This year’s Clough Climb initially saw only three entries, but later numbers grew as more riders turned up and signed on to take on the challenge of Bamford Clough, a rough track half a kilometre long and 130 metres of height gain.

Last year one man had made it to the top on a bike designed specifically for the challenge. This a new contender took the crown, on a regular bike, impressive!

There were about 10-15 riders in the end, with some people having a couple of go’s. I put in a poor effort losing grip and having to restart due to bad line choice before the corner, and then misplacing my front wheel and stalling higher up, I think I was probably about 5m short of last year. I did carry the ‘Road Closed’ closed sign all the way up to the top in quite a good time though. I like to think it’s not the winning that counts, it’s how knacker you get! 😆

There are some average pictures in the gallery, it was quite dark and I was limited in what I could get as I was marshalling too.

08-07-19 Bamford MTB Clough Climb, 19 Pictures

Me and Jonny were down there tonight, Jonny was persisting with the 360s but not quite making it, we added more to the second jump’s landing and re-shaped its take off to make it steeper. Jonny was almost there on his last attempt but hurt his wrist a bit so called it a night.
I added the a small roller after (or before) the S berm that joins into the mini-loop, it needs more soil but at least now the line is rideable.

So who’s around for Thursday night? Jonny was up for it and I’ll be there, Nicky and Irwin are in France (update & pics soon…). So provided it’s not properly raining aim to get there for 7pm?

❗ Also don’t forget the Clough Climb is this Saturday. Who else is going? I think they might need some marshals.

Irwin and I dodged the weekend’s rain and headed out for a short evening ride in the WinHill area on the Saturday. We rode the moorland singletrack, which was fun as usual. We then headed down the hill stopping off in a random section of the woods for some flash photos, the midges were really biting so we gave up the MTBing in favour of pro-amateur stone skimming at the side of the reservoir, I won.

08-07-05 WinHill JI+JK, 4 Pictures

Jeff has recently bought an extra flash and a optical trigger. So Last friday night as it was a little damp we decided to head out and find somewhere dry and have a play around with flashes. I think we where both pleased with the results, the main problem when taking pictures in low light is getting the focus right. But with a little bit of persistence and practice you can get some great results.

The pictures were all taken in a natural gully, it provided a useful spot in the dry that we where able to position flashes in trees and on the bank at the side. Looks like summer has finally arrived so get out and ride 🙂

08-06-27 Gully JI+JK, 8 Pictures