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Wednesday, 26 September 2012
TPT Day 5
Goole to Hornsea (Hull to Hornsea by bike)
Apologies for any avid blog readers this post has been delayed until now as it got stuck on my phone.
As expected weather was grotty again in the morning although forecast for Hull/Hornsea was possibly better. Rain and strong gusty wind on short ride into Goole after Chris' spare car keys received just in time by post. More nav faff caused by a sign which another joker had turned round.
Train to Hull was fun getting recumbent on due to small doors but managed succesfull with a bit of brute force. Once we got to Hull the rain had stopped but there was a very strong S wind. This was tricky through the city streets but perfect once we got onto the Hornsea Rail Trail which headed in a NE direction. The trail was initially tarmac'd then earth but passed through typical east coast scenery. Flat and pleasant with lovely cottages and plenty of woods and hedgerows. The trail was often lined by mature trees and in the wind it felt very autumnal.
Finally arrive in Hornsea after a few last minute mechanicals with Chris' bike that were only a step removed from disaster (rear derrailieur got dragged into spokes several times and chain jammed between spokes and biggest sprocket!). The rain properly started almost as soon as we moved away from the finish 'post' by the sea.
All in all the Transpennine Trial was really good. Lots of variation in scenery, surface, neighbourhoods and difficulty but overall very enjoyable.
We didn't ride all the trail and missed maybe 40 miles of flattish country in Yorkshire. This was mainly due to the horrendous weather and a few logistical challenges with gates so shouldn't detract from the acheivement.
Chris did really well as it was definately harder for him on the recumbent than us on bicycles due to trail width and access controls.
Please look at http://www.justgiving.com/teams/transpenninetrail if you would like to sponsor him and his brilliant acheivement only 1 year after the accident. His own blog of the trip is on Blogger. Just search for "transpennine trail ride"
Apologies for any avid blog readers this post has been delayed until now as it got stuck on my phone.
As expected weather was grotty again in the morning although forecast for Hull/Hornsea was possibly better. Rain and strong gusty wind on short ride into Goole after Chris' spare car keys received just in time by post. More nav faff caused by a sign which another joker had turned round.
Train to Hull was fun getting recumbent on due to small doors but managed succesfull with a bit of brute force. Once we got to Hull the rain had stopped but there was a very strong S wind. This was tricky through the city streets but perfect once we got onto the Hornsea Rail Trail which headed in a NE direction. The trail was initially tarmac'd then earth but passed through typical east coast scenery. Flat and pleasant with lovely cottages and plenty of woods and hedgerows. The trail was often lined by mature trees and in the wind it felt very autumnal.
Finally arrive in Hornsea after a few last minute mechanicals with Chris' bike that were only a step removed from disaster (rear derrailieur got dragged into spokes several times and chain jammed between spokes and biggest sprocket!). The rain properly started almost as soon as we moved away from the finish 'post' by the sea.
All in all the Transpennine Trial was really good. Lots of variation in scenery, surface, neighbourhoods and difficulty but overall very enjoyable.
We didn't ride all the trail and missed maybe 40 miles of flattish country in Yorkshire. This was mainly due to the horrendous weather and a few logistical challenges with gates so shouldn't detract from the acheivement.
Chris did really well as it was definately harder for him on the recumbent than us on bicycles due to trail width and access controls.
Please look at http://www.justgiving.com/teams/transpenninetrail if you would like to sponsor him and his brilliant acheivement only 1 year after the accident. His own blog of the trip is on Blogger. Just search for "transpennine trail ride"
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Monday, 24 September 2012
TPT day 4
Doncaster to Goole
Ed left for home today due to sickly kiddies leaving 3 hardy souls to brave the elements.
Given the forecast (severe weather warning of NE gales and localised flooding) we knew the full route today wasn't going to happen. Much of it was on exposed dykes and tracks so we had to find a route suitable for the conditions. We ended up getting the train to selby and then riding the TPT to howden before crossing river to hotel at goole. Lots of nice riding along the flood defences and back lanes thru pretty villages. Howden minster was also good but niceness offset by being a puncture location. Weather windy and wet to howden but cleared a little before the really heavy rain started. Saturated within minutes of leaving Howden in the sort of rain that makes a mockery of even the best waterproofs. It was made worse by the amount of surface water the cars were picking up and throwing at us. Got to our hotel as 3 very bedraggled souls.
Forecast for tomorrow a bit iffy too so looks like well train to hull then ride to hornsea...provided we can meet up with Chris's spare car keys...the originals being mislaid enroute.
TPT Day 3
Denton to Doncaster
Well we got to donny but needed some rail assist.
Hilly to hollingworth on roads and then jumped onto the longdendale trail. Bright to start with but as we headed up the trail the cloud swept in and cold E wind got up. The trail was great and helped by new technique pushing Chris with his crutches.
Very steep section from tunnels up to moor was fun with relay bike/recumbent pushing a bit of a challenge. Tried to rain as we topped out but failed. Chris off on the way down to the disused railway bit no injuries. Injudicious rear brake applied. A bit muddy to peniston but then so fast after that we missed our turning to barnsley. At least we got a nice tunnel. Bit of a climb up to Silverton Common and some nice singletrack into village. Rain started for last 30mins. It had been clear since lunch we weren't going to male Doncaster and we had been debating when to stop. Rain made decision for us and we just made train to shredded then Doncaster.
Forecast horrific tomorrow so hoping it will clear in pm so some cycling possible.
Sunday, 23 September 2012
Tpt day 1
Southport to Liverpool 28 miles
Lots of car faff today getting Ed, Millers and Chris to Hornsea and then me giving them a lift to Southport for the start. Anyway it was a 5am start for Ed and Millers and was still 5pm before we got cycling!
Sunny by the time we started and was nice along the esplanade. In land to Formby mainly alongside busy road then really nice along the cheshire line. This was a bit narrow in parts for the recumbent but nice and rural in the setting sun.
Progress was not as swift as hoped due to rough surfaces anti bike gates and a puncture. At each gate Chris needs to get off and we lift the bike over. It got dark as we did the canal bit and then a bit of rain started as we had a navigational hiccup near Aintree to provide days low point. Finally found a helpful sign but difficult to spot in the dark.
Liverpool loop line night ride was fun (thanfully we all remembered lights) and finally got to the hotel at 1030. Saw some bats and rats and a few scallies but the bright bike lights kept any problems at bay. Not much cycling and no hills but all tired due to long days.
Please remember Chris is raising money for charity
justgiving teams transpenninetrail
Also search for his blog "transpennine trail ride" on blogspot
Saturday, 22 September 2012
Transforming Trail Day 2
Another long day in the saddle! Started post mega faff and recumbent crash testing at 11. Lovely weather that continued all day. Really good through Pickerings Pasture until the steps. They were the first of literally tens of obstacles that forced Chris off his bike and the rest of us lifting it. The most annoying were the a frame gates that were an inch from being passable. Grr. The trail along the mersey was brill and then so was canal to warrington. Frustratingly slow due to gates there and in lymm but trail still good. Bit of ship canal, bit of disused railway and then riverside on mersey by sale. Chris nearly fell into a dyke...which was quite worrying. Time was ticking so we left the trail to head onto the Manchester cycleway. Another night ride on urban disused loop lines!
Just made last food at pub by hotel. A good day but need to be going sooner tomorrow and hoping for fewer impassable gates.
Friday, 21 September 2012
Trans Pennine Trail Day 1
Southport to Liverpool 28 miles
Lots of car faff today getting Ed, Millers and Chris to Hornsea and then me giving them a lift to Southport for the start. Anyway it was a 5am start for Ed and Millers and was still 5pm before we got cycling!
Sunny by the time we started and was nice along the esplanade. In land to Formby mainly alongside busy road then really nice along the cheshire line. This was a bit narrow in parts for the recumbent but nice and rural in the setting sun.
Progress was not as swift as hoped due to rough surfaces anti bike gates and a puncture. At each gate Chris needs to get off and we lift the bike over. It got dark as we did the canal bit and then a bit of rain started as we had a navigational hiccup near Aintree to provide days low point. Finally found a helpful sign but difficult to spot in the dark.
Liverpool loop line night ride was fun (thanfully we all remembered lights) and finally got to the hotel at 1030. Saw some bats and rats and a few scallies but the bright bike lights kept any problems at bay. Not much cycling and no hills but all tired due to long days.
Please remember Chris is raising money for charity
justgiving teams transpenninetrail
Also search for his blog "transpennine trail ride" on blogspot
Thursday, 30 August 2012
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
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Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Minch Moor to Melrose
Spent the last night at Minch Moor bothy. Woke to the sound of rain and rats. Set off from bothy in pouring rain at 9am with a 60 mile ride ahead with a lot of off road.
There was a bike push up 300 metres on to a drivers route on minch moor.
The route was up and down and rocky, but good for off road riding. We passed a number of mountain bike trails.
Because of the offroad route the rain and boggy conditions, progress was slower than planned and while enjoyable riding it was energy sapping.
We arrived in Melrose at 2pm still not half way through the days mileage. With lots moor exposed moorland bike pushing ahead in pouring rain it was obvious we weren't going to make the finish before dark.
With no flex to stay on an extra day to finish this route due to work and trains, we took the decision to use the aid of petrol to get us to Dunbar. In fact a VW Sharan that fitted two bikes. We have to come back next weekend to finish of the last section by bike!
Sent from my HTC
Southern upland way day 4
Made it from brattleburn over to minch moor in yet another epic...not sure how many of these big days we have left in us...hopefully one!
Nice forest track cruise down to motorway and then road to moffat. Enormous "breakfast the Scottish way" at a cafe. It was so good we forgot to pay...will have to send them a cheque. Oops
Long slog then up forest road before amazing singletrack up towards ettrick head. Became a tough bike push. We found another Ultreaia too. Rain started as we got to the top and crossed into the borders (yaay). It's still raining so Millers thinks that's all that happens here.
Quick stop at over phawhope bothy where we met our first fellow SUWers. On going east, the other west...and he had been stuck ill in bothy for 2 days!
Climbed up above st marys loch by road but then took forest track and Suw down to tibbie shields inn on loch shore. Tea time there before nice lochside path along eastern shore. From the road up and over to traquir before last climb up to minch moor bothy. A bit scummy as it gets lots of use from neds but not too bad. Definitely some rat noises overnight!
Last day coming. Let's hope it rained itself overnight!
Tuesday, 5 June 2012
Monday, 4 June 2012
Southern upland way day 3
Third day and third epic. Great weather all day with plenty of sun and even wind that went westerly to help us along. Started off with porridge followed by a 250m climb on logging road over to Euchan water. Incredible long descent on that road the old track and the road to sanquar. Longest distance with fewest pedal strokes for me?
Millers got 2nd puncture in 2 days at the bottom.
Lunch in sanquar before mennock pass to wanlockhead. Nice and gentle to start but made up for that later!
From wanlockhead over to leadhills where we took the track bed of the disused railway all the way down to elvanfoot by the m74.
Next leg was down to daer reservoir before the big bike push of the day. Fortunately the sun came out and helped us through with the reward of a great 360 from the top including skiddaw and blencathra.
Fun descent down to brattleburn bothy which is the best one yet. Millers having fun playing with wood burning stove!
Tomorrow hopefully moffat, st marys loch and traquir.
More forest tracks
After that it was an evening ride and gentle climb along a midge infested road, avoiding a particularly severe bike push if we had kept religiously to the SUW.
To finish there was a bike push for a few miles across moorland then a muddy forest trail in near dark to the bothy which was quite fun. Arrived at the bothy about 10:30 pm.
The bothy was nice near a stream, but there were signs of rats. Too knackered to care slept after a few drams. Woke early to the sound of scurrying rats, but didn't see one could have been just mice.
Sent from my HTC
Sunday, 3 June 2012
Beehive bothy
The ride started off along scenic coastline near Portpatrick. There were some steep hill bike pushes along the coastal path, before heading inland.
Been looking out for kists which are sculptures along the roote that contain coins to collect, thirteen in total.
We made it to the Beehive bothy at Laganalia after a long bike push across moorland and wooded tracks. Got there in the dark at 11pm. We crashed out too knackered to cook after a few stale croissants.
Sent from my HTC
Saturday, 2 June 2012
Graemes bike disguise
Sent from my HTC
Friday, 1 June 2012
On way to scotland
No blogs for a while because I was away sailing in Plymouth and didn't want to bore you with non gimp trips.
I packed bike into a box and just got it on to a coach at London to take to Glasgow for the Southern upland way. Only question from the driver was what is in that box? I said bike, he said OK.
Got an 8 hour coach ride with just one beer smuggled on.
Meeting Graeme at Glasgow then train to Stranraer to the start of the cycling.
Millers
Sent from my HTC
I packed bike into a box and just got it on to a coach at London to take to Glasgow for the Southern upland way. Only question from the driver was what is in that box? I said bike, he said OK.
Got an 8 hour coach ride with just one beer smuggled on.
Meeting Graeme at Glasgow then train to Stranraer to the start of the cycling.
Millers
Sent from my HTC
Thursday, 17 May 2012
We are going by train!
The website showed cheap tickets available. A phone call to Scotrail to reserve bikes but no bike spaces available and no seats available either. The website lied!
Millers has now booked overnight coach to Glasgow instead and Gimpicus an early train both without bike reservations. Going to hide bikes in black bags.
Gimpicus got a bike reservation for trip back. Millers better hope he doesn't meet the guard that likes to "shit on your day".
----- Reply message -----
From: "smillington10@btinternet.com" <smillington10@btinternet.com>
To: <graeme_calvert.gimpicus@blogger.com>
Subject: Re: Test from millers
Date: Thu, May 17, 2012 19:05
Test message from Millers.
Sent from my HTC----- Reply message -----
From: "smillington10@btinternet.com" <smillington10@btinternet.com>
To: <graeme_calvert.gimpicus@blogger.com>
Subject: Test from millers
Date: Wed, May 16, 2012 22:36
Test from Millers
Sent from my HTC
Re: Test from millers
Test message from Millers.
Sent from my HTC
----- Reply message -----
From: "smillington10@btinternet.com" <smillington10@btinternet.com>
To: <graeme_calvert.gimpicus@blogger.com>
Subject: Test from millers
Date: Wed, May 16, 2012 22:36
Test from Millers
Sent from my HTC
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
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