It was harder in the old days!

Any views on the article in cycling weekly about tough courses?

Anyone remeber riding at the Eagles Nest near Huddersfield?

 

Views: 103

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Alan Cook on October 21, 2010 at 21:41
Sorry, binned-off my subscription to the comic some years ago on account of their preference for putting some staff member on the cover, clad in expensive kit they had been sent to review favourably then failed to return. 

Stood in the supermarket and looked for the write up of the Peaks, then looked some more, then realised that the two page photo spread and paragraph was the sum total. 

However, I'm encouraged to see that I am a la mode for riding cross and a winter fixed wheel machine - sadly I miss out on full points by not having a "sportive" bike

Blimey, even I think I've started to rant too much!
 
Permalink Reply by Dave Haygarth on October 21, 2010 at 23:01
Have often contemated the concept of an old skool breakaway league of races that involve about 30% running and loads of climbing per lap, but the more you look at turnout figures at cross races these days, you can't help thinking that the UCI and their striving for 'fairer' courses is somehow working. Maybe I'll leave well alone. 
Permalink Reply by Alan Dorrington on October 22, 2010 at 10:13
Stu Johnson used to put on some tough courses in Woodbank Park, Stockport in the 90s. I fondly remember one that had a mini Simon Fell-like climb that was almost impassable due to the severity of slope and slipperyness. It required all 4 limbs and some good luck to get to the top each lap. Suited me fine because I won that day.

The Brickworks course at Macclesfield felt rough and wild, being exposed up on the side of the moor but my favourite was Stoodley Pike. Who could forget 3 laps (in the hour race), trekking up the slabs and onto the moor before careering widly down from the Pike to start another lap. More like a fell race than a cross race but superb nonetheless.

I'll sign up for your 'fell cross' races Dave - there are some great courses out there but too often, there is insufficient technical challenge or minimal getting on and off opportunities for it to be truly satisfying.
Permalink Reply by Lee Shunburne on October 22, 2010 at 11:26
Do it Dave, I'd be up for an Old-Skool series. I might even be able to help you out with a venue - remember Brickyard Farm at Matlock? The only course in the country where large Highland cattle are a mobile obstacle.
Permalink Reply by John Bethell on October 22, 2010 at 13:54
Anybody remember Macclesfield Wheelers events in the 50's run by Louis Renshaw with HQ's at the Cheshire Hunt and a course that went up the "rocky road to Rainow" and back down Hedgerow.
Attachments:
Permalink Reply by John Bethell on October 22, 2010 at 14:10
Maybe the UCI way is working or is it just that offroad is the only safe place to race these days, of course if we did have "Old Scool" type courses most modern bikes would probably struggle to cope, but if you are looking for something in between coursewise and without pits so that the helpers can keep warm circling the course in an opposite direction plus a complete absence of blazered jobsworths why not try Barry Davies North Wales Cyclocross Group events under TLI rules ( which are basically the same as the old BCCA ones) but no spare bikes allowed just wheels, you can't get much more old scool than that !
The TLI National Cross Championships are on Sunday 31st at Prestatyn Sports Centre 12pm for the main event and spare bikes are allowed for this one. http://www.theleagueinternational.com/cymruwales.htm
Permalink Reply by barry davies on October 22, 2010 at 15:49
old courses ?????
Remember the Brickworks course at Southport ??? run by 'Tam' from the Southport ?? that WAS a X course.
Mrytle Park in Keighley run by Paul L and the Bronte CC
Denton circuit in Manchester, down through the woods and up by the cemetry.
Heath Common at wakefield run by the Calder Clarion
Yes Woodbank Park where the Nof E was held in 74 ??
Plus all the classic courses in London -- Ally Pally- Crystal palace -- Smirnoff in Harlow - all run by the legendary Johhny Morris.
ah those were the days, when you could ride 3 events every weekend from Sept till March.
Permalink Reply by barry davies on October 22, 2010 at 16:15
check out this for a course !!!!
a good one for your retro series Dave
Attachments:
Permalink Reply by Dave Haygarth on October 22, 2010 at 16:42
Cracking pics John - have added them to http://www.ukcyclocross.com/photo/albums/old-skool

Lee - you should so the Harriers vs Cyclists or even - dare I say - the Three Peaks Cyclocross - for something a bit like these...

No-one's mentioned that daft climb on the Todmorden 'cross yet. They try to dress it up as cyclocross by adding some grassy loops, but basically it's a grovel up cobbles in cycling shoes as most of us remember.



John Bethell said:
Maybe the UCI way is working or is it just that offroad is the only safe place to race these days, of course if we did have "Old Scool" type courses most modern bikes would probably struggle to cope, but if you are looking for something in between coursewise and without pits so that the helpers can keep warm circling the course in an opposite direction plus a complete absence of blazered jobsworths why not try Barry Davies North Wales Cyclocross Group events under TLI rules ( which are basically the same as the old BCCA ones) but no spare bikes allowed just wheels, you can't get much more old scool than that !
The TLI National Cross Championships are on Sunday 31st at Prestatyn Sports Centre 12pm for the main event and spare bikes are allowed for this one. http://www.theleagueinternational.com/cymruwales.htm
Permalink Reply by John Bethell on October 22, 2010 at 16:53
Its is only 10 years or so ago that the NWCCA had up to 34 events a season under BCCA rules, I suppose there are many reasons for the decline such as the increased cost or the growing lack of suitable venues plus "elf and safety" and insurance issues but it is a fact that the rot started when the BCCA merged with BC. Perhaps fewer events partly answers why we are getting such big turnouts for those that are still run.
Permalink Reply by barry davies on October 22, 2010 at 17:57
Absalulty brilliant 8 min film of a Yorkshire(?) race approx late 50`s.
Including river crossing!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video....58426667514240
Permalink Reply by David Gow on October 22, 2010 at 21:53
Not sure if this is same as above link. Cant get the above oe to play. this one has a geordie commentry and a tyneside vagabonds jersey.

About 4 mins in is a man with straight handlebars. Mountainbikes 40 years before the americans invented them!!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jonathan-Page/140977954875#!/pages/Jonathan-Page/140977954875?v=wall

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Blog from CrossJunkie

Roubaix: not what it appears to be

Cross and Cobbles - a Belgian road trip

Making space for......

RVOL 2012

© 2012   Created by Dave Haygarth.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service