Way of the Roses - by Brommie!

[middleagecyclist]

I rode the Way of the Roses the weekend just gone. 176 miles over four days all told. No one day any longer than 55 miles (although that day did include the Settle to Airton hump and climb over Nidderdale Moor).

I planned it to be a moderate paced ride as my non cycling nephews and my occasional cyle commuting brother in law were joining me for the trip. It was a good job as well as two days before the ride I got side swiped by a motorist not stopping at a give way and driving into my rear wheel sending me to the tarmac - ouch! Despite the copious painkillers I was popping I was still glad I could afford to take it easy.

Anyway, the person who really pushed themselves was my brother in law. He decided to undertake the ride with no training having done just two commuting miles in the previous month and to ride it on his Brommie. Well when I say ride I really mean ride/push.

Well done Andy! Same time next year?

 

[Aushiker]

Nice effort. More photos or a journal somewhere?

Andrew

 

[Skegness MLCCC ladies]

Well done. We've got a group of ladies planning the ride for next June, hopefully in the three days that they recommend, but we would appreciate any tips or advice that is going. Being ladies, we don't like changing tubes etc, so we want to avoid all of these rough tracks I've heard about!!

 

[ColinJ]

Well done. We've got a group of ladies planning the ride for next June, hopefully in the three days that they recommend, but we would appreciate any tips or advice that is going. Being ladies, we don't like changing tubes etc, so we want to avoid all of these rough tracks I've heard about!!

You might not like changing tubes etc., nobody does, but presumably you would be able to if you had to? Even if you stick to the smoothest of roads, I'd be surprised if you didn't get several punctures between you over that kind of distance. In some of the more remote locations you could be a long way from a bike shop or a taxi when it happens, and I wouldn't even count on a mobile signal, so be prepared!

Practice fixing punctures at home in the warm and dry so you don't potentially have to try and work out how to do it at the roadside in the cold and wet of a high Dales hilltop! I'd also suggest that you carry a chain tool and know how to use it to repair a broken chain.

It's a nice route - have fun!

 

[Skegness MLCCC ladies]

Oh, I'm well practised at fixing/changing tubes, but I don't want to do everyone else's! Think I might have to give a few lessons before we go.

Really looking forward to the route though, and I'm sure we'll have a great time.

 

[ColinJ]

Oh, I'm well practised at fixing/changing tubes, but I don't want to do everyone else's! Think I might have to give a few lessons before we go.

If you want to avoid being the 'designated mechanic' for the ride. then that sounds like a good idea!

 

[Brommyboy]

Brommies are great for touring and so easy on the train! My avatar is of me cycling up the Applecross Pass, on a camping tour of the Highlands.