Hi All,
Thanks for everyone who braved the varried weather yesterday. I was standing in the carpark in the morning in the pouring rain, looking to the horizon for that promised sunshine. It came, on que, at about 10am and stayed clear for the rest of the day. After a breezy 15minutes that took down 3 of our flags everything seemed to settle down. We were, however, fairly low down and soon as riders started coming back with tales of high winds and hail that covered the road! So hat’s off to those that carried on with the long route and had to pedal downhill to keep going, in fact, hat’s off to you all for coming along and getting out on your bikes.
Rider Times
The times are available to download now -
Photos
You weren’t the only people out there in the wind. There were two photographers out there, so pop over to SportSunday to see if you were snapped – Here
Update Saturday 5.30pm
Sportive is on tomorrow. The only reason it won’t be is if it snows or freezes tonight, neither of which are forecast ( supposed to be 6-7degrees tonight) The roads we use are looking clear and the snow is melting near the event centre. So bring your waterproofs for the morning and enjoy the sun(?!!) from 10am.
Ta
Dean
Update Friday 11pm
I realy don’t want to do this, but looking out the window at the falling snow and knowing that it’s still got 3 hours to go, I think it’s best for everyones safety if I cancel the MTB ride for tomorrow. We will still be there, if I can get the van out the carpark, as we need to get set up for Sunday and strip the course. I intend to go out to strip the course around 10 am, so if you are set on a ride and don’t mind the slog…….. We will sort out refunds next week. Sorry Dean
Update Friday 6.30pm
It’s snowing on cue! The forecast is that it will stop tonight and will be mild and plus degrees tomorrow. We obviously won’t know until tomorrow morning first thing what is actually going on so I’ll try and post here about 7 -7.15am if we feel we have to cancel – but at the moment I am full committed to running the event – so be prepared!!
Update 25/01/13
We are all back from putting out the MTB course, and we have all had a great ride in the snow!! This might, however, change with this afternoons forecast snow. With this in mind we have taken out the more remote loop and decided to run just the two lengths tomorrow. There is a Short which comes in at about 14.5miles and a Medium at 21miles which we think will be enough for most riders. At the moment there are a few short sections that require a push unless you are super fit but most riding is on compacted snow, so are rideable. Obviously this is likely to be covered with a layer of snow tomorrow so take care and don’t be recklessly fast.
Ta
Dean
Update 24/01/13
Hi.
After 24 hours of indecision, one sign today made my mind up about the Sportive route on Sunday. This was “Road Closed” and formed part of the long loop. I’d been umming and ahhing about this loop because, as anyone who’s ridden it with us will tell you, it’s fairly remote and unlikely to be cleared. We are due snow tomorrow but warm and wet weather for the weekend and I was thinking that we might get away with it so went out in the van to see what it’s like at the moment. The long loop now follows the Medium route back to the top of Crag Vale where it splits off back down Crag Vale ( so you will descend the longest continuous gradient in England) You then reverse the route back to the event centre. A bit more main road than we’d like/usually use, but at least you’ll be able to ride it. This has shortened the ride length to about 65miles as well.
Weather.
Obviously on everyone’s minds at the moment. The forecast here is for snow tomorrow afternoon and then a warm, wet weekend. The MTB on Saturday will go ahead as planned. There will be snow to deal with but this is the same as the last two years so I don’t foresee there being a problem. We might change the route slightly so won’t up date the GPX files and maps until tomorrow evening. The Sportive will 99% be going ahead. The roads today are all clear of snow and are black tarmac all the way ( subject to Keith reporting in on the Medium loop) The snow from tomorrow will have 36hours of warm weather and some rain to help it melt.
Cancellation policy
I will keep the blog updated over the weekend and will keep you all informed. For the Sportive on Sunday I check out the course from 3am. I will post up at 6am to give the final decision.
PLEASE BRING YOUR HELMET TO REGISTRATION. You will not be able to register without it and you’ll have to go back to your car to retrieve it.
PARKING
There is a small parking area just after the school on the left. Please park here until it’s full when you’ll have to park on the road. Please park sensibly and do not block off drive ways. Please DO NOT DRIVE DOWN OR PARK IN GREEN MEADOWS CLOSE which is next to the event centre. The locals get angry and are likely to come out and tell you to move your car! We will have parking signs at the top of this road so don’t come down it – even to drop off riders! The other place not to park is within the Hospital grounds – they are private property.
MTB
I won’t know what it’s like until tomorrow but it’s likely to be snowy soI’d prep your bike with some knobblies.
It’s not a race!
Please give way to other trail users, walkers, horse riders etc. If you come across a Horse, please let the rider know you are there in plenty of time and follow their instructions. Remember, if you spook the horse it might hurt you or other people and you are responsible for you actions and the consequences!!
SPORTIVE
The roads are in winter conditions. I saw the odd pothole today but nothing particularly bad. I’d make sure you have a way to repair at least two punctures with you. We will come to your aid but it might take us a while depending upon where the vans are, much better to be prepared.
Everyone follows the same route to Hebden Bridge and then up Crag Vale to the first drink station. Here the short splits off and returns to base and the Medium and Long drop down towards Ripponden and a loop around Moss Moor. Returning to the drinkstation and the medium follows the short back to the finish whilst the Long goes back down Crag Vale and then reverses the route back home.
Long loop is closed at 1.30pm – last start time is 9.45am
Distances are approx.
Short -26miles
Medium -50miles
Long -65miles
Drink stations are approximately at:-
Short, medium,long - 19miles
Medium,long – 35miles
Long – 44miles
This is not a race!!
Please obey the highway code, stop at junctions and only ride two abreast where it is safe to do so – not on main roads or winding country lanes where cars travelling at speed will not be able to see you and stop!!!! If you cause and accident, you are responsible for the consequences and any costs.
Maps
I will try post up maps for MTB tomorrow night. These are for info only and you will get a hard copy at registration.
Sportive map1 – non downloadable
Sportive map2 – non downloadable
GPX files
Everyone who has pre-entered will have received a pre-event mail that has links to the GPX files and a guide to show you have to view them interactively. If you have not received this by 7pm tonight please check you junk folder, old accounts, your partners email if they booked and make sure you check the address you booked with! These are all common causes for not getting the mail. If you still don’t have them then email me on dean.stacey@evanscycles.com I’ll check your entry and send you a copy. If you have not pre-entered then you can down load the files from our computers in the morning ( except Sportive as there are no on the day entries), please don’t email me asking for them
See you all there!
Dean
Hi
I’ll be updating this page with information about the up coming Rochdale Ride It.
Maps and routes. As usual we do not publish the routes until we have put out the route and know it’s correct. On Thursday night all pre-entered riders should receive an email with links to the GPX files and how to view routes.
Firstly, if you don’t already know. The Sportive on Sunday is sold out, there are no more spaces available on the day so please do not turn up expecting this to be the case.
Thanks
Dean
Hi
Have you got a link to a map of the route please…..
Thank
Hi Paul
Nope. There are no maps available untl we have put out the course on Thursday. All pre-entered riders will recieve an email in the evening with links to the GPX files and I’ll attempt to link to maps from the Blog ( provided I have time to do so)
Thanks
Dean
Hi – Is there a chance it may be cancelled due to the weather? If so will it be rescheduled?
Thanks
Paul
Hi Paul.
Unless there is a blizzard the event is likely to go ahead. The roads we use are normally gritted and last year we ran the event after a period of snow without any problems.
Keep an eye on the blog for more info as the week goes on
Ta
Dean
Hi,
Do all of the routes go up Gragg Vale? (Short, Medium, Long i mean)
Thanks
Hi Dan
They do.
Cheers
Dean
Sweet! Can’t wait!
Hi Dean
This will be my first Sportive with Ride It event and im looking forward to it, i booked it online via your web site but im yet to recieve any rider pack etc in the post, i had an email confirming my prurchase etc but im just a bit concerned as its getting close, and i want to make sure im booked on etc
Regards
Danny
Hi Danny.
There is no rider pack ( I think it say’s that we don’t send anything in your mail?) so just turn up and ride.
See you sunday.
Ta
Dean
Hi
If I turn up on the day and it is sold out can I still ride the route but obviously waive the food stops, timing chips etc..
Happy to pay into a charity box etc etc
I’m hoping some people will be put off by cold..?
Hi John.
The event is sold out.
The reason for this is that there is no more room within the event centre to cope with anymore people. There is also not any room to park anymore cars, most riders are going to have to park on the road as it is. Please do not turn up on the off chance as there will not be any spaces available on the day, even if people do not turn up. We do not want to annoy the local residents with lots of traffic blocking up their streets so please help us to keep on their side and the event in next years callender by not coming .
Thanks
Dean
When will a decision be made re weather and course safety?
Hi Ian
If you keep and eye on the blog and Facebook I’ll update as the weekend progresses. Looking at the weather forecast ( up to 5degrees on Sunday) I don’t forsee there being an issue with this weekends ride.
Ta
Dean
Dean,
Is the MTB ride full, or can I still pay on the day? Also, can I book a |Garmin to hire if i’m paying on the day?
Thanks, Ian.
Hi Ian.
MTB is still fine for on the day entries.
I don’t look after the Garmins so I can’t tell you if there are any free – just ask at registration on the morning.
Ta
Dean
The link to the pre-event pdf given in the email doesn’t seem to work.
Hi Chris.
Just had a look and it works for me.
Anyone else have this problem?
Ta
Dean
Dean, will you get chance to post the MTB routes?
Map now uploaded – just for you
Dean
Gutted you are have to cancel. Still up for it in the snow, would great fun. Will the road sportive still be on ? Could MTb folk transfer to that?
Hi Matt
Just popped out for a look about and I’ll post up the pics. I’m seriously thinking that we wont even get there tomorrow
Un ortunatley the Sportive is sold out so we can’t transfer on to this ride.
Ta
Dean
winter wonderland !!! sensible decision to cancel MTB event today. Been out running this morning on the hills above Ogden and snow is knee/thigh deep, lanes impassible??
We stripped the course today, basically walked about 70% of the route!
Right decision to cancel, had a ride out earlier this morning at least 8inch of snow. Did 5 mile pushed it for 4.5.
Hi Martin.
5 of us went out to strip the course – we pushed for quite a bit as well….
Dean
How many people are on the ride tomorrow and what standard is it?I have done Manchester 100 how does it compare? First ever ride it event
Hi Rod
I have not done the Manchester 100 but the route will have a fair bit of climbing. You always have th option to cut it short at the ride splits.
Ta
Dean
Any updates re the sportive tomorrow, are the roads all open? Thank you
Please see above
Ta
should have called it of earlier set of from cumbria to find it was not running.try ridding part of course but foot of snow is bit much.ta steve
Hi Steve.
At 4pm yesterday there was no snow here. It was forecast and report suggested it could have been as little as 2cm, which wouldn’t have been a problem. I did post up on here and Facebook at 6.30pm saying that I might need to cancel and to check at 7am for and update. At this point it wasn’t too bad out there. Buy 10pm it was obvious I was going to have to cancel so I sent all pre-entered riders an email and posted on here and Facebook.
I really don’t like cancelling events, not because we will lose money ( we are budgeted to lose £3800 on this event even if we hit target riders) but because I like a challenge and am sure most of you do as well. This is why I didn’t cancel it at the first flake of snow.
Cheers
Dean
Dean, the suspense is killing me. Any news on tomorrow yet?
Here’s hoping, thanks…
Hi Paul.
I have up dated the blog, see above.
Ta
Thanks Dean, great news.
If the event is half as organised as the quality of information you’ve been putting out, it should be a blinder.
Thanks for your efforts.
Paul
Hi
Am I right in thinking the it starts from 8am tomorrow?
Danny
Nope, registration from 8am, starts from 8.30am.
Ta
Dean
RE Rochdale…
Cheers everyone for today, enjoyed it in a very strange sort of way! 40mph head winds, horizontal sleet and a whiteout followed by sunshine in Saddleworth! what a good do!!
Just out of interest do you have a rough idea how many feet the Medium route climbed in total??
Hi Damo
My favourite quote of the day from a ride was ” I have been through everyemotion out on that ride” Think that sums up the day!
We have a total ascent of aout 5800ft.
Ta
Dean
My strava has the total elevation at 4637ft with the Max elevation at 1418ft. I have never experiance such extreme conditions whne on my bike but it all added to the fun i guess
Hi Dean,
Great day yesterday, loved the challenging course and the even more challenging conditions!!!
Just a quick one, the two blokes with the camera’s on the course where they part of the event? If so where will we find the pictures they took be and when will they be available.
Thanks again for a great day
Hi Anthony
Pics now online, see main text.
Cheers
Dean
Hoping Leeds is a little nicer in Feb! On the subject my wife and I are professional photographers and while I’ll be riding she’ll be somewhere near the finish taking photos, would it be possible for us to email you a link the next day like the one you’ve got up here or do you use one particular photography company?
Hi CHris
Let’s hope Leeds is a bit more kind!!
We have photographers signed up to all our events I’m afraid. There is one that does events in this area and one that does the rest of the country.
Sorry.
Dean