Thursday 27 July 2017

New Runs list

runs list for August - October is here
also via website
Thanks Mike and all volunteer ride leaders!

The 3rd AUDAX / CHALLENGE Rides Sunday 13th August

Early warning so that you have time to sort out the routes and decide which one to do. As befits the3rd of these the rides are somewhat longer 100km, 100mi (160km) and 200km!


Details of the routes can be found here:


100km map (click to enlarge)
100km route instructions

Its generally better to download the instructions before printing





100mi map (click to enlarge)
100mi route instructions



Its generally better to download the instructions before printing





200km map (click to enlarge)
200km route instructions



Its generally better to download the instructions before printing



Please let me know by email if you are interested in doing one of the rides so we know roughly how many to expect. I quite understand if on the day when the weather is poor or something else comes up you might not be able to come but vague numbers would be helpful. I know that the CTC Birthday rides finish that weekend.

There are several blogs which people may have missed about the 2 previous events and you may like to look at those to get a better idea of what it's all about. Audax1Audax2, more info

Looking forward to seeing some of you out on the 13th August and a big thank you to Mike B for doing the 100km route.
Details of timings to follow but 08.00 start for the 200km route may be necessary!

Any problems with the information - give me a shout.

Monday 24 July 2017

Good luck Sarah and Martin!!

I will shortly be publishing our third and final Audax type challenge rides for 13th August but in the meantime I would like to draw your attention to a much more impressive event happening next weekend.

London Edinburgh London is one of Britain’s greatest cycling challenges. Run in conjunction with Audax UK it takes place every four years.  Riders go from London to Edinburgh and back in under five days. It’s not a race, but you have just over 100 hours to get back to London.

1436km long it has 11,128m of climbing

So Good luck to our members Sarah K  and Martin Y and  Martin's son Adam. May the weather be good and the roads smooth! 

Club Ride (2 bikes) Wednesday 26th July

This is the third blog concerning Wednesday so it would be a good idea to read the previous two before making up your mind.
The "two bike" ride will leave Dalston at 9.30 for an early coffee stop at Dirty Harry's Cafe (High Hesket), then on via Armathwaite for lunch at Talkin Tarn (where I'm sure there will be a pleasant micro-climate, despite the general forecast). Then return via Wetheral. Total distance 43 miles.

Coffee stop/self-led ride Wednesday 26 July

Thiefside is now shut; I blogged on 4 July to say we would meet at Up Front cafĂ© at Unthank instead. However, as Mike's ride is going to Dirty Harry's on the High Hesket Business Park on the A6, I am suggesting that as the coffee stop  meeting place this coming Wednesday. If you prefer to go to UpFront, you will still get a point for your attendance - as long as you let CJ know.
Best wishes,
Alison

Club ride (3 bike) - Wednesday 26th July CANCELLED

The forecast for Wednesday is - to put it mildly - not good!.   In view of that and the nature of the long ride into the Lake District, I have after consulting Mike, decided to cancel the ride.  

Mike will be putting a blog on about his '2 bike'  ride.   There will also be a blog about the alternative cafe stop.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) I intend to cycle the route I was intending to ride on Wednesday.     Obviously it  will not be a club run.   The forecast is good.   If anyone wants to join me I will be leaving Dalston car park at 9am.



Saturday 22 July 2017

moderate ride Sunday 23rd July

Post for Alison,as it is Nigel writing for her, but being by Nigel it is as faithful a recording of the directions given by Alison as he can manage, hopefully so successfully so that it can be said to be a post by Alison too.
Distances between likely breaks, 15 miles (to Sally's tearooms for 11s) 11 miles to Rockliffe (where the pub is open so that if the weather turns inclement soup and or sandwich might be obtained.  We had a coffee there today and were welcomed). 11 miles back to Sally's for tea / late lunch depending how timing etc is working out. 15 miles back to Lazonby.
The hardest climbs are in the last section, not just because you will have ridden a fair few miles before  you get there.  Alison asks that you do not blame us for this as we did not put the hills there.
Look forward to seeing people there.

Longer ride Sun 23 rd July



The ride will be : -

1. Start

Langholm ( # Riverside car park ) 09:30

# Note : - The car park should be open since the “ Langholm Common Riding “ is held on the last Fri of July ( 28 th ) – not as first I thought on Fri 21 st July.

2. Lunch

The House & Hound Bonchester Bridge ( Tel  01450 860 645 ). I phoned to confirm that they will be open at lunch time on Sunday.

3. Return

Via Whitrope and Newcastleton ( for Tea if required ) OR Whitrope, Hermitage and down the A7 back to Langholm.

The total distance with a Newcastleton return is about 60 miles ( 95 km ) with 5900 ft ( 1800 m ) of ascent.

Returning via Hermitage & the A7 adds a mile or two and but is slightly less hilly.

I hope the weather is kind to us and hope to see some riders at Langholm.

Tomorrow's moderate ride

This is the third of John Wilson's series following the River Eden Source to Sea. Meeting at Lazonby where the bridge crosses the river (there is a car park) we follow the roads along the west shores of the river, north to the sea at Rockcliffe and back down the east side. The weather may not be conducive to picnics, so although we will still have a picnic lunch (by the seaside) we are planning a late coffee and possibly an early tea at Sally's at Warwick Bridge. If people are daunted at the prospect of 53 miles or at the hills in the second part of the ride, you can either turn round at Warwick Bridge or go into Carlisle after lunch and catch the train back to Lazonby. Unfortunately the trains are not particularly timely; the 1259 departure is too early, the 1502 doesn't stop until Appleby and the 1700 means you will have time to while away in Carlisle, although Dallas offers hospitality for anyone favouring this option.
If there are any changes after we reccy the route today, we will blog later on.
Hope to see some of you tomorrow,
Alison

Tuesday 18 July 2017

Ride Wed 19th July is ON

Bill Oppenshaw will lead the ride tomorrow, from the same start, so ignore the last blog.
Thanks Bill.

Ride on Wed 19th July cancelled

Apologies, but due to back problems, I am unable to lead my ride tomorrow.

Monday 17 July 2017

Club Ride Wed 19th July

Wednesdays 3 bike ride meets at 9.30 at the Cemetery lay-by on Beacon Edge, Penrith and is heading for Grizedale forest visitor centre for lunch, or cafe in Hawkshead depending on the time, via the Kirkstone pass and the Windermere ferry. Return via Dunmail. You need some change for the ferry ticket machine. My favourite day out in the Lakes.

Wednesday 12 July 2017

Les' Ride Sunday 16th July

As advertised, rated 2.5 bikes ie steady touring & chatting pace! North via usual back lanes to Talkin, Brampton for lunch then meander back.

Start at our house in Ousby (arrive any time after 9 am but please not earlier) - which literally is a building site as we are in the process of a lounge extension! Any plumbers / joiners / electricians / plasterers in EV?

Or meet en route eg Renwick about 10 am or Talkin Tarn cafe for 11's.

Monday 10 July 2017

Ride from Kirkby Stephen Wednesday 12th

Published as a bit of a hill fest it's really not too bad and we will be keeping together at a sensible pace! The stats are 1970 m ascent (6460 ft) 108 km (68 mi) and (I think) a great route. We'll stop at Low Row or somewhere in Swaledale then at the Service station on the A66 (grass roof) then take the Lanes through to between Selset and Grassholme reservoirs and back via North Stainmore to Jen's for tea (Thanks Jen!)
GPX of route here

The route starts in Hartley because OS maps don't believe there is a connection between KS and Hartley but we will as usual meet in the car park and then the cloisters (outside the church in KS)  

Jen's Ride on Wednesday 12th July

Obviously you can park at Yew Tree House but I shall leave at 9.15 ready for Kirkby Stephen departure at 9.30 continue via tiny lanes to foot bridge over a ford (help needed please) then Crosby Garret, view of  Sunbiggin tarn aiming for 11's at Newbiggin. Continue via Fat Lamb for lunch/picnic at Farfield Mill then a gentle climb up Garsedale to the Moorcock, a few more hills before a great downhill via Mallerstang to Kirkby Stephen then teas at Jen's. Distance nearer to 45 than 40.

Any from Geoffs ride welcome to call for tea too

Sunday 9 July 2017

Ride on Friday 14th July

Some of you may be interested in a British Cycling Ride Social that I am organising on Friday 14th July. If you are at free on Friday have a look at ,
https://www.letsride.co.uk/rides/sunbiggin-tarn
To sign up you need to register with British Cycling which is free.
Phil Blanshard

Saturday 8 July 2017

Club ride Sunday 9th July

The ride is as advertised and should be approx 50-55 miles from Dalston. For those wanting a longer ride, we will be leaving Cotehill crossroads at 8.30 so look forward to seeing you at some point. Bank Mill cafe for lunch or the sand dunes! Undulating route with very few climbs. Steady pace.

Tuesday 4 July 2017

Club Ride Wednesday, 5th July

Annan 9.30 a.m., all as per published runs list. Grade is 2/3, i.e.. more than 50 miles, but at a steady 'touring' pace. Weather forecast is much better than today (it couldn't really be worse!).

Self led ride/11s/coffee stop on Sunday 9 July

This is advertised on the runs list as being at Stainton which has, sadly, closed. Instead we propose to try a new venue - Eden Gallery Tea Rooms, 3, St Andrew's Churchyard, Penrith (between NatWest and the library). The cafĂ© on Wednesday 28 July (instead of Thiefside) will be Up Front Gallery, Unthank.
There is no change to this Wednesday's café stop which is at the Pot Place, Plumpton, for those of us not fancying 70 (ish/+) miles from Burneside or Annan...
Enjoy!

Cycling research

I have done an interview with Michael Nattrass and it was fascinating. I would encourage anyone interested to take part and help him in this worthwhile research. He has sent me the following which explains what it is all about:
 
I am currently working towards a PhD at UCL, looking at how different road users come to make sense of the right and proper uses of the road network as a space for cycling in Carlisle.

At the moment, I am looking to recruit adults who walk, drive or cycle in Carlisle as participants for this research project.  If you live in or around Carlisle and your main mode of transport is walking, driving or cycling then you can participate.  Participation would involve being interviewed for about an hour, at a time and location to your convenience. 

During the interview, I will show you a collection of short video-clips of different people cycling across Carlisle, as they use varying combinations of roads, pavements and cyclepaths.  The questions I would like you to answer, are whether you think the actions shown in the videos are right or wrong, acceptable or unacceptable.  This simply draws upon your own extensive experience of using these transport spaces when walking, driving or cycling’. 

If you are interested in participating, or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, at michael.nattrass.14@ucl.ac.uk

 

Monday 3 July 2017

Club Ride Wednesday 5 July

Wednesday's ride will officially start from Burneside Church at 0930. There is parking on our drive for a few cars if you wish to park here, otherwise there is parking by the right hand side of the church as you head towards Bowston.
The route will take us to Kirkby Lonsdale, where we will have 11s at the Bakery. From here we will head for Morecambe via Burton, Halton and the Lancaster cycle route. Lunch will be on the Stone Jetty. The return leg will be via Cragg Bank, Silverdale and Arnside (possible ice cream stop at the jetty!), before returning to Burneside via Natland. The total distance will be approx. 72 miles, but after the first 10 the terrain is fairly gentle.
There will be refreshments post ride at Bowston for those who wish to join us.
The forecast is looking good so hopefully we will see some of you on Wednesday.
Keith G.

Audax Ride 2 July

We  found a black neoprene wallet (empty) on the road after the Hesket Newmarket Geoff banana stop. We picked it up and I have it.
If you dropped it, please claim it back from me.