Stop Press! Special Award for Heyddie

Heyddie Triumphs on Mount Haleakala, Hawaii

Breaking news! Our Club Captain, Heyddie, has just climbed Mount Haleakala on the island of Maui in Hawaii, one of the world's most iconic cycle ascents.
Over 56km he climbed 3,020m (almost 10,000 feet) in 5 hours 35 minutes, an average speed of 10.4kph, a fine performance given that the average gradient is 5.2%. Heyddie used a hired Specialized Roubaix.

One Cat 1, one Cat 2, two Cat 3's, two Cat 4's and two cat 5's = respect!!

In Heyddie's own words, this was not an easy task....

"...up early this morning, left house at 5am for the traditional beach side start point of Paia. I studied the different routes and chose what is regarded as the classic old road route out of Paia joining the Crater road higher up, slightly longer but correct.

I started the climb at dawn my plan being to cruise the first 6000 feet or so and save my legs and energy for the upper levels. 10 days living it up in the Hyatt Regency Kaanapali is not the best pre ride training I have undertaken so my plan was rather conservative...

...I actually finished nearly two hours quicker than I had envisaged.

The climb is a hard relentless slog, as you will notice from the stats but with fantastic vistas and very smooth road surfaces and small cycle shoulders. Temperature at summit 53C at sea level on my return early 90s. 

Rode through all conditions as you would expect from such altitude, cloud/fog and rain with very cold fog at times. Light variable winds and scalding hot cloudless breaks.

My rental Specialised Roubaix performed well, I basically only used two gears the whole day! But I have enjoyed the bike, very smooth and predictable unlike my much loved thoroughbred. 

All in all an enjoyable day but mentally tough on your own. 

Another one in the bag.

Re-hydrated in the proper GRAC fashion with beers in the first place on the descent I could find."

An outstanding achievement, and every member of the Club will be raising a glass or two in recognition of Heyddie's fine example. 

Lake District 100

Suitably rested and fuelled at the very welcoming Boot & Shoe in Greystoke near Penrith, we had an early start to register for the ride in Keswick.

As usual, a well organised event courtesy of Action Medical Research, although there were only 160 riders brave enough to venture on to this challenging course. 

Most were doing the 100 mile circuit but we had opted to do the 'Classic', a 56 miler (about 92km) taking us on a full tour of the northwestern Lake District. 

And what a beautiful ride it was.

The team, resplendent in new Club wind proofs

A slightly cloudy start took us down the west side of Derwentwater into Borrowdale and we were soon on to the hardest climb of the day, Honister Pass, a height gain of 239m over 3.7km and several sections with 25% slopes, enough for Jan to be, quite literally, stopped in his tracks.

Fabian and Stewie working hard on the Honister Pass

Our President, Fabian, working harder than Stewie!

All looking surprisingly fresh at the summit of Honister Pass

For the author, the start of the descent, two 25% sections at the top on bumpy tarmac, was mortifying, but eventually the brakes were released and a fine rapid descent into Buttermere followed. Wow.

Almost instantly we hit the next climb, a shorter rise up to Newlands Pass, this time a gain of 205m over 1.9km with a hard right 25% turn just at the top.

Club Secretary Jan summits Newland Pass

Top of Newlands Pass

Descending into Newlands Valley from here was a delight, and we were swiftly into Braithwaite to begin the last big hill of the day, Whinlatter Pass, a 231m haul up through the forest over 3.3km, with several false summits along the way. 

A great descent, held up a bit by a strengthening westerly wind, to Lorton, and our first feed station, about half way around the circuit. 

From here, the sun started to appear in earnest and with the wind now generally behind us we made rapid progress through the quiet lanes south of Cockermouth albeit with a few more cheeky climbs to complete. 

A lunch stop at Embleton provided us with enough fuel to power along the final 20km into Keswick, arriving in brilliant sunshine, having enjoyed great views across Bassenthwaite Lake and the northwestern fells. 

The whole team performed magnificently, and El Presidente was delighted to receive the red polka dot cap for 'King of the Mountain' in recognition of his efforts on the three passes. In reality, Stewie was not up to his usual form due to a recently incurred facial injury and Heyddie was away climbing volcanoes in Hawaii, plus Stewie thought it was time the cap needed a good clean anyway! But thanks all the same boys!!

A good day out, some more money raised for charity, and increasing confidence for all in readiness for our planned outings in the coming year. 

Our reward :-)

King of the Pennines, September 2013

A 45 miler, organised by Evans Cycles

Four club members, Alansandro on his brand new steed, Stewie, Jan, and our President set off on a chilly Sunday morning to ride the shorter version of this Sportive route.
Bright sunshine helped warm the muscles, but lactic burn did the rest! The Cat 3 climb up western flank of Malham Cove was a lung-buster, but the reward was fantastic cycling beside Malham Tarn amidst the limestone outcrops in this part of the world.

Alansandro and Jan pretending they're not out of breath...

Stewie in action

Jan and Alansandro up on't moor (Nab End, north of Malham Tarn to be precise)

Club President Fabian enjoying the benefit of Himalayan altitude training!

Some other cheeky little hills kept us entertained and the final Cat 4 just before the descent back to Skipton reminded us that deciding not to do the 100 mile version was a wise decision. Next year perhaps!

A good morning's ride, 73km despatched in 3 hours 17 minutes. Suitable quantities of Ilkley Brewery's fine Mary Jane ale were enjoyed in the team debrief held later in the Half Moon in Knaresborough. An excellent way to round off the day!

Job done, now for the beer....