Harriers V Cyclists

[RichardAThackeray]

Richard, I have amended the results to correct the spelling mistake, apologies.

Thankyou, I get enough people asking me if I'm related to the 'Cross-Family Thackray' as it is
(that said, I know them all reasonably well)

I've tried to explain the race to collegues at work, & it's difficult getting them to understand the principle




Digressing slightly;
I've suggested to my Club Secretary (there was the commitee meeting on Tuesday) that they should have a trophy for the clubs 'top Fell-Runner':wink:

And....... seeing as I'm the only one who runs Fell, bar 2 other members who sometimes 'Bunny Run' & 'Trunce':wink:

[Womble]

Well folks it's that time of year again to decide whether to don the knobbly tyres or the knobbly shoes.... yes you've guessed it Harriers V Cyclists is back!

This year it's on the 19th November at 2:00pm

[RichardAThackeray]

Well folks it's that time of year again to decide whether to don the knobbly tyres or the knobbly shoes.... yes you've guessed it Harriers V Cyclists is back!

This year it's on the 19th November at 2:00pm

I checked as soon as the dates were on the 'Bingley' website & I've confirmed I am day-off for that:thumbup:


Like the 'Withins Skyline', I want to bring an 'away-team' to this one.


I'm not 100% decided on whether I'm running yet... if an 'away-team' does attend, I might be tempted to ride & see how I do


- rode in 2007/2008 (08 = 54:16)
- ran in 2009/2010 ('10 = 47:08)

Plus, I'll be running 'Barnsley 10K' on the day-after, so I'll either be flying, or suffering at that
Sadly, I've not ridden enough cross recently to even have remotely considered the Myrtle park event on the Sunday (last cross I did was Temple Newsam, back in October '10!!)

[Donkeyforth]

I hope to have a go at this one. I'm told the start and finish are similar to the recent YVAA race. If it is, you're straight into a steep climb so warm up well.

[Womble]

I hope to have a go at this one. I'm told the start and finish are similar to the recent YVAA race. If it is, you're straight into a steep climb so warm up well.

Your absolutely right, the start is the same!

[losidan]

I'm up for this. Was unsure to run or ride as dont have a cross bike. Looking at the pics there were some mtb's so think I'll give it a go on the bike.

Just down the road from me too

[RichardAThackeray]

I'm up for this. Was unsure to run or ride as dont have a cross bike. Looking at the pics there were some mtb's so think I'll give it a go on the bike

I found out to my cost in 2007, before I bought another cross-bike, that it can be hard on a MTB
Then, even though I'd bought a cross-bike, I compounded the error in 2008, by using the Trek again, thinking of the discs for the descent off Baildon Moor & the drop down to the finish



But, anyway, here's my 'take' on it, having run, & ridden it



Pro's;
1. Very big clearances, so less clogging, compared to a cross-bike, especially as I use 1.8" front & 1.5" rear tyres on mine, which also cause less drag, having less resistance (Specialized Houffalise??)

2. The front suspension was useful on the long rough descent from the top of Baildon Moor, then through the boulder strewn trail on Shipley Glen, & that concrete (railway) sleeper track

3. The disc-brakes actually offered retardation in the most horrible mixtures of cow-shit and mud, without chewing the pads to pieces, on the first/last 2 fields, & the drop back down to the finish

4. The low gearing made some parts rideable, that I know I'd have to run(stagger up[?), or at the least struggle to ride on the Cross bike see point 4 'Cons'



Con's;
1. The smaller frame in comparison to the Cyclo-Cross bike made the sections that required it to be carried very awkward (MTB = 17" frame/sloping Top-Tube. Cross-bike = 53cm Centre-Centre)

2. The weight was a large factor over the Cross bike (roughly 7 - 8Ib heavier?)

3. Gearing was too widely spread on the faster, rideable, sections

4. I could possibly ride certain sections that were 'questionable' (on grounds of gradient), as it was lighter than the Trek.

[dylan]

i have seen a couple of riders on 'fixes' at this event

[Norfolk & Goode]

I did it on a rigid single speed MTB a couple of year ago - it was awful....

Will be doing it on mi shoes this year ;-)

[Donkeyforth]

and there's me wondering what shoes to wear! Life's so simple for us runners.