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Hell of Lancashire 2015
Hell of Lancashire 2015 - its back....with new sectors!!!
With the success of 2014 HMCC classics ride I’ve decided we should do it again (i might be on my own)!!!
Sunday 29th March 2015 (usual shop meet time)
- One group of hardcore classic HMCC riders (if large number we may split)
- You have to ride a road bike or cross bike....no mountain bikes
- The route will be around the lancashire 'Lanes' taking in gravel sections, cobbles, potholes, canal, trails, dirt roads etc
- This year I’ve added in some new sectors
- It will probably be around 42miles all being well and good
- It will feel like more due to the terrain and will definitely be longer than your usual 40miler on good roads
- It important to note that you must be a strong, confident, competent rider due to the terrain...if you go in the canal clipped in i aint diving in after you or your bike
- I would suggest winter bikes but it’s up to you - don’t go blaming anyone but yourself if you rock up with your carbon framed, deep section, Di2 bike that ends up covered in shite!!
- It’s not a race, there may be chance to 'stretch your legs' at certain points but we all ride together and enjoy the challenge together!
p.s I'm not managing the numbers on this one, people just need to be aware that we won’t be taking the usual 'big' Sunday groups on this one....I'm sure there will be the usual tarmac'd Sunday ride happening alongside this!
I suggest that unless you have bolt on mud guards you remove them, they will rattle off! I'll be riding the winter steed which i don’t mind scuffing up.
I'll set up some segments on strava for the ride
a few things to consider:
- it’s not a race but on many of the 'off the beaten track' sectors it'll be better if people do their own thing and we re-group at the end, it easier to pick your line on your own. there will be a 'meet at the end/ top' call on these sections.
- people need to be aware that there might be some random/ unusual turns that aren’t main roads or even roads so please remain focussed....I’ll lead out wherever i can and be as guiding as i possibly can
- You will need more than the usual amount of inner tubes....you will likely puncture....also have a broom wagon on hand on speed dial just in case
- we are going to need to communicate well so that people hear the calls - if you have a mechanical or puncture shout loud, the group will pass the message up and WE WILL ALL STOP and wait as a group.
- Its a bit of fun, something a bit different, I’ve tried to pull together a route that includes a mix of terrain, its not mountain bike terrain and is manageable on Road bikes.
should be fun....I'll post on Facebook - Who's in??
2015 HoL Route - https://app.strava.com/routes/1480825
2015 Key Sectors:
Sector 1 - Mill Dam Lane
Sector 2 - Eyes Lane
Sector 3 - Oude Sanderson-berg
Sector 4 - Long Lane-Muur
Sector 5 - Coach Road
Sector 6 - Maltkin Lane
P.s. i think it might be a good idea if once we get back to Ormskirk we head straight down to La Cantina for a celebratory Belgian Beer!!!!!
Looking forward to it
Nice one Dan
Seem to remember we had pinch punctures all over the shop last year so if you were thinking of going tubeless/tubular this year now might be a good time. Either that or pump them up hard and start taking the glucosamine now...
Anyone fancying a warm up there is an MTB race at Haigh Hall this Saturday afternoon. Couple of hours of riding round the park. Lots of on/off efforts, long and varied loop. Good training exercise. Entry through BC website
will the mean green machine
will the mean green machine be out Craig??
Was looking forward to this,
Was looking forward to this, and making it past the coach road this year. I see it's next to last this time!!
I also mentioned about doing a film about it, so everyone bring cameras or helmet cams if you have them. I'll collate all the footage and do our own little movie.
That said, my wife has just mentioned she's away that weekend, so i may be in some difficulty, but i'll play it by ear. I'll certainly have no emergency retrieval facilities should i double puncture again!!
you're owed a full ride this
you're owed a full ride this year Si!!!
Choice of bike
Head says the crosser but now you've mentioned it Dan it's about time the dream green touring machine made an appearance...
I've decided (after watching
I've decided (after watching Cav and drinking beer) that there will be a final K-B-K style sprint to finish this one!!! #boom
THIS SUNDAY!!!!!!
THIS SUNDAY!!!!!!
FEW THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT
FEW THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT SUNDAY:
- 45 (ish) miles might not seem like a lot but It will feel like you've worked hard...gauge your efforts
- Bring plenty of tubes....stock up...it's quicker and you wont have to borrow of others (The Captain said he's bringing a stash and selling @ £18 a tube!) :-)
- Bring a decent pump!
- Road/ CX bikes only - No MB
- Bring some grub to keep your energy up
- There maybe some hanging round for fixes....bring clothing to keep warm
- We will ride this together (apart from the odd hilly bit) and hopefully finish together - Team HMCC
- BONUS POINTS ON OFFER:
+ If you wear a Classics themed item of clothing/ accessory
+ If you don't puncture
+ If you wear bib shorts and no thermals (Hardcore)
+ If you wear Bib shorts only...nowt else!! (wrongly Hardcore)
+ If you ride Tubs...especially FMB's!!
+ If you bring and carry a Belgium beer to have at the end!!
+ for Classic specific old skool bikes
- we will be finishing for a beer, hopefully in La Cantina straight afterwards!!
No points on offer for finish line celebrations!!! :-) :-)
LETS DO THIS!!!
right....I'm not in anyway
right....I'm not in anyway calling this yet as the weather dudes don't know their arse from their elbows but the weather isn't looking great for Sunday (I don't mind a bit of moist weather - it adds to it)... Plan B might be to move it and I was thinking it might make a for a decent Good Friday ride? I know not everyone has it off but it might work as an alternative......I'm going to call it Saturday I think....thoughts??
Always a difficult call when
Always a difficult call when it comes to the weather and how accurate a forecast is. Looking at the forecast now, Saturday is looking better than 24hours ago but Sunday still looks very windy and wet. I would not ride it if the conditions stay like they are currently forecast.
We all do this for fun, the pros do it because that is how they earn their living. There is no fun in broken bones or worse still a broken bike.
Good Friday might be a decent alternative.
Let's burn some rubber
Well I'd be happy with Good Friday, especially as I can then wreck a set of old tyres, move the Mavics over to the summer bike and unleash the St Helens Red Open Corsas on the Chelford 10 on Easter Tuesday. Would it be 9am or 10am start time?
"The best racing car/athlete is that one, that will collapse after the finish line" - Chapman/Chesters
Whats the general consensus
Whats the general consensus at this stage in the week....take a look at the weather and let me know what you think.... would ride regardless.....dont mind a bit of rain....no chance...etc etc.....there's a mix of opinions atm....i'll call it tomorrow afternoon
Dan,
Dan,
You have to do what you feel is best. Steve D makes a good point about fun and broken bones, but equally, apart from Long Heys there's no real "hills" with difficult ground to contend with.
That said the weather forecast is .... a bit shit.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5pgt01kpf1q9l10/Screenshot%202015-03-28%2012.j...
I'm working Good Friday and Easter Saturday, so if you go for that, i'll miss out, but that shouldn't influence your decision.
If it's lashing down tomorrow, I think i'll stay on the turbo, given that my wife is MIA this weekend
Made my call, giving it a
Made my call, giving it a miss tomorrow, been out for a few miles today instead.
OK....sorry it took so long..
OK....sorry it took so long...been humming and harrrring....opinion has been mixed....Given the Heavy Rain for all tomorrow morning and I'd like to have as many ride the full route as possible I'm postponing tomorrows HoL and will now run it as a good Friday ride!!!
It means people wont miss the clocks
You can have that extra beer tonight
We wont get cold waiting for fixes
We can do the whole route
we can be back for Gent - W
Cheers to all the hard core nutters who were up for it...i'll make it extra special next Friday!!!!!
Enjoy the turbos tomorrow and never fear HoL 2015 will happen!!!
Cheers
Dan
NOW TAKING PLACE ON FRIDAY -
NOW TAKING PLACE ON FRIDAY - GOOD FRIDAY.......10:00AM START @ BICYCLE LOUNGE!!!
BE THERE OR BE....in the Ettix quick step squad!!
NOW 9:00am START!!!
NOW 9:00am START!!!
are you ready!!!
are you ready!!!
The weather...
...will only add to the experience. Looking forward to it. Got a spare 58cm cross bike available for use if anyone is worried about the suitability of their bike.
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