Rutland Cycling Club, Sheffield

The Saturday Tea Cake run

The ‘Tea-cake’ run is usually about 40 miles leaving Sheffield at around 9:15 and arrives at The Hathersage Baths Cafe in Hathersage at about 11:00 then returns straight back to Sheffield for between 12 and 1pm.

The Tea Cake starts at
time: 9.00 – 9:15 am
meet: junction of Ecclesall Road South / Bents Road (near Parkhead)
click here to view map of meeting place: streetmap website
click here to view map of the route: www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Teacake-Run

The route is generally up to Fox House, down Froggatt, Baslow, Pilsley, Ashford, Monsal Head, down Monsal, up Cressbrook, Litton, Tideswell, Bradwell and then Hope but this can vary a little depending on the weather and time of year.

What is the teacake ??? Well I think this article by Tug (a teacake regular) just about sums it up…

The Teacake- Stay On Or Die Trying
January 22nd, 2007
Hello everybody, el-captain here, just thought I would write a few words about the world famous Teacake run to let newcomers know what its all about and remind the regulars what it should be about. I’d like to start out by saying that despite a reputation of our attitude to new riders who dare to venture out with us how impressive the turn out has been this year with plenty of new and old riders putting in appearances.Previously a male dominated event these last few months have seen women venturing out with us, yes that’s right, thus proving the teacake run is indiscriminate, as no matter what sex, age, or race we will try equally hard to drop you, but we will wait, well sometimes! Thanks to the persistence of Dave Baillie and co we are also beginning to form a youth squad to hopefully take over the antle in future years. The problem with kids though is that they grow up and drop you, so be warned what goes around comes around.

Having survived over 10 years of Tea Cake runs, I would like to say how re-assuring it is that not much has changed, ok the bikes have got lighter, the cost of a cup of tea has rocketed. Apart from that though the Teacake is a well-rehearsed routine, like a religion, except its real. I know that no matter how drunk I get on a Friday night if I can get out of bed and up to the meet on time Ill get battered around the peaks get to Castleton Café drink a gallon of tea, eat a butter soaked teacake whilst discussing all the relevant topics and sharing a few jokes. Then hangovers gone, sins forgiven re-grouped and rested we re-commence the race home and still get back for lunch.

In fact I would say that the best part of the ride is the social aspect as when we have done the wacky races bit on the way to the café, everyone can re-group and get there breath back (in most cases). However for the first time I can remember more people are riding straight home instead of going to church, sorry the café which is worrying really as the social side to a ride will suffer. I would like to think that over the years we have managed to keep a balancing act between an all out race and a social ride, often due to small sacrifices made on all sides.

A word to all the people who do not stop at the café however, just because your not there doesn’t mean that we wont be slagging you off!

All The best

2010 Sunday Runs

As the racing season gets under way numbers on the the Sunday run start to dwindle so until further notice, the meeting place will be the same as the Saturday Tea Cake; 9am Bents Road destination to be decided on the day.

Tuesday Night Chain Gang 2010
The chain gang departs from the Norfolk Arms pub at quarter past six every Tuesday.
The route will probably vary as light increases but to start with it’s up Ringinglow Road before dropping down onto Suprise and then on into Hathersage. From there it will be through and off down the valley to Castleton and back. Then down to Grindleford and for the brave an extension down to Baslow before going back up Froggatt. There may be an extension later in the year up the thirteen bends.

If anyone wants more details email Danny Lowthorpe at doonbar@gmail.com.