Gaz Vickers
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Heywood, Lancashire
I posted in the Newbie section yesterday - I just thought i would elaborate abit more....
So i arranged to meet fellow CC'er Martin Archer, I told him my previous longest ride was 20 miles so he set about finding a 30 mile route, So he suggested we head over to Ripponden and back via Hollingworth Lake.
It appeared quite ''hilly'' on the internet when i had previewed the route but i thought it couldn't be that bad! Could it?
Well all started OK, I set off, it was brisk but the sun was rising so the weather was on our side. I met Martin in Rochdale (about 2miles from where i set off from) and was already knackered! The previous nights Wine was having an effect on my lungs!
anyway we had a quick chat then proceeded on our way. Martin set the pace from the front, a gentle pace thank god!
So we made it to Hollingworth Lake and stopped for a quick drink.....
For some reason i can't upload a file. So here are 2 photos from the Lake.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/83828499@N04/8109583673/sizes/l/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/83828499@N04/8109593926/sizes/l/in/photostream/
Anyway we then headed off again towards Blackstone Edge, As we exited Littleborough it become clear this was not a climb fit for a beginner on a Mountain Bike! Martin with more cycling experience was obviously the stronger rider but he stayed with me all the way up! and it was a bloody long way up!! We were passed numerous times by a lot of very friendly cyclists. Eventually we made the summit passing the White House pub and carried on, Then alas - Downhill
I needed this more than anything. So downhill we went and went and went...... Eventually reaching Ripponden centre. So we found a bench and stopped for a 10 minute breather!
Ripponden was a lovely little town, i suppose it helped being a very nice Sunny morning.
We re- mounted and headed where we had come from, then it hit me! All that downhill meant we now had to go back up! and to me this was very hard! It was steep from the off, although the way the 3 or 4 other cyclists passed us you wouldn't of thought it so steep! haha.
But we took out time - not by choice i must add, and eventually reached the top! I think this climb is up there with one of the hardest things i've ever done! i only just made it! We stopped at the White House whilst a gave my now very tender behind a much needed rest! i took this photo over looking Rochdale.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/83828499@N04/8109599738/sizes/l/in/photostream/
It was time to get back on saddle, Ouch!
Anyway the descent back to Littleborough was worth the effort getting up there!
The final few miles back home were proving a challenge, my legs by now were struggling, i was running low on energy but with Martins help i made it! Phew. Hard work but my god was it enjoyable!
A few lessons learnt - Eat well and sleep plenty the night before, Stock up on Gels or energy bars for during the ride and never try it again on a Mountain Bike with big fat knobbly tyres!!
Anyway i got home in one piece! And as i sit here the day after with aching Knees and very Tender back side i'm thinking was it worth it?! And yes it certainly was!
(I now need to convince the wife i need a Road Bike) This may prove to be my hardest challenge yet!
Cheers for reading. Gary
So i arranged to meet fellow CC'er Martin Archer, I told him my previous longest ride was 20 miles so he set about finding a 30 mile route, So he suggested we head over to Ripponden and back via Hollingworth Lake.
It appeared quite ''hilly'' on the internet when i had previewed the route but i thought it couldn't be that bad! Could it?
Well all started OK, I set off, it was brisk but the sun was rising so the weather was on our side. I met Martin in Rochdale (about 2miles from where i set off from) and was already knackered! The previous nights Wine was having an effect on my lungs!
anyway we had a quick chat then proceeded on our way. Martin set the pace from the front, a gentle pace thank god! So we made it to Hollingworth Lake and stopped for a quick drink.....
For some reason i can't upload a file. So here are 2 photos from the Lake.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/83828499@N04/8109583673/sizes/l/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/83828499@N04/8109593926/sizes/l/in/photostream/
Anyway we then headed off again towards Blackstone Edge, As we exited Littleborough it become clear this was not a climb fit for a beginner on a Mountain Bike! Martin with more cycling experience was obviously the stronger rider but he stayed with me all the way up! and it was a bloody long way up!! We were passed numerous times by a lot of very friendly cyclists. Eventually we made the summit passing the White House pub and carried on, Then alas - Downhill
I needed this more than anything. So downhill we went and went and went...... Eventually reaching Ripponden centre. So we found a bench and stopped for a 10 minute breather! Ripponden was a lovely little town, i suppose it helped being a very nice Sunny morning.
We re- mounted and headed where we had come from, then it hit me! All that downhill meant we now had to go back up! and to me this was very hard! It was steep from the off, although the way the 3 or 4 other cyclists passed us you wouldn't of thought it so steep! haha.
But we took out time - not by choice i must add, and eventually reached the top! I think this climb is up there with one of the hardest things i've ever done! i only just made it! We stopped at the White House whilst a gave my now very tender behind a much needed rest! i took this photo over looking Rochdale.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/83828499@N04/8109599738/sizes/l/in/photostream/
It was time to get back on saddle, Ouch!
Anyway the descent back to Littleborough was worth the effort getting up there!
The final few miles back home were proving a challenge, my legs by now were struggling, i was running low on energy but with Martins help i made it! Phew. Hard work but my god was it enjoyable!
A few lessons learnt - Eat well and sleep plenty the night before, Stock up on Gels or energy bars for during the ride and never try it again on a Mountain Bike with big fat knobbly tyres!!
Anyway i got home in one piece! And as i sit here the day after with aching Knees and very Tender back side i'm thinking was it worth it?! And yes it certainly was!
(I now need to convince the wife i need a Road Bike) This may prove to be my hardest challenge yet!
Cheers for reading. Gary
