The Broken Spoke Sportive 2012

I think I will rename this sportive as the Broken Palefish!!
Today was one of the hardest rides I have done. 86 miles with 6096ft of climbing in temperatures up to 31c.
Those of you familiar with the blog will know how much I dislike hills! But yet again I sign up to these rides expecting it to be easier than the last one. It is true that once completed and after a good nights sleep, the pain seems to recede and the euphoria of completing a challenging ride takes over.
There was a good turn out of the lads today. As this was such a tough ride I think there needs to be a roll call!!
Badders, Ken, Tim, Simon, Paul B, Paul H, Pete and Paul I! (too many Paul's!)

I drove to the School in Chester, and picked up Ken on the way, he had ridden through the tunnel. We registered, picked up our complimentary gells and food, and got the bikes ready.

The car park soon filled up and at 9 o' clock we were assembled for a pre ride briefing.

There were 230 riders taking part today. Not bad considering the route and the predicted heat!

We set off and headed out to Rossett. The pace was quite good as we spun in the sun! The first 30 miles were at an average pace of 18mph.

 After a stop at St Martins it wasn't long until we reached the first of today's challenges, Pontfadog! This is a 2 mile climb at an average of 8.7%. I had to walk for about half a mile, in the middle as I literally ran out of puff! once the hill was crested we were treated to a rather spectacular view across the hills.

The descent was not much fun either! There were some scary drops with 90degree turns at the bottom. Whilst we waited at the end of the descent to regroup the heat coming off the rims of my wheels was quite something!!

When we were all back together we faced the next challenge. The Horseshoe Pass! this is a 3.9 mile 1000ft climb. It was so hot by this time, I needed to stop and rest under a tree 3/4 of the way up! I felt like I was going to pass out!! It is time to invest in some Summer riding gear. Up to now I have been able to get by with what I have, but today showed me once again how important the right gear is. 

 After a cool down I continued to the top, looking over at the road we had just climbed!

At the top is the Famous Ponderosa Cafe and lots and lots of motorbikes. 

And some mad cyclists who decided to ride up hills on a sunny day!!

On top of the Horseshoe Pass

  The next bit was my favourite of the day! The descent to Ruthin. If Strava is to be believed I hit 47mph! It was a great respite to the previous hour and a half climbing!!
When we reached Ruthin we were treated to beans on toast, which we all enjoyed.

All Fed and watered

What we were not expecting, even though we all checked the route before leaving, was the final sting in the tail of the ride, The old Bwlch! This is a 2.5 mile climb raising 900ft to the car park on Moel Famau!! The views were spectacular, and my cleat's got more worn out as I had to walk a little way again!!

Resting at the top of the Old Bwlch

The last 25 miles were not pleasant. Another steep climb and lots of sun meant a slow tired pace, even the downhill sections were slower! But working together we made it back to the School, Eventually!!

Badders could smell the pasta!

Tired Bikes

I'm sure that even though we all said "never again" I expect to see everyone again next year!

The next challenge is the Patisserie Cyclisme/ Polocini Jubilee Cake ride on the 5th of June.

Today's Ride Details

Sun, Sea, Sand and Onix!

It is amazing how the sun encourages people to get out on their bikes. Tonight's ride promised to be interesting as Tim was going to be riding his Onix for the first time, and to add to the fun we were joined by a couple of new faces, and some familiar ones we hadn't seen for a while. I think tonight was the best turnout we have had for an evening ride so far, with 11 of us meeting at the 12th Man.

We rode out towards the Irby Mill to meet up with Noel, who is riding the Pennine Way with Paul over the weekend. Watch this space for a special guest blog from Paul on his return.
As we passed the Pub we spotted Ian and his son, so we decided to ride with them for a while. Luke was keen to show any challengers his wheel, which he did a couple of times!

After we left Ian and Luke, the two new riders chose to peel off as well. We rode on to Lower Heswall and then round and back up Thurstaston Road where I decided to have a David Bailey moment and take some over the shoulder photos of the lads climbing the hill!

At the top of the Hill we waited to regroup and have another opportunity to ogle at the Onix!

After a blast from Heswall to Caldy we climbed up Dave B's favourite hill, Kings Drive. Whilst at the top waiting to regroup I decided to ride down first and then capture the lads descending the only Hairpin on Wirral!!

I don't think David Bailey or Steven Spielberg have anything to worry about!!

After Climbing up Village Road and a great descent into West Kirby, setting off the 30mph speed sign, we stopped on the prom for me to get a few more snaps of the Onix.

Skinny Profile

Happy Tim!

The rest of the ride was at a good pace, with no more photo interruptions, along to Moreton and back through Upton to the 12th Man. Tim couldn't stop smiling and commented on how quick and responsive the Onix is, and how easy it is to put the power down and accelerate. I think I may spend a lot of time looking at his rear wheel in future rides!!

We hope to be riding every Tuesday and Thursday evening, leaving the 12th Man at 7.45. Everyone is welcome, the more the merrier!

A Non Carbon day!

I am feeling better this week, and have managed to get out on the Tuesday and Thursday evening rides with the Lads, and Lass. We haven't been pushing the distance but the pace is coming back. Hopefully normal service will soon be resumed, and will need to be as next Sunday I am attempting the Broken Spoke sportive, online registration is closed but they will accept registrations at the start on the day, if you fancy 85 miles and 1300m of climbing including the Horseshoe Pass.
When Zel told me this weeks ride from Vita Cycles was going out to Helsby and beyond, I decided that I wasn't ready for that yet, so I planned to ride out to Eureka. I sent Ade, one of the original Wirral Mamils,  a message to see if he would like to join me. Tim said he would join me as he hasn't done much in the last month and Paul signed up too. As the weather forecast for today wasn't great I decided to take the Giant out. I rode up to Paul's then on to meet Ade and finally Tim. Everyone had made the same bike choice, and for the first time in ages I wasn't surrounded by Carbon!

Low Carbon ride!

We rode out to Eureka via the lanes, through Parkgate, Neston, Burton and Puddington, and being spurred on by light drizzle we were there quite quickly. I had made the wrong clothing decision today! As I thought it would rain I wore my Santini Winter Jersey with my rain cape. It wasn't that cold though and I did overheat a little!!
We managed to beat the rush at Eureka and were sat drinking Coffee and eating cake, their rocky road is a particular favourite of mine and was calling to me to eat a slice today, when the Mersey Tri lads arrived and the Cafe filled up.

Busy day at Eureka

Once the caffeine and sugar had been taken on board we headed back. We were joined by Steve, a rider from West Kirby who was out for a ride on his own. It turns out he knows Ian and Carla and may join us in the future. Cycling is definitely a social sport. We meandered through the lanes again, this time via the missing link, Willaston, Thornton Hough, Barnston, Upton, Moreton, then round the coast to West Kirby, where Steve turned off, and then over Caldy and a final Climb up Thurstaston Hill back to Pensby.
After we had left Ade we rode back to Paul's where we indulged in another coffee and some excellent Bara Brith.
When I got home and put my bike away I was shocked to see how dirty it was! I hate to think how much worse it would have been if I hadn't had mudguards on!!!

Dirty Bike!

 I am hoping that this week I will get some longer hillier rides in on Tuesday and Thursday before the Sportive on Sunday. If anyone would like to join us we meet at the 12th man on Greasby Road at 7.45. Tim and Jon are picking up their new bikes this week so if you want to drool over some new Carbon you need to be there!

Todays ride details