Just a brief post today, because I’ve not done anything special, except in my own little mind.
Woohoo! I Finished The July150!
I knew I had about 12 miles left to finish the July150 challenge, and that I might not get out on the bike again until Sunday (the 1st of August), so my Tuesday night autopilot loop would have to be half a mile longer than usual.
Also, I still haven’t pulled the slicks off the Fat Boy, so after the bit of rain we’d had I stuck to the roads . I did my usual route up to Hollingworth Lake and it was dry enough to do a loop o’t'Lake too. Half way round, I was faced with this view so my aim of keeping the average speed over 12mph was discarded while I took a couple of photos.
- This Is Why I Ride.
- Never Get Tired Of This…
- Tuesday Autopilot Loop, plus Extra Bit.
I dropped into Littleborough then took the main roads back towards Rochdale and home. When I arrived, I noticed that I’d only done a shade over 10 miles so I did something that only the July150 can be blamed for: I took the path between Firgrove Playing Fields and set off for a quick loop to Milnrow and back.
The loop was partly along a narrow grassy track, but I thought I’d be ok as the rest of the ride had been nice & grippy. Not so! I was like Bambi on ice, sliding all over the place in my granny ring, seemingly covering as much ground sideways as forwards! I really must get those slicks off.
Arriving home a second time, I’d amassed enough miles to hang up my bike for a few days and grin quietly to myself at covering 150 miles in the month. This would never have happened without some of you lot spurring me on, so thanks a lot. I love you all. But not in that way.
Are you lot up for an #August150 ?
What A Lovely Way To Spend A Saturday.
On Saturday, Joby and Chris rode up to mine and we went on a ride up Blackstone Edge. I’ve only ever ridden up there twice before in my life, in 2000 and 2001, on both occasions for charity. I remember it flooring me the first time, and the 2nd time I had to walk halfway up the damn hill.
Basically, Blackstone Edge is a 3.5 mile ascent from 150m to 390m – and for me on my Focus Fat Boy, it’s bloody hard work. It was a gorgeous day though, dry and not too hot, so with the encouragement of the lads (and the sight of them disappearing up into the distance) I just kept the granny ring turning all the way up. I was well chuffed with myself
Hard Work Done.
We stopped at The White House for lunch. I had a steak & onion butty, Chris went for chilli and Joby had the biggest sausage you’ve ever seen in your life. And a cumberland with chips
Following the 3.5 mile climb was a 7.5 mile descent into Hebden Bridge. Basically, it goes like this:
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
After finally hitting my 30mph target last week, I hit 33.4mph cruising down lovely wide, smooth, quiet roads collecting flies on my exposed teeth. I just couldn’t stop grinning. It’s worth the climb, I can tell you. The views up there are stunning.
- The Interesting Bit – Highest, Fastest and Lunch.
- Big Hill, Lovely Descent and a Nice Loop Home.
The cuppa stop about 5 miles from home at Gordon Rigg’s in Walsden was probably the nicest tea ever. I needed that!
I’m chuffed to have, in one ride, got the highest and the fastest since I rekindled my love of cycling.
Thanks Gents!
I had a cracking day. It’s not lost on me that I only cycled 28.6 miles whilst Joby and Chris rode from their houses to mine before the ride, then home afterwards. I would say chapeua to them, but Le Tour’s finished now, so:
Hat, lads.
Thanks for a cracking day’s riding
Tags: Cycling, Focus, July150, mountain biking, Resolutions
It’s Not My Fault. They Made Me Do It.
For the following, blame Joby and Anna Banananana. I didn’t want to do it, but they made me. I’ve hated every minute of doing this.
I’m a liar. It’s bloody brilliant and you should try it.
My A to Z Playlist.
I set myself a little rule: all tracks listed have to be in my collection. I broke it once – the Frank Zappa track isn’t, but I sing it to myself regularly so it’s allowed in. And now I’ve listed it, I’ll buy the track anyway.






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