24/07/2011 by johnthewliss.

At the library today were El President , Fryup , sky John , Jonny John , Garry , damien , Mick the ref , Dave the bobby Hirst ,Martin Lucas , Gentleman Geoff and myself Mad John .

At the library the decision was made to go to Earby the hilly way and it was the very hilly way Or as fryup says its all down hill ,

Off we set through Brighouse towards Elland  a right turn up an hill ” dont know what its called ” but its tough, right to the top and left onto a cobbled section  up to the main road across that and onto another road that leads to a steep section of cobbles, last time we did this route we lost a couple of riders at this point after this it was some very steep ups and downs untill we came to peckett well,

Up the long climb and down the other side which is a great descent and we split at the bottom mick,dave,phil and martin going on to Rossis while the rest of us still had lots more climbing to do , so to Stanbury it was then over laneshaw then another long climb up to the black lane ends pub ? i think then down the other side and a left turn towards Earby were we pulled up at the cafe and i must say Phil you can pick them because this is one of the best cafes ive been to while with the club .

Most had Full English but Jonny and Myself opted for Ploughmans and yes it had salad and it was awesome .

All fed and watered we set off back on yet more hilly roads towards colonby? and towards the bypass were we were hitting speeds of 31 mph all the way back to Bradford ,after that it was back home via wakefield road and home .

Stats for me.

80 miles with lots of climbing “anybody have a garmin”

Ave speed 15 mph

Awesome day Great company Even better food and plenty of hills a manx man in green a great finish to the day.

See you all next week Untill then have fun.

MAD JOHN

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29/05/2011 by johnthewliss.

At the library were Alex,Doug,Mick the ref,Big Rob,Ben,Phil J,Paul ,Rubber Jonny,and myself Mad , If i’ve forgot someone i’m very sorry at the moment the brain has a lack of oxygen,

Off we set to Tickhill firstly in the direction of hopton hill just to warm the legs then to lower cumberworth and up to penistone road were we had our first taste of the head wind and yes it was like pedaling into a brick wall , at this point mick and paul left us to lunch at wigfield, the rest of us carried on towards wentworth were we hit a snag or several .

And this is how jonny got called rubber 3 i’ll say it again 3 punctures in one hit ,Down a pot hole to pucture front and back and after changing the back he changed the front only to notice the back was going back down. so there we have it not throwing said rubber in a near by bush he carried it all the way to the cafe ,new nick name born “RUBBER” Jonny.

Off we set again into yet more head wind and ten minutes down the road and another puncture ,this time Doug but super Doug and his pump was back on the road in five minutes but by this time the child of the group started How long now before the cafe ,its getting late can we go a bit faster how long did you say ,

Well on our way and 45 minutes down the road we hit tickhill for lunch various ways of eggs ,beans , cheese and toast and fry up with his usual full monty after some good laughs and some good grub it was time to return home .

off we went in the direction of doncaster at asteady pace well ben and i thought it was steady until we looked behind and there was no one to be seen so we waited and rejoined then we set off again and the same happened again so we resigned to settling in to a steady 15 mph to keep together. and we stayed that way most of the way home untill wakefield were the group split as people went home .

awesome companyn good ride good food ,Hated the wind.

my stats 85 miles at 15.6 mph

so until next sunday at 8.00 not 9.00

have fun

Mad John

p.s sorry its short but im off to the pub

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22/05/2011 by johnthewliss.

Today at the library was Alex,Phil J,Brad,Jonny and myself Mad and that’s what we all must have been bloody mad with only 5 of us it was decided a short lumpy run to Rossis was in order “Good job aswell”So off we set in the direction of Brighouse and that was hard work with a 30 mph headwind . At the small roundabout we turned towards Hipperholme up the short climb and into the dip we turned left to the back roads wanting restbite from the wind but what came was awefull,Rain first and as we got to stump cross the heavens opened ,hail stone storm that never ended until we hit the top ,Side winds that blew you from one side of the road to the other and to top it all struggling to follow the unfit Brad “Stop telling porkies”After this the sun showed it’s face just to warm us enough to sweat us up from the inside.Left at raggolds and the fast down hill into Keithley and breakfast at Rossis .A good crack at the cafe and back on the road back home into Bradford and back up Manchester road into yet again another head wind only this time alot stronger,Back to scholes and into hartshead were we had a slight stop to exchange phone numbers ,sounds straight forward but hey two thorpers both with phones older than the arc that only old 3 numbers and one says to the other just don’t send no gay porn , I thought I was earing things until Brad started pissing himself aswell , these phones don’t even have predictive text never mind the bloody Internet .Anyway enough of that ;)Great ride Great company good laughsSo until next weekHave funMAD JOHNP.S I Phone 4 Alex

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18/05/2011 by Al and Sarah.

Sorry for delay but so little time and so much to do.. 8 Thorpers Mad John, Sky John, Johnny John, Doug, Alex,Fry Up,Ben and Mike the ref  left Mirfield for Otley going out through Brighouse, Bradford, Shipley and the climb of Hollings Hill. Once again the wind was a major factor in making the ride hard work and this was the case for the whole day.A change of cafe in Otley to a much nicer place but I cant remember the name. Here we lost Mad,  Mike and Sky who all had hair and nail appointments to keep!!!  While for the rest of us the real hard work commenced with Norwood edge and the many other climbs on route to Pateley Bridge which arrived painfully slowly for me. From Pateley Bridge its nearly 8 miles up the valley which is a lovely traffic free road to How Stean Gorge were we stopped for dinner..The route back was as tough as the route out with the climb up to York Folly having one of us walking!! and the same walker then getting lost and not to be seen again until we were back at Hollings Hill? This lost the group considerable time and worry but all ended well. The weather stayed dry for most of the day but for a bit of drizzle which was better than the other Thorpers that were out further up the Dales who got battered..  A great ride of over 90 miles with a average of nearly 15 mph.  Burnsall next Sunday so I hope to see you all then, all the best Alex

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10/05/2011 by johnthewliss.

Awesome ,Awesome ,Awesome what else can i say that describes a great route one of the best Alex, Fantastic strong riding and the side splitting banter at the cafe ,also Winnatts pass in the bag for the first time in three attempts, I felt on top of the world but its all thanks to you guys ,I’ve been at the club for a year now and i could’nt have wished for a better club to join , Your all  a great bunch of fellas and i’d like to thank you all for your help , Advice and Encouragement and i look forward to many happy years of riding with you all, again thankyou for making me feel so welcome.

Now the bull is out of the way back to the bike and this coming Sundays ride to Howstean Gorge , i have done this route before and can say that it is well worth the effort ,it is lumpy and about 100 miles in length but the cafe is very welcoming and serves great food but and there is a but I have phoned them to see if they can accomadate us again and the answer was yes as long as that fella called FRYUP does not come in his silver surfer shorts and night dress or the will be forced to call the police and report him for flaunting his chocolate star fish in public “not a nice site” especially when it rains  .

Until Sunday ,

Have fun,

MAD  JOHN

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08/05/2011 by BenBlyth.

This morning saw a large collection of old and new Thorpers and non Thorpers at the start this morning.

The riders in attendance were: Fry Up, Doug, Alex, Mad, Paul B, The Dutchman, Al, Lady McCall, Ben, Andy C. Also in attendance, in Fry Up’s bid to be responsible for every new member, were Mr X and Mr Y (Sorry, I am awful with names chaps. Phil, if you could let me know again below, we will hopefully remember after a little practise.)

The run destination was a surprise this week so we were delighted to find it would be Winnats Pass via the Strines with a couple of other climbs thrown in along the way.

Before anyone had chance to head back home we headed towards the clouds hanging over Huddersfield, soon to be joined by some of the Sowerby boys.

The route took us swiftly through Huddersfield and in to Honley, where the Sowerby boys took off leaving us to face the first climb up and over the moors towards Langsett. The group split out a little over the first climb but fortunately I was able to get hold of Jack’s wheel and get dragged to the top, soon to be followed by Doug, then Mad, then the rest of the bunch.  The strong headwind we had faced made a long climb a lot tougher and gave us a taste of the rest of the morning.

A swift decent to Langsett reservoir saw Phil and friends head off (hope it was a good ride chaps) and the rest of us head to the Strines with the exception of Paul B who, having had enough of the wind went home via Sheffield (hope you got a tailwind home Paul!).

The strines taken the opposite way to normal were a real treat for us. The wind, whilst still a headwind was cut out by the landscape a little and the climbing and descending was a real treat. Al again was the first over again followed by Jack, Ben and Doug. Doug however, had already managed to open up a can of whoop ass on the first Strine and beat Jack to the top, something he mentioned a couple of times throughout the ride!

Everyone was riding very strongly and there wasn’t much rest before we left the strines and headed to Ladybower Reservoir. A very, very strong set of riders pulled through the cutting block headwind with a really strong pace being set all the way to Hope. Particular credit to Al, Doug, Jack and McCall for taking long turn’s.

A welcome meal was wolfed down in Hope where we were joined by members of the Millman clan, including William who was going all out to impress Jack in his Orange Cycling T-Shirt. Reasoned and mature conversation flowed with no p!ss taking, mocking or goading of any kind (Believe that and you will believe Osama Bin Ladin is due to turn on Batley lights this Christmas).

Replenished, we headed to the climb we had discussed on the way out. Winnats Pass.

Al was up first, followed by me, Jack, Doug, Andy, Steve, Mad and Alex. “That wasn’t too hard” said Al at the top. With barely a bead of sweat on him it was concerning that this statement was perfectly true, for Al, not the rest of us!

More really strong riding from everone  made for a fast pace over to France (well, Chapel-en-le-Frith) where we finally turned north to get the treat we had hoped for all day. A tailwind.

The wind, and strength of everyone out meant we sped up the Chunel climb before heading down in to Glossop. The top speed recorded on the decent to Glossop was over 50mph by Jack, with the rest of us very, close to that. Top speed of the year for Jack and great descending.

Jack, Al, McCall and Andy left us at this point as Alex, Mad, Doug and I stopped for another drink in Glossop before heading home over yet more climbs, Woodhead pass, and down to home.  Delightfully assisted by the tailwind I was able to reach 53mph down the Moss. After having clocked 49.3mph earlier I was determined to not miss the 50mph here!

I must say, right from the start today, I have never ridden with such a strong group, everyone was on form in far from ideal conditions. The route was absolutely splendid and today was up there with my most enjoyable days ever on the bike.  Thanks for being a pleasure to ride with chaps.

My stats for the day:

86.26 miles,

15.7mph average,

53.6mph top,

7678 feet of climbing!!!

2 very tired legs.

Ben

P.s - For the avoidance of doubt, Osama WILL NOT be turning on Batley lights this Christmas.

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01/05/2011 by johnthewliss.

Today was a nice flat run to boroughbridge and at the library this morning was Gentleman Geoff,Fry up Phil, New shoes Doug, Old man Captain Al, Young JC,Rich Creaser,Sky John,Paul B,Mick half a ride Kamis,Damien I think and Myself Mad John,

As we all gathered we thought it would be a head come side wind all the way and a side wind come tail pushing us all the way home and we were nearly right ,We set off in the direction of dewsbury and up the back roads of hanging heaton up to shaw cross and on to east ardsley ,

with a nice head wind a certain someone was complaining already especially with the brisk pace that was been set by Mr Creaser ,Onwards we went in the direction of swillington ,Garforth,and lotherton hall then it was on to Tadcaster were we all stopped for a quick brew at Tykes always nice and welcoming at tykes.

After a quick tea it was back on the bikes and then the group split,Yes Mick half a club run Kamis Sky John and Paul B set off back to mirfield(You all missed an awesome ride) and the rest of us carried on to (YORK)? whoops and a 10 mile detour to borough bridge with an awesome tail wind reaching speeds of 37 MPH on the flat ,

After 56 miles we finally reached our destination and a lovely cafe were we all sat out in the sun , All of us having combinations of eggs beans toast and tea, The banter was as good as ever and i think it will be used on other club runs.

After much discussion it was the quickest way back as possible as some were struggling with fitness this time at a steady pace as we already had an average of 17.5 mph on the clock hopfully with a tail wind but you guessed it no such luck , head wind all the way back until we got to Garforth were a welcome Tail wind helped for the next 10 miles and then home with a total ofon my comp 101.8 miles with an ave speed of 16.7 MPH ,

I have to say well done to Gentleman Geoff you were strong all day your doing really well buddy the same goes to you too New shoes Doug for pushing a certain someone all the way home  but what made me laugh was when he said push me harder Doug i dont want Mad beating me up this hill

I believe next week is yet another flat route to hope in preperation of the club 120 which isn’t far off so come on everyone we need to get the miles built up .

So until next week,

Have fun

Mad John (time for a PERONI now) cheers

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20/03/2011 by johnthewliss.

At the library this morning were 13 thorpers John Spinner,Sky John,Geoff,Phil J,Paul B,Mick K,Steve M,Rich C,”sky” Chris,Martyn B,Ben B,Alex M and myself Mad John.

The idea was Ladybower the hilly back road way and hills there were ,through  mirfield to huddersfield the back way and then up the back roads (dont ask me what there called ) towards the victoria pub and on up again towards the windmills left at the windmills then some more climbing towards the strines “STRINES must be some kind of no go area to some cyclists because this is were the group split (seven including John Spinner who by the way had a full day pass )went on to langsett cafe for an early break and back home .

The rest of us continued to the strines this is were another left us Mr McCall but we can excuse him hes only used to doing 25 mile TT’s at the most sorry steve.

just after this it was the strines an awesome descent and an even better climb if we’d have done it in reverse but it was onwards and upwards and on to (i hope this is right) Bradfield were we stopped for something to eat ,A nice little cafe in the post office that not only does’nt serve hot food we had to eat outside oh and no bikes after a visit to the loo which was a ride up the road it was homeward bound .

According to Captain Al it was the flat way (with some long drags of hills) on to sheffield we went with roads that don’t seem to have been repaired ever ,good job my bikes a belguim bike and tested on pave

Past hillsborough and up the A629? back towards langsett  after towing “Sky Chris ” all this way he shot off from the back never to be seen again “sky” what else can we call him although he did really well because the last time we saw him he was about 2 stone heavier and he did’nt have any hill legs what so ever (well done chris )next time take your bloody turn on the front

after langsett at the junction to the star pub i left the group to do a bit more climbing ,while the rest took the easy route into huddersfield ,

i went back home the usual saturday cafe run way and then down past the mining museum and up the back road to thornhill

I hope every one else made it back safe .

My stats

67.8 miles @ 14.9mph not too bad considering there were some very severe climbs .

Good run again Al ,good company ,always laughs (i’ll let someone else reveal the biggest one:))

Yes at the top it does say Ladybower but we never made it that far (tired legs)

Just a word about next week “DON’T FORGET THE CLOCKS GO FORWARD”

untill the have fun

MAD JOHN

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15/03/2011 by Al and Sarah.

9 Thorpers ( Alex, Doug, Ben, Mike, Alastair, Spinner, Mad, phil and Steve) made it to the start on a cold and very wet Sunday morning. The route today was to Glossop but the opposite way round to normal route we take. So it was out to Holmfirth and a lovely side road that leads us traffic free to the top of the pennines where we said good bye to Spinner who had to be back to make Sunday dinner! Onwards to Dunford Bridge the rest of us went and to the head of Woodhead pass where we re grouped briefly and then set off down the pass into a strong head wind and some great through and off riding, well I never went through but clung on to every wheel that I could but it was a great fun decent. The group soon reached Glossop where  Steve and Alastair decided not to stop while the rest of us called at the cafe for a quick brew and a chat. The plan now was to try to reach Hollingworth Lake for dinner so off we set again for all of 100 yards when I got a flat tyre, now luckily the sun was out so as much as i hate changing tubes it was at least in the sunshine. While I fixed the tyre Phil went off to fix his shoes which had lost a screw ( not the only loose screw if you ask me) and Doug went off to settle some bills?    Tyre fixed and back on the road again and the climb over to Stalybribge which is not steep but a long drag made me realise that perhaps a stop at Uppermill for dinner would be much better because I was now starting to suffer big time. The road over to Uppermill was choked with traffic which spoiled this part of the route but we soon reached our new dinner stop but some how lost Mike and Phil even though they said they were stopping?? The usually good banter over lunch with the usually beans and eggs in lots of different formats. With now just one big climb for me to over come Stanedge, off we set now down to 4 thorpers. The climb was made at a fair pace with the lads holding back and helping me and we were soon on the long decent back towards Huddersfield  and home at last.. 60 long miles and lots of pain for me, I need to get fit quick but thanks for the help lads.. Cheers Alex

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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…..

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