Update on Participants

To update the list of participants, we now are a band of 11 plus support and we have in no particular order:

Mark

Tim 1

Sean with an E (That's spelling not his recreational habits!)

Neil the First (participator in Training ride no1)

Peter

Tim 2

Shaun without an E
James

Graham

Richard

and last but not least, Neil the Second

Racing

Training Ride no1

And so, the first training ride is complete, the four amigos, (That's Tim 1, Sean with an E, Neil and I) mounted our trusty steeds at around 10am and headed for the hills.

Leaving on the Upper Don trail we headed for Dunford Bridge through Mud, Ice and Snow and within minutes Sean had discovered that toe clips and Ice truly don't mix (Though to be fair Tim had fallen on same said ice seconds earlier after a brief stop to put on his smoking jacket and fill his pipe).

Having worked hard through the rivers, ice and mud we arrived at Dunford Bridge were it was deemed an impromptu discussion of yellow and purple??? snow was in order.

Clearly suffering from lack of oxygen we decided height would resolve the situation and headed upwards to the classic view of half of Yorkshire from the top of Hade Edge.

Hearing the call of the Lumberjack we headed for the forest after briefly disconcerting a dog walker by lining up four abreast at the top of the track in what could have best been described as a wild west posse type of pose.

Quickly we descended through the ice through Hades to briefly meet the lesser spotted Branson who was apparently neglecting his kitchen fitting duties to fit in a quick bit of downhill. Surprisingly our offer to join us on the approaching ascent brought a negative response.

Tim had of course continued at a leisurely lead ,pipe in hand and feeling neglected I forced my way to the front to lead the way down the track to Damhouse. Unfortunately I nearly caused a 4 bike pile up, by random stopping, pointing out alternatives which led to Sean deciding a sit down on the banking looked an appropriate stopping technique (Sorry guys).

We climbed again until reaching a suitable posing point above Washpit took refreshment and discussed the strange lumps upon my helmet (Lights, or flashing nipples I know not which).

We headed to Choppards and whilst climbing with oxygen starved lungs a very kind gentleman in motorised transport pointed out there were alternative routes!

At about this time the two specialised riders began to struggle, I because my brain decided gears on a new bike were a complication it couldn't cope with and Neils because his bike decided mud made a better conducer of a kangarooing gear set than a smooth one. Tim sailed serenely on blowing smoke rings, with Sean manfully battling on in close attendance. (Have to say he managed to stick with Tim for most of the ride, well done fella and on the basis he can walk tomorrow his sermon on the wonders of padded shorts is a scream believe me)

Having returned to Hade Edge we climbed flight hill and shot like speeding........ cyclists onwards to Victoria (she wasn't in) so we crossed and climbed for just about the last time upwards to the Windmills.

We flew past the Windmills and shot down to Millhouse Green before returning to the Upper Don trail, to literally watch Sean dismount involuntarily (though not as spectacularly) at the same place in reverse as his first dismount of the day.

Our time, just about 4 hours felt perfectly reasonable, we had the Sun on our backs and in our faces, we sweated like the proverbial despite the cold ( my car gives testimony to that, anyone got an air freshener) and we had a good time.

School report would probably say - A good start, but more work to be done!

Racing

We're on!

Training ride Saturday 10am start and finish penistone railway station.

P.S first of my miniature training rides last sunday resulted with arse on ground on the ice and bike alongside, absolutely hilarious.

Cheers

Racing

Training deferred

Ah, the wonders of the white stuff sitting postcard pretty all bedecked upon, lawn, road and anywhere else.

Considered carefully the pros and cons of a freezing morning with bright blue skies and a high sun and the liberties of a bracing ride, against the inevitable snow stuck in the forks, ice underwheel and high probability of sitting on my derrier in a ditch.

The sensible head won and therefore an entertaining morning of removing Christmas decorations awaits.

Training number 1 definitely deferred.

Racing