West Lothian Roadies
Comments
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Hi Roger_This
You can park on Torphicen Street (B792) at the school.Then cycle across the roundabout towards Torphicen.The sign for the Korean War Memorial is around 0.5 of a mile past the Sports Centre.Turn right and follow the hill UP (great warm up
)for approx 2 miles and the KWM is on your right hand side.
I usually cycle over from Livingston but sometimes park the car on this street.
There is a layby right next to the Memorial where you can also park.
Hopefully see you soon.
Mark.0 -
Not out tomorrow but Sunday may be ok.0
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I'll be out on Saturday, but Sunday's out for me as I'm off to London on business.
Don't worry about the weather forecast. I generally seem to bring the bad weather with me wherever I go. I therefore predict snow tomorrow morning, even if the BBC says it will be sunny 8)
Looking forward to the extra sleep as well. 9am is very civilised.
Jim0 -
Drove from Bathgate over to Linlithgow this morning, and couldn't help noticing the, um, hills - they don't look so big from Edinburgh...
How do you avoid them on your wee sportives? Or is that why it's 'only' 25 to 40 miles? :?0 -
Roger_This wrote:Drove from Bathgate over to Linlithgow this morning, and couldn't help noticing the, um, hills - they don't look so big from Edinburgh...
How do you avoid them on your wee sportives? Or is that why it's 'only' 25 to 40 miles? :?
don't get too disheartened Roger, those are some decent climbs you no doubt went over and everyone feels them, no matter how experienced they are. the one up from the sports centre is a good gradient all the way up. our rides normally take in the 'flatter' ground although there are still a few lumps and bumps - that's the central belt for you0 -
Hi everyone..
I've been keeping an eye on the thread for alittle while now, and think i'd like to come along on a ride sometime..
I've been riding for about 3 months now, i live in caldercruix and normally head up your way, going longriggend, slamannan till avonbridge and then turn around before i'm lost and do a loop back the limerigg way..
Also, what's your thoughts on guards.. I was out today and caught up with 2 guys, one had guards on and the other didn't, like me.. It was a lovely sunny day but in the areas that were shaded and the sun couldn't dry out, there was abit of spray.. Not enough to throw onto the guy behind but the bike got pretty dirty which made me want to ask..
Cheers,
Graham0 -
Graham, you are welcome to join up with our Saturday and/or Sunday run...give it a try if you can....I don't know of any other rides that cater for all experiences in the area so this should be up your street....
As for guards, if they fit on your bike (i've managed to squeeze full length chromoplastics on my trek 1200) they are £20 well spent as not only do they protect riders behind you they also stop your behind getting wet. Without guards, in the wet, its not very nice having a soaking back, etc 5 mins into a ride.0 -
Hi all,
Decided to go out myself on Saturday on the fixie to try and get some miles in the legs so I can keep up on the Biggar run in three weeks
Ended up doing 80 miles although I made sure to keep it pretty flat!
Highlight was coming back over from Fife via the new Forth crossing which is now open to pedestrians and cyclists and the weather and views were stunning. I've taken some pics and will try to upload them to photobucket.
P.S. Hi Andy,
Don't know what happened with the PM? Anyway, was just saying that I'm pretty slow but am getting stronger and enjoying riding in a group, which I found a bit disconcerting at first. Definitely give it a try - I'm glad I did.0 -
Sorry I missed the weekend rides. I went up to Perthshire (cycled to Pitlochry on Friday but caught a train back yesterday).
Did some picturebook cycling whilst there; particularly yesterday when we went through the Pass of Killiecrankie to Blair Atholl and then over the pass from Struan to Tummel Bridge and along Loch Tummel back to Pitlochry. The views over the snow covered Schiehallion were simply stunning. Bloody freezing, though.
See you Saturday,
EC0 -
Only managed a short easy ride on Sunday in the Bathgate Alpes but boy what a ride!
Sun was setting and the temperature was dropping but the air was clear and there were hardly any cars on the road. I used my road bike so it was slightly weird riding a Britney after so long twiddling a fixed gear.
Rode into work this morning, it was proper cold! Frost everywhere but again, perfect conditions, clear skies and the sun made everything crisp and sharp.
Grant - 80 miles on a fixed? Thats an incredible distance! Bare knees too!? :shock:
You could be taking over from Brian as club hard man
Was anyone out on the Saturday ride? If so send me details so I can stick it in the newsletter
Cheers
OS 650 -
Hi Matt, yes overdid it a bit to be honest - reached Larbert and went into 'limp home mode' to Cumbernauld!
Bare knees - not for much longer sadly
the old baggies are well and truly on their way out and unfortunately there isn't a Gringo option with the new club kit
I'd better watch out - first stop lycra, next stop lag waxing :shock: :shock: :shock:0 -
HI Andy, Roger_This and Graham. If you PM your email address to me I'll stick you on the club's mailing list - I send out an update every week
Best
OS 650 -
Matt
5 of us out on Saturday although, as usual, faces and names are a struggle. There was a John, an Andy, a Jim and Mark. I think I could name all of their bikes though.
It was a WLC heritage route taking in Avonbridge, Slamannan and Limerigg before heading back to the KWM. Some guy from Whitburn (can't remember his name, rode a Peugeot) joined on and sat with us for a few miles. We gave him the details about where to catch us again but tbh he looked a wee bit classy for us.
Great weather, good chat (as usual) and Mark didn't win all of the sprints.================================
Cake is just weakness entering the body0 -
The sprints are Flat Bar 1,Drop Bar 2(you are not getting the 40 sprint...)
The guy that joined around Limerigg was John,thats why it got confusing :?
Mark. :roll:0 -
Guys, I joined Richyboy in the Ochils on Saturday starting in Kinross and ending there taking in a 53 mile loop with 5000ft of climbing, including the Path of Condie near Dunning. Brilliant day, fantastic route by Richy and a sharp shock to the legs on the steep ramps throughout the route. This would be a brilliant summer outing for the club next year.
I will be out next Saturday with the Clarion and look forward to meeting the new members.
Please e mail me or post here if you fancy giving the turbo session a go tomorrow night.
Rgds, Bill0 -
Is the turbo session still on for tomorrow. If so I will be there as long as not held on at work which I don't expect happening.
Grantus, first stop might be lycra but shaving your legs is not the next stop it's the last stop with about 10000000000 millions stops in between.
Well done with the 80 miles. Thats great on any bike at this time of the year never mind a fixie. Only managed 90 miles this week in total due to work.
Will be off on Thursday if anyone wants a longish run. Looking to put in 70 ish miles on Thursday due to days off being cancelled.
Keep up the good work and let the hairs grow long.
Regards David0 -
In my haste I did not rear Bill's post above. Yes I will be there, will need to put my seeing glasses on in the future0
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Yep - I'll be at the session tonight as well. See you there.
Eighty miles on a fixie?!? Jings - I'd better get some miles in. Good going.
Mike0 -
He-he, I feel i'm setting myself up for a fall here bragging about my 80 miles on fixed! It was flat-ish to be fair
I won't be out on Saturday as it's my other half's birthday so we'll be doing something with the family however I fancy a good run on Sunday.
Weather permitting I was thinking of heading down to Penrith and doing some exploring round there. Either down to Ambleside and over to Wrynose and Hardknott to see what all the fuss is about or East into the Pennines. I have room for one other person plus bike in my car if anyone is interested (as long as you can make your way over to Cumbernauld first).
It's around 1hr 40 minutes to Penrith from Cumbernauld so I intend setting off quite early to get down there and be on the road for 9am. Allow 6 hours for cycling and some lunch then back home for no later than 5pm.
Obviously if the weather's crap I'll just stay home and watch Eastenders omnibus instead :P0 -
grantus wrote:Weather permitting I was thinking of heading down to Penrith and doing some exploring round there. Either down to Ambleside and over to Wrynose and Hardknott to see what all the fuss is about
:P
Hi Grantus,
What gearing have you got?....now depending on what you are doing be very careful here...have you ever cycled the Lakes before?...not trying to scare monger but if you haven't been down then these climbs will be somewhat of a shock...(aswell as the York Dales and the North Yorkshire Moors)...so much steeper and tougher than Scottish climbs.
Are you thinking of doing a Ambleside - Wrynose East - Hardknott East - Eskdale then turning around and coming back over in the opposite direction?....if so then this could 'explode' your knee caps....these climbs are just so steep and tough....and Hardknott West is the scariest climb ever.
If you are thinking of doing a loop to bag Hardknott and Wrynose then this will present a major challenge aswell....especially at this time of year with winter gear.....you will have to Negotiate Hawkshead Hill - then the Torver Climb(25%) - Stickle Pike(20%) - Birker Fell (25%) - then that will deliver you at the King george Pub in Eskdale - which is 6 miles from Hardknott West, this is the fastest way to Eskdale from Ambleside without going over the 2 famous passes.......and having Hardknott and Wrynose after all that is defo a run for the better weather (and better fitness)....
Not putting you off in anyway and I do not know your abilities but this place should be treated with respect.....I've gave very similar advice to a good few guys about this place and afterwards they have always thanked me after being devastated by the terrain....
If your heading down then arm yourself with the lowest gearing you can...'Pneumatic' off this forum tried Wrynose East after ascending Ventoux / Galibier and the like and near had a heart attack half way up....
P.s I'm more scared of some of these brutes as I am off any ascent I've did abroad....0 -
Hi Richyboy,
I will have a 50/39/30 with a 12/25 on the back.
Thanks for the advice - I've read a lot of your posts on this forum about this area and know you're quite well travelled - so it is appreciated
The thing about the hills is that if I can't cycle them then I'll just get off and walk - it's not the end of the world! I'll just try again another time!
If I cycle down from Penrith to Ambleside it's a fair old distance to get there - 30 or so miles. Is the A-road from Penrith to Ambleside very busy? It looks more like a 'secondary' A road (if that makes any sense) looking at the map. I will take a look on Bikely later today and try and plot a 60 mile loop perhaps starting from a bit further south than Penrith - if I can pootle along at 12mph average overall then that'll do me although I don't know if that's ambitious given the gradients involved. I am comfortable with 15-16 mph on my own on a 60-70 mile run around central scotland.0 -
Hi Grantus,
The A road from Penrith you speak of must be the A592?....basically after the turn off the M6 at Junction 40 you head west on the A66 then come to a small roundabout..its here the A592 starts...do not go the A66...thats a very busy road mate and very dangerous IMO.
If your cycling from this roundabout then the road is not crazy busy with cars,its a very twisty bumpy road that will lead you thru Patterdale...but before Ambleside you will have to Negotiate Kirkstone Pass...thats a lovely climb....very tough!....then you'll plunge down the steep 'Struggle' to Ambleside....if you have did this then decided to do Wrynose or Hardknott then your return journey will not be easy either...as it means that you will most probaly head back up the 'Struggle'...which is tougher than the Bealach Na Ba IMO...or you could head down towards Windermere and do the Fred Whitton route back over Kirkstonse which is considerably easier....OR you will head up the A591 over Dunsmail Raise upto near Keswick then take the 'St Johns in the Vale' B5322 road to the A66...then head along East on the A66 for 3 miles until you see a big White Pub on the left hand side of the road(I think its called the White Horse)...you'll see a right turn off shortly afterwards onto a small backroad...check a map as this can lead you to Troutbeck on the A5091 whcih drops you down Matterdale End back onto the A592 and not too far from your start....very tough either way!
If I could give a suggestion?
Start in Ambleside.(2.30 drive)...head out to Greater Langdale via the A593/B5343...up 25% Wallend - descend onto Fellfoot - Up Wrynose East (4th toughest ascent I've did in UK) - descend onto Cocley Beck (have a nice look at the 'easy' side of Hardknott) but take left here and head down to Hall Dunnerdale for the 25% climb of Stickle Pike - then descend to Broughton Mills and take left for long drag climb back to the A593 and onto Torver - onto Coniston for Hawskead hill (B5285) then back to Ambleside...reckon that would be a cracking run for this time fo year.
Hope this helps.0 -
Hi Richyboy,
Thanks for the route suggestion. I'll pop this onto bikely and see how it pans out distance-wise.
I had been thinking of driving to Patterdale actually then on to Ambleside, Eskdale via Wrynose and Hardknott passes then just reversing the route. It gives a total run of just over 50 miles.
I think it's too ambitious to start at Penrith, epsecially at this time of year as it would add another 30 miles or so onto the journey.
Alternatively I had thought of maybe leaving Penrith and heading North East then East toward Bishop Auckland and back. Can't remember the roads - they were A roads - but shown on red on the map so hopefully not too busy. This route I had looked at would bring you out at Brough on the Scotch Corner Road but after negotiating a crossing of this road minor roads could be used all the way back to Penrith. What attracted my attention was the road out of Penrith goes over two tops, one of which is nearly 600m and the other over 600m - can't remember their names offhand - was looking at the road atlas this morning.
Of course, this could all be academic - as I say depends on the weather - wouldn't fancy a puncture 600m up in the Pennines in November
Thanks for all your advice though.
Cheers,
Grant0 -
Planet X are selling 200 Dura Ace equipped carbon bikes. Only until 15/11.
DIY for £899.
Have a look.
http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/0 -
Cracking deal, great winter bike for someone.
Bill0 -
grantus wrote:Hi Richyboy,
Thanks for the route suggestion. I'll pop this onto bikely and see how it pans out distance-wise.
I had been thinking of driving to Patterdale actually then on to Ambleside, Eskdale via Wrynose and Hardknott passes then just reversing the route. It gives a total run of just over 50 miles.
I think it's too ambitious to start at Penrith, epsecially at this time of year as it would add another 30 miles or so onto the journey.
Alternatively I had thought of maybe leaving Penrith and heading North East then East toward Bishop Auckland and back. Can't remember the roads - they were A roads - but shown on red on the map so hopefully not too busy. This route I had looked at would bring you out at Brough on the Scotch Corner Road but after negotiating a crossing of this road minor roads could be used all the way back to Penrith. What attracted my attention was the road out of Penrith goes over two tops, one of which is nearly 600m and the other over 600m - can't remember their names offhand - was looking at the road atlas this morning.
Of course, this could all be academic - as I say depends on the weather - wouldn't fancy a puncture 600m up in the Pennines in November
Thanks for all your advice though.
Cheers,
Grant
Hi again Grantus....Patterdale - Kirkstone - Ambleside - Wrynose East - Hardknott East - Turn around - Hardknott West - Wrynose West - Ambleside - The 'Struggle' - Patterdale...
I wouldn't do that at this time of year....thats as brutal a 50miles as I've ever seen, I know you said you don't care about walking but you could end up in very serious trouble here....please do not just take my word for it...Sadiq has ventured down the Lakes on a few occasions and could maybe offer his opinion(and he probably knows you a hell of a lot better than I )...but if I may:-
Kirkstone from Patterdale - as tough as Glen Quaich from Kenmore
Wrynose East - Absolute killer and tougher than anything in Scotland
Hardknott East - 30-25% all the way up and this is the far easier side?
Hardknott West - Nothing can describe this :shock:
Wrynose West - much easier than other side but still has 1 very srious 25-30% ramp.
Kirkstone from Ambleside(Struggle) I reckon this is the 5th toughest ascent I've ever did in the UK....in Fact Sadiq thought it was one of his worst experiences....
It may only work out at 50mile mate...but beleive me yur legs will be hanging off even on the first leg out...nevermind the return....again, I'm only speaking from lots of experience of the area..In no way am I offputting...you go for it mate...I can only offer my opinion based on what I knw (and for what I've witnessed down there )
Pennines...what about this?
1) Start in Dufton - make your way via the backroads to bridge over A66 into Brough.
2) The climb out of Brough you speak off is Shot Moss(B6276)...its a massive long drag up and very well graded and very nice indeed.
3) Descend off that to Middleton on Teesdale - then up Harwood Common (another massive long drag) on the B6277 - then drop into Alston - then on the A686 over another long drag over Hartside Pass - before the enormous brilliant descent down to Melmerby - then head to 'Knock' via gorgeous wee backroads for the ascent of Great Dunfell - the biggest climb in the UK...and also one of the toughest....650meter climb reaching 848meters in 7kms....brutal ascent it is(20-25% gradeints aplenty)...then a 2mile trumble back to Dufton.
This would be far easier than your Lake Madness but would depend so much on weather.
As you say its high passes and very much depends on weather....0 -
Hi Richyboy,
Sounds like I might need a support vehicle, eh?
Given what you've said I may just stay in bed with a nice cup of tea and the Sunday papers :!:
Once again, thanks for providing the benefit of your experience.
Lakes Madness, indeed :!: :!:0 -
Hey Grant
There are other less demanding options if you want a day in the lakes, I used to ride up on the Lancaster CC club runs, about 70-80 miles and we'd take in about 1 major climb, with the rest of the route undulating. We never ventured over to Wrynose and Hardknott etc. because it would have been way too tough for our gearing and we'd have been out after dark.
Nevertheless I remember some spectacular rides around Kendal, Hutton and Old Hutton
Or Windermere, Ambleside, Hawkshead, Sawreym Graythwaite, Newby Bridge
And also up into Yorkshire: to Hawes Ingelston and Dent Sedbergh (There is a fantastic 50 mile Tour of the Dales TT course there)
If you want a trip south I also recommend Northumberland, Alston - Hexham area too
OS 650 -
