Ronde van Calderdale
“I think you’re going to have to call an Uber”
Summary
The Ronde Van Calderdale is designed to mimic the cobbled challenge of the Flanders bike race. The route has 14 horrible cobbled hills within 68 miles of rolling terrain around the incredible Kirklees and Calderdale districts of Yorkshire which include hills such as Trooper Lane, Shibden Wall, Steele Lane, Dodlee Lane, Old Lane and Cliffe Ash to name a few.
About the day
8.45 was our group’s start of the lumpy ride. The sportive was designed to set off in groups due to the coronavirus pandemic, following the 2 metres a part rule. I knew the riders I was going to set off with which helped a lot, but still I also knew we might split up during the ride. Before setting off I was a bit worried with the type of bike I was going to ride as I only had 25mm tires tread, which wouldn’t roll as easily on the cobbles. Also my rear cassette was a semi compact instead a compact which meant fewer gears, so I would have to push harder up the cobbled hills. Phew! This is going to be a tough day out!
“You alright Rob?” A fellow rider said to me, who I haven’t seen since before the start of lockdown. We exchanged a few friendly words in conversation as I prepared my bike before setting off. ‘Bloody hell it’s windy today’ I thought. We set off nice and steady; we had to anyways as it was so windy and seemed to get worse. Slowly picking off groups of riders we kept to our own pace and treated it almost as a club ride.
Up and down, up and down. It was constant; sweeping around the tight narrow corners of the Calderdale valleys. It was a beautiful day to say the least! The first couple of cobbled climbs seemed to be okay, it was when I was descending down into one of the valleys that I felt my bike tire ‘Hissssss’
‘I don’t believe this! Not now! A puncture…brilliant!’ Quickly I took my back tire off in a mad rush, found my tyre leavers and then I couldn’t prize my tire off my wheel. I shouted to other riders as they rode past me asking if I was okay. Two others offered to help but even they couldn’t take off the tyre either “I think you are going to have to call an uber? Sorry” My face dropped! As they rode off I kept on trying and then suddenly ‘pop’ I got the tyre off…eventually after fiddling around I changed the tube, inserted my gas canister and started riding again. I was doing this for about 40 minutes!
Feeling demotivated and drained, I persevered and rode alone for the majority of the route which had me thinking I was last and to top it off I rode straight into a steep hill which I would have had momentum if I hadn’t have had the puncture. Following this, I felt sun kissed and wind swept as I struggled on the rest of the cobbled climbs, especially Old Lane which was so steep I had to get off and walk as it was covered in moss and had me slipping over the place. Not helpful!
Onwards, was on cold Edge Road, up and over towards Hebden Bridge and along Heights Road with views deep into the Calderdale valley before descending further down into Sowerby Bridge. This was truly spectacular and lifted my spirits before the last and brutal cobbled climb of the day; Trooper Lane! Trooper Lane is a short, steep cobbled climb in Halifax. It makes a good claim to be the toughest cobbled climb in the Yorkshire area – possibly the whole of England! Despite knowing this and feeling broken, I was almost crawling up this climb whilst I tried to stay seated gripping my handle bars tightly and gritting my teeth in utter discomfort. After what felt like an eternity, I emerged at the top onto a smooth road trying to get as much oxygen as I could into my body as I panted loudly. That was a tough experience but I knew after that it was downhill to the finish.
I rolled into the finish, gave my name in, and received a pork pie and a beer as a reward for completing the Ronde Van Calderdale. Perfect recovery fuel!
Spotives are a great experience to ride on new roads and to challenge myself. It’s refreshing and keeps the hunger and motivation for my love of cycling.