Club run – Wheelock

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We were no fools today, taking a nice route out through Goostrey and through the lanes to Wheelock. Expertly led by Woody, who we think was still hankering to chase up to Mow Cop (even after last week) by pulling in some of the Cheshire Cats earlier lanes.

One of those fine days where you are glad to get out in the morning and pedal, no matter where the run takes you.

The happy bunch on the way home...

Fed at Wheelock, (with some obscenely large chunks of carrot cake in evidence  – Elaine was insistent that she had the largest slice!), we again hit the lanes (again, Woody wanted to skirt the edge of Mow Cop I think) for a reasonable pace back, just feeling the light head wind.
In attendance today, were Ady, Derek, Woody, Jed ( Jed 2 – fresh from holidaying), Dave, Garry, Charlotte (taking a well earned break from Uni), Jack, Phil, and new-club-runner Nikki, who was enjoying her version of hill-climbing gears (a 23 sprocket on the rear for an extra challenge!).
We completed a 51.31 mile route from legion-legion, follow the link below to the map.
The map.

Cheddleton and the mystery of the alpaca rustlers

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A Craig-inspired adventure today, over yonder hills to Cheddleton.  We had a good group out and they set a good pace out past Congleton and Astbury – and then the climbing started, on occasion along the Cheshire Cat route – and didn’t stop until we finally reached the cafe – which was very nice, other than for the fact that it was at the top of a 20% hill, a sting in the tail that had all our riders moaning so much that they didn’t notice me ride past them on the last corner and beat them all to the cafe!  Hee hee.  It was lovely sitting outside the cafe, (a converted Victorian school room) soaking up the warm sunshine – and the only person who was at all grumpy was Kev, who despite getting to the front of the queue to place his order, ended up being the last to get his lunch – and he’d been told there were no beans, despite the fact that everyone else somehow managed to get some.  Can’t think what he did to upset the waitress!

The return ride was as challenging as the way out, up and over Biddulph Moor, with much sweating and grinding of gears but beautiful views at the top to make it all worthwhile.  Then Ben punctured (the only one of the day) which gave us a chance to admire a field containing 20 alpacas, 1 plastic full sized zebra and 1 plastic pig.  A big notice on the fence remonstrated against “the 3 idiots who cut 10 strands of wire and let our animals out at 23.07 on the 24th October” – they would get their come uppance.  I’m intending to send this photo to the local paper and see what happens…

This was the best of club rides – great scenery, great riding, great company, and we all kept nicely together.  Thanks to Craig for leading, and the WVCC banter prize goes to you all: Ben, Chris 1, Chris 2, John Keen, Nigel, Rob, Kev 1, Kev 2, Max, Steve, and Gareth (who also wins the most beautiful bike competition).

Posted by Eleanor

Two Mills Sunday 18th March

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Well this was one way to spend Mother’s Day I suppose!  We had a lovely day of it – warmish spring sunshine, clear blue skies, daffodils in bloom and a sense of summer on its way.  We had a good sized group and were led very ably (if slightly sadistically) by Julian, off up to the big hill above Kingsley, back down to Frodsham, and then back up and over the same big hill again, round the back of the Forest, then through onto the usual route (with slight variations) to Two Mills.  On setting off from the cafe, Chris found he had a broken chain.  Kev, with great ceremony and accompanied by various lewd comments pulled on his latex gloves and sorted it out, (the chain that is) assisted by Titch (well he works in a bike shop after all) - they then found two more suspect links which also needed fixing.  Kev advised Chris that if he bothered cleaning his bike and lubing his chain occasionally, he might find that he would go even faster – Sky will no doubt be in touch soon.

And so the return leg – led out at a challenging but just about manageable pace by Rouleur Jules – and the inevitable race through the Forest.  Pete tried to do a Cancellara, James followed, then Nigel and Chris chased with Kev and the other Chris on their wheel, and Kev did a Simon Gerrans at the end, for once timing it right and pipping Pete to the line by inches.  (I should add all of them had been sitting on the back all the way out from Two Mills, keeping their energy in reserve!)

And so home.  With us today were Nigel, Kev, Julian, Max, Woody, two Chris-es, Ben, new boy James,Titch and Pete.  Richard Munro, Rob, Paul and John Keen rode out with us but left us at the cafe.  Kevin and John Conboy were with us for part of the ride, Jed appeared at the start in his yellow Jedmobile, but then rode off the front at Crowton and unfortunately turned left up to Norley when we went straight on, so we missed him – sorry Jed! -and we met Vince with his son at the cafe.  Listing riders is a dangerous thing to do so if I’ve missed you off, please forgive me!

Now home and my lovely daughter is cooking my Mother’s Day dinner.  Life is good!

Posted by Eleanor.  Thanks to Titch for the photo

 

Off Road Ride Delamere Sat 17 Mar

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Ten of us set out from the station cafe in sunshine to climb up Pale Heights. From there into the woods beyond where Giles showed off his rocky drop-off technique.

He outdid Gareth in the lightweight bike stakes with his 21lb Hinde set up for the BC National Series.

Over to Primrose Wood for the first time in a while and we really enjoyed the change. Down Tirley Garth and the grind back up the Sandstone Trail to Summertrees. But no time for a brew, back into Primrose Wood before returning to the top of Pale Heights, Kev U in fighting form and giving Giles a run for his money. Time for a group photo (by which time we had lost Matthew and Derek to their work commitments).

After the obligatory Bacon & Egg Batch at the cafe, most headed home, but Gareth and I did another hour in Delamere before riding back along the Whitegate way. See you all again soon.

Off-Road Ride Sat 3rd March 2012

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From the Mam Tor car park eight of us set out in the rain and mist for what turned out to be a cracking day. Kev C had a fall on the rocky descent from Mam Tor and smashed his brake lever. Unwilling to continue without a rear brake, our resident engineers Matthew, Kev U and Richard (I think)  tested the theory that you can repair anything with cable ties – and yes you can, even the pivot bolt of a hydraulic brake lever. So we continued over Jagger’s Clough and the rocky descent to the Snake Pass. Here’s Derek making the most of it.

Derek
Enjoying the descent

 Straight across the Snake to climb up again and then another rocky descent to Derwent Reservoir. Along the road, past the information board explaining that this is where the Dambusters trained for the bombing of the German dams in WW2, to the visitor’s centre as the sun came out for bacon baps and coffee from the kiosk – delicious.

Under the Derwent dam to the east side of Ladybower resevoir and the very steep climb up the hillside before picking up the traverse to Whinstone Lee Tor. Here’s Eleanor with Ladybower in the background.

Smashing viewpoint this and then a long, flowing descent across the moor before a rockier section down to the pub on the A57 where we had a quick shandy in the sunshine. On over the Ladybower dam and up and over Wooler Knowl to descend into Hope. From here we climbed up the lane to Dirtlow Rake watching Tim disappear into the distance. This track eventually took us round to drop us out on the road a mile or so from the car park. Thanks for navigating Kev (and carrying Richard’s enormous jacket).

Llanberis – Day 2 continued…

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What a fantastic day.

After the gathering at the start, of eager(ish) souls all trying to still digest their breakfast, we waited for the go.

Whilst we were waiting, we were treated to up-close scrutiny of Kev’s nice new red (pink) handlebar tape.

Kev's handlebar tape

Which I believe is now for sale on the forum… (http://wvcc.roflforum.net/t954-free-pink-handlebar-tape)

As we patiently waited, we were also treated to a local circus act, comprising of the no-hands trackstand, from resident entertainer, Dave.

The crowd were enthralled…

Setting off only to a slight chill, we were treated to the initial ‘warm-up’ climb up to the Pen-Y-Pass car park. A slow ascent for me (Ady), had me chatting to Rob Dacey about how hard it was starting with such a climb. I tapped past him in my granny gear, reserved only for Mow Cop normally.

Clearly inspired, Rob then freewheeled past me up hill, sandwiched between us riders and Graham’s van. It’s a mystery to me how he did this, even now… ;)

Things got very quickly better for our group (the grupetto), as we tapped along the road to the junction near the cafe, then descended quickly to Betwys y Coed. A steady climb out, and we were on the A5 hammering towards Cerrigydrudion, ready for our trip through the Clocaenog forest.

Some of us even looked happy(?)

Over the A5105 had us enjoying some of the best road cycling you could possibly get, in fantastic weather, cool, only a light breeze, bright sunshine, challenging climbs and fast descents. Inspiring.

Speaking of descents, as we approached Ruthin, the descent is someting to be savoured, and Kev, Eleanor, Ewart and me did indeed savour a fanastically fast descent to the town, vocally enhanced by Eleanor’s evil laugh at having dropped Andy on the descent(!)

The cafe saw the entire group in a feeding frenzy, and joined by Craig and the the Sunday run who came out to meet us.

After lunch, we pushed the pedal hard up the hill and re-grouped at the Clwyd Gate, before the inevitable dash back through Loggerheads. This saw the inevitable splits.

Even the grupetto got a bit of speed on after Loggerheads, and after it slowed, enoyed a more leisurely (?) pace through the lanes, and back through Kinnerton, Chester, through Delamere, where the only delay was the rest of the group waiting for me, dropping my gloves twice from my back pocket.

Those of us who arrived back at Moss Farm felt a sense of achievement and relief!

A cracking weekend was had by all, and a group thanks must go to Graham for his expert organisation and support, and to Graham, Ann, Steve, Caroline, Elaine, Lyndsey and Dave Hinde for their tireless support vehicle work!

Team Townend Pushbike Challenge 2012

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28th April 2012

The Team Townend Pushbike Challenge is a cycling event in memory of Christian and Niggy Townend, honouring them in the way they both would have appreciated.
The aims of the day are to raise money for charity, challenge yourself, enjoy cycling and remember Christian and Niggy.
There are two routes, both on road and both challenging, but one longer route at approximately 40 miles for the more experienced cyclists or anyone who wants to really push themselves and a shorter one coming in at approximately 22 miles. Both courses would start and finish at Loweswater village hall, near Cockermouth and Keswick, Cumbria.
In the spirit of the event we want as many people to challenge themselves and have a go. As you would expect (if you’ve ever been for a ride with Christian or Niggy) the route is a challenging route over some of the most difficult roads in the country (the boys wouldn’t have it any other way!)
To enter or for more info go to… http://www.teamtownend.org/

..and we’re here!

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Well, the field arrived at various different times, all on one piece.

Now at dinner, with an excellent looking menu.

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All went well on the ride, with most needing no assistance from a ride in the van.
There was one reported incident, as yet unconfirmed by evidence, of a rider holding on to Dave Hinde’s van for a tow, shouting “This is how it’s done!”

If you have any information about this rider, and can identify him from the photo below, or decode his name from J*n C**b*y, please let us know. We’d like to talk to him.

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