One of the good things about cycling up here in Yorkshire is that there are a lot more cyclists on the road. Oxford is excellent for commuting, but when training you see far fewer cyclists out on the lanes. Down in Oxfordshire you can go miles without seeing any fellow cyclists. Leeds by contrast is pretty tough for the commuter. You see a few at rush hour, but nothing like the levels in Oxford. However, if you go out into the Dales, cyclists are everywhere – and I’m sure there are a lot more than when I started 20 years ago. For example, Ilkley CC was not even in existence 20 years ago, but in a short space of time has grown to be one of the biggest clubs in the country with over 1,100 members since its refounding in 2011.
Part of the reason you see a lot more is that if you’re going for a ride, there are a few favourite cycling routes, such as down the A65 to Ilkley, over the bridge and then following the Wharfe Valley to Bolton Abbey (Cavendish pavilion – top cyclist cafe), Bursnall (top cycling cafe) and Grassington e.t.c. As an added bonus, the Craven valley from Skipton upto Buckden, Asygarth, Hawes and beyond will feature in the 2014 tour. It’s hard to believe these roads you’ve pedalled for so many years will soon feature the world’s biggest bike race. Perhaps, it will be the incentive to fill in those potholes…
Even with temperatures barely reaching above 5 degrees, In the past few days, I’ve seen a lot of cyclists on the roads. They are a real mix of cyclists. I can’t help looking at equipment and bicycles and making a mental note of what kind of cyclist mould they may fit into. (what kind of cyclist are you?) It’s not out of an elite roadie snobbishness; it’s great to see people hacking their way up the Dales, even if on a 1980 hybrid bicycle, complete with panniers and the kitchen sink.
Last Monday was a pretty slow ride. Still recovering from a tough 80 miles down in the Chilterns two days earlier, I was grovelling along the A65 at 15-15 mph into a tough, cold Easterly headwind. Fortunately, a trio of strong road cyclists came past at 20mph. I knew that was a train I was going to jump onto. I got on the back and enjoyed travelling at 20mph – 4mph faster than my slow plod, without any seeming increase in effort.
There may be some etiquette of not riding in the wheels on a commute. But, if 3 strong roadies go past at 20mph, it’s fair game to get on the wheel – especially with a 20mph 0 degrees Easterly wind from Siberia.
After that slow recovery ride, Tuesday, I took the roads less travelled by Yorkshire cyclists, deliberately seeking the hilliest possible routes. Where-ever you go in Yorkshire, there’s always a hillier version of the route. I managed 1,000 metres of climbing in just 50km ride. I didn’t see any other cyclists taking the vicious climbs out of Ilkley, Silsden and East Morton – probably for good reason that it’s hard enough cycling at this time of the year, without fighting several 16% climbs. For my troubles, I did get to cycle past an impressive looking snow drift.
obligatory self-portrait of the modern internet age to show I really was cycling with 10 layers in 10 foot snow drifts.
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Our club had our AGM at the weekend in Skipton – brilliant fun riding on those hills. We did do the Silsden Ilkle climb. Some did it on 20inched wheel folding bikes without looking like they were breaking a sweat (hard to do in those icy winds). Brilliant fun – ideal way to spend the easter weekend
I don’t really know, though they seem to have an active events list with quite a few different types of club runs
http://ilkleycyclingclub.org.uk/
Perhaps it’s the Pilates events which are the secret to getting a 1,000 members
Out in the dales this week, I’ve seen a lot of Ilkley CC riders dotted around in ones, twos and small groups. (the top is quite distinctive – I half expect to see a marmite logo)
Ilkley CC organise a good 25 mile TT on June 30th on one of best Yorkshire courses, i.e. wide single carriegeway with reasonable traffic levels – and not on a motorway.
It would be great if Ilkley CC could one day organise a hill climb up the Cow & Calf – an iconic climb, though now sadly probably too busy with traffic levels.
there’s lots of talk about the Ilkley and their billion members.
I can see more than a few problems in having a cycling club that big. I wonder also how many of the 1000 members get out on the club run, i.e what is the percentage?
A club of 100 members might get 40 percent out. For the ilkley to maintain that sense of connection they’d need 400 regularly riding.
Do they run an evening ten? how late does it run?