6th May
We are less than a month away from tackling the daunting Fred Whitton route around the Lakes so we are in need of testing rides to fine tune our preparation. The Tour de Yorkshire sportive was a good opportunity to ride some climbs.

The weather was brilliant and a hot day around the Dales was in prospect, I had decided to ride over to the Leeds start and was somewhat surprised that none of my friends chose to join me, I arrived as Salmon and Tim turned the corner at Woodhouse Moor, Tim was astride the brand spanking new Cervelo. Dave was busy parking and he arrived with Steppy, Phil and Clive. Paul Hop was next to arrive and Mark T was keeping a low profile having missed out on an official entry. Dave distributed his home made flap-jack which has to be said was delicious, thanks Dave.

The queue for the hideous portaloos was long but Clive and Phil had to go, Clive entered the loo and I noticed the structure wasn’t level, I offered a helping hand to right the imbalance, for some unknown reason Clive thought I was attempting to tip the toilet over and created a right old scene. Meanwhile Phil entered a trap and was seen re-emerging bare chested with his lycra leggings exposing more than was decent at 7-20 am. I noted he bore a striking resemblance to Mick Mcmanus. Phil made himself presentable and we spent the 5 minutes queuing informing Southern based riders just how impossibly difficult Greenhow and The Chevin climbs were, it is always good to offer support on such occasions.

Mark jumped on board and we made our way out of Leeds, we made good progress but the queue for food at Beckwithshaw was long and we chose to miss the feed station, Phil got a full on rollicking for not fastening his helmet and started his usual requests to stop at a café for a butty. We decided to stop at a shop to take liquid, but missed the chance in Summerbridge. Hartwith Bank had slid under the radar and we were not expecting the hurt it presented. As if it wasn’t difficult enough we were just making steady forward movement when a series of fellow riders gave up in the middle of the road causing us to swerve and avoid contact, further riders took to walking, we all made it up but it was a huge wake up call to the severity of the climbs.

We made our way via Kirby Malzeard and Kirby Moor in stunning countyside, it was wonderfully quiet and only the loud crunching noises coming from Steppy and Dave’s gears broke the silence, clearly Philly’s fine bike maintenance on the Felt has now been thoroughly un-done by Dave since the purchase was made! We made a scenic drop into Pateley Bridge where the second feed station was set up at the cricket club. The queue was long but we needed to eat and drink so we joined the queue, all was calm then Salmon spotted a queue jumper, he rose to his full 5ft 7 and bellowed abuse, the queue jumper grabbed a pork pie and disappeared. As we feasted on pork pies, Soreen, jelly babies and flap-jack Greenhow Bank was staring down on us mockingly. Greenhow has a distance of 2.1 miles and averages over 10%, ramps are regularly tottering around 19% and it was a real test, the walkers were once again numerous but not amongst the Brods, we all made it to the top and re-grouped for the stunning descent to Blubberhouses.

In a wood there was a bad accident and a female rider was lying blood stained on the roadside there was help at hand and we continued on as the sound of ambulance sirens was re-assuring. Some stinging climbs lead us towards Otley where the vertical section of tarmac known as the Chevin awaited. Water was taken at a shop and we set about the ascent. A competitor halted and dismounted on the relatively flat bit at the bottom, seemingly demoralised just by the sight of the hill! Once more our ranks made it to the top without the need for walking, a kind gentleman had set a hose pipe up half way up and sprayed us which was most welcome in the 25c heat, by now the route was lined with spectators waiting for the Pro race and we were loudly cheered and applauded, on several occasions the Brods tops were identified and suitable comments made from former opposing players.

Once over the crest we had a good speedy drop to Pool, then it was preparation time for Arthington Bank a particularly punishing section up through a forest, the 20% climb is a sprint section for the pro riders, there was no sprinting going on amongst our riders but again we made it up, many didn’t. From there the route meanders around Adel and Headingley and into central Leeds we all re-grouped for the finish straight up the Headrow, we agreed to pass the line together but “Queue policeman Heaton” put a spurt on to cross the line first! We were cheered over the line and Amanda and Olivia took some fine photos.

A couple of pints were downed in the sunshine and I set about the return trip astride the bike, my friends loaded up the cars and got home the easy way. We all agreed it was a superb day out, 4 major climbs without a single foot down amongst the Brods . I did 106 miles the rest managed a paltry 80, we kept ahead of the broom waggon comfortably.

Ship

Mytholm Steeps Saturday 12th May

Dave had sorted out the route and we were faced with a daunting ride up Church Lane otherwise known as Mytholm Steeps, the hill climbs out of Hebden Bridge and links up to Blackshaw Head. The last time we attempted the climb was in winter a couple of years ago and its cruel gradient had reduced us to walking and near tears.

We met at Shelf and made our way over Queensbury to Wainstalls. In the lead up to the ride our ranks looked to be splitting into Premier League and Championship rides, Jon Hamer was rumoured to be joining Seg and Chopper for a Championship ride but as the sun came out early he couldn’t resist having a go at the Premier ride. We had a full complement of Hopkinsons, Josh, Tim, James P with Freddie joining us in Mytholmroyd. We were late to the Mytholmroyd meet due to a lack of pace.

We left the shadows of the Church in Hebden Bridge and the hill was at us immediately, it spread us out and we had to graft good and hard to make the top, there was no walking this time. At the top we were greeted by warm sunshine and we set about the gradual climb over to the café in Worsthorne. The café was shut and Dave looked nervous, we rode down to Burnley and found a great alternative café in the form of JJ café at Cliviger.

As we rose to the heights above Todmorden Jon requested we left him but had made a good return. As we sped down the valley, Paul Hop and Freddie suggested we attacked Cragg Vale which we did, Dave and Steppie decided the valley bottom was the better option. After Cragg Vale Freddie decided to climb Ripponden Bank and we followed him, as we hit the first part of the climb Freddie clicked out of gear and made an unrestricted quick pedal, we rode alongside as Freddie reached a standstill and fell cleated into the road, Tim narrowly missed riding over his head. Josh helped him get out of his cleats as a passing farmer on a tractor was clearly amused. Meanwhile Steppie had a similar fall on his return trip.

A good day out with some good climbs. As I rode back up out of Brighouse I made discovery, my rear gear shift wasn’t changing into the easy gear as it hadn’t all day, little wonder my heart felt like it was going to explode on Church Lane. The Championship riders met but Chopper’s bike was ceased up and wouldn’t move, Seg went out on a solo.

Ship

Bowland 200km Saturday 19th May

It is fair to say that a lot of our rides are excuses to cycle to a café or pub and enjoy a morning out having the craic however we were well aware that some more hills needed to be included in our schedule so the Bowland 200km ride via Settle was proposed. The ride includes over 14,000 feet of severe climbing and was seen as a confidence booster for the upcoming Lakes trip. A thoroughly testing Midweek 3 hill climb out of Luddenden village had supposedly fine-tuned us to perfection so what could go wrong.

There were 2 points of depart, I met James and Tim at the Red Rooster and Dave, Clive, Phil and Josh made their way to our Sowerby Bridge meet point. I bought a coffee and marvelled at the early morning sights and sounds in the Sowerby Bridge market. Phil and the others arrived and were not at all amused that we were riding straight to Stocks Lane for 1.2 miles of 17% torture, there really is no pleasing some people, what else would they like to do at 7-30 in the morning. When we crawled out of the top the early morning coldness was gone and we made our way over Ogden Moor to Oxenhope and Laneshawbridge.

We then had the most delightful Dales roads which were traffic free, James and Josh were setting a good pace and the views of the Ribble Valley were stunning. Our first stop for breakfast was Settle 45 miles into the ride. A great descent from Rathmell lead us into Settle, the market square was full of Motor Cycles and tourists but a sun kissed table was taken outside a fine café, the home made beans on toast with poached eggs and bacon did the trick. Refreshed we left Settle and made our way up the valley on the back roads, I had programmed the route into our Garmin computers and approaching Eldroth an apparent spanner was thrown into the works, a sharp left turn took us onto a muck covered farmers track, the usual healthy supply of abuse came my way, we decided to continue on in spite of the fact that tractors had carved out deep ravines and danger was around every turn. I reflected on the fact that any fall would at least be onto soft cushioned mud when I lost the rear end, I corrected the slide but wavered to the right, it took me 20 yards of stuttering progress before I eventually hit the deck, this 20 yards took me just on to an area where stone chippings had been laid, the chippings grazed my knees and elbow. When we eventually re-joined the made road I thought my injuries might be taken into account but the critiscm wasn’t tempered in any way. More factor 30 sun cream was applied and it had to be said it was getting very warm. Outside Eldroth the views were even better and the Moors came into view.

We had a relatively flat crossing over to High Bentham, a wrong turn luckily cut out a bit of steepness coming out of the village, but the moor road soon made up for that. We were now well and truly in the Forest of Bowland and hill followed hill on the way to the hard Cross of Greet climb. We stopped in a lay-by and shared the views with 2 motor bikers, I commented on the shining CCM parked up and made a mention of Arthur Clews the old owner, 5 minutes later the proud owner was waxing lyrical about the position of the factory, the fact the engines were made from army surplus B50 BSA’s and did I know that every second cooling fin was removed from the engine to reduce weight, suffice it to say that I was relieved to start the crippling climb. Dave’s pace was slackening and we started to look at his face colour for greyness. A comment came from the front, “look at the paragliders,” still jaded from the CCM lengthy conversation I replied “where?” my friends took great delight in pointing out they are usually in the sky. I was having a bad day.

We then took on a series of great climbs through a forest and some exhilarating descents before reaching Grindleton. An outstanding egg custard tart was consumed at the Riverside Café in Slaidburn. I repeatedly called it a vanilla slice, I really was having a bad day so I decided to talk to a cyclist who according to his cycling shirt had ridden the Hardknott Pass in the Lakes. I sought guidance as to what gears he had chosen, he was tight lipped. He reached for his £10,000 Pinarello and rode off, it seemed my acquired knowledge for the day would be restricted to CCM motor bikes.

We now had to climb via Downham at 2.2 miles the road flanks Pendle Hill, Tim had previously suffered on this test but made a valiant effort this time. Dave had lost ground up out of Sawley whilst approaching the climb and we had a lengthy wait at the top of the hill. Dave decided a recovery vehicle call was necessary, Clive announced he would join him as he was feeling a bit woozy and the chicken sounds echoed off the lower slopes of Pendle Hill. A vertical section out of Barley took us to Newchurch, a further series of hills and valleys terminated at Briercliffe where we took on water. Halifax Old Road threatened to throw us back down to Burnley but we reached the main road to Todmorden. Phil had a very laboured look to his style and was well and truly detached when we pulled into Todmorden, a drunken lady made 3 attempts to fall into a fence and succeeded but Phil was only moderately better off he was definitely Hopkinson grey and he announced he was all a dither, his hills were done for the day. He took the Hebden Bridge road and once again chicken sounds accompanied his parting.

We rode down to Littleborough circled Hollingworth Lake and started the Pennine ascent from Milnrow, Josh and James being quicker quite rightly rode away leaving Tim and I to climb alone. We made it to the top and were met by the view of paragliders over Marsden Moor. We made it back via Brighouse and our last climbs were slow but we made it around.

A great day in the sun, wonderful countryside and great company, what was planned as a confidence boosting ride was hardly that but enjoyable and a 12.3mph pace was not bad given the hills.

Ship

Valley Bottom Hill avoidance ride Saturday 26th May

It is normally down to me or Dave to sort the rides out, of late there had been continued attempts to find more and more cruel ways to exit Luddenden, there was pressure to move away from the hills and try a quick pace valley bottom ride. We had Chopper back in the ranks and a slim-line Jay was back from his Spanish/ French touring ride, Clive and Tim lined up at the Shelf meet.

I decided to fire straight up to Queensbury and from there it was a rapid descent down through Cullingworth and Harden to Bingley where we took the old road up the Aire valley via Keighley to Skipton where a breakfast awaited us. Chopper was generally on the pace but as the pace built around Eastwood and Steeton he started to drop back. We had marvelled over the last 3 weeks at the exploits of the riders in the “Giro d’Italia” Simon Yates the English riders having shone and taken possession of the “maglia rosa” had blown up and lost over 30 minutes up the climbs. It was fair to say that none of us wanted to do a “Yates” up the Aire Valley and we all arrived together into the Market Square in Skipton.

Our usual haunt was shut so attention turned to a fine café bar next door called Alexander’s, it wasn’t clear from the outside if breakfast was being served so we asked the staff who beckoned us in, said we could wheel our bikes through what looked more like a nightclub and take up a table in the fine rear terrace with views over the canal. It has to be said the setting was brilliant, far better than our usual halt, ipad waitress service brought with it fears of high cost but we settled in and drank the fine coffee and butties. People started to arrive around 9-15am and it is fair to say that the favourite tipple was a bottle of white wine, a lady set about a bottle adjacent to our table, her arm was in a sling apparently as a result of a dancing injury sustained at Ilkley Tennis club, it looked as though her recuperation would be complete by late morning. We settled the bill and made our way towards the Otley Road.

The Otley Road climbs steadily and passes via Addingham to Ilkley, we made solid progress as Draughton came into view, Jay tried to get us to do the climb up to Addingham Moorside but no today was a hill-less affair and we stuck to the main road. A quick look behind revealed there was no Chopper, we waited in the lay-by next to Bracken Ghyll golf club and the time passed, it was clear that he was doing a “Yates” and when his pink jersey came into view it was clear he was not relishing the quick pace at the furthest point on our ride.

We took to Addingham main street and the Wharfe valley was resplendent in the sunshine, Ilkley CC riders passed the other way, we came out of Ilkley and stopped at the roundabout in Burley where our flagging rider caught up again. As we took on water Tim pointed out that an alarm was sounding, I looked down and my Garmin was flashing and threatening to report an incident to my emergency number, further instructions told me if I pressed a button in the next 9 seconds it would halt the call. Whichever button I pressed made no difference and the gadget was determined to cause distress to my nearest and dearest, eventually by pressing a button I managed to send a further message saying I was ok, all delivered from my mobile phone for no apparent reason!

We rode up to Menston and received a call from Chopper who seemed determined to go downhill to Otley, through Baildon bottom to Shipley and the surroundings became less scenic, Manningham Lane was a bit of a shock, a fleeting glance at the Sweet Centre on Lumb Lane brought back some happy memories. We then went via Listerhills and up Canterbury Avenue, onwards to St Enochs Road and the gradient clicked in and distance developed between our pink jersey wearing friend and us, at Wibsey he was looking jaded but made a burst to the front only to drop back again at the first sight of an incline.

We made it back for lunchtime and went our separate ways, a great morning out in lovely conditions. 57 miles average speed 15.5 mph, happy days, good to have Chopper and Jay back in our ranks.

Ship