Bolsover & District Cycling Club

You would have expected that the combination of the plans to take an extension on our usual Rivelin ride out into hard man territory of the Strines and up to Langsett Cafe , together with sub zero temperatures and snow clearly visible on the peaks would have severly effected turn out on this ride.

Not so at all...

Twelve riders turned up at the Blue Bell, Me , simon Travell, Lee Hyson, Paul Chapman, Alex Whiting, Graham Whiting , Conor McGuigan, Dan Booth , Nick Clark, Bill Seddon and Xavier Scott.

We debated the sensibility of riding out into what might be potentailly icy conditions. reports of several inches of snow were ignored and we threw caution to the wind. My measure of risk is now Graham Whitings attitude. After a hard fall on ice on a previous Sunday ride, if he is willing to ride out, then so must I.

So off we went, freezing our little dangly bits on the drop down past the Castle. Dave Martin was riding up towards us, and was full of enthusiasm that he had nearly got to the top of the hill when he saw us coming the other way. He turned around and followed

As we were taking in a long one today, Graham had planned a more direct route out towards Rivelin. A route that had many of us looking at each other, wondering what the hell this ride was as we took in urban sections galore with junction after junction. Better routes outward exist for future Rivelin rides, but Grahams logic was sound, saving energy we would all need to make it round the main route.

The roads through the city were clear, but as we road up Ringinglow Road out towards Rivelin a scattering of slushy patches and frozen puddles in the gutter kept us sharp (and nervous).

Dave Martin did a great job of keeping with us, despite the fact that to gain comfort on his bike he has to ride with a position that is most un-aerodynamic. Dont forget this guy made it all the way to Paris riding like this though. New guy Dave helped keep a close eye on him and we settled into a fair routine up the long climb out of Sheffield.

As we met the junction with the Strines , a quick roll call was took, asking who was brave/daft enough to take theStrines extension of what was already promising to be a 50 odd mile ride. Only the two Daves thought better of it , leaving eleven riders ready to tackle a route that is one of the favourite hard training routes of the Downing brothers.

The Strines is an amazing bit of road, crossing over about 6 valleys and ridges , the roads are super steep with switchbacks and tight turns. In warmer, dryer weather you would bomb these descents and try and carry as much momentum as possible as you drove up the other side. In the conditions we rode in this wasnt an option, great care was needed as you dropped into the valleys, as the promise of an icy corner was always ready to catch you out.

This made the upslopes a killer, as you were almost driving from a standing start each time, and there are plenty of them.

Langsett cafe provided some refreshment...Dan Booth thought a cheese sandwich would see him back home, the side salad offering no calorific value at all..we did double check that he had plenty of gels available.

The return leg is slightly easier than the outbound run. Well , that is my opinion, im not sure if any one shares that. as we hit the road past ladybower, Down into Bamford & Castleton, the pace stepped up a gear as home was sniffed. Id saved some energy to battle with simon up Surprise hill but the Cramp Dog cjhased me all the way from the bottom, Ive even had to look up what the muslcle impacted was called, its a Rectus Femoris, a bleeding big one.

Just outside Dronfield ,Lee took over the front, with Paul riding alongside and both of them proved their strength and endurance after such a long ride...big diesel engines forcing their way through a stinging rain storm.

Many riders peeled off at various stages along this return leg, for their solitary journeys home. A journey I can guarantee would have been a slog, with tired legs and depleted energy reserves.

A real big well done to everyone, Especially Lee and Paul with their endurance helping us all home. And Dan Booth can tick off the Strines on his first ride out with us. It was great so see many people getting fitter and fitter, or getting back on the bike after a break.

Thanks especially to Graham & Alex for surveying the route several times to guid us through it

Im going to tempt fate, but nearly a thousand miles rode as a group, no punctures, mechanicals or falls...now that must be a record !

Check out this bad boy ! i logged nearly 7500ft of climbing today