Ronde Van Oost Lancashire 2012

You shouldn't need me to remind you but the ride that the Pro Tour fears most is almost upon us.

Be there. Saturday 31st March 2012, 10am, Barrowford. Info here

Ride to live

General guff from me in the current edition (August) of Cycling Active on sale now.......

And then a write up on the Ronde van Oost Lancashire in the next month's mag.

Ronde van Oost Lancashire - 2011

Pic: Andy Waterman

Belgians were out in force for the 2nd running of RVOL up in Lancashire. In no particular order:

Rich Allen
Mark Turner
Simon Nurse
Dave Haygarth
John Elkin
Stef Chandler
Jason Miles
Mark Bradley
Nick Jardine
Alan Dorrington

Last minute apologies were sent by a fair few more too. Duncan and Gavin Long had good excuses though, being over in Flanders for the weekend.

An honorary mention too for Andy 'Never mind the Belgians, Here Comes ViCiOUS VELO' Waterman and Ben Spurrier from Rapha Condor who drove up from London to get in amongst the action. Hope we sent you back with sore legs......

Jonathon Day from Strada Wheels, tied up with the birth of their first child, sent a pair of wheels for me to ride instead. Nice touch. Review of the cobble and cross specific handbuilt Major Toms coming soon...

Pics, chat and general nonsense over on crossjunkie blog

2 more events this Spring

Hot on the heels of Olly and his Spring in the Peak Audax info, and without wishing to detract from what will be a great day out on the bike, can I offer the following events for your delectation?

First up, and also run by one of our own merry band, Jason Miles, comes Hit the North.



Held on 12th February, I am told entries are almost full for this cross/29er/mtb extravaganza. So hurry!

A new course this year, evenly balanced so as not to favour cross nor mtb, this 2 hour ride/social/race (delete as applicable) offers 2 hours of unfeasibly good off-road fun, with a laidback Northern vibe including local delicacies in the form of Uncle Joe's Mint Balls and a full brass band to play you round the venue. Highly recommended and easy to get to using the Manchester motorway network.

Details for Hit the North are here

Secondly, by way of an advance heads up and plug for my own informal ride, back by popular demand - the Ronde van Oost Lancashire. Born out of the frustrations of not being able to get to Flanders every year, this pays homage to the cobbles and feel of the classic Ronde van Vlaanderen, but without the need for a boat (for UK Belgians at least).





This year it is on the same day as the Ronde Sportive, Sat April 2nd. Turn up, ride, and enjoy the pave. Last year we had 35 or so - this year I am expecting considerably more...

Details here

And big thanks to Duncan for the artwork for the Ronde poster. Class.

ronde update and briefing

Find last minute details here - with the exception of an accurate weather forecast.....

Ronde van Oost Lancashire April 3rd 2010

Calling all Belgians, calling all Belgians.........




Come and join us for the real deal in East Lancashire on Sat 3rd April - cafe at the car park for post ride dissection, weather guaranteed (not saying what sort...) and of course more cobbles than you can shake a 24mm Pave tire at.

It is fair to point out that both routes are challenging and require a reasonable degree of fitness, though the Achtervolgers group will miss out some miles and a fair amount of extra climbing from the full route without foregoing the Flandrian feel. We are running it as a 'Gentleman's and Ladies' ride and will ride together and look after each other in time honoured fashion, though I suspect there may be some action on the climbs....

Maury and Wolfram (and Jez)- we realise that attending this may be a stretch too far for you all but we will have you along in spirit. Bon courage!

Route desciption here

Route Cue Sheet here

Disclaimer: This is a social ride, not a competitive event. All riders participate entirely at their own risk and liability.