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
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