I've been riding SPD's for more years than I can remember, they take a little while to get used to but I wouldn't go back to normal pedals unless I change from road/cx/mtb riding to another form.

 

I used to worry more about slipping off my pedals and landing on the frame than I did being able to unclip my feet

Clips on road are OK, clips off road = balls of steel!

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I've been riding clipped in for years now as well, even on steep horrible technical downhill. Flats just feel wrong to me now. Like Matt said - I used to worry more about my feet coming off than not being able to get them off.

Clips on road are OK, clips off road = balls of steel!

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Used them for years

In the early 90's, if I knew a course was entirely ridable (before SPDs were common-place), I'd put the LOOK pedals on my Pace, for the MTB races (wasn't the only one)

And, of course, for Cyclo-Cross, SPDs were/are the Dogs Doo-dads!!!!!!!

Just checked the Holme Valley results, & my friend Nick was 36th @ 2.41:40

 

Edited 12 September, 201411 yr by Richard A Thackeray

I came in 199 out of 247. Not as quick as I hoped for but I enjoyed it and that's what matters  , it got me out of work that day & using some of my A/L, better a bad day on the bike than a good day in the office.

Too true!!!

And, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

I had about 3 hours out on the Ridley (road-bike) today

Should be out tomorrow too??, might be tempted to head out towards Denby Dale  - now that's a nice drag up from Calder Grove (jct 39/M1), all the way up to Midgeley roundabout.

Then....... it goes drags up again, from (your end of) Clayton West practically all the way to 'the 'Sovereign cross-roads'


Last time I was out that way, was for Stage 2 of the Tour;

- turn left up Miller Hill(?) in Denby Dale
 - straight over at the 'Dunkirk inn'
 - through Upper Denby

 - Left onto the A629 @ Ingbirchworth
 - round Ingbirchworth Reservoir
 - a sharp drag, up onto the end of Dearne Dyke Lane (or is it Spicer House Lane, at that end)
 - down Royd Lane, to your 'neck of the woods'

Then up under the old Woodhead line, passing all sorts of people walking & on bike
Outflank the barriers at the Flouch roundabout, by using the old road (now bridleway)
 

I ended up watching it, up by the end of the Snow Road, just on the summit of Woodhead (only 4 spectators up there!!!!)

 

 

 

 

I know it's a bit early, but there's this event in December that might interest you
it's generally 'members only'/'invites', but I think they're reasonably happy for people to just show up (if you are interested, I'll find out for you)

Denby Dale Travellers (running club) have this event
 

http://denbydaletravellers.org.uk/ESW/Files/DENBY_DALE_TRAVELLERS_RUNNER_V_BIKE_2011.pdf

Dates are obviously wrong, but details are mainly same

As the map shows, it's a converging/diverging route for runners & riders
Nick, whom I mentioned above has won overall twice in the past, but the course has been altered, & he say's it's practically impossible for a rider to win now (unless he means, if D-D-Ts top men show up???)

I've run it twice;
 

2011; 6th/33 (first bike was 7th, 2 minutes behind me)

2012; 5th/39 (3rd runner - 6th place, runner, was almost 6 minutes behind me!)

2013; DNS, due to having an important (to me!!) fell-race a couple of days after it

There's a winter CX series local to me up here, first round is on Sunday, tempted to go get some knobbly tyres and give it a go!

In continuation to the above, I've run this too, the 'Thurlstone Chase '(prefer 'Broomhead Chase', over on The Strines)

Blimey it's a lot harder than the distance says it should be!!!!

Heading up High Bank Lane is a slog - too steep to go fast, & too shallow to 'grit the teeth & slog'

And, as for that downhill (on the road) past the 'Crystal Palace'(??) pub!!!!!!   (sub 4-minute miling on the Garmin watch!!)

http://www.walkjogrun.net/routes/current_route.cfm?rid=BD08E662-E4C2-70EE-2C25440C3C8EAC71

 

 

 

Out of interest, to you;

The 'Trunce' (& Broomhead Chase) are organised by Andy Plummer, whom I believe is the LandLord(?) of 'The Huntsman', along Manchester Road

 

 

 

 

There's a winter CX series local to me up here, first round is on Sunday, tempted to go get some knobbly tyres and give it a go!

Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Proper Cyclo-Cross is fast & furious for an hour, plus a lap!!!
You'll know that you've done it!!!!  
 

Edited 12 September, 201411 yr by Richard A Thackeray

There's also a hill climb up Pen Y Pass the same morning, which I'm also tempted by, especially as it means I don't have to buy new tyres and I'm skint right now.

There's a winter CX series local to me up here, first round is on Sunday, tempted to go get some knobbly tyres and give it a go!

 

I'd definitely recommend giving it a shot, they had a race up here which I wasn't sure to whether to try or not because my off road bike is an aluminum 120mm full suspension 29er (no CX bike) which seemed a bit silly but as the race was only five minutes from my house I decided to give it a go anyway.  I wasn't particularly competitive (although I wouldn't have been on the perfect bike either) but had a good laugh as ended up competing very closely with another rider on a 26er hardtail, he had the advantage on the uphill section but my bike had the advantage on the downhill so we'd swap over lap after lap.  The people that organised that race last year are planning four races this year over the winter so I'm hoping that goes ahead as I'd give it another go, the only downside was the bike was a real mess...it's always muddy but the hard compacted mud being churned up by the bikes seemed to stick and clog up the drivetrain much worse than mud normally does so it took a lot more than the hose to get it clean.  

 

If it was really wet and muddy I'm thinking the fat bike would be a good choice, I had it out for the first time on Thursday night and its ability to just float over heavy mud that would bog other bikes down feels weird, almost like I'm cheating.

 

John

Haha, fat bike could be a good shout!

I entered a CX race years ago on a mtb and didn't do too badly. I didn't actually think about using my mtb for this one, though I know people do. I actually have a CX bike now, but with slicks on it. Was tempted to get some knobblies for it and give it a go. But then I could just get the mtb out.

Edited 13 September, 201411 yr by samj2013

It's far, far easier with a proper cross bike!! (that's why I bought one, after initially riding CX on my Pace, back in the early-mid 90's)

Cross-bikes roll easier, are shaped so you can pick them up if you need to (steps/etc...), lighter - when you do need to carry

Gearing isn't the issue you'd think it is, as the wide spacing of a MTB generally means you're spinning, or, slogging


And, for anyone reading who thinks cross-bike won't be tough enough, just You Tube 'Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross' & watch some of the clips on there - 38 miles!!

 

http://3peakscyclocross.org.uk/
 

In continuation to the above, I've run this too, the 'Thurlstone Chase '(prefer 'Broomhead Chase', over on The Strines)

Blimey it's a lot harder than the distance says it should be!!!!

Heading up High Bank Lane is a slog - too steep to go fast, & too shallow to 'grit the teeth & slog'

And, as for that downhill (on the road) past the 'Crystal Palace'(??) pub!!!!!!   (sub 4-minute miling on the Garmin watch!!)

http://www.walkjogrun.net/routes/current_route.cfm?rid=BD08E662-E4C2-70EE-2C25440C3C8EAC71

 

 

 

Out of interest, to you;

The 'Trunce' (& Broomhead Chase) are organised by Andy Plummer, whom I believe is the LandLord(?) of 'The Huntsman', along Manchester Road

 

 

 

 

Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Proper Cyclo-Cross is fast & furious for an hour, plus a lap!!!

You'll know that you've done it!!!!

 

Yes, Andy Plumber is the landlord at The Hunstman in Thurlstone, I've only met him on a couple of occasions when we have our Trans Pennine Trail Volunteer meetings there.

 

It's far, far easier with a proper cross bike!! (that's why I bought one, after initially riding CX on my Pace, back in the early-mid 90's)

Cross-bikes roll easier, are shaped so you can pick them up if you need to (steps/etc...), lighter - when you do need to carry

Gearing isn't the issue you'd think it is, as the wide spacing of a MTB generally means you're spinning, or, slogging

And, for anyone reading who thinks cross-bike won't be tough enough, just You Tube 'Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross' & watch some of the clips on there - 38 miles!!

 

http://3peakscyclocross.org.uk/

 

I've always fancied doing the 3Peaks on a bike, I've walked peaks of it (when younger, too young to complete all 3 Peaks). 

 

I agree with CX bike being very tough, I take mine out around the peaks and the look on the mountain bikers faces are great, granted the MTB's are a lot faster down the decents but I find the MTB can feel rather numb compared to the CX bike & a lot less challenging.

Matt, the thing that stops you emulating the 3PCX on a DIY basis, is that parts of it cross private ground (as shown in the 'Course' section of the race web-link)

When I rode CX, I often thought of trying it, as I know a lot of people who have done it, including top-10ers, as well as riders who'd I have thought of as being well-suited, but have been timed out, due to sheer exhaustion

There's a limit of a 1000, the same as the 'Three Peaks Fell-Race' & (I think??) unlike the '3P FR', there's no proof of qualifying race distances needed, for the 'FR', you have to have completed 2 'M', or 'L' (Fell Runners Association - Med/Long, & of a recognised climbing severity) races in the past year, before applying for entry

 

http://www.threepeaksrace.org.uk/
 

The '3P FR' is cheaper though, as the 'CX' entry is £50!!!!!, 'FR' is £25

 

As an aside;

 - We used know the 1994 Ladies winner (Alison Garside) quite well, but not seen her since the late 90's
 - Louise Robinson, who's won the Ladies title 5 times, is the daughter of Brian Robinson, the first British Tour de France stage-winner (in 1958)
 - John Rawnsley, the now (given it up!) organiser, also helps to organise the very enjoyable 'Harriers v Cyclists' up at Bingley, every November (& is a very pleasant guy to chat with)

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKCXpoa7oQ8

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG2kZjuFh0k

Edited 13 September, 201411 yr by Richard A Thackeray

The CX race I did was a few obstacles and a fairly big climb then a very muddy downhill back to the start, the CX bikes obviously had the advantage on the uphill as those riders were just chucking the bike on their shoulder and sprinting over the obstacles and uphill (which I most certainly was not doing with my bike!) but on the downhill the MTB's had the advantage with their bigger wheels and suspension, I was only 20th overall but seventh on the downhill section.  The organisers did think the MTB's should have been at a bigger disadvantage to the CX bikes but I liked that both types were competitive and hoping they do the same this year.

 

I reckon on a really wet and muddy track, the fat bike would actually be pretty good if there wasn't a fast dry/hard section, even on the FS 29er the really muddy sections can be hard going as the bike bogs down easily so I need to pedal hard to get through whereas the fat bike just floated across the top.  Plus apart from anything else it would be funny to see people's reactions!

 

John

This is my 2006 specialized enduro expert that I picked up a few year ago as a frame only and built up to its current spec which now includes saint brakes front and rear. Used to ride at glentress, Laggan and a couple of other trail centres when I lived in Scotland. Need to find places around Wakefield to a bit further a field to ride.

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Need to find places around Wakefield to a bit further a field to ride.

 

There's the woods (forest) above Otley, off the Norwood  ('Norud') Edge road, that has some 'runs' in it

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/EnglandNorthYorkshireNoForestStainburnForest

You can either access it, via the A59 (twixt Harrogate & Bolton Bridge, turning off it, at the Menwith Hill (US listening post) cross-roads, or follow the B6451, from Otley itself

 

You're not a million miles away from Hamsterley, right?

This is my 2006 specialized enduro expert that I picked up a few year ago as a frame only and built up to its current spec which now includes saint brakes front and rear. Used to ride at glentress, Laggan and a couple of other trail centres when I lived in Scotland. Need to find places around Wakefield to a bit further a field to ride.

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There's Kings Wood, Sekar Woods near Newmiller Dam, I spent alot of time riding there when I lived in Durkar, a bit further away you have, Wharncliffe Woods (near Deepcar, lots of free parking at Finkle Street https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=53.490248,-1.550864&num=1&t=h&z=17  or at Woodhead road https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=53.450625,-1.511666&num=1&t=h&z=18 )

 

Failing that, buy an OS map and have a look for as many bridleways as possible and make your own loops, there is plenty todo around Wakefield, the Sustrans network also runs from Newmiller Dam to Barnsley and is an offroad route

Thanks for the info folks, going to cycle up to Newmillerdam for a look around kings wood and seckar wood.

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I know Seckar & NewMillerDam, we sometimes run through there, & follow the old railway line back to Royston (& then along the Barnsley Canal, back to Wintersett)

Sorry, I thought you wanted, a marked/set-out, course?

There's also the area around 'Half-Moon' at Kirkthorpe (ox-bow lake, created by the railway embankment, that also goes onto the 'Ash-fields' where Wakefield Power Station used to dump its waste

Plus, it depends on which part of WF you are in

 

 

 

I've been riding SPD's for more years than I can remember, they take a little while to get used to but I wouldn't go back to normal pedals unless I change from road/cx/mtb riding to another form.

 

I used to worry more about slipping off my pedals and landing on the frame than I did being able to unclip my feet

 

 I think I got my first pair of SPDs (when there was only the one model available, & must have been about £90!!!!!) back in 1992!!!!!!!

I teamed them up with AlpineStar shoes, which were very bright!! (before going to Sidi Dominators)

The white shoes, with pink/blue/yellow lines; http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Alpinestars-50th-Anniversary.html

Edited 14 September, 201411 yr by Richard A Thackeray

Back in the day, early 90's, @ Post Hill, Leeds

 

 

 

 

 

 

South-north, on Mortimer Road (the Strines)
Early 90's
A bottom gear of 42x19 ('straight' cassette) didn't help
Note the very early Shimano shoes, with the cleat bolts actually in the soles of the shoes!!!

 

 

Back in the day, early 90's, @ Post Hill, Leeds

 

 

 

 

 

 

South-north, on Mortimer Road (the Strines)

Early 90's

A bottom gear of 42x19 ('straight' cassette) didn't help

Note the very early Shimano shoes, with the cleat bolts actually in the soles of the shoes!!!

 

 

 

Cycling clothes back then were far better to look at, now they seem very dull being mostly black.  I often come home on Mortimer road, the same way as you heading up Ewden Bank only I'm using my 36x32 to climb that hill

Cycling clothes back then were far better to look at, now they seem very dull being mostly black.  I often come home on Mortimer road, the same way as you heading up Ewden Bank only I'm using my 36x32 to climb that hill

Yes, I guess they were

I've ridden it a few times since (in both directions), on;

Dyna-Tech 755Ti (39 x 23)

Ridley (39 x 25)

Ribble (34 x 25)

I had some very vibrant clothes when I was working in the centre of Leeds, & commuting back to Wakefield (as that stretch from Stourton, up Bell Hill, past the M1 junction was hellish at times!!)

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/gallery/image/6535-day-glow-commuting/

My club kit's not too bad, it's reasonably bright blue, with yellow sleeves

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/gallery/image/6536-featherstone-road-club-1/

Cycling clothes back then were far better to look at, now they seem very dull being mostly black.  I often come home on Mortimer road, the same way as you heading up Ewden Bank only I'm using my 36x32 to climb that hill

Cycling clothes these days are far better to look at, they were all hideous dayglow shades of lycra back then. Depends on your perspective

Though I think the current trend of downhill pyjamas looks a little daft.

 

Edited 15 September, 201411 yr by samj2013