This one goes in the ‘not to be missed’ category of bike events, people. Was great to take part today in the inaugural event organised by Emma Osenton – a gruelling route over the middle part of Calderdale. With just shy / just over 5,000ft of climbing in 33 or 34 miles (depending on whose GPS you pay attention to, it’s a hilly one. It’s also mega slow and gritty at times. Trudging on foot is kept to a bare minimum but there are plenty of slow but rythmic climbs.
The cobbled climbs were sadly a little greasier than in the springtime Ronde van Oost Lancashire in a similar part of the world and sharing a couple of cobbled stretches, but I still managed to come away with a ‘golden cobble’ prize for the fastest climb over a cobbled section (that I ended up running!!)
It was also one of those things, for me, that I don’t do enough of…. ‘riding with other people and not being in a rush’. That in itself is a highly recommended thing. It was great to spend time with people I do and don’t really get to spend much time with, and also to meet a couple of new ones too. Good folks, all of them.
A great event and super day out, rounded off by free pie and peas. Brill.
GPS record of it here on Strava
My flickr pics here and a small selection below. Some proper pics from SportSunday photography here – thanks very much to Dave & Laura for supporting the event.
