CircPendle 4_3_12

Tough ride around the Circuit of Pendle TT -that'snow joke

The clear blue skies and spring-like weather on Sunday afternoon belied the experience of northern hardriders earlier in the day in the North Lancs RC promotion: 27.2 hilly miles of a circuit from Whalley to Barrowford via Read and Fence, then Blacko and over the moors to Gisburn, before returning on the A59 towards Clitheroe and a complete loop.

Heavy rain throughout, except for the driving snow over the moors from Blacko to Gisburn, and as suggested by the snow 'twas rather on the cold side. With the cold it was difficult to control brakes properly on the descents, so a bit hair-raising at times, and my legs were red-raw by the finish, so the hair-raising may have been goose-pimples. Next time (Circuit of Ingleborough - 10th March), I shall try my road bike (with tri bars) for better handling and speed control.

The event HQ afterwards was filled with scarlet shivering cyclists despite everyone's best efforts to stay wrapped up, so getting changed very, very quickly after the event was essential to prevent getting really chilled to the bone. I managed to warm up after a couple of hours and the grateful provision of copious amounts of tea.

My time? 1:17:45 which again seemed OK, and stands up reasonably well to my rides some 25+ years ago for a similar distance in an East of England classic, the Bishops Stortford Hilly (although I would dare suggest the Circuit of Pendle covers rather more contour lines). Winning ride was a superb 1:5:32 on the day by Derek Parkinson,

Report from Richard carey Posted 08/03/2012

Website Designed by Taylored Web Solutions