A LONG TIME IN THE SADDLE

Well after my disaster on Thursday's ride the weather was again good on Friday so i thought what the hell. Round 2.
I was going to do the same route which would take in the climbs of Holme Moss then Snake Pass and then on to a series off climbs which are called the Strines. I have done this route a few times before but not since i have moved which would probably add another hour to the ride.
My food for the ride would consist of 2 bidons with water in a banana and 2 slices of flap jack. I had some money on me so i can stop and get a can of coke and a mars bar.

So i managed to get to the top of Holme Moss today with out any punctures so things were looking good for the rest of the ride. The was no wind going up the moss which always makes it a lot easier to climb. For some reason it is not a climb i like i just can not seem to get into a good rhythm on the climb.

So i quick decent down the other side. I hit just over 75kph and this was on the winter bike. On in to Glossop and then to the base of one of my favorite climbs. Snake Pass is over 6km but the surface is excellent and the way it snakes it self up the climb just makes it feel like you are on a grand tour climb. Glossop Kinder Velo run a hill climb on the Snake at this year it is on the 4th September. Last year it had about 30 entrants and was run on a dry but very windy day. The winner over the last few years was James Dobbin who also holds the record on the climb.

So with the two main climbs out of the way its was a lovely run down to the Ladybower Reservoirs. It was here that i picked up a can of coke and a mars bar up from a roadside cafe. As soon as these were down it was on my way again to start the strines.

As i started on the Strines Moor it was straight into a head wind which was a bit depressing. I seemed to remember that this was the harder way to tackle the climbs but after the first it seemed they would be easier. They might be longer this way but not as steep as coming from the opposite way. But i knew that the hardest climb was still to come and i wasn't looking forward to it. The back was starting to hurt a little after having to walk down hill for about an hour on Thursday whilst wearing my cycling shoes.

AS you can see from the photo above this is the second half of the next to last climb on the strines. Some people may say that this is the last climb but there is still a small one after this. The 1st half of the climb you can not see as it is below the farm. Well this was tough. The legs were starting to feel it by know and the first half of the climb was covered in mud dropped by a tractor but as you break out of the tree's into the sunlight you can see a little light at the end of the tunnel. The last 100meters is hard but you seen to speed up as you know the top is near.

So the last hard climb on the strines and its 25% is completed so know i was on my way home. Only a few small climbs left on my route home but the last climb up to my house is 12% and after a long ride it just saps the last of your energy.

So i had 5hrs 24mins in the saddle with 123km covered with a speed of 22.7kph so today's ride was just a leg spinner on the rollers.

DAYS ON THE BIKE I HATE

It started of so good. The sun was out and i had started what was ment to be a 5hour ride over some of the best climbs i know. Just at the top of Holme Moss i noticed i slow puncture. Puncture fixed and off i went only to find i was riding on the rim at 60kmph. I must of missed a bit of the shared of metal that i pulled out of the tyre after the first puncture. 2 hours later i finnally made it home. So a roller session later to make up for the lack of miles.

Maybe the moral of the story is make sure you have more than 1 spare tube with you.

Frustrated Again

Well after my last post i have picked up another cold. My third of the winter. I would like to say it is because i am over training but i haven't had more than 3 weeks on the bike in a row all winter before i have got another cold. This one is more frustrating than the last 2 as i thought i was just starting to get my cycling legs back after a very busy winter renovating my new house and all the things that go with that.

I even had to miss the Huddersfield Star Wheelers presentation night on Saturday as i was on night's at work. By all accounts it was a fun night with one of the boys bringing a Watt bike so they could have a competition to see who was the quickest over 250m. Even tho i didn't go i did have a busy time collecting all the trophy's and getting them engraved with all the 2010 winners. Below is a list of the winners and a photo of a selection of the trophy that we give out.

Mens Road Club Run Point's Champion Paul Smith
Ladies Road Club Run Points Champion Dawn Hartley
Mens Mountain Bike Club Run Champion Ian Colley
Ladies Mountain Bike Club Run Champion S Brook
Freewheel Champion Paul Smith
Junior FreeWheel Champion Elliot Smith
Road Race Champion Ivan Boyes
Track Champion Ivan Boyes
Hill Climb Champion Andrew Pearson
Most Active New Member Dawn Hartley
10 Mile TT Champion Mark Thaxter
25 Mile TT Champion Mark Thaxter
50 Mile TT Champion Mark Thaxter
Short Course BAR Mark Thaxter
Cyclocross Champion Graham Piccavey
Veterans Champion Graham Piccavey
Mountain Bike Race Champion Graham Piccavey
2Up TT Mark Thaxter/Tom Broadbent
Crasher Cup Nico Tanis
Under 12 Boys Alex Bailey
Under 12 Girls Ruby Boyes
Service To Club David Gavin

So of course my main aim for this year is again to win the Hill Climb trophy which would make it 3 time in a row but i know this year will be harder than ever.

Climb in focus

SOUTH LANE (HOLMFIRTH)

This is a climb that i have only found recently even tho i ride around the Holmfirth area all the time. It was out on a ride with Freddie from Race Scene when i first went up it and i have to say that after a few hours of a hilly ride this hill took it out of me.

The climb starts very steep at about 20% and this just saps the legs right away. It is a single lane road so you do have to keep your eyes open for cars coming down if you are starting to weave a bit. The climb lasts for about 0.7km before it starts to flatten off and this is were i would say the climb ends. It doesn't drop below 10% all the way up so it is a leg stinger all the way and if it's wet then wheel spin can be a problem.

 To find the climb then you need to be at the main crossroads in Holmfirth town centre with the junction of Station Road and Dunford Road and you need to take Dunford Road but as soon as you are on it then the first left turning is South Lane. I hope you enjoy the climb.

Last Of The Summer Wine

A few photo's from my rather hilly ride around the pleasent hills of Holmfirth

CLIMB OF THE WEEK

As of next week i will be documenting a climb every week that i take in on my training rides. I hope to bring you some of the more famous climbs in the area and also some unknown gems. The climb can be any length and any gradient but has to have that little something that makes it special. So i hope you all enjoy reading over the coming weeks and find some climbs that you have forgotten about or never knew were even on your doorstep.

2011 GOALS

Well it's been over a month since my last post due to Internet problems. I have only just started training after the festive 500 due to catching another cold so it is early days.

I have only two modest goals this year as i am focusing only on hill climbs. My 1st is to retain the Huddersfield Star Wheelers Club Hill climb trophy and then to finish in the top 50 at the national hill climb championship at the end of October. They are only modest goals but that's my aim so fingers crossed that i hit my peak in the month of October.

The first 8 weeks of training will consist of 3 endurance rides, 2 strength session's on the bike and a shorter fast paced endurance session. I will let you know how i am going after the first 8 weeks.