Forum ride from Hebden Bridge to Waddington, Sun Jan 30th

[dan_bo]

Pottsy- the route isn't harsh at all- have a stab it'll be a laff!

 

[tubbycyclist]

I was out cycling last Friday in that neck of the woods - the road from Fence to Sabden was treacherous with black ice, and thick patches of ice that was wash off from farm tracks which had spread across the whole road. I ended up bailing and walking down through Higham to the main road from where it was OK to Whalley. I think it is supposed to get sub zero overnight again so I will show up for the main road version but I will skip the scenic route after that experience.

 

[ColinJ]

Okay - I've taken an executive decision (with Shaun's voice of reason ringing in my ears!) - we'll do the low level route!

There's plenty of time for the big hills later in the year when we are fitter and the weather is better. That steep descent after Widdop can be lethal in icy conditions because it never catches the sun at this time of year, and cold weather is forecast for the next few nights.

So we will meet in Hebden at 09:45, aiming to set off at 10:00 (details in original post).

I think that will be my best option if I do decide to come along. I'm only 50/50 at the minute, can you define 'not very hilly' please

Is it similar to the outward Blackpool route or flatter/ hillier?

Now that we are doing the valley roads - flatter. There are some hills but they shouldn't be a problem. Most of them are more drags at only about 2-3%, with just a couple of short, sharp ones each way.

Hey Colin,
I'm planning to be out on the bike on sunday so will aim to make my cafe stop in Waddy and say hi. Guessing you'll be there 12:30ish??
Andrew

Hi Andrew. Yes, I'd guess that we will be getting there at about that time. It might be a little earlier but we'll probably stop for the best part of an hour so we should overlap if you get there at 12:30.

 

[ColinJ]

I was out cycling last Friday in that neck of the woods - the road from Fence to Sabden was treacherous with black ice, and thick patches of ice that was wash off from farm tracks which had spread across the whole road. I ended up bailing and walking down through Higham to the main road from where it was OK to Whalley. I think it is supposed to get sub zero overnight again so I will show up for the main road version but I will skip the scenic route after that experience.

Ah, you beat me to it!

Even before reading Shaun's post, I was already going to scrap the high level route after seeing the forecast. I'd have wanted 4 or 5 mild days and nights to melt any ice before I'd have risked it.

 

[Calum]

So sorry guys but unfortunately i've just been made aware that i'm supposed to be down in Northampton on sunday for my cousin's 21st. Enjoy the ride and i'll see you all next time.

 

[ColinJ]

So sorry guys but unfortunately i've just been made aware that i'm supposed to be down in Northampton on sunday for my cousin's 21st. Enjoy the ride and i'll see you all next time.

Oh dear, this is how it started to go for the 14th November forum ride last year. I ended up doing it solo!

Have a nice time Calum, and maybe I'll see you for the mini-NWP in Feb?

 

[potsy]

Oh dear, this is how it started to go for the 14th November forum ride last year. I ended up doing it solo!

Have a nice time Calum, and maybe I'll see you for the mini-NWP in Feb?

How many 'definites' have you got Colin? I am hoping to make it, with your guarantee of a slightly less hilly ride and the promise of Shaun's to escort me back to HB if I'm flagging

Commute is a struggle but have got almost 250 miles under my belt this month now, speed is about 13mph though

 

[Globalti]

Oh dear! Would have loved to join you but I will be heading for the airport at 11.15 for 10 days away.

 

[dan_bo]

I'll be out for a few hours at least........see you there 10.00 AM!

 

[ColinJ]

How many 'definites' have you got Colin? I am hoping to make it, with your guarantee of a slightly less hilly ride and the promise of Shaun's to escort me back to HB if I'm flagging

I've given up on getting anything other than a quick ride round the block in before Sunday and that will only be to check my bike. I'll be doing the 57 miles with no riding done since November 20th!

Definites:

• ColinJ

• tubbycyclist

• dan_bo

Likely:

• potsy

• bromptonfb

Possibles somewhere along the way:

• Garz

• Hop3y

Saying hi at the cafe:

• Ajay

[I GIVE UP!!!!! This damn post editor will NOT display things the way I type them in! I either get stupid loads of blank lines inserted or everything gets crammed together. Heap of crap - aargh!]

Oh dear! Would have loved to join you but I will be heading for the airport at 11.15 for 10 days away.

Next time then? Have a nice time wherever it is that you are going. Africa again, perhaps?

I'll be out for a few hours at least........see you there 10.00 AM!

Aim for 09:45 if you can so we can get away at 10:00. We always seem to set off late on my rides! (We might be meeting people along the way and we don't want to keep them waiting.)

Hop3y - if you want to join us, why not meet us at the layby just after the Manchester Road traffic lights before we go down the hill (A646/Rossendale Road). ETA 11:10. If you don't want to hang about getting cold, you could ride towards us. There's no way we could miss you since it is one road from Todmorden.

 

[PaulB]

Right, I've got two possibles for you, possibly three. When you go across A6068 out of Padiham onto Whins Lane, Trapp Lane and Sabden Road bisect Whins Lane. What time will you be at those two points? We will appear for at least part of the ride from one of those intersections but that day happens to be my MiL's birthday and we have to be in a restaurant in Barrowford by three pm. This gives us some morning/noon/pm time but certainly rules out any cafe stop for us and we may have to cut things short if we gauge we'll be too late getting back. I'd turn up at the rest. in cycling gear and so would our Liam but his mother and my missis (one and the same person, uncanny!) says a firm 'no' to that idea. She's also not happy at us throwing some dry clothes on from the back of the car so time will be of the S Ns.

 

[potsy]

I'll be out for a few hours at least........see you there 10.00 AM!

Now I know Dan Bo is coming I'm a 'doubtful'

Naah should be OK for this now, had a rest day today but will get another commute in tomorra

 

[ColinJ]

Right, I've got two possibles for you, possibly three. When you go across A6068 out of Padiham onto Whins Lane, Trapp Lane and Sabden Road bisect Whins Lane.

Hi Paul.

I reckon we should be in Padiham by 11:30 and will call in at Spring Wood picnic centre at about 11:50. (I'm bound to want a pee stop there. It's old bladder syndrome!) so somewhere between those times along the lanes. It might be best to meet at Spring Wood though to be on the safe side. If there happens to be a lot of ice about, we might stick to the main road to avoid that steep descent after Read.

You could always meet us somewhere on the A646 to get some more miles in?

Let me know what you have decided and we'll watch out for you. I assume that you still have the same mobile number (ends in ... 459)?

 

[PaulB]

Hi Paul.

I reckon we should be in Padiham by 11:30 and will call in at Spring Wood picnic centre at about 11:50. (I'm bound to want a pee stop there. It's old bladder syndrome!) so somewhere between those times along the lanes. It might be best to meet at Spring Wood though to be on the safe side. If there happens to be a lot of ice about, we might stick to the main road to avoid that steep descent after Read.

You could always meet us somewhere on the A646 to get some more miles in?

Let me know what you have decided and we'll watch out for you. I assume that you still have the same mobile number (ends in ... 459)?

Aye, same mobile. The A646 is possible too. Let me go over the route and decide. The only thing possibly against that is where we live. Me Colne and Liam, Barrowford so we are east of your route until Whins Lane but let me check it again.

 

[dan_bo]

Now I know Dan Bo is coming I'm a 'doubtful'

Naah should be OK for this now, had a rest day today but will get another commute in tomorra

the touch of the Dan


Don't wanna push it Potts, but i'm riding out from failsworth at 8.30 (8.15 if you're joining me) and i'll do ya a brew.....