What are All Terrain Race Team up to

Ben Wood and Matt Robinson, as well as Andy North , have just had a week training in Murcia.
This is all in preparation for the Leeds Lords Mayors Ride from Dortmund  via Lille to leeds as part of the TDF celebrations, www.lordmayorcycleride.co.uk.
The whole ride being supported by All Terrain Cycles www.allterraincycles.co.uk ending in Temple Newsham on Sunday 4th May.

Thomas Tordoff got to grips with Newby Hall Duathlon , describing running after cycling as 'comedy!'





Tom Hooper got his first win of the season at the 20th Baildon Boundary Way off road half marathon a couple of Sundays back! It's a great race along a top route, for these reasons entries sell out within a week so if you do fancy stepping out in the trail shoes this is the one.
Unfortunately, my luck ended there. The following Sunday I held 3rd position at the second round of the nutcracker regional Xc series at a very windy Gandale. I'd fought hard for well over an hour but punctured with one lap to go. Ya win some ya lose ey! A couple of weekends off the race scene now before heading to Cornwall for Bmbs no.2.

Matt Bulmer entered his first TT of the year on the Giant -" all I can say is I destroyed my PB from last year by almost a minute. Kildwick 10 did a 21.43 on a standard bike with no Tri bars. Really happy with the bike and the time reflects that. Go Team Terrain big thing lay ahead !"

Rowan Carpenter from the Enduro Crew "Racing has begun ! I have done my first 2 enduro races of the year. The bike feels amazing, climbs great and then descends like a DH bike, the whole group set and the dropper seat post work a treat. The only problem was tyres but that's sorted now aha first race was a one day event at Hamsterley run by NDH, 3 stage race run on a Sunday. I finished 2nd in junior after the organizers dropped the first stage that I won ! Second race was UKGE at Ae forest. I felt good all day and was trying to just have clean and consistent stages but a big crash on the last stage of the day resulted in me finishing 14th. I'm exited for the rest of the year and more than happy with my bike and support !


Joe Flanagan has the trip of a life time with a trip to Chile enetring the Montenbiak Enduro Nevadas

Stage Results for Montenbaik Enduro Nevados - Enduro World Series Round 1 on 19-Apr-2014

montenbaik.com

One Hell of a trip to Chile!!! Such a wild country a big rich poor divide! lots of wild dogs and corrugated iron hahah. The whole trip was a real adventure.
The riding there was incredible, a real mix of pedaly and downhill stages mostly on real drifty volcanic ash! the best trails ive ever ridden for sure!
Racing was spread over two days with 3 timed stages each day, day one went well, on day two i got a puncture half way down stage 5 and dropped my chain on stage 6 which lost me some time. overall i finished 46th out of 81 elite riders, I am fairly happy with this result for a world series event which is the toughest series for racing of this discipline. However as we can all probably appreciate i feel i can do better and aim to get in the top 40 for the next world series race.

My brother is editing a video of the trip which ill upload when its finished.
Happy Riding!

Last weekend Jermey Copeland shot off to Northern Ireland for the Single Speed European Championship at the Castlewellan trail centre.
After a long weekend with some wicked trails and a 22mile course with 95% single track, he had a strong ride to bring home 2nd place!
With over 200 riders from all over Europe, he Smashed it for Team ATC.

Ben Whitehead and Joe Flanagan , having just returnd from Chile,put in a great performance  at Pmba Enduro at Gisburn forest today. Ben got 3rd  in the elite category whilst Joe Flanagan continued his form and bagged 2nd. He better not get used to beating me as I'm not going to let him beat me again this year said Ben. Good day for the enduro boys and looking forward to the next race in a couple of weeks at Grizedale.

Summer 2014 and exciting time for Cycling in Yorkshire

As you might expect, there's loads going on in and around Le Grand Depart but just wanted to alert you to the following that occur in or around the Worth and Aire Valleys this summer - apologies to anyone/anything we have  missed!!

Sun 27th April
Project Hollywood "On Yer Bike" Photoshoot, Oxenhope
Many will have seen the "2014" Hollywood-style logo in the fields near Oxenhope and be aware of the various themes that have been highlighted by it "Eat Pies", "Knit Wool", etc.  Now's a chance to be part of an "On Yer Bike" aspect - just re-route your Sunday ride to arrive in Oxenhope at 11am and become part of Tour de France history!!  Contact Russell Brown (mrruss@btinternet.com) for details.  All welcome!

Wed 7th May
Truck and Cycle Safety Day, University Academy Keighley, Greenhead Rd, Keighley
Schoolkids from 11am till 5pm (slots still available), after which it's open season for anyone to come along, sit in a big truck, play with police sirens and blue flashing lights and do a "Top Gear" style lap of the running track on your bike.  Followed at 7pm by "Le Grand Debate:  Truckers v Cyclists" with an expert panel including the police, Road Haulage Association, WYMetro, Highways, Cyclists.  Should be a really good opportunity to hear all sorts of views and put your own forward.  All welcome.

Sun 25th May
Pace the Train, Oxenhope
A "Race the Train" event between Keighley and Oxenhope has been running for many years.  This year, there is an hour-or-so road closure on the section of the route along Hebden Road  between Haworth Brow and Oxenhope (Manorlands) in order that riders of all standards can have a go at the Sue Ryder Pace the Train Challenge.  Starting in the late afternoon and timed with the departure of a K&WVR steam train from Keighley, riders can do 1, 2, 3 or even 4 "laps" of the closed road route and try to beat the train's arrival at Oxenhope Station.  Bradford University's Cycling4All programme will ensure that this is also possibly the first ever closed road ride for riders with disabilities.  See

http://www.sueryder.org/Get-involved/Events/All-events/2014/May/Pace-the-train

There's a BBQ in Oxenhope following the exertions!!  For those on "Strava" there is a 24th/25th weekend long challenge to individually do the original route from Keighley (Low Mill Lane) to Oxenhope and record their times and post to Manorlands.

Supported by All Terrain Cycles www.allterraincycles.co.uk
Fri 30th May
Tourism, Sport & Active Leisure Seminar, University Academy Keighley
A morning seminar organised by the Active Bradford Partnership designed to highlight the role of sport and active leisure in increasing tourism to our region and our district in particular.  Of interest to everyone who is keen on developing active leisure and sports activities for local, regional, national and international participants, as well as accommodation owners, restaurants, shops, services, etc. It's a fabulous opportunity to really develop our area as a world class active tourism destination. £15/delegate (35 concessions).  Keynote speaker is Gary Verity of Welcome to Yorkshire, the man who brought Le Tour to Yorkshire.
Contact John Dennis on sportjohn@blueyonder.co.uk for more details.

Sun 1st June
Le Petit Depart, Sportive and Group Ride, Skipton
Organised by Craven District Council, a 78-mile sportive involving 3 climbs and 6 dales along parts of the Stage 1 2014 TdF route, and a 33-mile ride for all in a similar area.  See www.lepetitgranddepart.co.uk for details and entries.

Thu 5th June
Fields of Vision, Active Bike Art Opportunity
Those who have seen the Yorkshire Festival 2014 brochure, the 100 Days of Art and Culture leading up to Le Grand Depart, will have noted the "Fields of Vision" project on pg 31 which has its genesis in the Worth Valley and the Worth the Tour Partnership.  As part of this project, a field has been identified above Oxenhope on the Calder-Aire Link Route to the Pennine Bridleway, onto which an artist has designed a figure of a dancing woman, designed to represent the emancipation of women as a result of the development of the bicycle (leading apparently to greater freedom in terms of dress, independence from men in terms of travel and the opportunity to meet partners from a wider radius under what were at the time very restricted geographical constraints for women!).  The shape will be marked out on the ground, and riders on mountain or cross bikes will be asked to ride round the continuous loop, so carving the figure upon the ground via their knobbly tyres!  All of the Fields of Vision artworks are designed at such a scale as to be seen by the helicopter on 6th July; in the meantime BBC Countryfile have expressed a strong interest in filming the proceedings!  Contact Andrew Wood at Andrew.Wood@suerydercare.org for details.

Sat 28th June
Cycling for Life Exhibition, Central Hall, Alice Street, Keighley, BD21 3JD
To be officially opened by Chris Young, former British Champion and British Cycling representative at 10am.  Caters for beginners to experienced cyclists - all sorts of stuff going on and.....free admission!!
Again part of the 100 Day Yorkshire Festival.  Contact 07931 312599 for details.

Wed 2nd July
Keighley & Craven Charity Hill Climb, East Morton - Le Tour Special!
The 10th version of this popular and informal event, where riders and runners guess their times before departing, at 30-second intervals, to run or cycle up to Keighley Gate (top of Rombalds Moor).  No watches or computers allowed - the winner is the one nearest the estimated time!!  There is a special challenge to bikies to freewheel from the final corner at the top of the moor back down to the pub without pedalling - it is possible with a following wind, good bearings and a few cojones!  All in aid of Haematology and Oncology Day Unit at Airedale Hospital.  Based at the excellent Busfeild Arms, who do a mean hot supper and serve excellent beer.  Starts 6.30pm (arrive 6ish to register your estimate)£3/person - all proceeds to HODU.  Contact John Dennis on sportjohn@blueyonder.co.uk.  No entries, just turn up on the night.

Fri 4th July
Keighley Tour de France Gala Performance, Victoria Hall, Keighley

Join us in Victoria Hall on Friday 4 July for an evening of exciting entertainment as we officially open the celebrations on the weekend that sees the arrival of the Tour de France Grand Depart in Keighley!

For this once in a lifetime spectacular, the story of the Tour de France since its conception in 1903 and the highlights of Keighley's cycling history will be woven together, interpreted by a variety of  wonderful artistic performances.  The likes of Steeton Male Voice Choir, Keighley Amateur Singing & Dance Group, The Nydza School of Dance and a collection of enthusiatic school groups will celebrate the key moments and narration between the acts will be provided by by local artist and cycling enthusiast Frank O'Dwyer. 

Celebrating each great milestone will enable the audience to learn how it has come to be such an iconic event and how Keighley with its proud cycling history is the perfect place for this celebration to take place.

Curtains up 7.00pm  See http://www.sueryder.org/Get-involved/Events/All-events/2014/July/The%20Keighley%20Tour%20de%20France%20Gala%20Performance%20Evening

Sat 5th July   
Le Grand Depart: Stage 1  Leeds to Harrogate
Cycling Film Festival, Central Hall, Keighley
3pm Wadjda (PG) How a Saudi girls gets her own bike against the odds
5pm Belleville Rendezvous (12) An animated comedy of the rescue of a TdF rider from the Mafia by his grandmother (!)
7.30pm A Sunday in Hell (PG) Film about Paris-Roubaix Spring Classic:  mud, blood and guts!!
£5 per film or £12 for three
Details on 07931 312599 

Sun 6th July
TdF Stage 2:  York to Sheffield via Keighley and Haworth!

Sun 21st July
Bronte Sportive, Leeds City College, Keighley
Appetites whetted by watching the Grand Depart and having been glued to British Eurosport for the rest of the tour, it's time to have a go on a specially re-routed Sue Ryder Care Bronte Sportive that takes in part of the Stage 2 route between Keighley and Elland, before finding some more hills to come back over to Keighley.  Still 88 miles and 21 classic climbs (including Cragg Vale) at its most extreme, but 20-odd, 40-odd and 60-odd mile versions also available.  Show the pros how it's done!  See http://www.sueryder.org/Get-involved/Events/All-events/2014/July/Bronte-Sportive-2014   for details and entries.

As in previous years this event is supported by All Terrain Cycles www.allterraincycles.co.uk

Sun 21st September
Bronte MTB Challenge, Oxenhope
Three great off-road routes: Charlotte (longest), Emily (medium) and Ann (family) from the park in Oxenhope.
Details at http://www.sueryder.org/

Sun 28th September
Bradford SkyRide and "Ride Le Route"
New date for Bradford SkyRide and 40-mile "Ride Le Route" sportive over part of the 2014 stage routes.  More details to follow!

And finally, for those with enough energy left to run!!

Bradford City Runs, Sunday 26th October
5K/10K/Half Marathon plus Kids Run.  From 9.15am, City Park.  See www.bradfordcityruns.co.uk.
Loads of water guaranteed!!!!!

Giant Defy Composite 2 - First Ride out and initial impressions.....

After seeing plenty of these bikes sold through the shop and mail order, and after what felt like an eternal wait, I finally got my new road bike. After a long wet winter riding around the roads on my 2012 Orange Crush,www.allterraincycles.co.uk/Orange-2014-Crush-MTB-Bike how would a shiny carbon road bike compare?

Well the first big difference was the weight. So much lighter than the Crush, and a vast improvement on my previous road bike, a Giant Defy 4 http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/Giant-2014-Defy-1-Compact-Road-Bike  Tried (and failed) to hide a grin as I thought I may be finally able to climb hills a bit quicker.

One of the downsides to working in a bike shop, even one as big and friendly as All Terrain Cycles, www.allterraincycles.co.uk is the fact that when you have a nice shiny new toy, you want to go and ride it, but work must come first. Even when the sun is shining. I think a Government policy on not working on sunny days needs to be set up. 

Just so long as we all get paid still of course!

The end of the day couldn’t come soon enough, it seemed to last all day. Finally, the work day ended and I could get and ride the new Defy.  Since I already had a set of Bontrager RXL MTB shoes,http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/Bontrager-RXL-ATB-Shoe I’ve fitted a set of Shimano M530 SPD pedals .http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/Shimano-PD-M530-SPD-Trail-Pedals  

I know the purists will scorn me, but they’ll do me for now. I’ll upgrade to something like the Shimano 105 Carbon SPD-SL pedals at a later date.

So, kitted up, pedals fitted, saddle height set to a sensible start position, off we go……

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m no racing snake, but this bike felt fast.  Even on my five and a half mile commute home, I could feel the difference to my old Defy, and most certainly to the Crush.

 The carbon frame was comfortable, with no flex (even with 16 stone of me on it!!). A quick squirt of power out of the car park resulted in a huge grin. The bike accelerated really easily, and inspired me to a short sprint. Reached 25mph before I remembered the speed bumps. Oops. Tried the squirt sprint again once out of the car park, and the grin returned. The rest of the ride home was almost a dream. 

The Shimano 105 10 speed groupset shifts cleanly and accurately every time. Managed to not use the lowest ratios to get me up the climbs, so I’ve still got some “go to” gears for bigger hills. On the downhill sections, I was able to carry speed really well, and managed to crank it up to 30mph (most certainly not any faster than the posted speed limit!!) without trouble.

All in all, a fantastic first ride. I’ve been looking forward to getting this bike, and have not been disappointed. All I need to do now is get the ride position set up correctly, and get fitter. Summer riding on my Defy should be fun.

 Happy riding - Tim Bird  

 ( All Terrain Cycles Staff member and proud owner of a Giant Composite 2 ! )