WVCC BOGBLOG

Delamere 7 Nov

2009-11-04T19:11:00.002Z

Kevin approaches a boggy bit back in the "summer".

All abilities welcome - meet at the station cafe at 10am as usual - we'll ride over to Primrose Wood via the new obelisk at the top of Old Pale.

If you haven't ridden with us before, just turn up, you are most welcome. We regroup frequently and won't leave you lost in the woods. Delamere is the best place to come along and find out what we do. We shall end up back at the cafe in time for lunch, followed by some more trails for those who fancy it.

Don't forget that bike hire is available from http://www.tracs-uk.co.uk/

Brownbacks Hope Series Lee Quarry Race

2009-10-18T20:20:00.009+01:00

This was Ross riding one of the May races, but he was flying again today to leave the rest of the Weaver Valley contingent in his wake. Matthew and I had a battle which lasted most of the 2 hour race and Derek did much better than last time(when he crashed) finishing on the same lap as Matthew and me.

Mathew making it look easy? ...well pretty tricky actually...and it was!

Kevin had his first crack at mtb racing and loved it, saying he'll do it again. We all got back safely without any mishaps on this very demanding course. Thanks to the Brownbacks team for organising it, we'll be back next year if I have forgotten how gruelling it was. Loads of fantastic action pictures at http://clearshot-photos.com/bike%20gallerys/Brown%20backs%20r3%20s2/index.html and http://ikam99.co.uk/ikam99/Lee_Quarry_181009.html

Meanwhile Kevan has been riding cyclo cross (2 races this weekend) in the NWCCA league where he is well up in his category - well done Kev.

Leave your comments here to let us know what you thought about the race. Results should be at http://www.brownbacksracing.co.uk/ and http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/cyx/cyclo_cross_results.asp soon.

Off Road Weekend - Dolgellau

2009-10-04T21:43:00.006+01:00

Chris tackling the Tawr Trail at Coed y Brenin. Nine of us rode this trail on Saturday morning; much rockier and trickier than I remembered when it was the Red Bull. Unfortunately Jack C fell and gashed his knee which required five stitches, so he and Kevin C missed the MBR trail which we did after lunch. There are some really nice flowing sections on this now.Sunday saw seven of us ride (and push) to the summit of Cadair Idris (893m or 2930'). Picture shows us just below the summit with the Lleyn peninsula and Barmouth in the background. From the car park at Minffordd we headed along the quiet lanes past Tol y Byn Lake then over to Llanfihangel, up the valley to the pony path then the final rocky stretch to the top. We met another group from Frodsham, although they shot off ahead for the descent with their body armour and a more downhill attitude than us.
The descent of the pony path was just reward for the gruelling climb. Photo shows Dave leading Jack and Kevin with the summit in the background. No serious injuries on the descent, but a couple of fallers on the rocky upper section. The lower slopes were super fast gravel tracks; 2 hours up, 30 minutes down!

Check your diaries and let me know how mid Feb sounds for the next weekend in the north Lakes.

Delamere Saturday 19 Sept

2009-09-16T21:05:00.004+01:00

Meet at the station cafe at 10am as usual for as much or as little as you like. All welcome.

Top ride last time with a good spread of abilities. We all kept together so that everyone completed 2hrs or so. The trails should even be a little drier now after the fine weather.

Altura trails and Skiddaw

2009-09-14T17:50:00.006+01:00

This was the view to Blencathra from the top of Skiddaw on Friday evening. I rode (and pushed) most of the way up with a Keswick resident called Paul who often does this after work - makes a blast round Delamere look a bit tame!

It was a great way to finish off a beautiful sunny day which I spent on the Altura trails at Whinlatter. More technical than the north Wales trails I thought, with uphill drop-offs(!) as a result of them felling the trees to clear the path, but leaving the roots which were big and slippy. Fantastic views of Derwent water and definately worth another visit.

Saturday met up with some "old" friends from The Tyneside Vagabonds at Keilder where we had two goes at the new red trails - Deadwater Fell and Lewisburn. The former being fairly technical in places and both much better second time around with plenty of flowing singletrack.

Weaver Valley Cyclo Cross 09

2009-09-06T23:24:00.004+01:00

For full results go to
http://www.nwcca.org.uk/2009/09/weaver-valley-cyclocross-pignut-hill-6-sept-2009/

Good conditions saw a total of 129 finishers in the three Cyclo Cross events held by Weaver Valley Cycling Club at Greenbank, Northwich on Sunday.

Riders from all over the North West and beyond travelled to the race, which is the first event of the North West Cyclo Cross Association League.

The Under 12 event was won by Leighton Sharman of Eastlands Velo, first girl was Megan James of Abergavenny RC with a superb fifth place overall and first Under 10. The Youths race was won by Jack Humphreys of Red Rose Olympic. Ffion James of Abergavenny RC was first girl, again a great ride.

The Senior event was a closely fought battle between Leigh Fearn of Matlock CC and Tom Lowe of Raleigh Avanti RT who battled it out, with Fearn taking the honours. Conan Mayman of Rhyl was first veteran and 3rd overall with Lewis Birke of Macclesfield Wheelers taking the junior prize and 4th overall. Best lady was the promoting club's Eleanor Underhill, with Ross Parker being the first Weaver Valley CC rider home for the second year running. Kevan Underhill just two places back with Derek Huffadine 3rd WVCC rider ahead of Jon Conboy and Andy Beswick.

Weaver Valley CC would like to thank all those who turned out to support and help with another successful event.

ASDA funday 22 Aug with Chris Hoy

2009-08-23T21:47:00.004+01:00

Those of you who didn't come along to Winsford's ASDA store on Saturday missed a chance to get your photo taken with Sir Chris like me, I bet you're all jealous now. We did get a few serious enquiries about the club, so it was worthwhile. And Chris seems like a really nice, down to Earth type of bloke, although he was pretty quiet.

Evening ride at Llandegla Wed 26 Aug

2009-08-23T21:19:00.003+01:00

Last chance for a ride after work at the fantastic Landegla mountainbike centre. See www.coedllandegla.com if you don't already know what this place has to offer...and if you don't, then get yourself there because it's the best fun you can have legally! (Well, that might be a slight exageration, but not much)

Meet outside the cafe for 6.30pm start. We should just have time to ride the recently refurbished black route before the light goes.

Thanks to Ross for leading us on another night-time mystery tour on a perfect, clear Friday evening. Acton Bridge, Dutton and then the canal to Runcorn and Daresbury for some exciting single track before refreshment at the Leigh Arms. Matthew won the prize for the best homemade light...it was "brilliant".

Delamere Sat 15 Aug

2009-08-13T17:30:00.003+01:00

Meet at the station cafe as usual at 10am to explore more of the forest singletrack. All abilities welcome. 2 hours or so then lunch back at the cafe. More for those who want it after lunch.

Picture shows Kev U, Jack and Kev C tackling the mud.

Off Road Weekend - Dolgellau

2009-08-10T18:00:00.002+01:00

I'm thinking of booking the following bunk house http://www.guesthousessnowdonia.com/accom-bunkhouse.html for the first weekend in October, staying Fri 2nd and Saturday 3rd. This means we can do another Welsh mountain - Cader Idris one day and the fantastic Coed y Brenin trails the other.

Let me know who's up for it and I'll book if we get enough interest. Breakfast can be provided too.

Clwyd Hills Sat 1 Aug

2009-07-28T17:28:00.008+01:00

Another good turnout and ten of us completed the "Arthur 2 times" route around the northern end of the Clwyd hills, thanks to Matt having programmed it into his GPS from the Ride the Clwyds website. A few spots of rain as we set off gave way to sunshine and fantastic views across the Vale of Clwyd, Denbigh and Ruthin, to the Carnedds and Tryfan beyond. Despite all the recent rain, the going wasn't as wet as anticipated as many of the tracks appear to have had gravel applied. This route isn't without some long climbs, but much of it traverses the hills giving some "quality" offroad riding.

After a very pleasant lunch at the Loggerheads Country Park cafe Jon, Kevin, Jack and I set off to do a bit more. 1000 feet of climbing later and Jack's legs began to protest - hardly surprising after a full morning's ride, so he and Kevin peeled off while Jon and I rode one of the permissive routes over the shoulder of Moel Famau with a superb grassy descent to the west. The only trouble was that left a gruelling climb back up and over the ridge before we could descend towards Cilcain and the lanes back to Loggerheads. Thanks also to Andy B for the additional pics.

Evening Ride at Llandegla 22 July

2009-07-20T23:53:00.004+01:00

Kevin C and son Jack rode the roller coaster Black trail at Llandegla for the first time on Wednesday evening. If you haven't ridden these trails you don't know what you're missing. They loved it; especially Jack who probably hasn't lost that big grin off his face yet. Andy Boyle made it too, but arrived late so rode the recently improved Red trail. The place was buzzing, with the BBQ in full swing. We'll have to do it again before the nights draw in.

See http://www.coedllandegla.com/ for more info.

Next ride is 1 August ( no off road ride 25 July - the diary page on the website is incorrect)

Delamere 11 July

2009-07-09T17:17:00.002+01:00

Follow this man through the forest if you can! Here is Ross in action at Brown Backs Racing's Lea Quarry event (thanks to them for the pic). He always seems to find some undiscovered trails, so don't miss out.

All abilities welcome and we can split into two groups if it suits. We certainly won't leave you lost in the forest. Meet at the station cafe at 10am.

Penmachno & Marin Trails 27 June

2009-06-24T17:26:00.004+01:00

Turned out nice eventually. This is the atmospheric view across to Moel Siabod from the Dragon's Back on the Marin trail. Just Andy B and I tackled this one after Penmachno in the morning where we were joined by Alan Cook of BNECC. Despite the drizzle it was warm and great fun combining these two trails with a cafe stop in between at an excellent new cafe on the junction of the A5 and the B road to Penmachno.

The ride wasn't without incident. Alan and Andy had falls on the very slippery wet rocks on the Penmachno trail and Andy's seat post broke (at least the bolt did) half way round the Marin. I took pity on him after a while and swapped my seat to his bike; riding without a saddle certainly builds up the quads.

Thanks to Andy for the lift in the van - makes changing after the ride easier too!

Here we were on top of Old Pale on one of the recent Delamere rides. But we'll find more excitement Saturday on the Penmachno and Marin Trails. For those who don't know it, the Marin is a testing, rugged trail. Penmachno is less technical, but still great fun with some fantastic flowing sections. We can ride to Penmachno on quiet lanes and tracks, back to Betws for lunch, then off to the Marin which is a short ride away.

Meet at Betws y Coed's main P&D car park at 10am. I can offer 1 place in my car, so get in touch if you want a lift.

Polaris Challenge

2009-06-14T21:26:00.005+01:00

I teamed up with Gareth for my first attempt at a Polaris at Bamford in the Peak District. Sort of orienteering on mountain bikes, you get 7 hours riding Saturday and 5 on Sunday to reach as many of 40 checkpoints as you can, taking any roads or bridle tracks between them.

On Saturday, in glorious sunshine, Kevan and Eleanor who are regular winners of the mixed category managed 19 checkpoints. Gareth and I only 17, despite riding further and faster than most. It was revealed that our route planning was poor, or non-existant.

So Sunday we spent much longer doing the planning after finding out that the checkpoints had been awarded various point scores according to their accessabilty. Another glorious day and we really got into the swing of it. We did much better and just pipped the Underhills by 5 points overall. They were still 5th in the mixed teams and best mixed Super Vets with Gareth and I 12th in the Senior category; which wasn't bad for a first attempt. We might even go back next year. A big thank you to Kevan and Eleanor for showing us the ropes and persiting with the idea of doing this event.

The results and details about the event should soon be posted at http://www.polarischallenge.com/

31 May Sunday Llandegla & Llangollen NPS

2009-05-27T09:26:00.003+01:00

Don't miss this chance to see the country's top downhillers in action. It's MSC/Descent-Gear National Points Series Rd 2 at Llangollen on Saturday and Sunday the 30th and 31st of May 2009.

In their words, round two is going to be off the Richter Scale and will go down in the history books as the hardest track in the U.K to race on. Steve Parr and his trail fairies have officially set the bench mark and completed a master piece.

The course drops 1,000 feet and is super steep. Imagine the steepest and most technical sections from your favourite tracks, Champery, Glen Coe, Mynth Duu, Strathyre, Dunkeld, Goats Gully and Fort William Woods all in one track, without a break and no let up. The only pedalling you will do is three strokes off the start line and that is it.

Read all about it at http://www.npsdh.com/ We'll meet at Llandegla Mountain Bike Centre at 10am for a lap or two of the black route before heading off to Llangollen to see the timed runs.

Night Ride Sun 24 May

2009-05-21T18:05:00.002+01:00

Ross has kindly offered to lead us on a night ride on the local tracks and trails. Meet outside the Weaverham shops at 8pm. We'll do the technical stuff before it's too dark; stop for some refreshment; then head home for around midnight.

4-5 recruits so far - so come and join us and don't worry about super expensive headlights - I haven't. But I have got a head torch, so bring one if you have too.

Delamere 16th May

2009-05-17T20:56:00.002+01:00

Eleanor shows us all how to do it!

Eight of us enjoyed a bright morning around the forest, topped off with a race up Pale Heights which Gareth won. I've been coaching him on the niceties of racing and he's a quick learner. After tucking in behind Kevan and Jonti into the headwind, he sensed their easing up as the going steepened again and seized his chance, jumping away with a terriffic kick.

Good bacon and egg batches at the station cafe too.

Delamere Sat 16 May

2009-05-14T08:30:00.003+01:00

Meet at the station cafe at 10am for a couple of hours or more of fun on the abundant single track. I bet we can show you some new places in the forest.

All abilities and non-members welcome to come along and give it a try. We regroup frequently so won't leave anyone to get lost, probably heading back to the cafe for lunch.

Picture shows Gareth at Lee Quarry 2 May. We have entered the Polaris as a team 13-14 June along with the Underhills. Sounds like it should be a laugh, so anyone else who fancies it see the link under what's on.

Lee Quarry Race 4th May

2009-05-07T12:14:00.003+01:00

Thanks to Matthew Hornby for the following report and well done for completing the event. Picture above was taken the previous Saturday on one of the rocky sections.

Monday 4th May started bright and early for Derek and myself - well actually it was very early and really quite damp, a little dispiriting considering the glorious weather earlier in the weekend. No matter, at 7.30 we were on the road to Bacup and the Brownbacks race number 2 in the Hope series. Because the Bank Holiday traffic was fairly light we were there in plenty of time to sign on, have a brew and even a little warm up/practice before the off.

Slightly annoyingly that was delayed by about 10 minutes, just time enough to get really cold standing in the biting wind in race kit, although the first climb up the access road and onto the course proper soon put paid to any worry that we might remain chilly for the whole race. Derek shot out of the traps, and seeing him skipping up the track on the carbon fibre Giant brought to mind the image of a young Himalayan Mountain Goat enjoying the first days of spring. Unfortunately Goat boy was taken out of the race towards the end of the first lap, damaging his front brake lever in an over-the-handlebars accident. Considering the amount of rocks around where he fell, a couple of hundred yards after the yellow spotted rocks, he was lucky it wasn't much worse.

So that left it down to me to suffer on my own, (except at the end of each lap where Derek's exit meant I had one spectator shouting for me at least) and suffering was the order of the day. I'd spoken to Gareth the night before, and read Saturday's Blog but even so the technical nature of the course, particularly the rocky section where Derek had his 'off' were more taxing than expected. I was pretty confident for the first couple of laps, making a good pace and looking forward to making up places as others started to flag, but in the end that just didn't happen. From lap three the rocky areas were becoming more slippy as mud was transferred to them, and just riding over them was difficult, never mind maintaining a racing pace. I've always been pretty poor in rock gardens. Lap 4 was a real struggle, and to really put a hat on it, on lap 5, I also had a minor fall, (by this point I wasn't really going fast enough to have a proper crash) and managed to hurt my wrist. After that it was really just a case of completing to get a place and carry the WVCC colours over the line as I couldn't use the rear brake properly. The last lap took about 2.5 mins longer than previous efforts. In the end I was in 26th place in the Weekend Warrior class, (out of 49, not 27 before you ask) my 6 laps being one less than the leaders.

Having said all that, and in hindsight, I really quite enjoyed the race and the course. The berm-y and jump-y bits were, as suggested, great fun to ride, and the competition was friendly and supportive, those just behind me stopping to check I was OK when I fell. I think I'll have another punt later in the year, and make sure I'm a little better prepared next time. Derek definitely has another appointment with Beswick's Boulder too! Full results are available at http://www.brownbacksracing.co.uk/race_series/1/results.html and there should be links to race photo's there too soon.

Lee Quarry 2nd May

2009-05-02T22:24:00.005+01:00

Andy gets some air at Lee Quarry - between Rawtnestall and Bacup in Lancashire. They've made a great job creating a 5km "red" loop (Andy, Gareth and I did 5 circuits) with an additional 2km "black"(bonkers) bit for those who like checking out the ground with their faces.

The red is great, quite a heavy climb then some twisty bits with BIG berms and a short sharp climb before some flowing singletrack with the odd rocky section to brush off the speed. Nothing too technical or menacing. If you want that you just take the black deviation - and it certainly is devious. If you want demanding rocky stuff to test your technical skill and bottle, this is the place! I was just too slow with my camera to capture Andy doing a sidways dismount as he trashed his big ring on a rock and another rider go over the front on a massive 1mtr drop off - none of us even attempted that one.

Lots of trials areas too for balance skills. Great place though and we'll be back. Not sure what the course will be for the race on Monday - mainly the red route I guess which will be fine. Good luck those who are riding it.

Delamere Sat 18 April

2009-04-16T17:20:00.002+01:00

Meet at the Station cafe as usual at 10am. All abilities welcome. We may split into two groups, technical and less so. Either way, you won't get left to fend for yourself in the dark wood. If you don't think the forest is challenging enough, then we'll show you different!
There is much more to go at than you might think, and all half an hour's ride from Northwich.

Coed y Brenin 4 April

2009-04-05T21:24:00.004+01:00

A smaller than usual group of three headed for North Wales courtesy of Andy's van. We hit the Beast trail which is 37km of mainly singletrack with some rocky technical sections but more flowing than it used to be. It takes in 3500ft of climbing (that's equivalent to riding up Snowdon), but that didn't seem to bother Derek. He was having trouble holding down his new super lightweight carbon/alloy Giant bike, resulting in Andy and me grovelling to keep up on every climb. And lots of comments from other surprised groups riding at a more sedate pace.

But you are never far from another descent on this trail and here the playing field was a bit leveller with the three of us keeping fairly close together and catching a few other groups as we went. A quick tea and barra brith at the cafe mid route gave us the sustenance to climb to the highest point and then tackle the neverending descents, which have been gretatly improved, but still require 100% concentration. We finished off the trail with further refreshment at the visitors' centre. A grand day out with blue skies for much of the time.

Beforehand, someone had the suggestion of stopping off on the way home to ride up Snowdon, but they had gone off the idea by the end of the Beast! I won't say who's idea it was for fear of embarrassment, and Derek and I didn't want to make too much of the change of heart because we wanted a lift back to Northwich! Thanks for the lift Andy and welcome to the world of pain and suffering which is cycling.

Delamere 21 March

2009-03-19T20:56:00.003Z

Here's Ross showing us how to ride one of the narrow "bridges" he found on some singletrack, which was completely new to the rest of us, in Delamere Forest. Seven of us enjoyed the sunshine (until it disappeared) with the driest conditions so far this year. Lunch at the cafe, followed by a climb of Pale Heights to warm up again, then back into the forest for more fun.

New member Dave had no problem keeping up, he's obviously pretty good at the technical stuff. Andy was looking the part wearing his new lycra bottoms. In fact I'm worried that we are passing on too much information to these newcommers - Andy goes twice as fast up the hills now he's got some spd pedals. And he was the only one apart from Ross to ride over the log bridge. The great thing about these rides in Delamere is that you can do as much, or as little, as you like. It's never far back to the car park, or back home. Ross led Gareth and me back to Northwich via Crowton and Dutton Locks on the Weaver Way for a relaxing change.

7 March Tegg's Nose for 3 Shires Bridge

2009-03-05T17:49:00.005Z

Seven of us set out from Tegg's Nose country park a few miles E of Macclesfield for a challenging ride along tracks and back roads to Three Shire Heads where Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire meet. The bridge here crosses our very own River Dane just a mile or two from its source.

Here we are near Bottom of the Oven before the climb up to the Cat & Fiddle which we finished off on a track from the tea shop. Lots of model gliders were catching the strong updraft near the top. After Three Shire Heads we took a tough track past some motorcycle trials riders towards Flash. Down and up along some back roads to the Eagle and Child, which less young WVCC members will remember as a lunch stop in the 70s & 80s. From there a track took us over to the A54 and the cafe at Blaze Farm for a lunch of Staffordshire Oatcakes.

A short way down the main road and another track with a deceptively deep ford (wet feet) brought us out on the Wildboarclough road. A little detour over to Macc Forest before the final grind back up to the car park before we had seen more than a drop of the promised rain.