Bowland Grimpeur (200km) 6th August 2006
I was really looking forward to this ride, the first in the end of term
period of my season. After some long rides and a busy midsummer, these
short hilly ones are meant to be easy and fun (because they are easy).
We met a few familiar faces and a few new ones at the start, not a big
field. We set off as a group, about 10 of us. Leo and I lead up the
first climb after 1km, I was first over the top. The others soon
overtook on the descent and promptly missed the fourth turn on the
route sheet. Since I was at the back I was able to U turn quickly and
lead down the next drop. Leo was nervous and arrived at the T a few
moments after everyone else turned. We were then tail end charlies, I
didn't think we'd see the rest of the group again. Up and down and
round and round we go, short sharp hills, a few drags for pleasure but
with the humidity it was heavy going. Over my favourite hill in the
area, Oxenhope Moor and the final rider overhauled us. We ambled to the
first control at Long Preston, taking nearly four hours for the first
75km, We were shot, coke and sandwiches, fruit cake and water revived
us a little. It was midday, hot when we continued on but thankfully the
going was a bit easier, we perked up. Low & High Bentham and an info
control before entering the hills again for 25km across to Slaidburn.
Tatham Fell is beautiful, we climbed slowly, the traffic was a pain in
the Brooks and we were happy to get to the café. Five other riders
were still there, suffering in the humidity, we were to see two of
these again on and off for the remaining 70km, the other three were
still at the HQ when we arrived back.
Refreshed with more fluid that food we headed out, still hilly. We
missed a turn and managed to avoid the route sheet amendments,
diversion and Pendleside. Instead we had 10km of main road and some map
reading to get us back on route in time for the next info control in
Brierfield above Nelson. 1926, we saw two of the others here, they left
before us but we overtook them soon after. I was starting to go off,
not too happy about getting lost, getting tired and too hot. As soon as
we turned onto the main road to Todmorden, the A646, and a long long
descent I perked up, I realised I knew the entire route from here back
to Delph and Denshaw, I knew we wouldn't get lost anymore. A long
relaxing drop down to West Yorks, the other two pedalled past us, we
stopped for drinks on the outskirst of Todmorden then continued up the
valley to Littleborough. Driven by Leo we were going well, I felt
happier to be making some reasonable progress after what felt like
slow day. I took over round Hollingworth Lake, through Milnrow and Shaw
where we sailed past our friends. Left turn up the climb of Black Ladd,
Leo was slow, too hot, it started to drizzle which had no cooling
effect, we were overtaken by one of our friends but he stopped to wait
for his buddy so we overtook again. Down again, a stupid driver decided
to over take me with about 10 metres remaining to the T junction, PANIC
on the street of Delph, all of a sudden my stopping distance was
reduced, wet road, T junction - bang ! Could have been. I did stop
then shouted obscenities at the driver, she lowered her window to
remonstrate, I turn my back on her an rode away. Final info control
with 4km to go, just to demonatrate we climbed Black Ladd then back to
Denshaw. 11h 48mins. 215km, 2 AAA points. Slow, tired but all in all a
good hard ride.