Today's Bike Ride

[anthonykay]

You're right, if they quarry much more.

In my defence, I only found out you could go to the top, (where there is a church - but presumably no graveyard), when Anthony told me roughly a year ago

There is actually quite a substantial graveyard, with some interesting gravestones. Why did the four Mugleston sisters all die within a few years in the prime of life? Was the spelling mistake on the gravestone of one member of the Shakespear family deliberate?

Do it soon Marco before it too disappears and becomes No-Hill No-Hill on the No-Hill.

The quarry companies have left us some good examples of no-hills around here: There's Cliffe Hill near Markfield, and Buddon Hill near Quorn. The latter has even got a trig point on it, according to the 1954 OS 1-inch map which I have, but that is long gone.

[Llani Boy]

I couldn't resist going out in this good spell of weather any longer so today went for my first bike ride for 4 weeks.
Out on the Scott Solace up to Chelmorton, Earl Sterndale and Longnor. Up onto the ridge towards Sheen and a right to Brund. Up to Sheen and then down to Hulme End and a Latte at the Manifold Station Cafe.

Back up to Sheen, where I had my Wren encounter, and back along the ridge to Longnor before a right to Crowdicote where I called into the Packhorse Inn to book a beer garden table for Thursdays RATRun.

Along to Earl Sterndale and over to Hurdlow Town, Flagg, Monyash and home.

The roads were noticeably busier than on my last ride which was before lockdown ended. I even had to stop at some junctions today!

A total of 37 and a half miles, 3'606 feet in 2hrs 28 min.

On my return I found that I had a Strava KOM which I have taken from Tim Gould from Matlock who is a six times Three Peaks Cyclocross Champion. Nice!

My shoulder was a bit tender at the end due to pulling on the bars going uphill. No one to blame but myself and no doubt a bollocking off the physio tomorrow.

[Llani Boy]

Simon Yates looked good on yesterdays second stage of the Tour of the Alps. Hopefully he can keep the form for the upcoming Giro.

[mr brightside]

It's just not right. Either he was a pro riding incognito, or he'd fiddled with his 'electrical assistance'. Is this the equivalent of drug cheating for e-bikes?

I think the second option is more likely and, having been passed and dropped on the M42 early one morning whilst driving just over 70mph (honestly offcer) by a HGV1, I think limiter technology cheating does go on.

Bring back the guillotine.

[Graham Breeze]

Whilst I'm a big supporter of 'innocent until proven guilty', I am prepared to make exceptions

...for the obviously guilty?

The country road between Haworth and Laneshaw Bridge (near Colne) is lovely, passing as it does by several reservoirs (including Watersheddles which is high on the moor above Wycoller) and twists and turns so much as not to allow for HGV. It follows part of the route of the Bronte Way - of Brett RO fame - which is a point to point from Wycoller to Haworth and today the road formed part of my 40 miles, 4200 feet of climb outing in glorious sunshine.

The road is only a few feet from the Watersheddles reservoir bank - just the width of the path along which the Bronte Way passes and today I paused to recall the occasion when I set off in the Bronte Way race but then felt so ill that I decided to drop out - the problem being that as a P2P (and an event that does not mollycoddle entrants) one still has to get to the finish to collect one's transport.

Then I realised that if I could get to the reservoir prior to Brett and Sue driving past on their way to the finish I could flag them down and beg a lift in their ambulance of mercy.

And arrive at the road before they appeared I did - but my waving was interpreted as me just being friendly, Brett & Sue waved gaily back - and sped on towards Haworth and the finish pub.

And I trudged the remaining 9 miles wondering if instead of waving I should have thrown myself under the wheels of their vehicle. Although...

[millipede]

Railway is very dry atm Mr B. Just saying!

[Graham Breeze]

Railway is very dry atm Mr B. Just saying!

Well much as I would welcome a casual encounter, off-the-rails, any time you whistle I have to report than my "Adventure" bike is broken and in for a long stay with the Halfords Hospital. [The freewheel has jammed despite only 1400 miles of TLC].

And if you think I would let my beautiful Bianchi anywhere near that home of the creature from the black lagoon. Oh my! I've come over all of a flutter.

[millipede]

Well much as I would welcome a casual encounter, off-the-rails, any time you whistle I have to report than my "Adventure" bike is broken and in for a long stay with the Halfords Hospital. [The freewheel has jammed despite only 1400 miles of TLC].

And if you think I would let my beautiful Bianchi anywhere near that home of the creature from the black lagoon. Oh my! I've come over all of a flutter.

Oh no. Hope it gets better soon!

[Graham Breeze]

Graham, what have you been doing with your freewheel?!

Well since you ask...

I was astonished and so was the mechanic at Halfords (who has looked after my three Boardman bikes over many years) because the bike is less than a year old.

It appeared that a lot of water had got into the hub (although I only ride it on tarmac and don't go out in the rain) and having stopped using it 5 weeks ago it had started rusting to the extent that it needed a real clout on his chain whip to disengage the cassette.

Anyway it is still under warrantee and he is ordering new bits so hey!

And may I say: Halfords may not be very fashionable and they don't sell Pinarello but I have had excellent service for 10 or so years from my local branch and even though I have Wheelbase on my door step I reward good service with loyalty.

[Fellbeast]

Well since you ask...

It appeared that a lot of water had got into the hub (although I only ride it on tarmac and don't go out in the rain) and having stopped using it 5 weeks ago it had started rusting to the extent that it needed a real clout on his chain whip to disengage the cassette.

Clearly a bad case of over washing. Over washing bikes and fell shoes is a fools game