Today's Bike Ride

[mr brightside]

...I can never take highways signs too seriously

As the contractors at kex gill will testify!

[Graham Breeze]

As the contractors at kex gill will testify!

I thought it was scheduled to be reopened this weekend but all the "road closed" signs were still in place last evening - not that that means anything.

I might pootle up tomorrow and check on their tarmac artistry!

[PeteS]

That's nice. I don't recall ever seeing one and we have some interesting climbs like Park Rash and Malham. I can never take highways signs too seriously because presumably they indicate an average but for a cyclist it's the steepest bit that matters!

The sign had both average and maximum so just what you need as a cyclist. It unfortunately had no endorsement from the local CC.

[Marco]

There was not but then I noticed a sign, high up a telegraph pole proclaiming the start of the climb and various stats such as length, average gradient, max gradient and even times for KOM and QOM. I've not seen it before - obviously I normally speed past so fast in pursuit of the KOM, that it is a blur! The pass (rather grand title for what it is) is a popular cycling climb around here and one of about half a dozen that you can string together if you fancy a tough day out. A couple feature in Simon Warren's books although what I maintain is the toughest is sadly omitted. Anyway back to the sign - it is a professional job but no details of where is has come from or who has put it there or why. I've seen others on notable climbs e.g. the tumble but nothing of the like around these parts. Next fine day, I will take the road bike around all the other climbs and see if we have others. It's a nice thing to have - just find it a little strange.

I haven't noticed any KOM/QOM signs around here, but then we haven't got anything to warrant it!

On the subject of Strava segment racing, it has been tearing a local club (Dan Martin's old one) apart. I looked at joining the club, which I won't name, in 2022 and gave my email address for club info etc. What I have actually been receiving since are the minutes from their committee meetings.

In the first set of minutes I discovered that members were using the club runs (which are meant to be social events) as a team time-trial in order to set Strava segment PBs and records (hopefully). When the club runs leaders complained about this, one was expelled from the club and another was given a final written warning ... for arguing. At this stage I realised this was not the right club for me

[PeteS]

I haven't noticed any KOM/QOM signs around here, but then we haven't got anything to warrant it!

On the subject of Strava segment racing, it has been tearing a local club (Dan Martin's old one) apart. I looked at joining the club, which I won't name, in 2022 and gave my email address for club info etc. What I have actually been receiving since are the minutes from their committee meetings.

In the first set of minutes I discovered that members were using the club runs (which are meant to be social events) as a team time-trial in order to set Strava segment PBs and records (hopefully). When the club runs leaders complained about this, one was expelled from the club and another was given a final written warning ... for arguing. At this stage I realised this was not the right club for me

As they saying goes, I would not join a club that allowed me as a member. Probably explains why I am perenially 'Unattached'!

[Graham Breeze]

Today was the sort of claggy day when the mist condenses on my helmet and drips down onto my glasses - but an inspection of Kex Gill had been planned and 25 miles of misery is better than 50 miles of the same.

Quite why they needed to close the A59 for 2 months to relay about 400 yards of road and do some patching on the main descent is something only a contractor could explain but there we are. Suffice to say even the Adventure bike (fat tyres) was still bouncing all over the unrepaired carriage way. But at least we can now see the route marked out towards the proposed Blubberhouses roundabout because workers were in evidence. Well 3 blokes in high viz jackets were wandering about looking thoughtful.

On my way out along the narrow country lane that leads from Ilkley Golf Club to Beamsley I met the Brownlees powering towards me. I've encountered them before on this stretch which is usually devoid of traffic but makes up for it with tons of leaf mulch liberally deposited all over the road - and then one's gear mech.

But since that bike has Shimano perhaps that is a blessing.

[anthonykay]

On my way out along the narrow country lane that leads from Ilkley Golf Club to Beamsley I met the Brownleas powering towards me.

Are the Brownleas connected in any way with those well-known Yorkshire triathletes, the Brownlees?

[Graham Breeze]

Are the Brownleas connected in any way with those well-known Yorkshire triathletes, the Brownlees?

They adopt that spelling after a moderate amount (on my part, that is) of Canadian Club.

[mr brightside]

Are the Brownleas connected in any way with those well-known Yorkshire triathletes, the Brownlees?

I've often thought G is letting his spelling slip a bit as the years tick by, but on reflection I think he's just screwing with us and testing our skills of observation.

[Graham Breeze]

I've often thought G is letting his spelling slip a bit as the years tick by, but on reflection I think he's just screwing with us and testing our skills of observation.

We who occasionally write occasionally like to know we are read, occasionally.