Category Archives: LeekCC

Club Run – July 7th 2019

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We had quite a large turn our for both groups on Sunday as there were a few riders out we have not seen for a while due to ill health and other reasons but nice to see riders out with the club. The A group set out for Matlock and returned back to Leek via a route that took in the Outer Herbrides. Meanwhile, the B group set out for Whetton via Leekbrook and Ipstones and Windy Arbour before dropping in to waterhouses and along to Calton and past Throwley Hall and in to Ilam. The climb out of Ilam soon warmed us all up and we continued in to Wetton before reaching the Village Hall and were soon enjoying Coffee and cakes as well as beans on toast.
We returned by the steep descent in to the Manifold Valley and along the track and through the tunnel which raised a few laughs before reaching Hulme End and here we turned off for Warslow via the steep climb out. There was some discusion about the best way to Morridge but as they all involve hills, we decided to head back by the direct route and so took on the climb. Rich C took the KOM title here. The group descend in to Thorncliffe and I parted company to head back to the delights of Biddulph. A great ride led by Andy B despite the moaning about hills. The lesser cyclists out there meanwhile took on a flat stage of the TDF.

Club Run – June 30th 2019

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Two groups set out for Hackwood Farm riding out along Ashbourne Road but at Bottom House the A and B groups split so we carried on with thirteen riders via Ipstones Edge and in to Ramshorn and Ellastone and Cubley. At Longlane, we encountered what seemed to be the entire contents of a local quarry scattered across the road so it was a struggle to avoid the chippings. We pulled off to take a short cut to Hackwood and were soon at the cafe and sitting out in the warm for once. A group picture was taken along with a Leek so one for next years callender!
We returned via Sutton On The Hill at a fast pace which left me well behind. We continued to Marston Montgomery and Rocester before riding in to Denstone and Alton and along Red Road to Oakamoor and the sharp climb out of the valley. We turned off to head to Kingsley and I was so beyond hitting the wall, I was down to the footings by this point. I should have pleaded to be allowed in to the Woodhouse Autism centre! Near to Kingsley, we came across a young lady rider with a front brake fault so Dave M pulled over to help and the group helped shelter her from the traffic until we passed her home, well done Dave! We carried on to Cheddleton where we dropped off Dave M and Rich C, I continued alone back to Leek while the group had a chat before they returned to Leek at 3.30pm after a tough sixty eight mile ride. It was a long one due to two punctures and waiting for me to catch up, sorry guys!
Nick A

Club Run – June 23rd 2019

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Two groups met up in the market place The B ride were heading to Hartington while the main group were heading to Knutsford. We set out along Mill Street and past Rudyard before reaching Gawsworth. We passed through Homes Chapel and on to Lower Peover and Mathall before riding in to Knutsford. Here we had a few issues with our Garmins as the route was not clear to us so we had a little tour of the streets before we realised we were outside the Courtyard Cafe. Soon riders were enjoying the warmth outside for once and artisan food at artisan prices.
We decided to head back by riding through the nearby Tatton Park estate to see the deer and stags and were rewarded with quite a collection. We then headed to Ashley and were soon riding at a good pace on the flats of Cheshire. We passed near to Alderly Edge and the Wizard pub where the group stopped for a chat before we set off for Broken cross and back to Gawsworth and back on to the main Leek road. Here it became every man for himself so we rode hard to make the front. Soon it was myself, Shaun and Nick D racing away and I managed to pass Nick for a brief spell at the front before he passed me to take the sprint in to Leek. We arrived back at 2.16pm after a fun, seventy mile ride. Thanks to all who helped navigate as unsure who was ride leader. I did my best to record the route so any mistakes are mine alone as I simply do not know Cheshire well.

Club Run – June 16th 2019

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Fourteen riders turned out to dodge the showers on the way to Eccleshall. The short group were heading out towards Goostery. The main group set out to Cheddelton where a brief stop was made to meet up with Andy and Jo who had a broken spoke to repair. We met up and carried on through Dilhorne and Blythe Bridge before reaching Stallington and  Hilderstone. We rode through Sandon and on to Great Bridgeford before continuing on to Eccleshall. It was here that our original cafe choice was full due to Fathers Day so we headed back to Norbury Junction where we found plenty of seats outside but as were were queing, it started to rain again so we managed to find seats indoors.
We headed back via Eccleshall  and Swynerton and Barleston and Rough Close. Here we said goodbye to Andy and Jo and carried on to Meir and Weston Coyney and Werrington. We rode through Longsdon and parted company with Ride Leader, Dave M and continued in to Leek after a enjoyable but tough ride. I do not have a computer on my wet/winter bike so am unable to record the mileage. I hope riders did not think I was being rude by leaving the cafe early but being sensitive to noise causes me issues at times and I need a break so bear with me, its tough being on the spectrum. Thanks to Dave M for leading the ride and to Carl for helping me with recording the route.
Nick A
The riders at Norbury Junction

Club Run – June 9th 2019

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Fourteen riders turned out for the main group ride to Carsington water. Andy Bains group rode out to Wetton to a new cafe in the village. We set out along Ashbourne road and much to our surprise we turned off along School Lane in Bradnop so this soon warmed us all up. We then dropped in to Onecote and up to Butterton before reaching Mill Dale and Parwich. We then headed towards Longclife before turning off to head to Brassington and then in to the visitors centre at Carsington. Here we found club member Jonathon enjoying a drink so we invited him to join us inside. We were soon enjoying beans on toast and cakes and coffee.
It was decided to head back via Hulland ward and Bradly before reaching Snelston and Norbury and the long climb to Ramshorn. Here we re-grouped and headed along Ipstones edge and here “Storm Gareth” decided to attack on the descent to Bradnop. Cheered on by a few riders, he was soon in front but the others were not going to let him get away with it so then I found myself at the back, struggling to hang on but managed to catch up before Lowe Hill. We met up in Leek after a fifty three mile ride. Thanks to Dave M who led an interesting new take on the usual route to Carsington and one we will have to ride again sometime. It was good to see Chris E back out after his accident.
Nick A
The 9am group at the Carsington vistors centre
   Riders out on 9am “The shorter Club Run” pictured with Throwley Hall in the background

Club Run – June 2nd 2019

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There were two groups setting out from the market place. Andy Bain’s group went to Flash Bar while the main group set out for Hayfield. There were nine riders in the main group and most claimed to know the route so we set out via Mill Street and Abbey Green before reaching Meerbrook where it became apparant that in fact, most riders had no idea of where we were going so ride leader Shaun M turned to his Garmin for advice and so we carried on to Wincle and in to the Goyt Valley before reaching Kettleshulme where we had a fast paced descent in to Whaley Bridge. Here we decided to head to the Bridge Cafe instead of Hayfield so we were soon enjoying coffee and large slices of cake.
It was decided to head back via Long Hill so there was quite a competiton to see if we could beat twenty minutes to the top but as we faced a headwind all the way, this was quite an ask. Shaun and Rob B and  Steve W were leading the peleton up the climb and only just missed the target so good effort guys. We dropped back down in to the Goyt and up to Derbyshire Bridge where we were treated to the sight of the mighty “Two Sauces Simcock” throwing down his bike and lying flat on the floor due to leg cramp. At this point, the group took a few steps back away from him before declaring it safe to continue, you had us worried there Phil! We rode up to the Cat And Fiddle road and turned on to the A54 to head back to Algreave and Gradbach before riding along the Back Of The Roaches and in to Meerbrook. On the descent we were shocked to see a cow and bull by the side of the road so we did not hang around there! We headed back through Abbey Green and back in to Leek at 2.15pm after a fifty mile ride. Thanks to Shaun M for taking over navigation.
Nick A

Rob Howson wins Club 10 TT

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On Tuesday the 7th of May, Four club members took part in the Clubs 10 mile TT Championships which took place on the Chelford course just outside Congleton. On a clear and sunny evening a strong ride from Rob Howson saw him come out the winnner with a time of 24:05, followed by Rich Coates in second with a time of 24:38 & Adrian Derbyshire in third with a time of 25:07 and Paul Haywood in fourth with a time of 25:49. Congratulations to Rob and well done to everybody who took part. A thank you from the Club must go to Congleton CC for hosting and marshalling the event.

Results

  1. Rob Howson              24:05
  2. Rich Coates               24:38
  3. Adrian Derbyshire      25:07
  4. Paul Haywood            25:49

                                                           Rob Howson

Club Run – May 19th 2019

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The majority of the club took part in the Dougie Mac ride so eleven riders met up in Leek to go out for a short ride. There was a route to Flash but there was another route suggested so we split in to two. We headed out along Abbey Green to Meerbrook and up Gun Hill and in to Allgreave before climbing to Flash and descending at quite a pace in to Longnor where there were a few groans when we turned left to head to Glutton Bridge and in to Earl Sterndale before reaching Long Dale and Hartington. We arrived at the cafe to sit indoors before deciding to enjoy the warmth outside. The other group headed out along Thornclife and Hartington before reaching Flash.
We headed back along Hulme End and Sheen before dropping in to Longnor again and up to Newtown. Here Rich C showed amazing bike control when his pedal struck gravel but he soon had it under control despite a slight cut where he hit the front brake. We climbed to the Mermaid and dropped down in to Thornclife but here I left the group to ride back to Biddulph so am unable to record the time back and mileage. Thanks to Phil G for leading the ride and it was nice to Aide H back out.
Nick A
All our riders who took part once agian in the Dougie Mac Charity Ride, raising money for the hospice.
Also a number of club riders enjoyed a mountain bike ride into the Peak District, taking in the three shires head and Macclesfield forest. thanks to Dan Noble for leading the ride.

Club Run – May 12th 2019

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The main group set out for Ellesmere and at a average of eighteen miles an hour while eleven sensible riders set out for Marton at a steady pace. All eleven riders had a different idea of the route so we had a few issues with each turn and when passing through Rudyard, we split up in to two groups. We headed up to Horton and Laxedge and over Biddulph Moor. We carried on past the Cloud and  in to Marton. We pulled up at The Old Barn where we found the other group already seated, we must have passed each other on the way as we were minutes behind. We sat out and enjoyed the sunshine and talked about the Giro and the cost of cafes in Cheshire. I note that “Two Sauces” was down to one sauce, could this be a diet?
We headed back via Gawsworth and Sutton before reaching Wincle and Dane Bridge and Gun Hill. I turned off here to head back to Biddulph while the group headed back through Meerbrook and arrived in leek after a thirty eight mile ride led by Steve, thank you for a amazing route along quiet lanes and easy climbs. It was nice to see some new riders including Shaun M’s wife, Helen. Thank you to all the riders who complimented me on my interview in Cycling Weekly. I am pleased that autism is being talked about and the feedback from the autism community has also being positive.
Nick A
                   The interview with Nick which was in this weeks Cycling Weekly

Club Run – May 5th 2019

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Sixteen riders set out for Bunbury after dealing with a lose valve on Steve W bike. Thanks to the stall holder for the loan of the mole grips. We set out along Rudyard and Biddulph Moor and in to Kidsgrove and in to Alsager where Rich C had issues with his rear mech so we had a break to deal with that and enjoyed the sight of a electric motor bike, very strange to hear no noise! We were soon on the move and heading in to Nantwich and Barthomly where Gavin suffered a puncture so I helped with that and we carried on to Bunley where we were soon enjoying large helpings of beans on toast and eggs and even chips. But even this was not enough carbs for some riders and cans of pepsi and cakes were ordered
We headed back via Astbury, Hightown, Newtown and Rudyard before arriving back in Leek at 3.40PM after a long, 78 miles. Thanks to Jamie J and “Storm Gareth” for leading the ride via Garmin. I am sorry for not being more acurate with the route but I do not know Cheshire at all and looking at the map was no help. Can I take this Rapha hair shirt off now?
Nick A