Rutland CC Hill Climb Results

…although I think the entry fee might be a bit steep!

L’Eroica Britannia launched

Start sheet is here:Rutland CC Hill Climb start sheet 2013

October but still sunny and warm.  12 riders turned up for the Sunday club run to the Monsal hill climb.  Dave had a puncture but we still managed to leave more or less on time and once over the initial confusion about what way to go headed up over Ringinglow and down Jaggers.  Picked up 3 more before Hathersage so by the time we were climbing Abney we were 15 strong.

Four of us went straight over Longstone Edge arriving for the start of the race while the other 11 took an extra loop through Miller’s Dale.  Excellent performances by Rutland members at the hill climb.  Liz kicked it off in style with a great ride, she’s getting faster every year.

Darren then finished it off with a stunning ride, knocking all the other vets for 6 to win the vets prize.  If you want to what you need to do to win a hill climb just check out the grimacing.  This is seriously scary.  If he’d been about during the Battle of Stalingrad it would have been over in a day.  Both sides would have given in.

For the ride home we picked up a load more riders.  Sally led us all the way over Longstone Edge then up over Bretton to Hathersage, burned me out on Longstone so had to send Dave up front to keep her company.  Sat in the sun for a bit taking advantage of what might be the last day of summer then one last big climb up Jaggers.  As Pops used to sing

“What a wonderful world”.

First Sunday in October is the 6th, same day as the Monsal Hill Climb.  I haven’t seen the start list yet but we have a fair few Rutland and Langsett riders entered.

Plan so far is to meet at the teacake start for a 9:15 depart and take a winding way to Monsal in time for the first of our riders to blast up the hill and be sick.  Head off to a cafe afterwards, probably Flagg, then back home for about 3:00 – 3:30.

Bring you own klaxon, cowbell, vuvuzela to add to the noise.

See you there.  More fun to miss the Saturday teacake and get out on this, specially if Kippy does this to himself again…

Having been battered all the way up Froggatt by Darren last night on his lovely shiny new bike, I can tell you quite a bit! But in this video, Dan Lloyd gets all scientific and tells us the actual difference in watts. Take note Tony and Thom, he’s basically saying, you would kick everyone’s arse if you traded up the steel for Carbon!

So where were you all?

Races, holidays, hangovers meant only 5 of us up for this months club run. Aside from me we had Thom, Gav, Richard and new member Keith who made his first ride a 90 miler!

Once we got to the other side of Holmfirth only Richard knew where we were and once on the other side of Marsden we were well into ‘there be dragons’ territory.

Stopped at the veg shop in Marsden for a fuel up of bananas and flapjacks before climbing up Marsden Lane with it’s average 17% gradient. Thom had to walk, not because of feebleness on his part but due to chain slipping. Only pride prevented me stopping on the last half cobbled bit that I think rears up to about 25%.

No takers for the free cake challenge, never thought there would be.

Once up the hill out of the Colne valley we crossed under and over the M62 with another 17% average ramp before a really long drag up and over to Delph in a strength sapping headwind. Then at Delph we were in a time warp, old back room cafe, Frank Sinatra on the radio and then a load of American WW2 vehicles drove past. Seemingly they made the film “Yanks” there so have an American themed WW2 thing now every year.

This meant the road down to Uppermill and Greenfield was pretty busy. Adolf Hitler was supposed to be there but we never came across him.

Tailwind at last up Saddleworth Moor and then that wonderful descent to Holmfirth.

Back through Penistone and up over Fox hill to Hillsborough. About 78 miles back to Hillsborough so not a bad estimate. Dave Baillie and Tony Sweeney take note.

Just before I got home I got passed by the same motorist 3 times as he stopped and then overtook me. First time he said my legs were the most amazing he’d ever seen! Second time has asked if I wanted a massage then when I declined he asked if he could just feel them!!! Not sure what he said the last time as I just waved and turned off Abbeydale Road to come home.

Pretty stuffed now. 92.5 miles, 2000+ metres of climbing, my moving speed about 15 mph. The rest were quicker but had to wait for me on some hills.

Roll on September.  The rest of you – get out of bed on a Sunday.

Sunday Club Run – August 11^th

The monthly club run can’t be on the 1^st Sunday of August because that is Tumby’s road race and everyone not on holiday will be racing or marshalling.

So – the ride is bounced back a week to the 11^th.  Destination is Marsden and back over Saddleworth Moor.  Not been there before, now is your chance so take it. 

Made notorious in the sixties because of the Moors Murders it’s a pretty bleak place compared to the picturesque Peak District and well worth a day out.  Marsden is possibly even bleaker, archetypal grim up north mill town complete with dark satanic mills.

My plan is to ride out to Marsden via Holmfirth and then up over the moors north of Marsden before skirting round to Delph.  Make a cafe stop at Delph then over Saddleworth to Holmfirth before taking a different way back to Sheffield.

Meet at Butterworths in Hillsborough for a 9:15 depart.

Probably about 80 miles back to Hillsborough so a long day out but well worth it.

The climb out of Marsden is pretty brutal; steep, potholes, probably gravel and great views.  I’ll buy cake for anyone who does it in the big ring!  Anyone who falls off or puts their foot down trying to do it in the big ring must buy me a cake.

Ideal for the Valley boys to join in and Kippy, we’ll be going not far from your place on the way out.  You need to burn off those excess calories after lounging around in the Lake District.

Andy