Psychalist

2015-01-26T19:29:00.001+00:00

Cycle Touring Festival - 1st-3rd May 2015

The inaugural event of the Cycle Touring Festival is to be held at Waddow Hall near Clitheroe, Lancashire on the first weekend of May. It should be a great weekend for all things to do with adventures based on two wheels. Workshops, speakers, films, rides etc. all in the great countryside of the Ribble Valley - a classic cycling location for both on and off road.

Tickets available now:

Leaden skies

2014-12-21T16:24:00.001+00:00

Solstice day. Grey and 'mild for the time of year'
Incentive gone, sapped by midwinter gloom
Fitness ambition playing off against lie-in mentality
Saddle and fireside chair, magnets of opposing poles
Roast dinner, stew and broth, winter comfort not for the athlete

Forty year old Christmas songs repeatedly invade
Incentive enough to brave dank, dark wind
Familiar cafes, steamed up windows beaming lighthouse salvation
'Tis the season to keep warm, keep jolly, keep trying, to keep on
Don't give up, give in, days are getting longer

Somehow a night ride seems appealing
Feeling elements but not what's missing
Focus easier, isolation complete
Rhythmic breathing, cyclic pedalling
View - a mere vignette, just enough - it'll soon be summer!

Bunting time

2014-04-16T18:48:00.001+01:00

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Duke of Lancaster, will visit Blackburn tomorrow to perform the annual Royal duty of handing out Maundy Money at the service in Blackburn cathedral. Symbolic of Jesus washing the disciples feet, the Maundy service, is the only time her Majesty personally hands gifts to commoners.

I won't be able to join the throngs of onlookers but I did cycle down to see how the preparations are going. Darwen street has been resurfaced (it was planned, apparently) and now the street cleaners are busy sprucing up the surroundings.

Janapar - Tom's bike trip

2014-02-13T20:13:00.000+00:00

In November we had our annual trip to the Kendal Mountain Festival to watch adventure and outdoor films. There's a large emphasis on climbing and mountaineering but there is also plenty of other content for those on two wheels, water sports enthusiasts and outdoor folk in general. They all fascinate me and I find the whole weekend an enjoyable escape from the onset of a dark British winter. This year, the film that stood out for us was Janapar. Ostensibly a bike trip around the world but really a love story that searches into one's soul to find what motivates our life decisions. This beautifully crafted film is highly recommended. Tom Seymour of the Guardian Bike blog reviewed the film but if you want to avoid the spoilers, watch the film first.

Janapar: Official Trailer from Janapar Film on Vimeo.

Tom Allen, the creator of Janapar, has an excellent blog called Tom's Bike Trip that should be an inspiration to anyone harbouring the slightest notion of getting away from mundane every day life and having a world adventure. His advice is stop thinking about it, just do it. Check out Tom's Bike Trip for inspiration on bike travel and what it can mean to your life.

Give and take

2014-01-15T17:57:00.000+00:00

That's all it needs - a little understanding about sharing the road. Some people don't get it.

Compare and contrast

2014-01-08T18:14:00.001+00:00

January 2010

January 2014

Whilst North America experiences one of its worst winters, the effect of the large storms here, the other side of the Atlantic, is repeated bashing from south westerly gales bringing rain and coastal flooding to the UK. Despite this, so far, our winter has been mild. There have been only a few days here in Lancashire when the mercury has been below zero, unlike the past three winters during which there were a number of periods when the temperature never rose above freezing - result: less salt on the road and consequently less bike cleaning, corrosion and therefore safer riding.

Adverse conditions require a lot more effort to cope with. Compared to a summer commute when we can just get on a bike and go, winter commuting requires more preparation especially if ice and snow are involved.

Winter has a long way to go, so having made this comparison, we'll probably get loads of snow before spring!

Lonely road

2014-01-06T19:23:00.000+00:00

Most commuters weren't around as I rode down empty streets on the way to work this morning. It was a pleasure not only to feel safer because of less traffic but also because the weather was bright and cheery unlike the stormy weather we're currently experiencing every couple of days.

Times they are a changin'

2014-01-06T19:22:00.001+00:00

Come early January, increasing daylight is quite noticeable but what always surprises me is how much this contrasts with a few days ago in late December when we were lurching headlong into endless darkness. Just before seeming inevitable it would become depressingly gloomy, brightness now hints through wintery skies. I probably sense it more at this time of year because my morning commute is at dawn when the change is happening. Cycling at any time of year heightens riders' senses to seasonal change. For me, this is one of the plusses of riding at dawn and dusk.

Way of the Roses review, part 3

2012-05-26T23:37:00.000+01:00

Day Three, Ripon to Driffield

Cake at Beningborough Hall

Leaving the big hills behind, day three rolled us down to York via Boroughbridge and Linton-on-Ouse, through the grounds of Beningborough Hall where we had elevenses at the National Trust cafe and picked up sandwiches for later.

York Minster

Then on to the minster in the ancient city of York via the riverside cycleway along the ings of the Ouse. Out of York on the disused railway line, we headed for the wolds and encountered our first bridleway of the day, east of Dunnington.


Following the bridleway to Stamford Bridge

Having had a picnic on the way to Pocklington, we stopped there for coffee before tackling the only significant hill of the day as we climbed through the Yorkshire Wolds in Millington Dale.


Pasture Gate in the Wolds

Possibly the best descent of the whole Way of the Roses route for me was from the top of Pasture Dale where Pocklington Lane starts a 500ft descent through Huggate becoming Driffield Road and ending in Kilburn some seven and a half miles later. It's the sort of hill you can pedal down and really enjoy. From there, the lanes took us to Driffield where accommodation is available, but not easy to find.

Day three stats: 79 miles in around 8 hours and 1920ft of climbing.

Day four consisted of the remaining 23 miles that included a detour via Rudston and Boynton because of works on the roman road Woldgate. We had a brew on the front with a number of other groups that had just completed the route and then made our way to the station, picking up fish and chips just before departure - sweet reward for a great few days cycling.

Bridlington Station buffet

Way of the Roses is a superb route with plenty of variety, challenges and interesting scenery - highly recommended!

Way of the Roses review, part 2

2012-05-24T22:59:00.000+01:00

Day 2, Settle to Ripon

If you've done your Way of the Roses research, you are probably aware of the hill out of Settle. Long before the full English breakfast has settled, Albert Hill gives a foretaste of the challenge that lies up ahead on Scosthrop Lane. The only tips I can suggest is stick to muesli and a banana, reward yourself with a late second breakfast on arrival in Airton and do a couple of laps of town to warm up. It's all very impressive and gives a great sense of satisfaction having attained the summit.


Second big hill of the day up from Skyreholme

The next section passes through some lovely Yorkshire villages and renowned eateries, but there is more climbing to be done, so choosing where to refuel is important. It's a great temptation to call in at the Craven Cruck Barn in Appletreewick, which is where we noticed some other WOTR riders entrenched. The problem is, if you stop, you'll not want to get going again and as soon as you do, you encounter the steep uphill out of Skyreholme and onto Craven Moor past Stump Cross Caverns. If you can wait, refreshments are available there or down in Pateley Bridge, which is where we had lunch. A word of caution: The descent from Greenhow Hill is a classic but does involve four steep gradients so it is too easy to let the bike run away before you realise what speed you're doing. It is an accident black-spot and has already claimed a few WOTR riders including two airlifted to hospital last October.


Looking back to Pateley Bridge and the Nidd valley

For us, this was the day with the most effort required, as we still needed to get to Ripon, which involved some more climbing out of Smelthouses onto Brimham Moor. On the one side you look down into the Nidd valley and then, on attaining the ridge of Hartwith Bank, a huge vista opens up east and you know you've crossed the divide of the Pennines.

The view of Knaresborough from the top

It's not quite down yet as the route follows round Brimham Rocks with the expansive views over the flatter end of Swaledale and the wolds. Descending to Fountains Abbey and a trip through Studley Park with its impressive driveway, to finally emerge through the gates into Studley Roger and Ripon itself, was our remaining work of the day.

The main drive of Studley Royal deer park with Ripon cathedral in the distance

Day two stats: 42 miles in around 6 hours, ~4560ft of ascent with two cafe stops and max speed held to 40mph down Greenhow hill - that was near the top, it was considerably less on the steeper lower slopes.

Way of the Roses review, part 1

2012-05-22T22:23:00.002+01:00

Day 1, Home to Settle

It seems plenty of cyclists will be tackling the Way of the Roses coast to coast route over the Queen's Diamond Jubilee bank holiday weekend. We're off to try Lon Las Cymru but I thought it might be nice to look back at our experience of the WOTR route last September with a few pictures to whet the appetite for those tackling it in the next few weeks.

I persuaded our happy troop that trains would take nearly the same time as cycling to the start in Morecambe from our base in Blackburn. Following Lancashire Cycleway NCN 6 up the Lancashire Coastal Way from Conder Green meant we could refuel with elevenses at Cafe d'Lune, overlooking Morecambe Bay. Because of that, day 1 of the official WOTR route started just before lunchtime so we planned to spread the hilliest sections of the route over the first two days, with the third day being the longest mileage. Day four would be a short section and return home. Our stopovers were booked in Settle, Ripon and Driffield.

Crook O'Lune

From the traffic free start in Morecambe, the Lune Valley Cycleway takes you to country roads and the first hills of the day, these essentially being a detour to avoid the A683 between the end of the cycleway and Hornby.

Climbing up from Halton Green

Lunch was taken at the Bridge House Farm Tearoom in Wray, and can be recommended. From Wray, passing Bentham toward Clapham, one senses the geology changing and the transition from Lancashire into Yorkshire. From Clapham the way gets interesting as the need to avoid the busy A65 takes you off-road onto some classic ancient tracks.

Whilst a verge path along the A65 will in future be another option, it is well worth the effort to trudge up through the tunnels above Clapham and onto Thwaite Lane, as it is then that you really start to get an idea of the beauty of this route.


Thwaite Lane

Isolated, away from traffic and towns, you know you've entered limestone country with stunning views of Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent on the way to Stainforth and, finally for us that day, Settle with views of Giggleswick school as we passed by.

Pen-y-ghent

On a recent visit to Settle we were treated to a tour of the Settle Water Tower at the station. This featured on the television series Restoration Man. If you are lucky, Mark Rand and his wife may be working in the garden and offer a visit around in return for a donation to the Friends of Settle and Carlisle Railway. Be warned though, visitors may get featured in the water tower blog.

At the end of day one we'd covered around seventy miles in nine hours and climbed about 4140ft including the thirty five miles added before the official start. This section of the Way of the Roses was thirty four miles, took about five and a half hours, ascended around 3000ft and including two cafe stops.

Next time....tackling the big hills and danger.

Lost World

2011-09-06T11:00:00.000+01:00

Lost World

Sunny lunchtimes are too good to miss out on having a quick ride. I decided on the cycling equivalent of a photowalk, the photoride.

Within a short distance of work there are some interesting places, such as the few mill buildings that stand as reminders of Blackburn's cotton industry heritage.

Way of the Roses

2011-09-05T00:18:00.000+01:00

We were hoping for some good weather this week as four of us take a trip across the Pennines on a 3 day mini cycle tour along the Way of the Roses (WOTR). This new Coast to Coast route joins the red rose of Lancashire with the white rose of Yorkshire in a 170 mile route inaugurated in September 2010. It runs south of the other C2C routes along an west-east line between Morecambe in Lancashire and Bridlington in Yorkshire. Last year we rode the northerly C2C route, Hadrian's Cycle Way. On that route, at the end of the first day we we're still on the west coast with more of the Solway coast to do on the morning of day two. It was a very enjoyable and interesting 'Roman' themed ride. There were the usual strange Sustrans detours but on the whole a great route.

We're anticipating a nice (leisurely) few days on the Way of the Roses. This isn't going to be a daft dash like some folk. We've planned to do it over 3 days, but because Morecambe is relatively near home, we've decided to make it more interesting by adding 35 miles to day one in order to ride to the start. I figured that after we'd cycled to the station, waited for the train and ridden from the station, there wouldn't be much difference in time and by riding there we get to have a brew and some cake overlooking Morecambe bay at the Cafe de Lune. The others went along with the suggestion but I suspect it may come back to bite me by the time we reach Settle and the bigger hills. This might come either from Puffing Billy, who is in denial about needing to be fit for the trip, having hardly ridden a bike since last year's C2C outing, or Crasher Sid who's been training just a bit too hard and is carrying the wounds of her latest crash to the start (she managed to hold out until the second day before crashing last time).

Tracklogs for the route are ready for downloading to the GPS. I just need to get a few bits together for my saddlebag and give the tourer the once over and we're good to go.

Voies Verte

2011-06-30T18:20:00.003+01:00

Green ways in France - the traffic free parcours velo. Like most European countries, France is actively adding traffic free routes for recreational cycling called Voies Verte. We tried a number on our recent tour. My favourite was the Voie Verte de la Moselotte, which starts in Remiremont and ends in Cornimont-La Bresse. It's part of the Voie Verte des Hautes Vosges utilising an old railway track taking you past steep sided gorges, wood mills, granite quarries and old settlements with weaving mills. It's very quiet, very beautiful and best of all it climbs gently into the heart of the high Vosges mountains.

Gammy leg

2011-06-30T18:12:00.003+01:00

A picture might be a step too far, rather like a medical journal. I'm disappointed this week, having got into shape after daily touring miles in the last weeks, to end up with a bad leg. Whilst cycling along the Canal du Marne au Rhine, I was stung near my ankle by something going in the opposite direction. It must have objected to being stopped in its tracks, so to speak. The sting was big enough to be removed with fingers suggesting it was a big blighter, whatever it was.

Normally, I don't react badly to stings and bites and everything was alright for a few days - just some mild irritation and localised swelling as might be expected. A week later however and my ankle is raging with an infection, making riding difficult and not advised. Good job I'm not on the TdF - I wouldn't pass doping rules now!

Good to be out

2011-03-09T22:08:00.000+00:00

What fine weather it was for a ride at the weekend. A bit cold, but the brightness was welcome.

40+

2011-03-07T22:46:00.008+00:00

In the two miles of the A666 I cycle on of a morning's commute, you can see over 40 marked up potholes identified for repair by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

Those are only the holes earmarked for fixing, there are plenty more that didn't make the cut. Scale that up to borough or county level and you can easily understand why potholes are big news and why Blackburn is fated to always be remembered for its 4000 holes.

Some potholes get marked more than once because of the way this council goes about its repairs. In marked contrast to neighbouring Lancashire, who seem to visit a reported pothole within a couple of days with material and fill in the hole, Blackburn uses a two-step process.

Firstly someone surveys the problem
and if they decide it is a hazard or worth fixing, marks the limit of the repair with white paint. Later someone comes along with tarmac to fill the hole.

This process often breaks down as it can be months between reporting a hole and it eventually getting repaired. Sometimes the markings just disappear through weather and wear and tear.

This pothole has been marked twice:

First in February

and now in March.

In contrast, this is one of Cumbria

County Council's marked up holes:

Some local roads are breaking up so badly they're beyond repair - they are either a continuous series of patches or the metalling of the road is just falling apart.

The only solution is to properly re-surface but that's likely to happen in only the most severe cases given the current economic climate.

Avoiding potholes on a cycle whilst riding on roads with motorised traffic is not easy, when you can see them - in the dark it's even worse.

A fireman from Nelson fell foul of a pothole at night and is lucky to be alive. Here's hoping things improve soon before more people are injured on the road.

Ride safe and keep reporting those holes.

Anyone for Raclet?

2011-03-03T19:57:00.000+00:00

When planning cycling tours, I've often wondered how difficult it would be to carry all the gear needed for camping. It seems someone has the answer - a camping trailer. Not what you might call a lightweight solution.

Butty shop V3

2011-02-24T19:35:00.003+00:00

Been open a while now. This one seems to be lasting better.

Road slime

2010-12-16T21:56:00.001+00:00

I got caught out this week on a ride home from work. I've cycled to work for many years and, although the location has changed over the years, much of my route has remained the same. I don't know how many times I've crossed over the mini-roundabouts on Whalley Old Road in Little Harwood but it must be in excess of ten thousand commutes. That's all year every year, even during snow, ice and heavy rain. For any readers unaware of what mini-roundabouts are (I know roundabouts are uncommon in the USA as a four-way stop is more the norm), it is a smaller version of a conventional roundabout but where the island, around which traffic circulates, is much smaller. The normal traffic rules of a roundabout apply even though the mini-roundabout may just be a painted circle in a regular road junction. That is what the ones in Whalley Old Road are, painted circles on what is an old road.

I know road paint provides less friction than tarmac and so usually make allowance when turning on it. Everything was going well with little traffic around and the ride was flowing nicely. When I got the the junction, the line I took was over the roundabout circle as there were no cars around and it makes the turn less sharp but does mean going across the paint. I misjudged the conditions contributing to a lack of traction and got caught out when my front wheel went from under me and both my bike and myself ended up sliding sideways across the road. Luckily I only suffered a bashed arm and bruised shoulder as I hit the road and a jacket that instantly went from day-glow yellow to black on the right side.

The weather had been dry for a few days but the roads, which were been covered with a concentration of road salt and were still damp. As it had dissolved, the salt instead of drying out had turned into a greasy, slimy damp black film. This is quite common in our damp north-west climate. Even tarmac becomes slippery when covered with this film as was demonstrated the next morning by a car skidding as it set off from a side road. I'm normally wary of this salt slime as there are one or two places where the tarmac is quite smooth and I've felt a loss of traction when turning. I allow for it and take the turn slowly, keeping as upright as possible. Now I'm even more wary and there's a lot of winter still to get through.

Safe (winter) cycling...

Never mind cling film Mr Wiggins

2010-12-06T08:56:00.001+00:00

Snow boots for me for this morning's commute - absolutely necessary for the first and last few metres which were sheet ice. Some of the main roads weren't much better.
Saw 3 other cyclists braving the conditions. Minus 8 Celcius again already matching last winter's coldest mornings. Low temperature grease is looking a must have item for the Christmas stocking.

Rough and smooth

2010-12-05T18:25:00.003+00:00

Conditions in this bridleway near Dinas Powys, South Wales were interesting when recently, I looked for a bit of rough-stuff cycling and found the cold early winter conditions provided some smooth going. I'd thrown the folder into the car on a recent visit in the hope of doing a little exercise. I wasn't sure what to expect but once off the tarmac, it coped amazingly well. This lane receives a lot of run-off water draining from the neighbouring fields. It had created a thick layer of ice along most of its length, which made progress slow but interesting - I was glad I was going uphill. I got some strange looks, perhaps because onlookers were amazed anyone would ride what is essentially a shopping bike on a bridleway, also because I don't think many cyclists explore bridleways around this part of South Wales.

The Vale of Glamorgan Rights Of Way Improvement Plan acknowledges that there are limited opportunities for cycling. It has only 27km of bridleways in its 550 km network of public rights of way and many are still poorly signposted or maintained. Their Local Access Forum represents all types of users of rights of way including the Cyclist Touring Club. In their survey they concur that signposting and maintenance is a problem. I didn't have to go far to find an example. This bridleway on Pen-y-turnpike road isn't signposted and has a locked gate.

View Larger Map

The Public Spending Review is likely to have an adverse effect on the future of public rights of way with maintenance and signposting receiving less funding as local authorities try to balance their books in the face of reduced budgets. I do hope it won't become a case of 'use 'em or lose 'em as there are many ancient ways that have been lost in the past and not all authorities treat them with equal priority.

Keep exploring - on two wheels.

On tour again

2010-09-02T07:02:00.000+01:00

I love the run up to going cycle touring. Now that I have most of the kit, well, most importantly, a bike, preparation this year has come down to gathering the small number of possessions required and some fitness training. Unlike last year, the planning and arrangements have been done by others, which has helped enormously. Adding small refinements and new equipment adds to the pleasure and anticipation, with past experience helping to provide some confidence that plans will turn out OK and be fun rather than too challenging or problematic. I would have liked to have done more long rides beforehand to help with training but I've had limited time available this year due to other commitments. Even so, I think we're fit enough to enjoy the 60 odd miles planned each day.

Recent runs for testing and training included a loop in the Bowland Fells with a climb up Beacon Fell (the one on the left in the picture). It doesn't look much, but it has nice steady climbs approached from most directions and commands impressive views of the Fylde coast, since it sits on the eastern edge of the coastal plain. It has a visitor's centre and forest trails and was very busy on the bank holiday. The cafe had tea and sandwiches in reward for the climb. I was trying out a birthday present of a Carradice saddlebag. I am very pleased with it and feel it is going to work much better than panniers for our short tour.

A previous weekend we did a ride around the Lune Valley taking in Barbondale. What a fine spot that is. We had hoped to meet up for the RSF ride that weekend but time didn't allow.

One of the joys of touring for me is the freedom knowing two wheels are going to carry us to a new destination each day with scenery and wildlife to enjoy along the way. A bike makes places more accessible and it is easy just to stop and take in the sights.

We'll be following NCN72 Hadrian's cycleway, which provides a mixture of traffic free paths and country lanes across the country as an alternative sea to sea (C2C). Extensive details are available on Doug Ridgway's excellent Hadrian's Cycleway web site. The route follows Roman antiquities across the north of England, starting at Glannaventa Roman bath house in Ravenglass, it works its way up the west coast of Cumbria and follows Hadrian's wall from Bowness on Solway. After Carlisle, the route visits Roman signal posts and forts along the wall and ends at Arbeia fort in South Shields.

The route is in the GPS, the bikes just need a last clean and lube and we're good to go. If this high pressure lasts it should be splendid riding in the sun with friends. On the other hand, if it is raining, we might be miserable, but I doubt it.

Mill roof collapse

2010-08-14T10:06:00.002+01:00

Blackburn increased in size and population during the 1800's due to expansion of the cotton industry. The town became famous for the many mill chimneys dominating its sky line. Now, nearly all the chimneys are gone, along with most of the weaving and spinning. Many of the mill buildings are still standing but are used for other purposes.

My cycle route to work passes a couple of mills, one of which is Carr Cottage Mill. Part of the building has been derelict for some time. In July, the roof collapsed leaving the road-side boundary wall unstable. This is the part adjoining Florence Mill but the other (undamaged) part of Carr Cottage Mill houses a process plant business. One carriageway of the main A666 Whalley New Road has been closed for safety whilst the owners of the building sort it out. It looks like the whole lot is coming down but it's too early to tell. We'll have to wait and see. Meanwhile the traffic lights mean a small to delay to commuters, including me (he wrote, being a good law abiding citizen).

I looked for some information on the history of the mill. It appears previous owners of the mill were bankrupted in the 1800's when there was a cotton famine caused by supply shortages during the American civil war. During that time, many workers existed on welfare handouts of food and fuel and temporary jobs labouring.

Mini Tour to the Lakes and back

2010-06-27T18:30:00.006+01:00

I got to the Lake District and back to Lancashire again in one piece. A total of 119 miles over two days. Some great countryside and very quiet lanes.

I know about it now though. Partly I think the heat was tiring, but distance, long hours in the saddle and my lack of training on that particular bike were big factors. Not that I'm exhausted, just enjoyably tired after all the exercise and looking forward to some food.

Whilst I was heading north, the South Lakes Group of the RSF crossed east and had a good day out on the Bowland fells.

My original plan took in a return via Dent, Deepdale, Kingsdale, Tatham Fells and home, but that would have been 7000 ft of climbing on day 2 after the near 3000ft on day 1, so I decided to stay west of the hills and come down by the coast for the return trip/

Whilst having a brew at the Cafe D'Lune some guy drove past with his family's mountain bikes on the roof of his 4x4 and didn't notice the gantry barrier at the entrance to the car park. It took some time to sort the mess out after he hit it and stopping a good car's length the other side. It looked like most of the damage was to the roof rack, though his expensive looking bikes took a fair wallop.

I got off early this morning to avoid the heat of the day, but might as well have enjoyed more recovery time since the football didn't go our way. There were a few dog walkers out first thing plus a balloon flight, a deer, a dead grass snake and some other wildlife that made the journey interesting.

Later there were plenty of cyclists out for their Sunday run including a guy who looked like he was doing a time trial that passed me as though I was standing still, and at that time I was actually going reasonably quickly!

The sting in the tail was crossing the Ribble Valley and climbing up the other side. Back in the saddle for a short ride to work tomorrow.