Forum ride from Hebden Bridge, Sat 22nd Oct 2022, 52 km (33 miles)

[Julia9054]

Hope the weather isn’t doing what it was doing today. The rain in Harrogate was biblical

 

[ColinJ]

Hope the weather isn’t doing what it was doing today. The rain in Harrogate was biblical

The same here, but fortunately...

 

[ColinJ]

PS That does mean that we are likely to get the usual cross/headwind on the top half of the Cragg Vale climb!

 

[Sea of vapours]

PS That does mean that we are likely to get the usual cross/headwind on the top half of the Cragg Vale climb!

And there I was, choosing not to point out that that famously long, gentle climb is pretty much directly into the wind for added fun

 

[Vantage]

I'll be keeping a beady eye on you lot. I better not catch anyone trying to hitch a tow rope onto my bike!

 

[ColinJ]

I'll be keeping a beady eye on you lot. I better not catch anyone trying to hitch a tow rope onto my bike!

That's the only way that I would do 25 km/hr uphill!

And there I was, choosing not to point out that that famously long, gentle climb is pretty much directly into the wind for added fun

The only toughish part of the climb is a few hundred metres at around 8-9% halfway up. The rest of it is more like 2-4% and it averages only 3.4%. That cross/headwind has often been harder to cope with than the gradient. I did the climb on a horribly windy day once and it took me over a hour, more than double my usual time.

I once had such a freak headwind when going in the opposite direction that I had to stand and use my lowest gear to get down to Cragg Vale!

 

[Sea of vapours]

That cross/headwind has often been harder to cope with than the gradient.

Well quite. That was my point. It's verging on flat most of the way up !

 

[ColinJ]

Well quite. That was my point. It's verging on flat most of the way up !

It was my tourist guide in case any of the others hadn't done it yet!

 

[Domus]

The pros would call it a false flat. ie a hill.

 

[Jameshow]

I'm coming guys!

Got the ok!

 

[ColinJ]

I'm coming guys!

Got the ok!

Great!

I will bring the Rolls saddle for you and @colly to rock/paper/scissors over!

Is anybody interested in a very skinny saddle (another Selle San Marco, but I don't know what type)? It is lightweight and narrow, no cutout, and would no doubt be comfortable for the right person, but it is too narrow for my sit bones.

I replaced the freehub on my bike ready for this ride. It should be fine but I am going to nip out for a quick test today to make sure.

 

[T4tomo]

I'll be keeping a beady eye on you lot. I better not catch anyone trying to hitch a tow rope onto my bike!

I think its protocol on a long gentle climb into a headwind for anyone electric powered to sit on the front for the entire climb at a suitable speed to tow the entire bunch up. Same for a tandem going down a long gentle incline. Its just the rules....

 

[ColinJ]

I think its protocol on a long gentle climb into a headwind for anyone electric powered to sit on the front for the entire climb at a suitable speed to tow the entire bunch up. Same for a tandem going down a long gentle incline. Its just the rules....

If the wind does its usual thing then we would need to form an echelon with @Vantage scraping the verge on the right hand side of the road!

 

[si_c]

If the wind does its usual thing then we would need to form an echelon with @Vantage scraping the verge on the right hand side of the road!

Sounds like you're saying he's fat.....

 

[GuyBoden]

Looking forward to the ride, I hope it's sunny as predicted, the views will be fantastic, so I could be stopping for plenty of sight seeing (or getting my breath back).

I'll be using my 24-34-44 triple with 12-42 cassette, the 24 front and 42 sprocket will be seeing some use if it's steep or I get tired. I'm bringing my GPS along, so you won't need to wait for me.