Today's Bike Ride

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Originally Posted by Llani Boy

A cold and blustery wind hampered my progress today during my 40 miles and 4'183 feet ride resulting in it taking 3hrs 2min.
For a change I set off downhill into Ashford in the Water and along to Great Longstone and up Longstone Edge. A headwind to the top of Hay Dale before I dropped into Upperdale and then the steep climb up to and through Cressbrook and on to Litton.

Back into a headwind for the next 10 miles along the road above Little Hucklow and then over to Peak Forest with no respite until Wormhill and the drop into Millers Dale where a welcome latte and date slice (again) warmed me up.

No excitement at todays stop other than a dog eating someone's chips!

Now refuelled I took on the mile and a quarter drag out of Millers Dale up to the A6. I hate this hill. It is sheltered from the wind and not particularly steep but I can never seem to get into a comfortable gear or pace. Perhaps it is because every time I do it it is at least, and usually more than, 2 hrs into a ride.

Anyway I got to the A6 and the headwind again riding over to Chelmorton and on to the 515. Then nearly all downhill to Flagg, Monyash and home after what felt like a tough ride.

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Please forgive me if I should know this, but Earl Sterndale, Millers Dale, Chelmorton,..have you ever done the Bullock Smithy? (I don't mean on your bike!)

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Originally Posted by Graham Breeze

Please forgive me if I should know this, but Earl Sterndale, Millers Dale, Chelmorton,..have you ever done the Bullock Smithy? (I don't mean on your bike!)

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No I haven't Graham. I think the order should be Millers Dale, Chelmorton, Earl Sterndale.

Funny you should mention it as a friend of mine led a group of five around the route 3 weeks ago, although only he and one of them finished!

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Originally Posted by Llani Boy

No I haven't Graham. I think the order should be Millers Dale, Chelmorton, Earl Sterndale.

Funny you should mention it as a friend of mine led a group of five around the route 3 weeks ago, although only he and one of them finished!

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Yes on the order. Millers Dale is 28 miles in. All much too far for me to do (56 miles!) but I kept recognising the three CPs (7,8,9) above in your ride accounts and wondered.

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Originally Posted by Marco

Is this an invitation to start a closest to the bullseye thread, like 'Where am I?', for cyclists?:)

Seriously though, the term 'just pushing along nicely' should not be used for this route. It is the cycling equivalent to two really nasty climbs at the end of a tough fell race.

I've only ridden it once, and managed to pedal all the way without stopping. I do recall a left-hand bend going up Hardknott being so steep I had to ride it on the wrong side of the road; it's that sort of climb.

You will need low gearing too, otherwise you'll be walking a lot which won't be much fun as it often busy with cars. You'll need good brakes too.

Going back to your first question, my guess is 59 minutes if you're going to ride hard (if you spot a cyclist in front and get carried away), or 90 minutes if you're going to ride it more conservatively.

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Thank you Marco.

Certainly not looking for anyone to predict my time to the minute! But yes some indication that it might take approx 1.5 hours rather than 2.5 is most welcome for logistical purposes...

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Originally Posted by Travs

Thank you Marco.

Certainly not looking for anyone to predict my time to the minute! But yes some indication that it might take approx 1.5 hours rather than 2.5 is most welcome for logistical purposes...

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Hardknott has some 30% or possibly 33% but even if you are walking you should be able to manage 2mph. It is, say 1.3 miles. Wrynose is 25% and 1.5 miles. I would have thought something close to 1.5 hours was reasonable.

There is a mass of stuff on youtube including Fred Whitton footage where you will see how many people walk up Hardknott.

30k with 600m, it was horrible and nearly blown over. Was also wearing running shorts and top + trainers, but with the addition of a light goretex jacket ( it was p***ing down). One day I will buy some trendy cycling gear. Possibly.

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Originally Posted by Marco

If the gearing is low enough any hill on a road is rideable, even if your bike is heavy

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Well Travs hadn't mentioned gears so I assumed he was doing it on a F/W.:)

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Originally Posted by Marco

Having started our second lockdown a few days ago I've had more time to look at this using the climbbybike site https://www.climbbybike.com/country/Germany/8 and have found a bigger climb called the Waseberg on the Blankeneser Berge. It says it's the hardest climb in North Germany

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Hey Marco, the Waseberg you mention, 0.66km 73m Strava, is actually barely half a mile off my fav Falkensteiner, 0.57km 65m. I do both regularly. Although Waseberg is bigger I prefer Falkensteiner because more space and less traffic for U-turn at each end.
https://www.strava.com/activities/4340590902

Very good climbing I'd love to have the geography to do it regularly, but living in flat boring northern Germany because the career I've chosen I'm afraid I can only do it when I visit Mum in northern Italy during holiday. Here a very great one:
https://www.strava.com/activities/2586844820

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Originally Posted by Marco

Thanks for that Alberto; I prefer the look of the Bondone:) Does your Mum live in Riva?

Now, if you want some real British climbing you should look at Travs post about the road just North of Coniston that goes over the Wrynose and Hardknott passes - with genuine stretches of 1 in 3! Seriously hard and closer to you than Lake Garda as the crow flies

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Yes, my Mum lives in Riva. She was born in nearby Arco, spent adulthood in Milan (I was born and grew up there, very ugly place, only good thing of Milan is that it's 3hr drive from MtBlanc to the West, 3hr drive from the Dolomites to the East, and 1hr drive from other mountains to the north). After retirement she went back to Riva. All my life I visited Riva/Arco regularly, but it was always only visiting family. Nothing wrong with that, but wow it was dead boring just watching my mum playing cards with her sisters and chatting football and school with my cousins. It took me long to realize that since gorgeous mountains are there, when you are in the area just better make use of them.

I think I did the Wrynose and Hardknott already, in the 2005-2010 years I lived in the North West. I remember the luxury of cycling into the peak district directly from home, or driving to the Lakes for hiking etc. It was really super.

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Originally Posted by Gambatte

Yes, my Mum lives in Riva. She was born in nearby Arco, spent adulthood in Milan (I was born and grew up there, very ugly place, only good thing of Milan is that it's 3hr drive from MtBlanc to the West, 3hr drive from the Dolomites to the East, and 1hr drive from other mountains to the north). After retirement she went back to Riva. All my life I visited Riva/Arco regularly, but it was always only visiting family. Nothing wrong with that, but wow it was dead boring just watching my mum playing cards with her sisters and chatting football and school with my cousins. It took me long to realize that since gorgeous mountains are there, when you are in the area just better make use of them.

I think I did the Wrynose and Hardknott already, in the 2005-2010 years I lived in the North West. I remember the luxury of cycling into the peak district directly from home, or driving to the Lakes for hiking etc. It was really super.

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Similar reason to why i like Milan...

Transport network. In two hours on the train you can be in Genoa, Torino, Verona, Venice, Bergamo, Bologna, Florence, Lugano, Como, Parma.

Actually quite like the city too, although yes there are more attractive Italian cities...

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Originally Posted by Gambatte

Yes, my Mum lives in Riva. She was born in nearby Arco, spent adulthood in Milan (I was born and grew up there, very ugly place, only good thing of Milan is that it's 3hr drive from MtBlanc to the West, 3hr drive from the Dolomites to the East, and 1hr drive from other mountains to the north). After retirement she went back to Riva. All my life I visited Riva/Arco regularly, but it was always only visiting family. Nothing wrong with that, but wow it was dead boring just watching my mum playing cards with her sisters and chatting football and school with my cousins. It took me long to realize that since gorgeous mountains are there, when you are in the area just better make use of them.

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I've just had a look around Riva on Google Streetview. Very impressive, how the mountains rise so steeply from the edge of town. Looks a very pleasant town, as well.

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Originally Posted by anthonykay

I've just had a look around Riva on Google Streetview. Very impressive, how the mountains rise so steeply from the edge of town. Looks a very pleasant town, as well.

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In fact, the opinion of the locals is that Riva is a gorgeous place because of the Lake. I always found it slightly odd that being so near so beautiful mountains they actually praise the lake. But they probably have some points:
*) the lake attracts more tourism, beach, sailing, surfing, and generates more wealth
*) In northern Italy you are always near the mountains. But not always a quarter mile from a big beautiful lake.
*) And although the mountains around Riva are great, you only need to drive 1-2 hr to be in the most beautiful mountains in the world. Mt. Baldo is good. But come'on it's not the Marmolada, or the Civetta, or the Lavaredo Peaks or the Sella Group or the Vajolet Towers. So of course, in Riva it's the lake that stand out.

Thirty four miles (1400ft) following the R. Wharfe to Weardley then up the hill by the Harewood Estate to go round Eccup Reservoir, round the playing fields of The Grammar School at Leeds, across The Alwoodley Golf Club, then along Wigton Lane and Alwoodley Lane where the mansions can go for, well, several £millions - after all, if you have a full size Palm Tree in your front garden in its own glass Palm House you can't expect cheap - and back through Bramhope etc.

It's a ride I do when I want to see how the other half struggle by.:)

32k and 700m ascent. 6 miles from home I had just hit tarmac again (thankfully and the bottom bracket thingy appeared to disintegrate. I pushed it up the last hill and then free wheeled and gently peddled home.
Be no more biking for a while till me and youtube fix it.

I once had a bottom bracket suddenly fall apart. It's the only time I have missed out on a fell race due to transport failure.

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Originally Posted by Marco

That sounds most unusual, as they're usually very reliable. When you've found out please let us know what the problem is/was

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Will do, this is only a guess as I have no idea about bike mechanics and never seen a bottom bracket in my life 🤔.

Came out forestry, started on the road uphill and there were funny noises from the bracket immediately followed by my peddles acting like a drunken sailor with massive play in them and some crunchy noises. Presuming bearings gone wonky or come out? Perhaps something has just come undone?
Pushed up the hill and then it was mostly downhill or flat for next 5 miles home so gently peddled in.

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Originally Posted by Marco

40 years ago bikes had loose ball bearings in the bottom bracket cups, and some had cages to hold the bearings together. If the cage split then this could cause a sudden slackness in the area; Tony Doyle lost a major British race when this happened to his Campagnolo (NB Graham) bottom bracket.

I haven't seen a bottom bracket with loose ball bearings for over 25 years, as they've all been sealed bearings - even on cheap bikes. It may be that yours is loose bearings, but I'd doubt it.

Opening up the bottom bracket is quite difficult, and there is a special tool which will depend on the model. This actually might be a bike shop job. If you intend to do your own bike mechanics, (which may be advisable because of your locality as much as the cost), it would be worth buying the relevant tool. Graham will hate me for saying this, but one of the reason I stick with Shimano is for compatibility - I have the removal tool and it also works for the very cheap far East products which copy the design

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Thanks for the advice, I'm going to give it a go and think I have the tool for the job. Couple of years back I bought a cheap "set of bike tools" which includes that bottom bracket gadget. Most of the tools I gaze at wondering what they are for - here is another one to try out! Will be slowly building up my tools, need torque wrench first, but a mate round the corner has absolutely everything for when I am stuck.
Washed the bike off and on its stand outside to dry before taking into shed, predictably it is p****ng with ☔.

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Originally Posted by Marco

40 years ago bikes had loose ball bearings in the bottom bracket cups, and some had cages to hold the bearings together. If the cage split then this could cause a sudden slackness in the area; Tony Doyle lost a major British race when this happened to his Campagnolo (NB Graham) bottom bracket.

I haven't seen a bottom bracket with loose ball bearings for over 25 years, as they've all been sealed bearings - even on cheap bikes. It may be that yours is loose bearings, but I'd doubt it.

Opening up the bottom bracket is quite difficult, and there is a special tool which will depend on the model. This actually might be a bike shop job. If you intend to do your own bike mechanics, (which may be advisable because of your locality as much as the cost), it would be worth buying the relevant tool. Graham will hate me for saying this, but one of the reason I stick with Shimano is for compatibility - I have the removal tool and it also works for the very cheap far East products which copy the design

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I used to love taking apart the bearings on my road bike as a kid and repacking them and putting them back together, a great grounding in basic mechanics after my old man had shown me how to do it. I remember my first ever sealed bottom bracket, a plastic FAG one which cost about a fiver and lasted about 2 months :D it gave up the ghost somewhere around Middleton in Teesdale although in its defence I was able to get home as the threads stripped from the ends and the whole thing turned in the bottom bracket :eek:

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Originally Posted by Daletownrunner

I used to love taking apart the bearings on my road bike as a kid and repacking them and putting them back together, a great grounding in basic mechanics

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Which red blooded boy didn't?

I once spent 6 weeks in the steam loco. works of a coal mine during which we replaced the white metal bearings on one of the engines. I was 19, it was a wonderful experience and I still remember the fitter's name.

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Originally Posted by Graham Breeze

Which red blooded boy didn't?

I once spent 6 weeks in the steam loco. works of a coal mine during which we replaced the white metal bearings on one of the engines. I was 19, it was a wonderful experience and I still remember the fitter's name.

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Just remembered I used to do my freewheel as well, knock the end cap off and repack it, a piece of cotton to hold the pawls in while you slotted the top back on, I think I’ve got an old Maillard block in the shed, I might knock it apart for old times sake although I probably won’t be able to see the ball bearings now :D

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Originally Posted by Graham Breeze

Which red blooded boy didn't?

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Me. Bicycles are for riding, not fiddling about with. I can just about mend a puncture or fit a new pair of brake blocks. Anything else goes to the professionals in the bike shop. Taking bearings apart? You must be joking!

A trip into Brum partly to check out the progress with the new cycling infrastructure. Not bad and certainly a step in the right direction. Still a way off where it should be but let's hope it delivers according to the proposed plans.
A scenic route home via the Wast, Lickey, Waseley and Clent Hills. Plenty of mud and leaves on the road so took it easy on the descents. 55km/750m.

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Originally Posted by Daletownrunner

Just remembered I used to do my freewheel as well...

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Gee! So was it you who welded his broken forks at the forge at the bottom of the Tourmalet in the Tour de France then?:)

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Originally Posted by Graham Breeze

Gee! So was it you who welded his broken forks at the forge at the bottom of the Tourmalet in the Tour de France then?:)

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Non, I was the little fella that pumped the bellows Monsieur ;)

A lovely ride today on the Arkose Adventure bike fitted with new Continental CycloXKing tyres. A total of 36 miles and 2'270feet in 2hrs 53min.
12 miles was on tarmac and the rest on trail or very muddy tracks and fields. Only 4 dismounts, 2 in cattle trodden gateways and 2 to avoid puddles higher than the crank!

Out to Monyash then up Derby Lane to Long Rake. A section of very broken and rutted track to pick up the High Peak Trail and then a left onto the Tissington Trail and down to Biggin. A decent 2 miles of Bridleway known as Cardlemere Lane and Cobblersnook Lane to pick up the HPT again at Minninglow and then back to Parsley Hay for a Latte stop. Finally to the end of the trail at Dowlow before the usual run home via Flagg and Monyash.

Managed to stay dry apart from a bit of drizzle 10 mins from home but some ferocious gusts of wind on exposed sections of the HPT that nearly had me over a couple of times.

And I would recommend The Continental CycloXKing's. Never missed a beat!

Managed to get the crankshaft oot and confirm the bottom bracket is ******, one bearing completely disintigrated, a few loose bearings and some metal filings floating about in there :eek:. Now have to get the BB out, see if my mate has the tool to take off the retaining nut, if not I shall dig out the monkey wrench!
It's a FSA system, trouble is knowing what tools are called; I can see what the job is and what is needed, but what is it called - all a bit long winded but a good learning curve - I used to fix my cars so surely I can fix a bike :D

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Originally Posted by molehill

Managed to get the crankshaft oot and confirm the bottom bracket is ******, one bearing completely disintigrated, a few loose bearings and some metal filings floating about in there :eek:. Now have to get the BB out, see if my mate has the tool to take off the retaining nut, if not I shall dig out the monkey wrench!
It's a FSA system, trouble is knowing what tools are called; I can see what the job is and what is needed, but what is it called - all a bit long winded but a good learning curve - I used to fix my cars so surely I can fix a bike :D

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I broke a pedal and had to buy a pedal-removing-tool.

It was surprisingly expensive, cost about £20 a minute of use and still looks immaculate.

So I really wish I had some neighbours with bikes so I could say "Oh I can help you with that little job...:)

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Originally Posted by Graham Breeze

I broke a pedal and had to buy a pedal-removing-tool.

It was surprisingly expensive, cost about £20 a minute of use and still looks immaculate.

So I really wish I had some neighbours with bikes so I could say "Oh I can help you with that little job...:)

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Know what you mean, tracked down the socket for $38, cheaper own brands available. Mate just replied to email "order the new BB and bring it all over". What I love to hear, my charm works every time 🤗

A 38 miles (2200 feet) pootle via Pannal and Burn Bridge (near Harrogate) via some country "roads" so slathered in slurry such that I will never abuse my Campagnolo brake blocks there again.

What I like about cycling is, as the NOTW used to claim, "All Human Life Is There". And in "there" I might include the woman who from a stopped position watching me travelling towards her at 15 yards/second (downhill!) suddenly decided to turn right across my path. Fortunately the aforementioned Campagnolo brake blocks stopped me from hitting her broadside and continuing my journey over the roof of her car for some intimacy with Otley's tarmac. I merely uttered "Tut Tut".

Or, as I made my way between Otley and Pool, the tractor (it was a John Deere - I got a good look) that suddenly emerged from a field gate to cross my path towing a Landrover towing a trailer containing sheep. I assume the Landrover had got stuck in the field mud. One would think farmers would know about mud? Anyway I hoped the sheep were not too late for High Tea.

On the outskirts of Pannal my road was closed because a new estate (by Charles Church) is being built. I asked a friendly local how big the estate was to be - closing my road indeed! - and his response was "Too big! 400 houses on this estate!" I looked sympathetic. I used to live in a farming village of 60 properties in two lanes so to me 400 properties sounded like a city. But Charles Church is building in the same fetching, matching red brick - so not all bad.

The farms in the village where I used to live were really higgledy - piggledy. And the mud! Oh my!

And so to home :)

Pannal.... I parked up there when I came up to Harrogate to see the TdeF.

Nice looking place.

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Originally Posted by Marco

Uneventful journey back, but I spotted a Bianchi, in celeste, with mudguards. (Is that allowed Graham?)

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My view is if you ever received a blow to the head and even dreamed of fitting mudguards - you should return the Bianchi to its heated custom garage and go buy a Bottechia for the winter.

Btw my dealer told me that Bianchi are actually made in Italy whereas Pinarello (which, along with De Rosa, he also sells) are made in Taiwan.

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Originally Posted by Marco

As an alternative I returned via Chilcote, the most Westerly part of Leicestershire. Used to be part of Derbyshire until just over 100 years ago, but now is part of a Westerly finger of Leicershire. Strangest thing is that it has one road, running roughly North-South, through it from Derbyshire in the North to Warwickshire in the South. This means that by road you can't visit another part of Leicestershire without passing through Derbyshire or Warwickshire.

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I hadn't been aware of this geographical curiosity. Now that I look at a map, I also see that a walker can now go straight into Staffordshire along a public footpath from Chilcote, without passing through either Warwickshire or Derbyshire.

On a cycling holiday a long time ago I used a road which passed from France into Switzerland and back into France within 2km. I can't be certain, but it may have been this one (between Courtavon and Pfetterhouse): https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ba...86!4d7.5885761

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Originally Posted by Marco

On a different subject did you fettle your tubeless tyres. I don't ride on them, and I don't think GB, LB or AK do, but your experiences with them would be useful for those of us considering them, but wanting to know what they're like in real life

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Did Fausto Coppi ride tubeless? No.

Did Fausto Coppi ride Bianchi? Oh yes!

[I]
On a different subject did you fettle your tubeless tyres. I don't ride on them, and I don't think GB, LB or AK do, but your experiences with them would be useful for those of us considering them, but wanting to know what they're like in real life/I]

Not sure about fettling them? But I wouldn't be without them on the gravel bike. Round here when they are hedge cutting the roads are near unrideable for weeks - constant punctures from thorns - not to mention the gravel tracks which are pretty rough and sharp.
I did manage to change my tyres round, front to back to prolong wear and got them to bed back in and inflate(a neat trick from youtube) then added more stuff inside, they are running well. Heaven knows how many punctures those tyres had as I pulled some thorns out!

Bit of an off-topic please this is the bestest friendliest internet forum, and the thread is about cycling, so please forgive me....

Any of you guys know this?
https://gran-canaria-bike-rental.com/

Already thinking of the next family holiday, thanks COVID last holiday was December 2019. Daughter aiming at Sardinia, gorgeous sea, plus it's good occasionally to take her to Italy where I'm from. But although Sardinia has the bestest sea ever, it's not a good place for cycling, maybe I can make her change from Sardinia to Gran Canaria which is supposedly very good for cycling in the mountains.
The link above is very promising. They also deliver a bike to wherever you are on the island...
You know?

Nearly turned around and went home after 5 miles today as I was freezing. I had under estimated the wind chill by at least one layer. I have not felt such a cold southerly wind since I was in Tasmania!

Anyway, I stuck with it and the sun came out taking the edge off. My usual out ride to Earl Sterndale and then down to Crowdicote before steeply up to Longnor. A glorious ride along the ridge that separates the Dove and Manifold valleys to Sheen and then on to Brund. For change I headed out to Wetton before dropping steeply into the Manifold past Thor's Cave and then up the other side to Wardslow.

I called into Hulme End where a Latte and slice of treacle tart gave me some energy to enjoy the return leg home via Hartington, up Long Dale with a tailwind, Earl Sterndale (again), Flagg and Monyash.

A total distance of 45 miles with 4'255 feet of ascent in 3hrs 15 min. Apart from the Manifold Trail at Hulme End I only saw 2 other cyclists.

I sometimes think I should vary my rides and set off in an Easterly direction but the roads are busier that way and I do love the remoteness and big skies of the White Peak and the Staffordshire Moorlands.
It also means that the last few miles of my rides are mostly downhill:)

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Originally Posted by Llani Boy

It also means that the last few miles of my rides are mostly downhill:)

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Oh yes! The last few miles into Ilkley can always be arranged for taking at leisure!:)

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Originally Posted by Graham Breeze

Did Fausto Coppi ride tubeless? No.

Did Fausto Coppi ride Bianchi? Oh yes!

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Does LB ride tubeless? No.

Does LB ride Bianchi? No.

One or two of my cycling acquaintances swear by tubeless and keep telling me to change, but why fix something that is not broken.
I have not had a puncture this year (shouldn't have said that) and only had one last year. I think if you run decent tyres and tubes, I use Continental for road and gravel, then you won't go far wrong.

Having said that, if I lived in the flatlands of Eastern England where the roads contain shards of flint or did a Sportive in North Wales where the locals have trouble storing their tin tacks and drawing pins I might have a different view!

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Originally Posted by Llani Boy

Does LB ride tubeless? No.

Does LB ride Bianchi? No.

One or two of my cycling acquaintances swear by tubeless and keep telling me to change, but why fix something that is not broken.
I have not had a puncture this year (shouldn't have said that) and only had one last year. I think if you run decent tyres and tubes, I use Continental for road and gravel, then you won't go far wrong.

Having said that, if I lived in the flatlands of Eastern England where the roads contain shards of flint or did a Sportive in North Wales where the locals have trouble storing their tin tacks and drawing pins I might have a different view!

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The old-time dealer who sold me the bike-that-dare-not-say-its-name said that the bike industry is a fashion industry constantly looking for new ways to get customers to part with their money for basically the same old - same old product and when I look at the bike porn in Cycling Weekly I am inclined to agree.

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Originally Posted by Llani Boy

I sometimes think I should vary my rides and set off in an Easterly direction but the roads are busier that way and I do love the remoteness and big skies of the White Peak and the Staffordshire Moorlands.
It also means that the last few miles of my rides are mostly downhill:)

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It had just occurred to me that you never seem to cross the Derwent onto the Eastern Edges. There are some pleasant little lanes up there. I was wondering if you were worried about facing a westerly wind on your way home, or maybe terrified that you might catch sight of Sheffield on a clear day.