CC Manchester Ride to Long Hill National Hill Climb Champs - Sun 30th October

[400bhp]

Route will be:-

Hazel Grove - Torkington Lane, back lanes towards High Lane, pop over A6 then down via Davenport Golf Club (Poynton) then via the back of Lyme Park, Potts Shrigley, Brickworks, left down hill, then right up Windgather, down Pyms chair into Goyt Valley, then up Goyts lane.

If I'm on my own might just head straight over via the A6 The event will be a little over two hours - starts at 10am - first one up will take a little over 20 mins, so finish at 12.30 ish. Planning to go near the finish. Remember to bring a race cape as a minimum as it might get cold hanging about.

Starts at 11 am foss - see here

http://www.buxtoncc.org.uk/events/HC_National_Start_List.html

 

[fossyant]

Bonus ! Although clocks forward.

 

[ColinJ]

Bonus ! Although clocks forward.

Spring forward, Fall (Autumn) back!

 

[fossyant]

Spring forward, Fall (Autumn) back!

Two extra hours. Brain a bit fussled after the pain drugs...

 

[totallyfixed]

For anyone who is not familiar with Long Hill, here is a video going up it from a motorbike perspective, the start of the hill climb is actually where the video begins http://www.youtube.c...feature=related. The big lay-by about half way is at 2' 32s and the finish is the small unsurfaced lay-by at 5' 05s just after the 4x4 overtake and just a short distance down from the Goyt Valley turn.
Spent about 4 hours today getting the bike sorted with the right wheels, tyres and tubes, she is still at a disadvantage compared with some of the other ladies regarding equipment and training time too. Blimey I wish I hadn't seen that video clip now, the hill seems to get longer every time I see it
There are usually plenty of cakes and drink for all to buy at the HQ. Please bring something windproof to wear if you are coming.

 

[fossyant]

As long as you aren't drilling seat posts and the like you'll be fine. My old clubmate used to do this to his hill climb bike.

 

[totallyfixed]

They still do that! We made a bigger mistake tonight though, we looked at the form of the other ladies in the race...

 

[ColinJ]

They still do that! We made a bigger mistake tonight though, we looked at the form of the other ladies in the race...

Get someone to distract them and while they aren't watching, fill their tyres with water?

 

[totallyfixed]

Excellent idea Colin, you volunteering?
For those riding over to watch, Helen will be wearing No 39, and as it's a national the competitors normally wear them on their arms/left arm, however she is easily recognised by her club colours, light blue and black, most distinctive will be the black cycling cap with an orange stripe down the centre worn back to front and the grimace smile on her face.
Difficult one for me, still not sure whether I will be riding up 15 mins ahead of her start time or risking driving up so I can be at the start with her. Doubt there will be any car space on the hill. I aim to get to the lay-by about 400m from the finish, I think it is the first one you come to going down that is properly surfaced. It's at this point that shouts of encouragement can make a difference. Do I sound nervous

 

[potsy]

Good luck Helen, hope she gets plenty of encouragement and does well.
I will be having an altogether easier ride on the Trans pennine trail, hill free

 

[fossyant]

As it looks like it's just me, I'll head off on my own and hopefully get near to the finish - a few hundred yards before.

 

[longers]

I didn't take any photo's but did shout a bit. Helen looked to be going very well (was stood just after the big hairpin).

Top ten?

 

[fossyant]

Helen / Steve - very sorry I couldn't make it in the end - must have been Longers shouting (my phone has been off as I've been under the sink all day)

I'd had a sleepless night with my shoulder again, and unfortunately got an ear roasting first thing this morning concerning the kitchen sink/tap (wife hates the sink and the taps drip, but she's currently got carpel tunnel, so can't turn the taps off.

So I've just spent the whole day going for a new sink and taps and re-plumbing everything - my shoulder is a right mess now. Anyway I am still here, and I've not been disposed of by the missus.

Hope Helen did well. Let us know when you get back home and on line.

 

[Svendo]

I got there today, set off 9.00am arrived just after 11am. Rode up to half way where David Harmon was doing commentary, found myself leading up a young fit rider who passed and I drafted up to half way, I let him speed off whilst pretending I was stopping anyway! Stopped there for a while then went up to just after the finish. Hung around there for a bit, met a bloke from near Bakewell on another Storck. Then went back down to the commentary lay-by for the later riders to see the big names go past. Nice big cheer for Rob Hayles in his last professional appearance, who turned and waved! Watched Michael Hutchence , Jim Dobbin, Richard Handley, Matt Clinton et al. go by.

Set off back down hill and caught up to Dr. Hutch on the way, I guarantee the only time I'll catch a rider of his caliber. followed him into HQ (coincidentally, not in a stalky way). Saw Hutch showing off his new Specialised Shiv to Sarah Storey and others. There was apparently some discussion over the lagality of some aspect of his handlebar setup.

Decided to head off home, lovely weather and a tail wind, just clicked over 75 miles for the day when I got back to SWBO's in Todmorden.

 

[fossyant]

3-1 or not is fine in the UK on TT's.. Hutch knows that. And all the UK ?TT'ers know that.

Sarah Storey is seriously quick and a mate of mine has seen her climbing Brickworks very rapidly - her hand disability being not an issue.

Gutted not having gone out, but home harmony won the day.