Travis_Bickle
Sorry, we encountered an error while displaying this content. If you're a user, please try again later. If you're an administrator, take a look in your Flarum log files for more information.
CharlieG
Sorry, we encountered an error while displaying this content. If you're a user, please try again later. If you're an administrator, take a look in your Flarum log files for more information.
Djpekingman
Sorry, we encountered an error while displaying this content. If you're a user, please try again later. If you're an administrator, take a look in your Flarum log files for more information.
CharlieG
Sorry, we encountered an error while displaying this content. If you're a user, please try again later. If you're an administrator, take a look in your Flarum log files for more information.
CBIT
100miles or 100km bike ride - starting and ending at Roundhay Park to raise money for the Leeds Children's Hospital Appeal - can register at
http://www.bike-events.co.uk/Ride.aspx?id=433
Travis_Bickle
Sorry, we encountered an error while displaying this content. If you're a user, please try again later. If you're an administrator, take a look in your Flarum log files for more information.
Travis_Bickle
Sorry, we encountered an error while displaying this content. If you're a user, please try again later. If you're an administrator, take a look in your Flarum log files for more information.
twopointslost
Sounds it - you signing up for one ? Wish I could swim properly , it kills me , knackered after a length. My kids got taught properly and can go on and on like walking without tiring. In a lake I would definitely drown.
Travis_Bickle
Sorry, we encountered an error while displaying this content. If you're a user, please try again later. If you're an administrator, take a look in your Flarum log files for more information.
CBIT
Today's finish in La Vuelta was umbilical.
CBIT
Sorry, we encountered an error while displaying this content. If you're a user, please try again later. If you're an administrator, take a look in your Flarum log files for more information.
Travis_Bickle
Cracking ride today. Exactly the same route I did last time I was out. All on the doorstep. Never got further than maybe three miles from home. All the trails I first rode when I moved here. I just get round them a hell of a lot quicker. Starting to see just how hard I can push the new bike. It's fucking mint. And quick.Had to ride through a herd of highland cattle someone's put on the trail that runs down from Coley. Was in touching distance of the big fuckers, never climbed so fast.
Travis_Bickle
Dark Peak Sportive today. Starts in Wakey, takes in Holme Moss, Snake Pass, Strines Valley and back to the start through Penistone, Cawthorne etc.Hard fucking work. I did the 'extreme route' (over-selling it a tad).I've done a few sportives and MTB events now so have lost that 'kid on the first day of school' feeling.Plenty there early. I'd wanted to be off at the start at 8am but there was a queue when I arrived.I'd borrowed a mate's road bike (Trek Madone with Sram Red, Easton carbon bars etc and those funny Q rings). Same bike I used for the Etape Du Dales, bit small (more of that later), but very light.I was less impressed by the fact he'd left his Powertap hub on the back (a rear hub with a power meter in it, tells how many watts you produce etc, sort of thing the pro teams use to measure performance). Now my mate needs it (he flys to Hawaii on Tuesday to compete in the World Pro Ironman Championships). He rides 100s of miles a month, runs a lot and swims for hours. Very fast.I fucking don't. But nothing says 'all the gear, no idea' like a £800 bit of a pro kit on a bike ridden by a middle-aged bloke with a fucked back and bad knees.Anyway, I'd decided I'd have a go this year. No freewheeling (pal says you should always try and pedal no matter what unless speed stops you) and I was determined not to get off and push at any stage. We headed out on the Denby Dale round, right at the roundabout, past New Hall and made our way to Emley. Kirkburton etc followed. Some 'punchy' little climbs got the legs warmed up. Before I knew it we were flying downhill into New Mill. I've got a lot quicker going downhill on the road. Great fun but you see just how close some motorists get and how hard it is to adjust when you're going that fast.Anyway, New Mill meant Holmfirth wasn't far off. And that meant Holme Moss wasn't far off. There's a 'kick up' of about 14% at the start. I was alright on that which gave me a lift. Mum lives just before Holme village but she was away so no cup of tea or wave. Last time I was there was Stage 2. Amazing to think those fuckers did the whole climb in the big ring....I didn't!Loads of the writing still on the road. 'Contador You Have No Fans' was one I missed on the telly!It's steep and feels longer than it is but I got up in one piece and felt alright at the top. I pulled into the first feed station, resisting the temptation to keep going to the summit to finish the Strava segment. Loads didn't and got some stick for it as they rode back down for bananas, cake, gels, energy bars and topping up water bottles.The descent into Glossop that you earn on that climb is fucking mint. Fast, fast, fast through great scenery (not that you get to see much). It's different to going downhill fast on a MTB but still the same rush.Glossop meant a left turn and confirmation of the old adage that what goes down must fucking ride back up.Snake Pass isn't that steep I guess but fuck me it just goes on and on and on and on....And that was when my back started. No excuses or anything, I'm used to it but it did show that I really need to splash the money I got for being ripped off on a credit card protection thing by CPP on ebay on a 61cm frame road bike. Just a twinge at first but it distracts and means pushing hard on climbs becomes harder that it should.But again, the climb is worth it as you drip into the Derwent Valley towards Ladybower. Fast sections and those lovely undulating up and downs. And it's on them that you see why freewheeling knackers you out. Keep a decent cadence and momentum and it's a far easier and more pleasurable experience.They'd moved the next feed station from the Snake Pass Inn to the Strines Inn. There's a nothing climb past Ladybower but all of a sudden I had one of those 'long ride moments'. I think you get them on every ride of a decent length. Often on something fairly innocuous. But suddenly you feel like shit. And knackered. And that's how I felt. And my back hurt. I'd had one at about 50 miles on the Etape Du Dales when I felt like crying on a flat section.Anyway, I rode through it. Spin bike's helped with that. And then started the up and down of the Strines Valley. The good thing about those shit feelings is the better one if you just keep going.The downs are quick in that Valley. And the ups are a fucking nightmare. An absolute nightmare. I rode steeper hills in the Dales but these just seem to hurt. I was determined to do them so was out of the saddle on the bend of the second of the climbs. And 'ping' the cramp hit. Felt like I'd been stabbed. I'd drunk loads but it can hit at any time I guess. I wasn't alone, saw a few out suffering in the same way.A lot of the route was used in the Tour in the other direction. The tarmac was like glass. You really see what a difference it makes, super quick. Saw another great bit of painting 'FROOM*' '*E' underneath it (silly twat ran out of room).After that there's another sharp one near Langsett but it felt like the back of the ride had been broken. It also felt like my back had been broken at times.I was a bit on autopilot but knew that there was still Haigh Hill to get up when we hit the M1. I think cleaning that at a decent pace (for me anyway) was the best moment of the day as I'd been dreading it but just dug in and got it done.I met up with a group of 4 on the last few miles and we hammered it home. I can see why club rides must be a good laugh when you get that going. Before I knew it I was riding past Asda and felt a sense of relief.Over the timing mats and done. Don't know how long it took me but it felt a lot quicker than last year and that's the only result I give a toss about.72 miles, 1951m of climbing apparently (wouldn't know, my phone died).I'll be back.......
twopointslost
Pugneys is on my doorstep , top of the hill . You'd have been welcome for a cup of tea - saw all the signs for dark peak , and cyclists with numbers on but didn't have a clue what it was.
CharlieG
Nice one, Travis. Hoped to do a sportive this year but work, illness and injury screwed that up. My CAAD 10 hasn't seen light of day since early July - think I might get it out of the bike bag and put the wheels back on tomorrow...
Travis_Bickle
Sorry, we encountered an error while displaying this content. If you're a user, please try again later. If you're an administrator, take a look in your Flarum log files for more information.
Travis_Bickle
Sorry, we encountered an error while displaying this content. If you're a user, please try again later. If you're an administrator, take a look in your Flarum log files for more information.
Travis_Bickle
29th overall. First British Pro over the line. Broke his back on the 29th of June. Hell of an effort.
Mitaman
Rode across from Tokyo to Nagano to a Sake festival last week, first day was 140km with 1700m of climbing, I was fucked as it was only my 4th long ride. Second day was 130 km with about 3200m of climbing total, but the morning got the better of me. Ended up only riding 71KM with 2100 climbing, but due to a road closure 1100m of it was over 7.2km, which basicaly fucked me, had to push the bike half of it. Got the train for the last 65km, then got blathered.Not sure this cycling lark is for me really but will persevere for a while.
Young_Marxist_at_Tescos
Fucking grand out there.Just been to Otley. Got there in near darkness and a pissing it down gale, winched me way up the chevin and got to Cookridge in bright sunshine.Piss wet through again by the time I got to Leeds city centre and down to 8mph crawling out of Miggy. Then up to 35mph+ on Wrenthorpe by pass.Feel lucky not to have been blown off (pause)Sunny again now.