ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I saw Svendo and andy_wrx at the start and they rode off, probably not to be seen again today.
I met up with Alun, battered and zacklaws and we (eventually!) set off together. Several things were immediately apparent:
By the time we got to Mereclough, we had a decision to make:
We chose option 3!
I know it might sound wimpish, but conditions were really awful and we were riding very slowly. It was obvious that we'd really be struggling later. A puncture or other mechanical problem would have been seriously unpleasant.
We headed down to the A646 and followed it back to event HQ in Hebden Bridge.
The river was getting very high and riders coming in after us told us that it had by then flooded the road. The flood warning siren was sounding in Hebden Bridge itself. From the upper floor HQ, we watched the river water level rising. Whole trees had been washed into the river and smashed into several pieces - it was quite spectacular!
We hung around for a while, trying to warm up, chatting, and attacking the post-ride catering, for once before the fast riders got back.
Just before we left, Svendo arrived back, looking fresh and cheerful, total time including stops about 5 hrs 20 minutes. Oh, to be young and fit like that!
I think we did the right thing. We gave it a go, but it wasn't for us today. Big respect to those riders who went ahead and did the whole route!
Now then - Alun, battered and I still fancy tackling the route, only in better weather consitions so we are proposing to do it either Sunday 10th October, or if the weather is bad then, put it back to Sunday 17th. If you fancy joining us, take a look at the new thread - here
I met up with Alun, battered and zacklaws and we (eventually!) set off together. Several things were immediately apparent:
- Zack's training has obviously paid off. He had no problem whizzing off ahead of us on the climb to Heptonstall.
- The rest of us were riding slowly even early on, and would only slow down more as the route got tougher.
- It was wet. Very wet. Even wetter than that! We were going to have hours and hours of that water torture!
By the time we got to Mereclough, we had a decision to make:
- Continue on our way and complete the ride as planned.
- Switch to the shorter Mellow Fruitfulness route.
- Accept that we weren't enjoying ourselves, couldn't even see where we were going, were soaked to the skin and getting colder by the minute so it would make sense to cut our losses and head back to Hebden Bridge.
We chose option 3!
I know it might sound wimpish, but conditions were really awful and we were riding very slowly. It was obvious that we'd really be struggling later. A puncture or other mechanical problem would have been seriously unpleasant.
We headed down to the A646 and followed it back to event HQ in Hebden Bridge.
The river was getting very high and riders coming in after us told us that it had by then flooded the road. The flood warning siren was sounding in Hebden Bridge itself. From the upper floor HQ, we watched the river water level rising. Whole trees had been washed into the river and smashed into several pieces - it was quite spectacular!
We hung around for a while, trying to warm up, chatting, and attacking the post-ride catering, for once before the fast riders got back.
Just before we left, Svendo arrived back, looking fresh and cheerful, total time including stops about 5 hrs 20 minutes. Oh, to be young and fit like that!
I think we did the right thing. We gave it a go, but it wasn't for us today. Big respect to those riders who went ahead and did the whole route!
Now then - Alun, battered and I still fancy tackling the route, only in better weather consitions so we are proposing to do it either Sunday 10th October, or if the weather is bad then, put it back to Sunday 17th. If you fancy joining us, take a look at the new thread - here