Cranked Up Really High

I_Wood

I might not be as fast as you lads.
But hey, I get the chicks.
Look at the headlamps on that !

CharlieG

Nice tie. Rapha?

CharlieG

Nice tie. Rapha?

Travis_Bickle

Back on the MTB properly today. Had planned to join LBB and his mates on a 100 miler on the road but life got in the way (Mrs that doesn't drive, kids, work, swimming lessons etc).
Managed to lay off the booze last night so no repeat of last week's debacle.
Trails above Tod. Fucking steep getting up but good fun getting down. Did some of the Mary Townley Loop. Went in the opposite direction to our normal route. Long slog in places but meant we got to ride down to Gorple Reservoir. Beautiful spot round there.
Found a new trail from Heptonstall back into Hebden, scarily quick. More so as my back brake needs bleeding which basically meant it didn't work.....
I do enjoy riding on the road but every time I'm back on the MTB I realise why it's still my first choice.
Ride in the scenery not past it....

Bielsa’s_Bucket

Travis Bickle wroteBack on the MTB properly today. Had planned to join LBB and his mates on a 100 miler on the road but life got in the way (Mrs that doesn't drive, kids, work, swimming lessons etc).
Managed to lay off the booze last night so no repeat of last week's debacle.
Trails above Tod. Fucking steep getting up but good fun getting down. Did some of the Mary Townley Loop. Went in the opposite direction to our normal route. Long slog in places but meant we got to ride down to Gorple Reservoir. Beautiful spot round there.
Found a new trail from Heptonstall back into Hebden, scarily quick. More so as my back brake needs bleeding which basically meant it didn't work.....
I do enjoy riding on the road but every time I'm back on the MTB I realise why it's still my first choice.
Ride in the scenery not past it....

You definitely made the right choice. I've only just got home !!!
Far too many miles (111) and far too much climbing (10000ft +) with far too little preparation (0)

Did Norwood (?), fleet moss, garsdale head but I had to get off and push up the hill coming out of settle. Legs had had enough. First time I've got off since hardknott last year :(

Fuck cycling :D

Travis_Bickle

Chapeau and all that. Fleet Moss is a twat. Did you do the descent into Hawes? Crazy fast. Worth the climb.
And I've only ever done one ride in The Dales when I didn't get off and push at some stage. Some climb near Grassington last time.

I'll be out on the road next weekend, probably Sunday. Trying to get my pal that does the Ironman stuff out. He's great for towing you back home ;)

Well done

luxury_scruff

Huddersfield's hilly isn't it.

Sunset_&_Vine

I like reading about the grand tour type cycles you lot do. I managed about 20 miles on my rickety old hybrid bike. No hills, bit of off road and was absolutely beat by the time I had finished. The weather was spot on, very little traffic anywhere, and generally just peace and quiet, loved it. I keep thinking I should get into it more, far more enjoyable than going to the gym.

Raposa

Sunset & Vine wroteI like reading about the grand tour type cycles you lot do. I managed about 20 miles on my rickety old hybrid bike. No hills, bit of off road and was absolutely beat by the time I had finished. The weather was spot on, very little traffic anywhere, and generally just peace and quiet, loved it. I keep thinking I should get into it more, far more enjoyable than going to the gym.

Precisely.
Can never get my head around why folk would pay to run on a treadmill or sit on a cycle machine when they can get fit out in the fresh air and take in some decent scenery,all for free.

Travis_Bickle

Little Billy Bremner wrote
Travis Bickle wroteBack on the MTB properly today. Had planned to join LBB and his mates on a 100 miler on the road but life got in the way (Mrs that doesn't drive, kids, work, swimming lessons etc).
Managed to lay off the booze last night so no repeat of last week's debacle.
Trails above Tod. Fucking steep getting up but good fun getting down. Did some of the Mary Townley Loop. Went in the opposite direction to our normal route. Long slog in places but meant we got to ride down to Gorple Reservoir. Beautiful spot round there.
Found a new trail from Heptonstall back into Hebden, scarily quick. More so as my back brake needs bleeding which basically meant it didn't work.....
I do enjoy riding on the road but every time I'm back on the MTB I realise why it's still my first choice.
Ride in the scenery not past it....

You definitely made the right choice. I've only just got home !!!
Far too many miles (111) and far too much climbing (10000ft +) with far too little preparation (0)

Did Norwood (?), fleet moss, garsdale head but I had to get off and push up the hill coming out of settle. Legs had had enough. First time I've got off since hardknott last year :(

Fuck cycling :D

Just seen the Strava. Proper ride that...

Placid

That hill out the back of Settle is more like a tarmac wall.

Did longest ride for a while today. Smidgen of what you lads are up to. But the scenery was great. Meanwood Valley Trail, not done it before.

Good to see the city from an angle you don't always look from, Adel woods, Meanwood Park, Hollies, Woodhouse Ridge. Like a green vein of the city.

Cuts

Puzzled me for years that gym lark. Get a half decent bike and get out there.
Rain tomorrow, I think I might put my bike back together if she doesn't have a list of stuff to do. There's always a list.

BobbyDavros

Travis - when you are done with the Bronto bikes - and still in Oregon ... check out these. Made by a Brit. Some amazing custom made bikes.

http://www.englishcycles.com/

Travis_Bickle

Nice bikes BobbyD.
Well, early night tonight, Etape Du Dales tomorrow. Only one aim, get round quicker than last year. 110 miles, 3500m of climbing. Must be fucking mad.....

Mitaman

Doing a 500km (312miles) 4-day ride starting Wednesday am from Tokyo to the NE of Japan. Charity job. I am a little apprehensive to say the least, not fitness wise so much, but just a very very sore arse and lower parts and how one gets back on a bike day 2 and then day 3 etc. Any last minute tips greatly received.

Placid

This will stop a sore arse. Your legs on the other hand will scream at you but the elation you get when finished each day will be worth it.

Travis_Bickle

[quote=Mitaman]Doing a 500km (312miles) 4-day ride starting Wednesday am from Tokyo to the NE of Japan. Charity job. I am a little apprehensive to say the least, not fitness wise so much, but just a very very sore arse and lower parts and how one gets back on a bike day 2 and then day 3 etc. Any last minute tips greatly received.[/quote]
Buy a motorbike!

Managed to get round the Etape Du Dales yesterday. I'd wanted to beat last year's time but getting round ended up being an achievement. The forecast earlier in the week had been for heavy rain so a relatively dry day was a bonus (it ended up raining for an hour or so in total but the roads stayed mercifully dry). What they did get right was the wind. The 45-50mph fucking wind. The wind blowing directly into your face for what felt like most of the day.
The climb to Tan Hill is a long old drag at the best of times but with that wind is fucking purgatory. I felt like climbing off and going home, but then again when you're in the middle of nowhere with no phone reception you don't have that option.

The descent from Fleet Moss into Hawes was the first sign of things to come. It's a bit hairy at the best of times but with a sidewind that strong it was mental. Add to that a lot of people that were on the brakes all over the road and it became 'interesting'.
Buttertubs was great as always. That view takes some beating.
Again the descent off the top was sketchy but fast.
I was definitely climbing better. All those who know what they're talking about say a load of it is in your head and they're bang on. I kept telling myself to relax. Don't waste energy swinging your head around and yanking the bars.
Coal Road beat me. Not for long but my legs just went on the first really steep section. I'd still 50 miles or so to do so discretion was the better part and all that.

Interesting talking to some people much fitter than me after the ride. Most seemed to think it was the maddest wind they'd ridden in. Then again we would all say that wouldn't we.....? ;)

Was nice passing a bloke on a £5k Willier on my £600 Ribble on a climb near Horton in Ribblesdale.

Every time I go on these things I remember how fucking gorgeous titanium bikes are. Fucking pricey as well. One day....

Anyway, I got round. It hurt at times but felt good. Lot of work to do if I'm going to get across the Coast to Coast.

CharlieG

In that wind, all one can say is " Hat, hat, hat!!!"
Well done, TB.

Cuts

Sorry, I thought this was OMJs. Seems I've logged onto a pro-cycling forum.

Ray_Hankin's_shorts

Mitaman wroteDoing a 500km (312miles) 4-day ride starting Wednesday am from Tokyo to the NE of Japan. Charity job. I am a little apprehensive to say the least, not fitness wise so much, but just a very very sore arse and lower parts and how one gets back on a bike day 2 and then day 3 etc. Any last minute tips greatly received.

F*cking hell! Hard core

Say hello to Utsunomiya if you're passing that way - spent some good months there in 2005

Still one of my favourite stories is being driven over 3 hours to Sendai to watch them play Kashiwa (?) by the husband of a lady I was working with - he had no English and I had no Japanese. The conversation was basically either of us mentioning a players name and the subsequent reaction - he LOVED Teddy Sheringham!? Great times

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