ bike are on the way out and I am needing to upgrade.
I am currently using the Miche Race Clinchers.
Ideally I don’t want to spend too much over £200 but am a little lost over what to go for. Does anyone have any recommendations? They will be used for club runs and ’summer’ commuting so will need to be quite tough but ideally as light as possible.
Thanks
Ben
Club Run 25th July - The Wall
26/07/2010 by BenBlyth.
Cyclists have some strange habits in general. Leg shaving is normal, hours spent trawling shops or websites for the latest bit of ‘kit’ because it is a few grams lighter is encouraged, even time trialling is accepted, well, all most. The strangest fascination though, is the desire to flog yourself (keep reading Doug, the sentence doesn’t stop there) over any hill that can be found. The harder the better.
Fortunately for the Thorpers, we are blessed with suitable terrain and a club captain that can sniff a climb out quicker than a fat man can respond “yes please” when asked if they want to “go large” in McDonalds.
A motley crew, displaying all the above habits grouped up at Mirfield Library for 9am prompt on a slightly muggy Sunday Morning. The Johnson brothers (although pleasingly we saw a little less of Phil than last week), John (Bradley Wiggins), John (Mad John), the star crossed lovers (Doug and Alex), Jack, Counsellor Bolt, the dashing, muscular, outrageously good looking Ben and finally back for a welcome return for the Sunday run’s, Mick (the ref) who had brought his latest bit of bike bling down with him. Unfortunately, it was screwed to his leg!
The route took us out South, through Huddersfield, and towards Langsett. The first casualties of the day were Craig and Mick the Ref, who pulled off after 20 miles (stop sniggering at the back) and headed home via the windmills.
The first major hurdle we were faced with, if I remember rightly, were the Strines. Jack, who was still with us amazingly, took the lead and was closely followed by Doug and Martin. The rest of us brought up the rear.
The Strines are a personal favourite of mine and again posed a challenge that saw the energy sapped from our legs ready for the climbs that were to follow.
Again for a supposed summers day in July, the weather wasn’t helping us. A strong cross headwind was making sure that even the descents required a bit of effort to get up to speed. Some reasonable speeds were reached on the descent to Shatton at the bottom of hope valley before a turn west took us through to Hope and the first cafe stop of the day.
On the approach to the Cafe a mini chain gang was formed at the front of the group with Alex, Doug and Martin using a little experience and quite comfortably dropping the rest of us with some strong turns on the front leaving us to limp in a minute or two later.
The cafe, whilst nice and with excellent scenery… wasn’t the cheapest and the two resident tight wads, Fry up and myself, ordered our food and popped next door to stock up with liquid for the rest of the trip. Upon arrival back at the cafe we arrived back in to the middle of some highly sophisticated conversation. I presume Alex was referring to the E.M. Forster novel when he mentioned ‘Howards End’ anyway. Once we had dissected Chaucer’s greatest works and mused over which Horn you would blow in the woodwind section of a orchestra we made the move towards the next climb of the day.
I forget who picked the sailors hornpipe…
Winnats Pass was a climb that only half the group had done before. Starting off steeply it then proceeds to get worse the further you climb. Jack reached the 2nd cattle grid first and was then joined by me to crest the top of the climb. The rest came up in dribs and drabs and everyone did the hard work on the climb but a certain few members decided, after doing the hard work, to then walk a small portion. Next time gents, next time.
More climbs followed, cheers Alex, and then we descended down to Hayfield where, in a desperate attempt to have a rest, Mad John punctured his rear tyre (the second of the day following one early on for Jack) on the descent to Hayfield. After eventually getting his tyre off his particularly tight rim (oh come on) I proceeded to rip his second tube (right that’s it, get out…) trying to get the tyre back on. Fortunately, we eventually managed to get fixed and in a position to head off, mainly due to Alex’s skillful ‘observation’ of the change.
Tired we arrived in Glossop, which apparently isn’t in South Yorkshire, much to my surprise, and the second stop of the day. This was too much for Jack who descided to head off with a final.. “No schtopping, I must presh on” (I’m not sure at which point he turned in to Sean Connery).. hanging in the air.
The second cafe was more of a caf, but very welcome as it was a break and cave us chance to recuperate before the challenge of holme moss. After enjoying the ‘warm front’, we made our way off and towards the bottom of the moss.
Doug and Martin were the first to the top after a good move that caught me unaware (I know it doesn’t take much), Mad John and Alex quickly followed before Fry up and Bradley Wiggins made a complete set. After a long day it was a very good effort by all concerned. Sky John, notably developing his stamina from last week and was finishing strongly.
The wicked descent brought us back eventually down to huddersfield and then on home.
My stats for the day:
85 miles;
15 mph;
5,560 ft ascent.
Great run Gents. More of the same soon.
Winnats climb profile
25/07/2010 by jack the flying dutchman.
Today we did the winnats climb. A first time for some of us - and a brutal one. I am sure you’ll read all about in the club run blog. But….found the profile on climb my ride.
Cycling Weekly this week - page 74
23/07/2010 by Doug.
For those of you who think that I do not have a heart, and that I am a complete ****, I was the one who saved the day. Jack soldiered on, of course. Please read “hard nut of the week”.
York Races this Sunday
22/07/2010 by Martyn.
Not the nags but a closeed road city centre event, with supporting events all day
Run by Clifton CC and York Council it looks like a good day out?
http://www.cliftoncc.org/competition/cycling_city_races
The club website is also worth a look for interest
Whats The Point?
21/07/2010 by Al and Sarah.
Here is a up date on the club run points championship. Fry Up Phil 24.. Martyn Bolt 18.. John Spindler 16.. Ben 15.. Doug 14.. Craig Johnson 14.. Jack 12.. Martin Lucus 12.. Phil Rounding 11.. Alastair Wareham 10.. Steve McCall 10.. Derick Milner 8.. Dave Hirst 8.. Mad John 7.. Brad 6..
records are there to be broken
20/07/2010 by phil johnson.
is a trophy given out at the end of the year, cos i think i won it ! 17 times i got named on the sunday reports, i think someone has a secret obsession dont you , fact is one in five of us is gay, and it sure is n”t me! lets debate boys.[ i will be out in my little denim hot pants on sunday weather permitting]. onto another subject, i would like to give a special mention to als mother in law for that platefull she had this sunday, put me to shame. for the record, beans on toast with grated cheese on with egg
Reminder of Cycling Heritage Evening.
19/07/2010 by phil rounding.
I hope some of you can make it tomorrow evening to see some of our local cycling stars who represented our country at the very highest level and who part of our clubs history, along with the Huddersfield Road Club. Mirfield Free Grammer School, 20th July 2010 meet 6.45pm.
Calder road
19/07/2010 by Martyn.
I have asked kirklees about the poor condition of the road, they say it is due for resurfacing in “autumn”, so I suggest we keep reporting potholes either on 0800 731 8765 or highways.ross@kirklees.gov.uk
The Renshaw Technique
17/07/2010 by Sir Q Ittus-Root.
This weekend I will be rehearsing “the Renshaw technique”. Anybody that passes me will get three head butts and/or forced into the side of the road. As none of you will listen to my dieting advice, I am hoping this will slow some of you buggers down (!)