The Lune RCC Reliability Ride (sponsored by Vanilla Bikes) takes place on Sunday, 26th February starting from the Bull Beck Picnic Site, Caton, over 67 miles
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Brian Greenwood writes … Reliability Rides have been a feature of club cycling for over 100 years. They are not races and are organised to require each entrant to ride over a pre-set course within an agreed time. The route is planned to necessitate all-round riding ability and not sheer speed. Organisers must not publish finishing times or finishing order. That’s an extract from BC regulations.
The road between Garsdale Head and Dentdale was once the main route between these two Dales. It was also the road connecting the two high railway stations serving these isolated communities. It marks the turning point of the Lune Cycling Club’s Coal Road Challenge.
The primitive mines above Dentdale were abandoned after the railway brought cheap coal from farther afield but the traditional name remains and the road is a testing focal point for Northern cyclists.
The Challenge starts at the Bull Beck Picnic Site, Caton (near Lancaster). The riders, in three graded groups, set off through Wray to High Bentham. Here they turn to cross the A65 at Ingleton and started the climb towards White Scar Cave and Ribble Head. Here the groups will split and continue to climb up to Newby Head before swooping down to Hawes.
The next section is to Garsdale Head, the halfway control, sign in, have a quick break, a chance to refill depleted drinks bottles and take an energy bar from Vanillabikes.co.uk
The climb of the Coal Road reaches nearly 500 metres and is the high point of the challenge. This road, re-surfaced three years ago, gives a testing but smoother ride before the swoop down to Dentdale. Once beyond Dent village, the route leads over the short but steep climb to Barbondale and on to Casterton and Kirkby Lonsdale.
The final miles are via Whittington, Arkholme and a crossing of the River Lune at Gressingham. The last few miles are through Hornby to finish at the Bull Beck car park where between four and five hours earlier the adventure had started. A certificate is presented to all finishers.
START AND FINISH : Bull Beck Picnic Site is on the A683, 3 miles from Jnc 34 M6 just beyond Caton, with parking, toilets and a Snack Bar. GR 542,650 Full route details will be available at the start.
Entry: £5, pay on the day. This Reliability Ride is aimed at regular club level cyclists.
This year the proceeds will go to help the recovery of Gordon Helme. Gordon an active Lune club member, a British Cycling commissaire and supporter of Lancaster’s junior cycling club, the Cog Set. A freak cycling accident has left him with a spinal injury and a long road to recovery.
Three start times
8-30am ‘B’ for older Club riders and those wishing to ride in a steady paced group.
9-00am ‘B+’ for faster Club and Sportive riders
9-20am ‘A’ for racers and cycle race team members
www.cycle-route.com/routes/Lune_Coal_Road_Challenge-Cycle-Route-2033.html
The Challenge is supported by www.vanillabikes.co.uk
If you need every junction marshalled, are unsure how maps work, find reading simple instructions difficult, can’t time your own ride, this is not the event for you. If however you can manage these simple tasks and want to save about £30, then perhaps a Reliability Ride is worth a try. Contact Brian Greenwood, Tel 01524-735838. Email: bg.kellet@yahoo.co.uk
