Derwent

After a few days of high wind it was nice to get a flat day. Roads were pretty quiet at 9am as every normal person should have been hungover after Boxing day.
Sunshine as we rode out of Bradfield but once on the tops we en counted a little rain. Looking back we could see Bradfield framed by a rainbow.
The circuit round Derwent is very popular and today was no different. Lots of walkers and riders enjoying the good early morning weather. The area must have had some heavy rain as water was coming off the hills and covering the road.
its the first time I've seen water coming over both dam walls in a long time. Another plus , the road was closed to cars after the centre.
The weather got better as we returned too. Very nice 35miles.

Holme Firth

Great days riding. Heading out to Holme Firth Bob put us on the trans Pennine trail. Not for road bikes which made it more fun for us. Found a

skate park on route and put Marc on it. Bit too wet and slippy for him to make much of it but the vid does show how good he is. With a BMX he would have been better. Rest of us would have ended up in A&E! Circus boy is what he is.
Great day was had by all. I laughed lots. Bob ended the day with a puncture which was fitting as it was him that dragged us onto the off road trail

Top sunny day

After a very gloomy week and a wet Friday night Saturday surprised us with amazing weather. Way too warm for the gear I had on.
We went up to Abney and on past the gliding club before taking one of Chris's loops. Nice loop through a quiet valley out the back of Tideswell.
Not the best road to take your best bike on as Pete found out. With no mudguards his bike needed a trip to the drive through wash at the garage in Morrisons!
I wasn't just mud either as the local farm is a cow farm. Not a pleasant smell his jacket was giving off in the Yondermans cafes.

Back home to the Nags head for a beer sat outside in the sunshine.
Top day in all. I will leave you with a pic of Peters bike before the car wash!

Yondermans

Its our favourite cafe by a long way this. Amazing choice value and service here. Foods great too.
This weekends ride was cold, warmed up riding to the gliding club then onto Yondermans after getting separated into 3 groups. No idea how that happened.
After the Yondermans it was down Monsal and up Cressbrook and over Little Huck low and down the crazy steep one into Bradwell

Next stop Nags Head were Pete managed to get tackled to the ground by his own bike in the car park. What a twonk. Photo of his latest injury. It did bleed apparently!

Saturday clubs weekend away.

Very late in the year but we where blessed with excellent weather. The wind was not as cruel as it usually is on the East coast.

Base for the two nights was the Derbyshire miners convalescent home which was the best venue so far in our travels. Sorted by Ray Mason, the people there really looked after us and everything was first class.
First days ride was into Boston and we actually sat outside to drink coffee and eat Danish custards.
With plenty of beers and a few games of snooker in the evening I think everyone had a great weekend. Its nice to get a few flat rides in now and again. I've added a shot of Erics new winter cycling shoes.

Strange as it seems for the 21st October the whole place was decked out for Christmas.


 
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Punctures

Not my best day today. Two punctures on a very dry cold sunny Saturday.
Great to have Mallorca Mick back out. Rob Wormald the Sheffrec chairman also put in an appearance. top bloke and top rider.
Flagg cafe appears closed for the winter but Monyash remains a close favourite. Beers at the Grouse sat outside in the sunshine.

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Goyt Valley in October!!

Possibly the best days riding I've had in the Uk this year. Sun cream in October is unheard of.
Also to have some Sunday lads out on a Saturday was great.
Not the flat test route out but I really enjoyed it. Great weather, great company and amazing scenery. Goyt valley is probably the finest valley to ride out of that we have. Totally unspoilt and traffic free. With the weather touching record highs for October it would have been wrong not to ride all day. I had a smile on my face all day and that's what its all about really.
Big mention to Ness who rode 71miles for the first time while Marc Etches went to a sweaty bike show. I bet he was sat in a car on the way home while we drank beer in the Nags. Beer tastes all the better after a day like this.
Thanks to everyone who made October 1st the best days riding this year.

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Aber

Wales at least this part of Wales has roads that rival Mallorca. I have not seen a pot hole all week.
Also the car drivers have been kind. Something for everyone here, climbs, fast roads and amazing scenery. Along the coast you get some crazy 25% climbs but ride inland and its a perfect training ride without the wind.

Ian always said it was Mallorca without the weather, he was right. I got nice weather. Mtb have trails from Aber to devils bridge which has me wanting an mtb.
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New Oakleys

Not done any riding today but did make a purchase of the latest in optical cycle wear from Oakley. State of the art with sweat pads all round.
They come in a range of colours but I wanted white for the pose.
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Just the four!

As its holiday season and Eric would rather go to the races and drink free beer than ride with us! Only four of us at the bus stop this weekend. Myself, mark Rusby, blind Pete and Bob M.
We decided to go up to the gliding club via Leam for a change. Over to Cressbrook and up that cheeky little climb that Bob found, long Lane. Very quiet and cuts the windy drag along the busy main road out.
Lunch at the Yondermans, has to be this years best cafe. Next came Longstone Edge and into Bakewell via a trip on the trans pennine trail Bob loves so much. Love to do through and off along there at full tilt on a Saturday!! BUT WE DIDNT

I have since found out we have been reported for riding too fast and with no regard for walkers to our club secretary. So thats us told, not be going on there again BOB!!!

That actually brought us out at the bottom of another lovely climb up Station rd by the golf course. Pilsley then off up Froggatt and for a change we stopped at the rising sun at Ranmore. Nice Amstel in the sun.
Bit of a detour on the way back as we had to go to the Nags!!
Good day out, 60miles I think, never bothered turning my clock on - easier just to make the figure up!!!
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No views!!

This Saturday we set out with the intentions of showing Mallorca Mick the delights of Saddleworth Moor. As we got the tops near Holme Firth the fog was so bad we couldn't see a deal of anything. Fog in August?

Lunch was taken in the very nice Penny Lane cafe found up a cobbled path. The decision was made to take the shorter route home via Holme Moss and woodhead before the weather got worse.
No wind at all on the Moss climb which is a first for me. I did feel sick climbing so soon after lunch. Woodhead was like a motorway and after Flouch we turned right and headed over Strines. We call the climb Deliverance but that has nothing to do with its gradient although that is scary in itself. With that out of the way it was blue skies all the way to the Nags for a pint. In toe for this ride we had a couple of friends from Kiverton CC who we don't see to often in the hills TT guys don't usually do hills but it was nice to see them. Great day despite the lack of any great views.

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Ice cream

Perfect riding weather this Saturday so we decided on another trip to the Manifold Valley. First stop Calver via Lodge Lane, that never gets any easier! Quick coffee in Calver picking up our two chezzie riders then off up to Monyash for breakfast.
The ride into the Manifold Valley is more a gentle glide downhill which I love followed by the tunnel then the climb with the view of the cave entrance.
Next stop was for ice cream


before heading back to Bakewell and up Froggatt to the Grouse for a well earned pint of Banks's in the sunshine. Top view from the Grouse.
My legs don't function after a beer so I'm always last to the top after the pub! Cracking day in the sunshine with no hassle from the motorists for once.
Anyone else think Eric looks like Louis Spence?

Summer 60

Got a great ride in today. Abbey climb to the gliding club. Dinner at the ever impressive Yonder mans cafe.
Went over and down Kingston Edge, best view in the area. On through to Younger and back to Bake well. Ended the day with a pint in the Nags.
A very hot day but great fun.
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Cheeky Thursday

Five of us got a day off school and set out to check on the B&B status in Longnor for our September weekender.

Had to shelter in the cafe at Calver over a pint of coffee while the rain clouds moved but other than that it was a dry day.

Bobs been mad for this trans pennine trail for a while so we picked that up just outside Bakewell and got off by the Riddley Tin, which is a cafe If you bring and cook your own food! That's not a cafe then is it?

Top route through the tunnels and a first for me.

Fish n chips in Longnor was tops as usual. The climb out past my last crash site was safer than coming the other way!

Bumped into the legend that is John Tansley at Ladybower.

Popped into the Naggs for a beer and some chips (more chips). After 70miles I think we put on weight!
Top day and Eric exposed himself in the Nags, no point in adding that pic as everyone has already seen it countless times and the chips in the Nags are bigger!
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Spare Ribs

Unlike Sunday , Saturday was wet and windy but warm enough.
Not the best day to go over the tops to meet Eric at Owlerbar but that's what we did anyway.

Eric was still smarting from the damaged ribs he sustained during a drunken altercation with a bank and a tree!

So we gave him the sympathy he deserved! The soul purpose of today's ride was to take a look at a poppy field Eric  found and had a desire to walk naked through! Thankfully the naked stuff he will do in his own time.

 The poppy field is amazing and there is a path to follow if you have permission.

Eric turned back early as he was in lots of pain much to our amusement! He also had a puncture so it really wasn't his day at all.
We continued to Cromford for lunch before heading up Via Gellia and a pit stop at the Nags Head for a pint of their brilliant Wim-bull-don beer, I think its their finest so far. So all in all not a bad 70 miles, could have been worse, could have had Eric's ribs. BBQ anyone?!!!

Peak Forest

Today Nick and myself did a top little loop through Bradwell and over to Peak Forest. A steep drag then put us onto the main road towards one of the best views in the area Mam Nick. Scary descent too as Nick can testfy to having ended up in a bush to avoid a car! Road brakes are not the same as mtb brakes.
Coffee in Hope and a quick look round the local bike shop. Perfect weather and back for 1pm.

Not Bobs day!

We had 12 riders today, another great turn out for the Saturday ride.
Dodged the rain all day.
Bob was riding a tyre older than Alex so we bought him a new one in Hope. The MTB shop there only do one road tyre, a middle of the road training tyre they sell for £29.99!! Captive market I guess but robbery is a better word.
On the descent from Ringinglow a wasp tried to make friends with Bob and when he said no , stung him four times!
So think on my friends, don't buy a tyre off those guys and always zip your jersey up.

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Scarborough

Sheffrec cc annual club charity ride weekend. Weather was kind setting off. Got nasty at the top of Staxton with hail. The hail turned to torrential rain as we neared the end which saw 20 riders hiding under a tree from the elements. No photo of that as I was hiding also.
Beers in the Newcastle Packet as usual. Great pint of Theakstons.
I went off to the Black Lion to watch the cup final while the rest stayed and drank more beer.
Had a great night in the town with plenty more rain and some very nice fish n chips.
Nick managed to fall down a muddy back on his return

Setting off in the morning was sunny but that didn't last as the rain showers came, but nothing too bad. The return leg was ok but its hard into the wind with tired legs and hangovers.
All in all pretty good and we arrived back in Sheffield at 4.15pm. hope we have raised plenty of cash for Jamie Keeling.
http://www.jamiekeeling.co.uk/

Big up for Henry F who did the full 200 miles on a fixed gear bike so no freewheeling for him at all and his legs were like bees wings on the descents.

Sheffrec cc

Rain, lots of it!

Saturday was tipped fine until late afternoon, how wrong can these weather people be!
Coming into Matlock felt like people were hurling buckets of water over me! My poor white shoes will never be the same again.
Cafe owner at Cromford had to mop the floor before we got our food poor bloke.

Pete managed his first full ride with the lads and did so without a waterproof which was brave (he's since bought one!)

Thankfully it was dry all the way home so we did warm up a bit.
Great to see our club secretary and Ness braving the weather also. Hair gel does sting when it gets in the eyes doesn't it Marc! keeping it real opting for white kit on such a wet day.

Next week is the Scarborough charity ride which will  no doubt be another epic. 

Camels Toe?

Has Eric shave off more than just the usual or are those ladies cut Assos?
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Tales from the riverbank!

Saturday ride was a return to the Manifold Valley. Its a long day but well worth it. A record 17 riders turned out for the Saturday Sheffrec ride. Amongst the usaul suspects were a couple of newcomers. Ness Etches and a very big Marine whos name escapes me so will just call him Camouflage! Hope to see them again in the coming weeks.

The cafe stop was at Flagg, a brilliant and very large cafe with an upstairs large enough to accommodate any size group really. Great food and service.

After that it was off towards Manifold valley. Riding down through the valley for what seemed like ages. The more notable things on the ride are Swainsley Tunnel and Thors Cave which can be seen as you climb the hill.

We did have one puncture but I think it was just a reason to get off and have a rest! The next part of the ride makes up probably the funniest thing I've seem while riding with this lot. No idea what the place is called but the river there goes over the road. Its perfectly safe as there is a foot bridge. You always get one and we got three attempt the river crossing. Now it's pretty rocky and we are on road bikes with tyres not design for river crossings. Well done to Dave and Mark who made it across dry. Step up Ian Hull who wasn't so lucky! He later said it was the movement of the water that was the problem!!! from where I was stood it looked like he hit a rock, toppled over and sat with the water up to his waist laughing. You have to laugh really as the area is a busy picnic area so we were not alone! We didn't hear the familiar scream when he hit the water so new nothing was broken. He did manage to loose his computer in the water. The good thing about our lot is nobody took the piss and everyone was very supportive all the way home!!!!

We did stop at the Grouse on Froggatt Edge for lemonade (I cant ride past there now without stopping such is the quality of their lemonade!) I rolled home at 6pm with a big smile on my face.

I've done a little research and found a bike perfect for Ian's next river crossing.

                                                     Ian Hull - This weeks Saturday Hero

Saddleworth Moor

With weather this good we couldn't pass up the opportunity to ride Saddleworth Moor. I've done this in windy conditions and its pretty cruel.
But today was perfect, sunny, warm and cloudless with no wind.
Bit of an altercation with a young motorist who insisted on using her horn behind us on the descent into Holmfirth. Pretty sure 30pmh is the speed limit in a built up area so why would she be wanting to go faster?
After breakfast I missed the right turn to Maston and Tim took a left which had him lost for 30mins but thanks to the boys in blue he found us again so off you went.
Amazing climb up the Moor and today we had a helicopter at the top lifting supplies onto the moor, reminded me of Apocalypse Now!
As we wasted time getting lost we didn't get a coffee on the return to Holmfirth, just pressed on home to the Nags to celebrate a great days riding.
We did encounter a motorist who took offence to us riding in the middle of the road to avoid the tram tracks, the veins in his neck were visible and I thought fat boy was going to have a heart attack at the wheel! He's obviously never been on the Sharpe end of a tram track, probably goes from the couch to the car to the cake shop!
Anyways it was an epic day and I laughed loads and came home with a smile on my face having had a top day with some great lads. Can't wait to do it all again next week.
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Derwent Dam

Took myself off for a late afternoon ride out to Derwent. I was going to ride for four hours but I was alone and I don't like myself enough to ride for four hours alone!!
Warm and sunny, first ride in shorts sleeves in England this year. If I had to moan it was a headwind on the climb out of Bradfield.

Its an over looked ride round the Dams but excellent as there is pretty close to zero traffic and the roads are good with brilliant scenery. All in all a great ride spoiled only by the company!

I worried a few sheep by the road side but not in a bad way!! I really dislike cattle grids but that's the countryside for you.

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Longnor

Probably my favourite ride this one.
Very over cast to start with but we had around 12 riders meet at the bus stop which is double what we normally get.
It was windy which meant the showers passed quickly, we only sheltered once at the cave on Millers Dale. Once we got onto the tops the sun came out. Cracking view as you descend into Longnor, you can see the hairpins on the climb that will come after the stop for fish n chips. Never been the same since Frankly Scarlets cafe closed but I still love Longnor.
The weather just got better on the return home.
For no reason I can think of half the group went up Froggatt Edge while the rest rode on for a nice pint in the Nags Head.
All in all a good day out. Unless you went up Froggatt and ended up paying a million pounds a pint in the Norfolk Arms!!!!

Great to see Henry out with the lads again. Not everyday you get to ride with a Rock n Roll Star, just the odd Saturday.


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Mallorca

Just spent a glorious week riding around the island with the lads.
Saturday we rode up Soller in the sunshine. Sunday we had an amble to the beach at St Elm, what an amazing place that is.

Monday we rode to the monastery at Ronda and had coffee while admiring the view over the island. You can see for miles from up there.
Tuesday we climbed Galilea which is probably my favourite climb, twisting through the forest.
Wednesday it rained so we had a crazy golf competition followed by some beers. Culminating in yours truly being pushed into the swimming pool fully clothed in a wheelchair!
Thursday was a big day as we took in the magnificent descent that is Sa Calobra. Craziest bit of road I have ever had the privilege to ride down and up.

Its an amazingly cycle friendly island with the best tarmac I have ever ridden on. If you ever get the chance go.

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