Yesterday, Wednesday, Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd

It was really good to see Nigel and Steve Barker down at the Hebden Bridge start yesterday, they've been missing for far too long, but as with all true cyclists they eventually return. They joined Padiham Chris, Oakworth Steve and myself for the club-run. As promised, and as you can see from the above profile, there was plenty of downhill but I'm not sure that starting up Mytholm Steeps was popular with everyone. With no Melvin to compete with, Chris behaved himself reasonably and responded well to the occasional advice that was necessary (ie. to slow down). Nigel was riding very well for someone who has for so long been concentrating on gourmet meals and fine wines - I'm hoping that his improved fitness will be an indication that his mono-zygotic sibling will be going the other way.

From Blackshaw Head we picked up the Season of Mists route through to Fence. Nigel and Steve B left us at the start of Sabden Ridge to go straight to the Clarion Pavilion via Sabden Fold and up to Newchurch as Steve T, Chris S and I attacked the Nick o' Pendle, although in truth attacking the climb sounds more dramatic than reality as a good tail wind blew us over the Nick and we were soon flying down the other side towards Pendleton Hall where I had the (bad) idea of turning right onto the bridleway towards Downham. Its only a couple of kilometers to the Worston-Downham lane and the 1st km was metaled but it deteriorated dramatically and then disappeared into a boggy field. We about turned and followed the sensible route to cross the A59 and onto the old road and the cycleway to Worston. The climb over Downham Moor and Pendle Side almost caused Chris to move down from the 54 chain wheel, and he actually did briefly use the 39 ring climbing up the double chevron-ed rise from Barley to Newchurch.
Disappointment soon followed as we got to the Independent Labour Party's tearooms to find that, not only were Steve B and Nigel not there, but even worse, there was no water, which in turn meant no steaming pint mugs of tea so we had to settle for washing our pork pies down with a glass of milk as we sat round the coal fire chatting to other disappointed comrades including former West Pennine man and Falcon professional Alan Mellor.

Once on the road again we picked up the Seasons of Mists run-in from Roughlee through Nelson and over Widdop to Heptonstall where we popped in to The Cross, soon to be joined by the Imps club-run (sorry for the poor photo - it was the landlords fault).
Once again mild and dry - how long can this last? - a highly recommended Tour of Pendle.

Wednesday 18th
39 places booked for the Wednesday Club Christmas do at the Stubbing Wharf - doors open at noon - turkey being served just after 12.30

Saturday 21st
Cragg Velo's Jonathan Emberton has organised the 1st ever 'Cragg Vale Spiral', a 75k ride starting from the Robin Hood at 9am. It includes three ascents of Cragg Vale with 3 different returns to the foot of the climb. Its free to enter and there's pie & peas available (and a pint) at the Robin Hood at the finish.

Sunday 22nd
Meet 9.30am Denholmgate, 10am Keighley for shortish ride and cafe stop before having a look in at 'Riley's Treat' at the Pecket Well, Robin Hood.

Mel17 December 2013 09:37

Monozygotic ! I thought I was reading one of Robin's blogs, seeing words I need to look up. Anyway we may be dizygotic, they didn't worry about these things in 1960 !
I took advantage of the great weather on Sunday to join the Ilkley gang around Coverdale. After a morning meandering the lanes to the fine cafe in Masham we had to face the usually wall of wind over to Kettlewell. Great fun !

Petehorne
I see that the National Hill Climb Champion was also out up Coverdale last Sunday, see  http://cyclinguphill.com/