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.

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19/07/2010 by Al and Sarah.

A poor turn out of only 6 Thorpers set off from a wet and humid Mirfield, Alex, Doug, Phil R, Brad, Mad J and Jack.We were also joined by Ben and Fry Up at Hollings Hill who were late due to Fry Up doing his hair!! Maybe the poor weather put the others off from what turned out to be a excellent but very challenging ride.So 8 riders rolled into Otley for a early stop for tea and to fuel up for the next section of long climbs into strong blustery winds. No time for a fry up for Phil, it was back on to our bikes and off to do battle on the first big climb of Norwood Edge. First blood was taken by Ben who reached the top first quickly followed by Jack and then Doug and Brad, some time later the rest of us arrived and we re grouped. Well we all re grouped except Jack who kept going and was well out of sight and was never seen again. What happened Jack you missed the best part.From the top of Norwood Edge we soon turned left down to fewston  reservoir and followed the quiet roads across to the A59 were we followed it briefly down to Blubberhouses and then turned right to West End on a very quiet but hilly road which leads towards GreenHow. At the end of this road El Presidenty (Phil R) threw the towel in and headed for home, sorry Phil. Now back to 6 we continued on towards Pateley Bridge and down (very slowly for me) Green How Hill which is a very long (2miles), very steep and on this occasion very wet and with scary patches of diesel. All safe into Pateley Bridge it was now a long slog up the valley to How Stean and a well earned lunch, 51 hard miles now on the clock and we all felt every one of them. People started to ask me if there was a flat way back to Mirfield, er NO, but maybe one with not so many hills.So we followed our steps back to Pateley Bridge and then turned left for Summer Bridge and then right over Dacre Banks, two fair climbs before the descent back to Otley down Norwood Edge. Oh hello again the Riverside Cafe for emergency fuel before the drudge of Bradford and Manchester road. 95 miles with a very respectable 15.2mph average speed. Well done everyone, hope to see you all next week for even more of the same.. Derbyshire here we come.. Cheers Alex..

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19/07/2010 by BenBlyth.

The day started as every other Sunday does.  The alarm ringing on one side, the Mrs punching me on the other because, “Who in their right mind gets up at this time on a Sunday?”.

“I do dear, now got to go because Fry up will be here in a minute”.

I was late getting ready so quick thinking Phil got on the phone to Doug and Alex and arranged for us to meet on Hollins Hill on the way to Otley.  The headstart we had on the others resulted in a very leisurely paced run out to the new meeting point, smug in the knowledge the others had an additional 6-7 miles to do.

The morning had started out warm but overcast which left me uncertain over what to wear.  In the end I went with legwarmers and a pack away rain jacket. Phil on the other-hand took a riskier option but more of that later.

After a short wait at the top of Hollins Hill, Phil and I were greeted by Jack, Mad John, Phil R, Doug, Alex and Brad. Craig also did a very good impression of Mark Renshaw, unfortunately it wasnt the headbutting one of stage 10, it was the expelled one of stage 11. He was nowhere to be seen.

All grouped together we sped off the short distance to the 1st stop of the day, the cafe in Otley.  Drinks all round and a couple of raised eyebrows when Fry up’s drink didn’t arrive accompanied by the usual sausage or two.

Out of Otley we were met with the first main climb of the day over what my map reliably tells me is Jack Hill, due north of Otley town centre.  Sweeping down the descent we plummeted, with the dubious assistance of a cross tail wind down to Swinstey Reservoir.  When I say we, the Thorpers were already a man down.  The Flying Dutchman had flown and unfortunately, after cresting the top, missed the turning and ended up in Addingham never to be seen again.

At this stage in the day the weather had been a little hit and miss and it had taken it’s toll on Fry up, or more to the point, Fry up’s shorts.  Unfortunately, when Phil last visited the Tour (sometime in the early 90’s by the look of things) he had seemingly mugged Mario Cipollini of his shorts (rumours that Mario had left the scene muttering he didn’t want them anyway as they were a bit ‘loud’ are completely unfounded and should be stopped here and now). The aging lycra and the rain combined to ensure Phil was acting as an excellent warning to passing motorists. The cheek(s) of it!

After leaving the Reservoir, we headed off past Thruscross Reservoir via some cracking quiet roads and a wicked ascent, touching 16% followed by a cheeky stretch of 20% when you thought you were at the top.  Despite the challenging terrain the group remained relatively compact throughout with everyone coping very well with what was thrown at us.

Over the top of the toughest climbs of the day, Phil R decided he had worked us over enough and headed back for Mirfield leaving the remaining 6 Thorpers gasping and ready for a stop.  Heading north again we reached the fast descent down in to Pately Bridge with Brad and Doug in particular decending at a rate of knotts normally reserved for someone who has an evening pass for “Ginger Timetriallers of the 20th Century -  a slide show by S.McCall”.  Regrouped in Pately Bridge we headed out to Stean and the second stop of the day for some much needed sustinance.  What had been promised, by Alex, as a quick two mile run to the cafe turned in to a long slog past the Gouthwaite Reservoir, fortunately along quiet roads.  Revenge was had on the run up to the cafe though as Alex, jumped the bunch up the short climb to the cafe before shipping his chain in front of a rather attractive housewife pruning her bushes, resulting in raucous hooting from the rest of us.

Following a excellent cafe stop where Alex’s support team dropped him off fresh kit and gave him a pep talk, ready for the route home and Fry Up educating the waitress on the various possibilities of cooking an egg we all prepared ourselves and headed out for the run home.

Unfortunately, upon departing the cafe the rain arrived again which was causing havock with Fry Up’s shorts, fortunately he had brought his nightdress out with him and was able to cover up a touch.

We rocketed back to Pately Bridge with Doug and Brad doing some strong turns on the front dragging us all, gratefully through what was now a strong headwind.

From Pately Bridge we headed out over numerous climbs via Glasshouses and Dacre in the direction of Otley.  After the long turns on the front and the lack of recent club runs Brad took a well earned rest in the group as Doug and Alex raced each other up each climb we came across with this time, Alex having slightly the upper hand. Unfortunately for Mad John, with Fry Up powering along like a machine (in a nightdress) at a constant pace, he was left with me for company. After moaning at him for about 20 minutes about how strong the wind was he probably had any energy (or will to live) left and must have felt even worse when my moaning resulted in our pace dropping to the extent that a Ginger kid in jeans on a mountain bike passed us!

Pushing on we fortunately made up the ground, passing him just on the way over the bridge in to Otley for our third stop of the day (if anyone is passing Otley, could you please check the kid isn’t still bobbing in the river, I didn’t mean to push him that hard!).  At the stop, Fry up’s muscles were starting to tighten and he headed off in order to keep them moving.

The remaining five of us demolished milkshakes and cokes before heading back via Bradford.  Canal road in Bradford treated us with the local halfwit showing off to us with his fingers how many braincells he owned.

“That showed them dint it Trev”

“Yer it did Bozza. Your rite smart I never think to do that when I see cyclers”

The punishing route home via Manchester Road worked out any remaining energy from our legs.

Special mentions go to Mad John who ended the day with his furthest ever ride - Did you make the 100 mile mark?

Fry Up - Despite the shorts crime he was ferociously reprimanded by the rest of us and took his punishment jolly well.

Excellent ride as usual, Company was top class and hopefully we will have the same and others out next week.

What a way to spend a Sunday!

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12/07/2010 by Al and Sarah.

Alex, Doug, Phil J, Craig J, Mad John, SKY John,Dave Hirst and Martyn  all left Mirfield  in the opposite direction to Knaresborough so we could put a few more miles in. So up to Grangemoor then Flockton, Midgeley, Calder Grove and into Wakefield where Martyn practiced his wheel building skills to great effect.After our unscheduled stop it was out to Normanton, Castleford and onto the old A1 to Aberford, Bramham and Wetherby. Up to Wetherby the pace had been very fast with a great tail wind making the going easier but now after Wetherby we turned into the wind and the cafe at Knaresborough was a very welcome sight.At least two FEB were had mixed with the usual beans on toast for those with less of an appetite. A brief hello was said to Derreck Milner who had enjoyed dinner a couple of cafes up the road and was leaving as we arrived, we were also joined by one of our youngest members William Millman(15 months) accompanied by his mother and Grandmother.All full (some more than others) we left lovely Knaresborough for Harrogate and the distance was starting to take its toll on SKY John who had spent the morning yoyoing off the front and was now going to spend the afternoon yoyoing off the back. Harrogate, Beckwithshaw and down Leathley Bank and across to the Riverside cafe at Otley  for afternoon tea and cake.Soon after leaving the cafe Martyn entertained us and the locals by dancing in the middle of a very busy road while juggling with his very expensive Garmin, priceless.Craig made a break for it while the rest of us decided it would be a good idea to climb the back road out of Otley because we wanted another big hill to climb. Full credit to SKY John who struggled up trying to break his cranks off on his 23 sprocket. Regrouped at the top Fry Up went off to god knows where  whilst the rest of us waited for Craig  and waited a bit more before we realised that Craig is not that slow and was now probably at home with his feet up brew in hand. Off we set again through  Shipley, Bradford and the horrible climb of Manchester Road and back to Mirfield. 80 miles and 16 MPH average. Great ride and company, hope to see you all and more next week for the great ride to Howstean Gorge, just be ready for those hills. All the best Alex.

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05/07/2010 by Al and Sarah.

A short but tough club run was planned for my come back ride where i was joined by Doug, Martyn, John and the Johnson brothers. The weather was warm, sunny but very windy so the back road route was all the better for the shelter.We made our way out of Mirfield and and headed for the Windmills up near the Soveriegn Pub where we stopped to watch one lap of the road race organized by Huddersfield Star Wheelers i think. Then onwards via loads of unnamed side roads to Wigfield Farm were all the usual food was consumed but the service was on slow side.The route back was over the hills of Cannon Hall and Emley Moor with a grand total distance of just 50 miles but it sure felt like a lot more. Average speed 13.4mph.Next week is Knaresborough and the 18th is Howstean Gorge hope to see you all in the saddle soon cheers Alex.

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03/07/2010 by Al and Sarah.

Hi everyone I am glad to say that i will be attending tomorrows Club run which will be heading towards South Yorkshire via every hill and side road I know, the end destination will depend on who is out. I am very much looking forward to getting my life back to normal and thank you all for your kind comments during the last 3 months.I will start planning Club Runs again and as always look forward to any members input on future Runs. July 11th or 18th will be to the very popular run to Howstean Gorge, will adjust to meet the best attendance.Thanks again and i hope to see you soon.Alex.

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15/03/2010 by Al and Sarah.

Well what a bunch of mummys boys.  5 thorpers Alex, Martin, Ben, Alastair and Doug made the start on a chilly, windy and dry Mothers day but only 3 completed the full run to deepest darkest Lancashire. Martin made the start and we all had a good chat and catch up but he decided Ramsbottom was a bit too far for him at the moment and headed for CasVegas.So 4 us set off into a stiff head wind which showed off my lack of training and poor fitness much too vividly  and I relied on the other three for shelter until just short of Todmorden where Dougs rear wheel developed a fault resulting in him having to head for home. I should’ve taken the opportunity and gone back with him but stubbonly I pressed on and soon the first major climb of the day arrived where my shelter left me as they dispersed up the long climb over to Bacup. This climb is not steep but 2 miles long and into a head wind I was going through hell and to make matters worse my computer that had not worked all day sparked into life to tell me I was doing 4.5 mph!! thanks..Ben and Alastair patiently waited at the top (they must have thought I had turned back) and we regrouped for the descent down to Bacup and then on to Rawtenstall. Now on the flat and with a wheel to hang onto we made good progress through the lovely streets of Lancashire (grim) and soon arrrived at Ramsbottom (much nicer) but having never been on a club run here before the cafe stop was unknown. The town was heaving and the one cafe we did find was full so we headed out of town and found a garden centre that had a cafe which we just squeezed into between all the mothers that were being treated to a sunday dinner.Now fed I should have felt ready for the two tough climbs  between me and home and I had a good stab at the first over to Rochdale but the legs fell apart as soon as we reached the climb of Blackstone Edge and the lads were soon out of sight and again they waited for me frozen at the top, down hill now at last with the stiff wind behind us we made fast progress home and I still had time to go and see my mum..Distance and speed unknown but around 75miles and avg 15mphHope to see you all next week..  Alex

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28/02/2010 by Al and Sarah.

7 riders out today to a much nicer day than expected. Never trust the weather men.. Alex, Doug, Ben, John, Phil J and Martyn all made the start and we briefly met Derrick at Otley.Good progress was made out to Hebden Bridge and we all stayed together up to that point but the long climb up Peckett well soon changed all that with the group spread evenly up the climb. Doug and Ben flying up front with Martyn and Fry up phil in the middle and tail end Charlies Alex and John.With the summit reached (Freezing and a good cover of snow) we regrouped except for Doug who kept the hammer down and started the long descent which was rather spoilt by the stiff head wind down to the lovely Rossi’s cafe.30 miles up  refreshments taken we headed out again for the next climb which starts at Silsden and goes over the Cringles to Addingham and again the group split but not by as much as it’s a much shorter climb.Down in to Addingham we went and on to Bolton Bridge where we were soon at the hellish ascent of Langbar.We all started the climb but only 3 made it Doug, Ben and Martyn while the rest turned back and went the flat way to Otley. All accounted for we dined at the lovely river side cafe at Otley  while much joy was had at Bens expense as he tried to fix a flat rather badly, Phil intervined and Doug finished it to a very high standard (club pumper).We were soon on the road again and the last stint for home but progress was soon halted when I flatted and now had to show Ben how it should be done. Expertly changed in quick time and inflated by the club pumper we were back on the road and soon enjoying the delights of Bradford and the final climb up Manchester Road..Another great ride, 72 miles and an average of around 15 mph (computer played up so not sure)

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24/02/2010 by Al and Sarah.

OK everyone I would like your views and ideas on future club runs, as you may have noticed we are heading for Ramsbottom soon. Before you ask, no I’m not sure what’s there!! but I am trying to think of new spots to visit so if there’s any suggestions for the future please let me know. Yes Doug the Strines will be up soon.Also could anyone who is planning on  attending  a Sportive or other cycling event, please put it on the club calendar as this will help me with future planning, cheers The Captain

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21/02/2010 by Ben.

This mornings club run was quite short. Everyone chickened out because of the snow!  After missing last week with a cold I feel I can now pass off my ‘wimp of the week’ award seeing as I was the only one to turn up today! (All be it on a Mountain bike, and yes, I do have photographic proof!).  Alex, I trust I get a point for today!

My fellow thorpers, I am disappointed in you all!

Ben (I am typing with my nose as my hands still have not de-frosted!)

Posted in Club Run | 7 Comments »