Tour de France early Grand Depart

TOUR DE YORKSHIRE

It never occurred to me when I organised a Team Glow ride on the route of the Tour de France Grand Depart, that 14 women would be tracing the tracks of a race that only men can enter.

I was bowled over with the prospect of the Tour de France in the North of England, zooming around our beautiful hills, barrelling under crags and flying up the best gradients the UK can offer, teetering on tops before plummeting down descents which rival the Alps in their trickiness rather than length. Not to mention the quaint villages, Yorkshire stone, duck ponds, cricket matches, medieval castles, abbeys an' all. And then there's the moors, plenty of them for a racer to get moody on as he forces his legs to cleave through the hostile wind.

 I wanted some of that so our group of Glowees took to their bikes to ride over 2 days what the racing guys would do in 1 day.  The sun shone and shone and shone for the whole weekend, proving that there is a God and she wants women to ride the Tour de France.

 

The joy of packing.......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

....or forgetting

 

 

Half the group started at Leeds Town Hall, and met up with the rest of us at Ilkley with a resounding rendition of "On Ilkley Moor Bah' t'at"

 

 

 

 

 

From Ilkley we warmed our legs up spinning through busy Skipton on market day, past the castle and winding up towards Kettlewell.

 

At Kettlewell some extreme members of our crew shot off up the 1 in 4 climb that the Tour de France athletes fear to tackle. I've been DOWN that hill, hugging Great Whernside for a perilous descent.  Now there's an idea: a women's tour that tackles the climbs too tough for the men. Yes guys, on the day, if you want a bit more excitement, just follow the Glows' wheel tracks up and down the 25% incline out of Kettlewell. Chris, Bradley, Mark are you listening? Hola! Alberto Contador?  Allons! Thomas Voeckler.  Apres les Glows!

 

Meandering along Wharfedale didn't last long and we were soon toiling up what  is cutely now called the Cote de Cray but when i did it last year it was Kidstones Pass. The lung-busting climb is made more delightful by the superb views of swathes of Yorkshire at its best - green fields, stone walls, luscious rivers inviting you to splash in the fresh water, followed by a supposedly easy ride to Hawes. 

 

Easy ride my foot - blasting headwind transforming it to torture at the end of the day.

 

Did I mention hills? Did I mention the climbs the Fit Guys aren't doing. On Sunday morning two sturdy Glows continued the theme as they toiled up Fleet Moss against a flood of descending riders on the Etape de Dales sportive hurtling through their own Yorkshire experience.

 

The rest of us set out towards the rude awakening of Buttertubs - sorry, M'sieur, Cote de Buttertubs. It was hard, it was long, it was hot, it was steep, it went on and on, it was beautiful, it was exhilarating, it was the top of the world. It was everything a cyclist would want on a Sunday morning.

 

Coming down is tricky. You've got to have your wits about you, feather those brakes for all they’re worth,  keeping one eye out for silent sportive speedsters whizzing past who've still got 80 miles and another 6 climbs to go. I passed a terrified guy cautiously descending who must have come from down South and had never encountered the glorious gradients of the North.

 

Soon we bowling through the villages of Muker and Gunnerside to Reeth, along the valley flanked by more green fields dotted with stone barns and obligatory gorgeous lambs.

 

The final climb was tough but the pull up to Grinton Moor was merely sweaty and puffy compared to the terror of Buttertubs.  "This is why we cycle!!" I yelled at the top of my voice as the expanse of majestic moor unfolded before us. The moorland ride and rolling descent to Masham should have been a breeze, but rather more than a breeze in our faces forced us to push every inch of the way. God's own country can be harsh.

 

The last 10 miles of every long distance ride is always a come-down - literally and metaphorically. The A61 has nothing to say for itself except it takes you to Harrogate and that was our destination. Pretty as a postcard, cycling past the famous Betty's tearoom (but too filthy to go in), we all congratulated each other on our ride - not to mention the achievements of the extra super-duper efforts. 

 

So there you are. 8,000 feet of climbing, 128 miles. Fastest speed 43 mph. The hardy types climbed 12,728 feet over 143 miles.

 

 

Down and back up again

Well it wuz like this, you see. I was out there on this dead cool track 'n makin' air on da berms like there was no tomorrow. An' all me mates from BikeRight! was dere, and sum of dem was like doin' really cool stuff aswel, an' our big day out was gettin' really sick wiv track cyclin' as well as BMX an' Moutain Biking an' all dat speed 'n flyin' around an' generally gettin' high on how cool we were ridin'.

 

I mean, look at me, man, it couldn't get cooler than that, eh? Me same age as Granma peltin' down dat ramp an' over da boards. Phewww-eeee!! Gimme five!! Gimme fifty-five! I am hammerin' an' yammerin' an' whammerin' dat BMX til I gonna fly!

Den guess what - I did fly, up in da air an' crash down an' smash me own pelvis where the line is on top of the P in the pic.  Yup, I got given some luvverly gas'n'air to take me to hospital, and den it was crutches for Christmas.

 

 

I'm better now, but no more BMX-ing.  Back to sensible road biking, commuting and touring.

Tootle pip!!

BERLIN BY BIKE



Street corner in Kreuzberg

We seem to be expert at busmen's holidays, and this was no different.  On our way on the train from the airport, a wet mother and child plus bike got on at the next stop. Over the next 4 days one or other of us could be heard uttering "Lots of cyclists!", "Look what happens when this cycle lane meets a road", "Quite a few are wearing helmets but by no means all", "Look at how people just leave their bike chained in the street - looks like there isn't room for them indoors in the flat", "What a crappy old bike!", "What a machine!", "God, he's old!", "How many bikes can we count on platforms, in trains or trams in a day?", "She's young to be cycling on her own," "Hey, that postie's bike has a double-stabilised parking stand", "How can they just lock the bike to itself, unsecured to any railing or tree?"




Aaaaah, Mummy bike and baby bike



A tram - unlike in Manchester you can take your bike on it

A tram that welcomes bikes




Ready for Fat Tire Bike tour at Alexanderplatz

Beer garden in the Tiergarten

The Wall - we expected it to be much higher

Reichstag building - fab night visit walking up the endless ramp

It's hardly original, travelling round Berlin on a bike, but as it was our first visit to the city, it was a no-brainer to organise a pedal-powered sightseeing tour with Fat Tire Bikes. Five stars and a 20 Euro tip to our guide, Neil for an entertaining, informed, varied trawl through the sights of yesteryear. He explained the tough stuff - Hitler's bunker, remnants of The Wall - , revered the lost - Kristallnacht, book burning - , chuckled at the ridiculous - identical Protestant and Catholic cathedrals at either end of a square -, pointed us to the essentials - a fistful of lager in the beer garden of the Tiergarten (yes, that is supposed to rhyme). He even got down on his hands and knees just before Checkpoint Charlie and sketched out on the pavement with coloured chalks the whole Cold War history of Europe. Since Berlin was essentially apile of rubble in 1945 most of the buildings have been re-built in the last 50 years, although what was left is ravaged by bulletholes.


Holocaust memorial

There's much more to say on the subject of Berlin and how it deals with its violent, divided history with dignity and without schmaltz. But that is not the remit of a cycling blog.
As in other European cities like Amsterdam, there was a chilled-out feel to the streets: people cycled slowly along wide roads (not all with segregated cycle lanes) in their everyday clothes, just going about their business. At times the road was up for repairs - a common sight as the underground and tram routes are being upgraded and extended - so riders ambled along the pavements for a hundred metres, gently tinging their bell from time to time, without anyone batting an eyelid. 

There were loads of bikes for hire, not just one scheme, and the official DB Cycle Hire scheme was much less distinctive than Velib in Paris.


Remnant of The Wall suitably decorated

It made us think about bike snobs in the UK - including us.  It's not all about faster, lighter, slicker. The young guy riding a bike with a basket wasn't ashamed, he was just going somewhere with his friend.

Everything felt very safe. Cars seemed to slow down for cyclists; I think the law on the continent is opposite from Britain - it's automatically the driver's fault in a collision unless they prove otherwise.










The climate doesn't seem to put people off.  During the 2 days of drizzle that accompanied our visit, people got togged up in cagoules, stashed their bags in Ortlieb carriers, and carried on. I doubt, however, that people ride during the harsh winter months of sub-zero temperatures.  


Streeet corner cafe

Definitely worth another visit to cycle round and get to know the city. 

 

Tour de JoLiz

Sunday 25th August 2013

 

Inspired by the upcoming Grand Depart of next year's Tour de France, we decided to try out a section of Day 1's 200km race from Leeds to Harrogate. Choosing a loop containing spectacular Yorkshire Dales scenery, we stayed true to the race route from Buckden via Hawes and round Askrigg Common, but deviated at Reeth to complete our circular ride, with its own very challenging features.

 
Taking in 63 miles and 6152 feet of climbing, our efforts were similar to a professional athlete's -  the differences that belied the fact that we were on holiday rather than competing were: time in the saddle (6 hours 30 minutes) and average speed (9.7 mph) - notwithstanding Liz’s top speed of 38.6 mph; even Jo hit a scarifying 37.9, never before achieved and possibly not to be repeated.

 

Being Lancashire lasses, we followed the exhortation to Allez Yorkshire, and weren't disappointed by the succession of Dales - Wharfedale, Bishopdale, Wensleydale, Coverdale - and the increasingly clear views as the cloud cover dispersed and we were rewarded with blue-sky clarity of Pen-y-Ghent and further afield flat-topped Ingleborough and the peaks of the Howgills.

 

 

Heading north from Hawes with Great Shunner Fell on our left, we bisected the Pennine Way before passing through the villages of Muker and Gunnerside (and deciding Crackpot could stay signposted 1 mile away - we didn't need to visit it).

Following the course of the rivers Ure, Swale and Cover wasn't the gentle riverside amble that you get in other counties. Instead the road repeatedly swooped down alongside and then crossed over bridges then rose high up above the river, looking over to fabulously named hilltops: Rogan's Seat, Great Pinseat, Middle Tongue, Buckden Pike, Wether Fell, Walden Head, Great Haw.

The hardest pull, because we'd already climbed multiple hills, was over Redmire Common.  It had us out of the saddle in a different way. Yes we walked it.  But where there are ups, there are many downs. When can a downside also be the upside? I wondered.  Answer: when you're descending. We plummeted past Castle Bolton, almost missing the old railway track that's now a gated cycle path complete with warning: COWS WITH CALVES CAN BE AGGRESSIVE. We didn't slow down to find out.

 What is the law of nature decreeing that dinky tearooms can only be found in the first half of any bike ride, and when you're thirsting and starving all that's on offer are dry villages and arid farms? It wasn’t until 5pm that the mirage of the Foresters Arms in Carlton became reality. The ethos of the community-owned pub came through as "We don't do sandwiches on Sundays" was translated into 2 massive wholemeal bread sandwiches stuffed with pork from the Sunday roast, washed down with pints of coke and lime and soda.

Just enough to get us along the final 15 miles up, up, up in the shadow of Great Whernside, then down down down (nearly hitting the deck a few times) as we wheeled and swerved and careered and banked the perilous descent to Kettlewell -  25%  gradient, then calming down for the rolling return along Wharfedale to Buckden.

Watch out, Liz! Jo's skidmark - stayed upright though!

Coming back? Yes, we'll bring a group of Glow women to join us in tackling the 17% climbs and zooming descents. And what's more, we scoped out our campsite and ideal viewing point for July 5th 2014. Where? Not telling, we don't want to be swamped out.

Ride London 100 done and delighted

Outside Buckingham Palace, after charging down The Mall to the finish

On Sunday 4th August we completed the 100 mile cycle route through London and Surrey on closed roads. What an achievement - both in completing it and in it actually happening.
The build-up was impressive, the organisation couldn't be faulted, and the conditions were ideal.

We arrived in London on Friday night, went to Excel to collect our race numbers and then joined in the London FreeCycle - 8 miles of closed roads in the centre of London. Ended up at Green Park cycling festival where there were lots of cycling activities taking place. Met up with some cycling friends - not planned - and saw colleagues from the world of cycling.

In preparation for the 100-mile ride we only had a carafe of wine (not a bottle) with our evening pasta! Bed by 9.30pm. Alarm set for 4am - yes 4am. On reading through the final instructions from Ride London realising that the start was at the Olympic park which is 7miles away from where we are staying. We must be on the road by 5am and the only way is to cycle.

It was still dark when the alarm went off. All our clothes were ready to quickly spring into action, eat porridge, drink fluids, final check and leave. Oops left sunglasses on a stool in the hallway. Realised about a mile into the journey but no turning back now.

We had studied our route the day before using the London cycling maps, asked advice about the best way to cycle, downloaded a route from the Barclays cycle app........ And didn't need any of it - just followed the mass of cyclists converging on the London streets at 5am - mixed in with the drunken revellers finishing off their Saturday night out. We passed a few poor cyclists with punctures - not a good start to the day for them.

The sun was rising as we arrived at the Olympic stadium. It was a warm morning and very exciting with thousands of cyclists. Once we knew where our starting gate was we relaxed and took in the atmosphere.

At the start we looked like this, 6am at the Olympic Park
















We set off in our wave exactly on time. A leisurely 2 miles to the official start and the convergence of the blue and black waves together. Pretty amazing that 20,000 cyclists can set off and were pretty spread out in the first few miles.



 

 

 

We had decided to stop off at the 3 hubs 25 miles, 45 miles and 75 miles. Drinks, bananas and bars on offer. We had our fill at each stop. At 45 miles and after the first hill we sat on the grass for 10 mins with a fantastic view of Surrey. Leith hill was a bit steep and then box hill was extremely mild. All that anxiousness for nothing. We are so unconfident of our ability. My goal was to complete 100miles and enjoy the experience - which I did. It was fantastic to be cycling through villages and towns on closed roads with crowds of clapping people encouraging us on. It felt very special. Once we got to 20 miles to go I felt that's it we have done it. All down hill from now - except Wimbledon hill - short, sharp, shock!

Cycling into the centre of London was special - 1. Knowing it would all be over soon, and

2. The honour of being able to cycling in central London and then down the Mall at 18 mph.

We were given a medal at the end and a goody bag.

It was so good to finish. Took some pictures outside Buckingham Palace and then went into Green Park to lie horizontally on the grass and drink some revolting recovery drink from our goody bag. We both fell asleep exhausted probably for 10 mins. We then staggered over to the food area and bought a veggie burger - delicious.



At the end we looked like this, 3pm at Green Park.

We then walked back towards Green Park tube where the roads were open and cycled back to our flat ( well Deborah's flat). Had a bath and then forced ourselves to go out and have some Thai food and a Chang beer. That was enough. Back to the flat and in bed by 8.30pm. What a day.

I loved every minute of it and am really pleased that I did it but I have no desire to do it again. It might spoil it! And someone else can have a go at it.

Freecycle weekend in London

The media build-up set the scene last weekend's festival of cycling in London as a mass experience not to be forgotten.
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/aug/02/cycling-boom-ridelondon

                                   It was warm, it was well-organised, it was wonderful.

As out-of-towners, we thoroughly enjoyed ambling round central London for 8 miles.  Best sights were the Tower of London and riding alongside the Thames with no traffic distractions.

The carnival atmosphere was uplifted by music and all the generations taking part -  small children pushing their parents on tagalongs, or weaving in and out of the crowds with their little legs pumping away. 

 

 

To cap it all, Liz got to sit in the golden throne previously occupied by Chris Froome and friends

 

 

 

Pride of BikeRight!

How could we resist these gorgeous guys cosying up to Ed Clancy at the Velodrome last night?  It almost deserves a caption competition.

Talking of taking cycling seriously, the hours are ticking away towards the Ride London - Surrey 100 following last year's Olympic road race route, which Liz and I have a coveted place on.  Only 11 days to go, and wondering if our confidence is due to utter naivete or the cockiness that's the preserve of the experienced cyclist? Only time will tell. It will be a change from the Manchester 100 which we've done for the last few years; a welcome change?

Rob at BikeRight! did the Liverpool - Chester - Liverpool (through the Mersey tunnel) on 7th July, and now intends to sign up for the Manchester to Blackpool night ride in September. Personally a night ride seems a bit pointless to me, as you can't see anything.  I'd rather be tucked up in bed, apart from the sunset - which I 'm prepared to admit has the chance of providing a substantial Wow! factor.

Another Rob from Newcastle described his 24-hour charity cycle ride last year.  "We started off watched by office workers eating lunch. At 5pm I imagined them going home while we continued cycling. As it got dark I thought why can't I go to bed like they are? During the next morning, having stayed awake ALL NIGHT while those lucky people were sleeping peacefully, my thoughts drifted to them again: they were looking forward to another lunch and we were STILL CYCLING!"

This Rob heads up The Grand Scheme, a bike share/bike hire company.  We spent two delightful days together on the pavement in front of Liverpool's Catholic Cathedral (known as Paddy's Wigwam locally) demonstrating how the Grand Scheme system works.  Liverpool City Council's publicity campaign has obviously worked, since most passers-by had heard of the planned hire scheme, dubiously dubbed Scou-cycles by the Press.

So, taking cycling seriously can take many forms, from loving the sport, to leisure rides with a purpose, to providing facilities for many more people to adopt the cycling habit - involving individuals, organisations and public authorities.  All have a stake in cycling, and all need to invest in it too to saturate our culture with cycling.

The last word goes to Mark, one of our new instructors.  "I was cycling to a school in Crosby, and I passed a little girl I recognised out cycling behind her Dad, so I introduced myself to him.  'Since you taught her to ride on the road last month, she's had me on my bike constantly' he said. That's why I love this job" said Mark.