Pendle Witches Vintage Velo
smitton
Posts: 13
This has to be the best event in my calendar. Last year's inaugural event was good, today's was truly great. Sean McAdam and the Pendle Witches team put on a tremendous event, for a great cause and deserved to do well. Where else can you find an event that starts in a pub, honours the history and superior craftsmanship of steel-framed bikes, has a fantastic route including the defining Nick O'Pendle climb, the best stocked feeding station in the history of sportives, finishes in a pub with free steak pie, chips and peas, Northern bitter to wash it down with, awesome weather AND allows me to win 2 prizes in the raffle. There isn't one that I know.
The ride set off at 8:50am and being Easter Sunday the roads were very quiet. There were about 150 starters and the steel frames had a mass start followed by the ignominy of other types a few minutes later. Sign-posting was improved on last year with a little changed route. Thankfully the blazing sun didn't break through until the major obstacles of Nick O'Pendle and Waddington Fell were behind us. It is not a long ride at 53 miles but there is 5000 ft of climbing. Most people finish in 3 to 4 hours (my brother and I had 3 hrs 36 mins on-the-road time). Arriving back at the Craven Heifer Pub in Rawtenstall at lunchtime was perfect timing for lunch and a drink. A really great day in the saddle.
The ride set off at 8:50am and being Easter Sunday the roads were very quiet. There were about 150 starters and the steel frames had a mass start followed by the ignominy of other types a few minutes later. Sign-posting was improved on last year with a little changed route. Thankfully the blazing sun didn't break through until the major obstacles of Nick O'Pendle and Waddington Fell were behind us. It is not a long ride at 53 miles but there is 5000 ft of climbing. Most people finish in 3 to 4 hours (my brother and I had 3 hrs 36 mins on-the-road time). Arriving back at the Craven Heifer Pub in Rawtenstall at lunchtime was perfect timing for lunch and a drink. A really great day in the saddle.
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I even bought my piccies from the official photographer.
(Pssst Don't tell too many people
Strava http://app.strava.com/athletes/198938
AL
http://www.pendlewitchesvintagevelo.co.uk/
Stunning route, great charity, lot's of volunteer helpers, well signposted, fantastic feedstop (with home made goodies as well as high tech stuff)...and pie and chips at the finish, all included in the very modest price. Timing worked perfectly...as in I looked at the time in the pub when I started out and then again when I finished. Oh, the pub itself was filled with memorabilia from yesteryear including some ex tour bikes and jerseys. More interesting than most of the museums you might come across.
I really wanted to do it, but on Easter day? Is it the only date available? i am off to the Anjou Velo Vintage in a few weeks
Be good to find out who’s interested. Get in touch. Thinking July.....
Sounds great!
If you forward an email to [email protected] I’ll add you to the mailing list. Spread the word, more the merrier!
I’ll pass that on! They’d be happy to hear that.