The near-monthly forum ride from Hebden Bridge to Waddington - Mon 2nd May

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ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
Sorry for the late posting of this thread but I seem to have lost a week somewhere! It was only potsy mentioning that the ride was going to be this coming Monday that made me realise how late in April we now are. Where has the time gone? :wacko:

Anyway ... the ride will be similar to the previous hillier version of our Waddington ride but I want us to take in another hill on the way out - the Nick o'Pendle! I gave you plenty of warning - I pointed it out on the last Waddington ride and threatened you with it! I seem to be the least fit rider on my rides these days so if I can do it, so can you!

We will follow the same route to Fence as last time but do a slightly less severe descent into Sabden this time. We will then climb over the tough little climb of the Nick, as used in years gone by for the National Hill Climb Championships, won there by Peter Graham in 1962, Malcolm Elliot in 1980 and one Chris Boardman in 1988. We will not be attempting to beat their times! Well, I won't be - you can sprint up the thing if you feel like it and I'll meet you at the top 5 minutes or so after you get up there ... ;)

It's a fast descent so watch out! There is a cattle grid to cross and sometimes sheep wander across the road. ALSO - we will be turning left for Pendleton about 2/3 of the way down so don't shoot past the turn and descend all the way to the A59! Let me go first and I'll stand at the junction.

I've never ridden the next stretch of road before and want to check it out. I aim to ride every lane in the area so this will be a couple more to cross off the list!

So, it will be Sabden, Nick o'Pendle, Pendleton, Wiswell, over the A59, then turn back under it to come into Whalley from a different direction to normal. After that we'll ride out through Mitton as usual.

For more variety, I'd like us to carry straight on where we normally turn right for Bashall Town. We'll climb up through Bashall Eaves, then loop back through Kitchens and past Colthurst Hall to join the B6478 just above Waddington for a quick plunge down to our cafe stop at the Country Kitchen cafe.

The return trip will be the same as the previous ride except that we'll go right at the end of the Padiham Greenway rather than left. That will avoid the cyclocross over the field! According to the satellite pictures, a few yards along the Leeds-Liverpool canal towpath should bring us out at the end of the tatty lane & cyclepath that takes us back to Rose Grove for our quick run home.

It's 104 km, or 64.6 miles for you old imperialists! It's quite a 'lumpy' route on the way out, much less so on the way back. Some of those lumps are very steep indeed (20+%), but you can always walk those if you prefer to. I'll be going up them at a slow walking pace anyway!

Nobody will be left behind, but you should be confident that you can tackle a hilly ride of this distance. It will be slow, slow, slow. Don't come along and complain about it being slow. IT WILL BE SLOW! (We won't be riding quickly ... ;))

We'll be aiming to set off at 10:00 so let's meet at Market Place car park, Hebden Bridge, at 09:45 (Map showing car park). It's on MONDAY this time folks!

The centre of Hebden Bridge is now pedestrianised and there is a one-way system. To get to the car park turn right up Commercial Street as you come into HB from the Halifax direction, second left after about 100 yards by the White Lion. Follow that road round over the river. The car park is then on your right.

If you are coming from the Todmorden direction, turn left down Old Gate (one way street) at the end of Market Street, just after the closed-down pub on your left. Follow the road round past the Hole in t'Wall. The car park is straight ahead on the right (not the first little one, the bigger one further on).

If anybody decides to turn up announced (it has happened before) make sure that you get to Market Place car park by 09:45 because we won't be hanging about once all those officially riding have gathered!

I reckon we will get back at between 17:00 and 1800. (Told you it would be slow!)

Route map on Bikely.Who would like to join us on Monday?

Rider List
  • ColinJ
  • potsy
  • Alun
  • Steve H
  • OldnSlow
 
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ColinJ

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
Perhaps everybody is leaving the country for the long weekend to avoid the Royal Wedding! :sad:
 

Steve H

Large Member
Unfortunately I'm going to be away on the Sunday so won't be able to join on this one. If take up is low and you want to consider moving to the Monday, I would be able to make this. Route sounds good!
 

potsy

Rambler
Location
My Armchair
I can do either day, in fact Monday would mean the car parking is free so more money for cake :tongue:

I do remember you pointing that hill out last time, I did my best not to look at it and just ignore you :biggrin:
 
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ColinJ

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
Count me out for this one, its my first day back at work after my months holiday. :sad: :sad: :sad:
It's a Sunday between 2 bank holidays! Mind you, you've been skiving during the early summer of 2011 so you can't complain ... ;)

Unfortunately I'm going to be away on the Sunday so won't be able to join on this one. If take up is low and you want to consider moving to the Monday, I would be able to make this. Route sounds good!
We'd probably lose more by moving to Monday than we'd gain but now's the time to say folks if that would be preferred?

I'll join you on Sunday, Colin. How many miles will it be?
It's 104 km or 64.6 miles.

Alun & potsy - could you manage Monday instead? If it is no for either of you, we'll stick to Sunday. If yes, we can move it to Monday to allow Steve to join us. I'm okay either day.
 
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ColinJ

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
I can do either day, in fact Monday would mean the car parking is free so more money for cake :tongue:
I can't keep up!

Okay - Alun, can you make it Monday?

Why would the car parking be free on bank holiday Monday? Hebden Bridge will be heaving with tourists so that would be a bad move by the council!

I do remember you pointing that hill out last time, I did my best not to look at it and just ignore you :biggrin:

How can you ignore this ... :eek:

nick-o-pendle-sabden.jpg
 

skudupnorth

Cycling Skoda lover
I'm on my way back from Wales :sad: so count me out of this one lads
 
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ColinJ

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
I'm on my way back from Wales :sad: so count me out of this one lads
Well, it's only 2 weeks after that to the Bowland ride. Have a nice time in Wales!

http://www.calderdal...wn=hebdenbridge

Charges apply Monday to Sunday except for Bank Holidays, most car parks do this IME.
How odd - no charge when the supply is weak and the demand is strong!

Oh, wait a minute - it is probably because the wardens would ask for double time to enforce the charges! It would probably cost more in wages than the council would make in charges.


To be fair to Alun let's see if he can do Monday, and if not keep it as planned on the Sunday.

Indeed. I want to firm up the date before we end up with half the people saying Monday and half Sunday - it has happened before!
 
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ColinJ

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
Edit- You could always do both days seeing as you're free :whistle:
I'm worried about surviving just the one!

TBH - my bum won't take two consecutive days of pounding. I sit very heavy on the saddle when I'm riding as slow as I do now and weighing what I do.

When you think about it - to ride more quickly, you have to put more effort in with your legs so they are bearing more of your body weight than when riding slowly. Imagine freewheeling - your legs have hardly any weight on them. Then imagine sprinting in the saddle as hard as you can - you'd almost be lifting yourself up out it. The difference in a*se comfort is very noticeable.

And of course, there is the actual extra weight of the lard to support ... ;)
 
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