Ride Reports
Saturday 3rd February 2018
(A) ride report - February 3rd. (Not) The Coal Road! By Paul Baillie
5 of us left Garstang for this 100 mile route up to Hawes then back via the fearsome Coal Road. The weather forecast had steadily gotten worse all week and come Saturday morning it was wet and cold with snow forecast from Ingleton onwards.
Before we'd even got to Forton Roland Kelsall had a puncture that wouldn't seal. That, coupled with a mechanical back wheel issue spelled the end of his ride, although he managed to get out later and did a big solo ride! The riders, now 4 were me, Tom Kelsall, Stuart Foster and Paul Whaley.
Normal progress was made towards Wray as we picked up the route of the Coal Road challenge. As we approach Ingleton snow was falling and the tops were already covered. The road was clear all the way to Newby Head but the snow at the top was thick and a decision was made here to reassess the coal road climb once we dropped into Hawes. A regroup here had Stu struggling with very cold hands so we decided to up the pace towards Garsdale and take a view on whether the Coal Road was passable. Stu had to stop soon after to change gloves so me and Paul carried on, with Tom staying to help Stu. As we got to the foot of the coal road, all we could see was a snow covered road all the way to the top. It was a pretty easy decision to make to swerve it and we sped instead, down to Sedbergh along one of my favourite roads.
Once in the Cafe a kind gent gave up his seat next to the fire so we could warm up. Stu managed to burn a hole in his spare base layer!
Soup and sandwiches were consumed and were were disappointed to see that no one had stolen our bikes so we'd have to ride the last 40 miles home!
The ride home was pretty straightforward with us taking the direct route to Kirkby Lonsdale then crossing the river and heading through Whittington. I was starting to struggle here with lack of miles but the lads helped get me towards Hornby where I started to come round!
At Postern Gate we decided to take the top road and drop down past the uni. Light was fading so the last leg was done the A6 and home to warmth and wives! Lovely!
Garmin stats were 100 miles. 6090ft ascent and an average speed of 15.9 mph. Oh and the average temperature was 2c!
More good miles for our #rideforpheebs in May.
Before we'd even got to Forton Roland Kelsall had a puncture that wouldn't seal. That, coupled with a mechanical back wheel issue spelled the end of his ride, although he managed to get out later and did a big solo ride! The riders, now 4 were me, Tom Kelsall, Stuart Foster and Paul Whaley.
Normal progress was made towards Wray as we picked up the route of the Coal Road challenge. As we approach Ingleton snow was falling and the tops were already covered. The road was clear all the way to Newby Head but the snow at the top was thick and a decision was made here to reassess the coal road climb once we dropped into Hawes. A regroup here had Stu struggling with very cold hands so we decided to up the pace towards Garsdale and take a view on whether the Coal Road was passable. Stu had to stop soon after to change gloves so me and Paul carried on, with Tom staying to help Stu. As we got to the foot of the coal road, all we could see was a snow covered road all the way to the top. It was a pretty easy decision to make to swerve it and we sped instead, down to Sedbergh along one of my favourite roads.
Once in the Cafe a kind gent gave up his seat next to the fire so we could warm up. Stu managed to burn a hole in his spare base layer!
Soup and sandwiches were consumed and were were disappointed to see that no one had stolen our bikes so we'd have to ride the last 40 miles home!
The ride home was pretty straightforward with us taking the direct route to Kirkby Lonsdale then crossing the river and heading through Whittington. I was starting to struggle here with lack of miles but the lads helped get me towards Hornby where I started to come round!
At Postern Gate we decided to take the top road and drop down past the uni. Light was fading so the last leg was done the A6 and home to warmth and wives! Lovely!
Garmin stats were 100 miles. 6090ft ascent and an average speed of 15.9 mph. Oh and the average temperature was 2c!
More good miles for our #rideforpheebs in May.
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