vernon[_2_]
April 20th 08, 08:48 PM
I'm a glutton for punishment and chose to ride the Leap into the Aire 60km
Audax from Hebden Bridge to Keighley and back today. As usual I arrived at
the signing on point with a minute to spare only to find out that the start
had been delayed as the cafe used for the first control was opening later
than origininally planned. Great - it gave me time to get my bike out of
the car and prep up. Just finished getting ready and the riders set off.
The ride has a cruel start with around a five mile climb onto Oxenhope Moor
and I found the going tougher than last year because of the cold fresh
breeze blowing drizzle into my face. My cycle computer refused to work and
so I had to be extra vigilant when looking for junctions and the like. On
scenic rides my customary position is lanterne rouge and today was no
exception. I caught up with the slower riders at Pondon Mill and was inside
the time limit by only three minutes. I had to do a double take when I saw a
Dahon owner inflate his tyres with a track pump cunningly disguised as his
seat stem - amazing!
More climbing and then a bit of a descent into Crosshills where I made a
navigation error and ended up on the trunk road rather than the quiet road
that it superceded. A quick break in Keighley where the riders doing the
100km ride were now overtaking me and another long slog back to Hebden
Bridge skirting Haworth and following the route of the Keighley and Worth
Valley Railway. I desperatly wanted to get to the ex RAF compound on
Oxenhope Moor to be able to enjoy the long descent back into Hebden Bridge -
it took ages but the descent made it all worth while. I got back to the
start with an hour to spare and looking at last year's card I was 10 minutes
slower - I'm blaming the miserable weather and headwind. I bet I'm the
heaviest rider to do the route...
Hats off to Chriss Crossland for organising the event. The post-ride
catering was exceptional. I'm almost tempted to do his Autumn 1AAA point
rated ride - like today, it has a generoute minimum average speed.
Audax from Hebden Bridge to Keighley and back today. As usual I arrived at
the signing on point with a minute to spare only to find out that the start
had been delayed as the cafe used for the first control was opening later
than origininally planned. Great - it gave me time to get my bike out of
the car and prep up. Just finished getting ready and the riders set off.
The ride has a cruel start with around a five mile climb onto Oxenhope Moor
and I found the going tougher than last year because of the cold fresh
breeze blowing drizzle into my face. My cycle computer refused to work and
so I had to be extra vigilant when looking for junctions and the like. On
scenic rides my customary position is lanterne rouge and today was no
exception. I caught up with the slower riders at Pondon Mill and was inside
the time limit by only three minutes. I had to do a double take when I saw a
Dahon owner inflate his tyres with a track pump cunningly disguised as his
seat stem - amazing!
More climbing and then a bit of a descent into Crosshills where I made a
navigation error and ended up on the trunk road rather than the quiet road
that it superceded. A quick break in Keighley where the riders doing the
100km ride were now overtaking me and another long slog back to Hebden
Bridge skirting Haworth and following the route of the Keighley and Worth
Valley Railway. I desperatly wanted to get to the ex RAF compound on
Oxenhope Moor to be able to enjoy the long descent back into Hebden Bridge -
it took ages but the descent made it all worth while. I got back to the
start with an hour to spare and looking at last year's card I was 10 minutes
slower - I'm blaming the miserable weather and headwind. I bet I'm the
heaviest rider to do the route...
Hats off to Chriss Crossland for organising the event. The post-ride
catering was exceptional. I'm almost tempted to do his Autumn 1AAA point
rated ride - like today, it has a generoute minimum average speed.