There was a meeting in the Town Hall

They were still short of folk

So an ad went in the paper

I thought it was a joke!

So 8 months ago – October time

I rang them and said Yes

I’d signed up to ride to Hamm

I’d done nowt like this – to press.

I went along to a curry night

What had they got in store

There were a few I recognized

Helena, Ady and a few more.

The 1^st ride was from Guiseley

Heading to the Cavendish for lunch

The Hammsters on their slick machines

The rest – a right old motley bunch.

After months of training on and off

The roads round Wetherbeee

Broken leg, new bikes and cleats and stuff

We were as ready as ready could be.

I hoped my leg would take the strain

It’s not a joke I’d say

My leg taped up in pink and black

I WOULD cycle all that way!

We gathered in the sunshine

The groups sorted into two

The sporties and the leisures

All together there were 32.

Three miles in – Deanos bag was loose

A zip tie soon fixed that.

The sporties kept on whizzing past

How were they doing that?

A loo stop in a lay by

Toe clips dropped along the way

We got to Snaith for sandwiches

We were going well this day.

To the port in record time

Jan and Daz unload the van

To board the Pride of Hull

All was going to plan.

Bikes and cases all aboard

Fuelling up on the evening meal.

We chatted with our new friends

Thanks Barry – a great meal deal!

Foreign lands and cycling – they did lay ahead

Mike he couldn’t settle so the Irish bar – his bed.

Helena looked for Bingo but that was not to be.

We slept in our cabins as we set across the sea.

The leisures we gave the sports a laugh

Next day with our tops so loud

It was a competition see, and

We stood out in the crowd.

I checked my dodgy chain when we got off the ferry

Tony had a puncture too, we were not very merry

Links removed, broken tool, and my thanks to JD

Soon all fettled and cycling off in search of cake and tea

Adam –well he dressed as a banana

He cycled like that all day

That was not quite the plan

But it raised laughter along our way.

Lunch was on a pavement outside a supermarket

No cafes in sight but we brightened up the street

Is it a carnival? A Dutch lady she did ask.

We did the banana song –now that was really neat.

At the Holiday Inn, bikes safely stashed

Comfy bed, steak, chips, lager and lime.

Up early next morning, 2 were so late -

pockets stuffed they made it just in time!

Two long days of cycling past towns and countryside

Punctures, chains, pedals and deraileurs snapped

Visit to war graves to pay our respects

At last in Hamm to welcoming cheers and claps.

All of us had cycled to Hamm

301 miles in all,

A lot of planning did take place

By all in Shipley Town Hall.

We had a meal of chips ‘n’ snitchels

Then the big screen football match

We were frisked and given beer to drink,

5 of us we went to a bar, a little plan to hatch.

The sporties they were passing by

Poked in their drunken heads

“What are you lot doing here?

We thought you’d gone to bed!”

Germany had won the football match

Stefan – Adys look-alike turned up

Gareth worked his magic finger

There was lots and lots to sup.

Then German hospitality and no cycling

We caught the bus for a whirlwind tour

Visits to castles, memorials and elephants

Then shopping, swimming and lots more.

The free day ended at a Chinese buffet

Dave pranked by his sporty mates

Darren had a cake, Happy Birthday we sang

Early to bed as a long day did await.

The newspapers were handed out

Our photo on page 11

But a coincidence or what – Barry’s

Haworth trip was on page 7!

Some went in the mini-bus, with driver Daz and Jan

The Pleasures we stopped and admired the views

Found a café in a  town for lunch

We wondered about the leisures and waited for their news.

The hostel it was open, we did sit down and wait

I stiched up Ady’s ripped up shorts, the sporties they were late

At 7 they came a rolling in, shared a shower between six

The leisures walked in at quarter past 10, starving, ate burgers and “chips”

Another early start, the trailer nearly loaded

Passports needed, Daz nearly exploded

As Peter had to find his bag and it was the 1^st on

Hurry up now, the groups are nearly gone.

Sporties had a hundred miles to the ferry port

Leisures were against the clock, or they were in the van

Some they had a train to catch, so they asked the bank

Pleasures had a lift part way with ace map reader Jan.

Rottadam’s not Europort so the trainy’s did discover

Sat Nav’s not that good abroad, we had to ask a local

The headwind held the others back, so some got on the bus

But after a while, we were all at the pub without a lot of fuss

Once more onto the ferry, to head on our way home

I sat and wrote what we had done with help from Neil and Phil

A lot had happened, too much to tell, a great adventure had

Off to bed, the sea is rough, I wish I’d had a pill.

We pedaled hard into that headwind from Hull

To get to Snaith for sandwiches – thanks Jan.

Blowouts, tired legs and lots of determination

The sun was out, tops cast off to the van

At the 6 acres we arrived to a great big cheer

From Sporties who were having yet another beer

I was overwhelmed, a tear was in my eye

Everyone was happy and Goeff he said “don’t cry”

We all set off to Richard Dunns

Final calls of “off the back”

Just as we were ready to stop

Woody said “a victory lap”

Our friends and family were waiting

Our trip to Hamm was done

Thanks to all involved at home.

We are Hammsters – everyone!

Redmire Moor

The Yorkshire Mixture was my first Audax ride, and as usual, I was lead blindly into a big ride by a friend who thought it would be a good idea .

Audax rides are like less organised, organised rides. You get a route, with checkpoints, but there are no marshalls. This one was 200km (ish), up through the Yorkshire Dales and back on the flatter roads to the East.

It’s not a race, and in fact there are time limits about when you can arrive at a checkpoint, so you can’t go too fast (but I don’t think my heart, legs and lungs got that message as we hared through the Dales).

It is quite frightening to arrive at Buckden and keep going rather than turn around, (Buckden and back would be seen as one of the longer Hammster rides), but it’s a lovely ride, and we managed to get the one day this year when it didn’t rain.

After the climb of Redmire Moor we had a stop at the Dales Bike Centre, which has a cafe and bike shop – handy if you’ve broken a spoke and punctured a tyre. Then it was on to Richmond via Castle Bolton, and then to Northallerton where the checkpoint is a ‘receipt’. Of course the receipt is proof of where you were and when – clever – unless you go to Greggs and their receipt has the Bramley address on it – be warned Audaxers. With a tailwind on that leg, we really flew along, but most of us paid the price as we turned south into a cross wind on the way to Wetherby.

The headwind into Otley saw the end of me, cramping up with about 2 miles to go, but I limped into the finish and a welcome cuppa.

For me the big appeal was that this was Tour De France territory (well in my mind at least). A lumpy start and a fast flatish finish with a few nasty lumps at the end, over a stage distance. At times it felt like we were in the break trying to stay away, or in the bunch as they wound up the pace and trying to hang on, and at the end like a sprinter thrown out the back and limping home.

This was a big day out in the saddle for me – it was a heck of a long way, but the route was excellent, and riding in a group makes the busier roads much easier. I’m sure I’ll get dragged into doing another one of these sometime, but first I’ll concentrate on recovering from this one!

Sunday 27th May was the last official training/assessment ride, we met at Otley and 12 of us headed off to Wetherby via Castley Lane, Sicklinghall etc. After a loo stop and a bottle refiland more suncream applied we were off again towards York. 5had  returned to Otley, a shame some were car sharing otherwise some would have carried on. So 7 were on their way to York, we made a good pace along some lovely quiet roads towards Askham Richard and on to the Leisure Centre where we cleared them out of sandwiches (they had no beans – Neil was disappointed). After these and current teacakes, coke and tea we were off back to Wetherby and then back on main roads to Otley, they were busy – sometimes (dare I say it) a few hills are better. I only had a few twinges in my leg which was great news. (when watching me hobbling to the cafe – it’s amazing I can ride). for a quick burst of speed –  At Pool Ady found some energy and sped off, he was hard to catch, Mike couldn’t and I had no chance even after getting on the wheel of Steve for a short time till I ran out of power.

It was a great ride and reminded everyone that fluids and suncream are essential in hot weather! 61 miles

Next week a steady social ride to Bolton Abbey then on 10th June it’s Hamm time!

For the previous 4 weeks I had been allowed to weight bare, with an unbendy “shoe” and 2 crutches it was hard work but loads better than not being able to put my foot down. I could turbo quite comfortably with a spikey BMX pedal on one side and a cleat on the other. This training had to suffice as I couldn’t get out on the bike and the weather was very wet during this time anyway.

17 May – After a week of turbo riding without the pot on I ventured out from Ilkley to Bolton Abbey (no cleats!) I did 15 miles and the leg was fine! Thank goodness for that.

20 May – with the Hamm group, a hilly route to Knaresborough and straighter route back, 42 miles in total, this was a good ride despite a broken chain 6 miles into ride.

22 May – a hot day, good to be out in shorts and top (no waterproof required). Ady and I did 20 miles up and down Spen Valley way.

24 May – a scorching day, Helena, Ady and I set off from Richard Dunns on a “30ish mile route”, we went to Castleford (20 miles) and a route back through Wakefield which was a bit main roady but missed hills, this was 44 miles by the time we got back. It was a good ride but very hot. The leg was fine except for when pushing the bike through the precinct to the cafe (Thorntons at J32). Good job the cycling is better than walking.

Tips from past 2 weeks – ensure any tools you have with you are fully functioning (my chain tool was bent) but I did have a quick link with me and Mike had a working chain tool, as I do now, and new spare links – highly recommended!   Don’t put 1 leg up on a chair (to reduce swelling) in the sun without cream on!   Don’t leave a bag of money on a table for a second unattended as some low life will nick it! (stupid I know but easily done!)

Well it’s now 2 1/2 weeks to Hamm and I will do the best I can when we set off,  bearing in mind there is a week of riding.

Thanks to everyone for their help and support over the past weeks.

To be honest I hadn’t really thought it through – getting on and off the bike for starters! So I’ve not been in the saddle for 3 1/2 weeks now!

Friends, family and neighbours have been really good and I’ve been taken out and had lots of help, the simple tasks take ages when you’re not used to hopping, crutches and non weight bearing.

I’ve been trying to do exercises for upper body and legs where possible.

Fellow Hamm riders are keeping me in the loop and I can’t wait to get back on the bike – hope I don’t slow them down too much when I’m back, as they’ve been getting the miles in on the Sunday assessment rides.

Roll on April 12th – POT OFF DAY (I hope!)

My Birthday weekend away in the Lake District! Friday 2nd March, fine sunny day, off we set in the car with Mountain Bikes loaded ready for a ride round Grizedale Forest, near Coniston.

After lunch in the visitor centre, off we set on the red route, a mile in and there were other bikers behind so on a corner I pulled into the side to let them pass. As I did so I toppled over somehow and heard a sickening crack in my foot.

Anyway to cut a long story short, we had to call out Mountain Rescue (no helicopter) and I was stretchered off the hillside, into Land Rover then ambulance and off to hospital for x-rays and a pot. I had broken my fibula on the ankle joint on left leg.

I hopped around the rest of weekend (very short distances only) and  enjoyed the rest of the weekend, I could worry later.

I am improving my upper body strength, my right leg is getting even stronger and my 1 legged squat is improving every day! This is NOT what I had in mind for alternative exercise!

I have rollers and turbo (when mended) so I hope to get going on that when fully potted and allowed!

Total miles 1.

So off I set from home, determined to conquer all the hills on (rather than off) the bike, the first 1 is on the doorstep so often the hardest, but I did it, maybe with 1 stop to let a car go by. A short section of flattish (well no uphill) before next hill, short and steep, Back Lane. Anyway rode to Shelf to meet up then down and up Riding Hill then off down Gills Track to Norwood Green, right at bottom to the short downhill and up to Priestley Green, round the roads past Coley Church, left along a bridle way path, over the main road, down and up to Northowram, over the main road and up and over to the very bottom of Shibden, past Shibden Mill Inn and up towards the ski slope, I was aiming to bike as far as the cobbles, which I did, but there were further away than I remembered. Then I did get off to exercise my calf muscles instead! It’s very steep!

Along through Swalesmoor to Queensbury, a cuppa at the friendly Firth Cycles, and a nice downhill back home.

A good 12 miles of ups and downs!

26 February    Assessment Ride

4 of the Leisure riders met at Otley, Ian,-sport group leader,  joined us for a short leisurely ride. The weather was warm for the time of year, so lightweight top, otherwise I’d be wearing the same as when freezing temps. We set off to Pool then on the lanes towards  Wetherby. If  I’ve ever felt I was going in the wrong rirection, today was it. there were lots of cyclists heading in the opposite direction in 1s, 2s and little groups, all sorts of bikes and lots of legs out (far too cold for that). We found out it was a sportive ride from Harewood. Ian departed before Wetherby then we headed towards Tockwith, but pursuaded Mike to find a cafe stop where we could sit down inside (I hope he didn’t feel bullied into it!) so we headed through Askam Bryan and towards York and it’s leisure centre, where there was a cafe and toilet stop. My lock just fit on the 4 bikes luckily, so we could sit in. We returned along the lanes and a bit of a different route back to Pool and Otley. A fine dry day.

I felt good and we are all looking forward to warmer weather (talks of shorts had been heard along the way). I am planning to do some extra other fitness work not just long rides on the bike, to improve all round fitness.

60 miles completed at a good pace.

I did 26 miles at rough average of 12.4 out and 14 back (cycle computer seems to take a while to warm up!)

Friday 17th Feb I set off from home, eventually.  It was tough up the hills- I had to walk some of them so obviously not back to full strength! The weather was drizzley and those fairly new islands in the road to Denholme are a bit of a hazard! The rain played havoc with the glasses – steaming up, tried to find a good way of clearing the inside, must gey that special stuff on them and see if that helps!I rode from home to Raggalds,  Bradshaw,  Ogden,  Denholme,  Flappits,  Cullingworth, GNRT, Harecroft,  Ten Yards Lane, Keelham, nearly to Mountain and back to Clayton.               17 miles, average 10.5mph.

Sunday 19th Feb. Back with the future Hammsters at Otley, weather fine and sunny (this is sounding more like a weather forecast – but it’s a major factor -to me anyway!) There were 8 of us till beyond Arthington where we split into 5 and 3 (due to ailments and bikes). I was feeling good to be out with some company and bike and myself going well. We were on the main road up Harewood bank and onto Wetherby for a quick loo stop (thank goodness). Onwards to Askham Richard, past the Battlefields of Long Marston (1644) to Tockwith where there isn’t a cafe but a Costcutter that sells hot drinks , sandwiches etc, so we stocked up and sat on a wall outside – ok when it’s a fine day but not for a rainy or very cold day! The glasses were fine thank goodness (no rain) and I was feeling fine, we weren’t going at super speed ‘cos Neil not too well but that suited me, 3 miles or so into our return journey, someone remembered that their rucksack had been left by the wall of our lunch stop! So the 2ps went back for it and we 3 carried on at a steady pace so they would catch us, which they did near Wetherby. (rucksack was still there to p relief!).  We returned to Otley via the main roads which were busy on this fine Sunday afternoon.                       It was a good ride of 61 miles, average 12.8mph and we were out 6 hours.

It snowed on Sat pm and was icy on Sun and not sure if others met up for 5th Feb ride.

Monday improving and looking forward to getting back on the bike by end of week. Not to be…

Worse again! Improved a little by weekend, EBCC were at BMW garage on the rollers, I did 2km there!

Sunday 12th – I wasn’t up to cycling out so rested up to recover. Roll on next week!

We stopped at Wetherby for the loos as we knew the Shambles Cafe was shut for extention into the shop next door, we’ll be back. We must try out these newly revamped cafes that seem to do their work in January (Cavendish, Dunnis and Wetherby- it’s not called the Shambles -good name for other cafes though I’m sure).

Onwards to Knaresborough, along the little lane past the carved wooden trees (yes they really are wood), the Kingfisher is spectacular, we stopped to admire it and I took a picture (I’ll try and upload it sometime). The little cafe was busy and even more so when us 7 had got sat round a table after a lot of chair moving! 28 miles to here.

We were refuelled, on tea and beans mainly, and after a good chat we were back in the saddle heading back towards Pool and Otley. As 5 6 and 7 were off the back and singing the Hammster/camp fire song we realised the number system only works if front ones start calling out! We didn’t mind, they would realise eventually -we hoped. A few miles on and Peter had a puncture, he said for us to go on- quickly adding  to just wait till he was sure he had all that was needed, was this him speaking from experience from a previous occasion I wondered. Of course we didn’t leave him but then 5 6 and 7 decided to become 1 2 3 and set off for Pool, leaving the others to chase us down. We waited a few minutes at Pool then we were all together, they sounded to have had a good  fast ride along the flat through Arthington, so that worked well. Onwards to Otley and back to the cars.

Interesting to see what new kit myself and others keep adding to their bikes and attire as the weeks progress. SPDs,  jacket, handlebar extention, light bracket, bell, reflectors (needed abroad), panniers (baby ones) etc.

We had a good ride of 40 miles, average 12mph 3hr 17m riding time.