RSF & E-bikes, a response to a recent letter to the editor
Response to Mick Ely’s letter in Jan/Feb 2022 magazine
A couple of years ago I replied to Mick’s
Autumn Meet at St Katherine’s, Parmoor, Chilterns, September 2021
It was so good to see friends again last weekend in the Chilterns, after waiting so long!
Many
...Autumn meet St Katherines
Well, this was another great success, about 30 members turned up at St Katherine's and were
...A Guilleries Gambol
Just along from my mother in-law's house, the tarmac becomes dirt. It's two years since I last
...Lammer Law and back
I cycled on NCN1 from the east side of Edinburgh to the car park at the eastern end of the
The 'Clough' Stuff
Being of the disposition to be constantly scouring over maps, mostly of my local area, in the
A Tale of Two Tuesdays
With the backend of storm Brendan forecast to bring heavy rain and strong winds we opted for a
...Sol's Spen Valley Explorer
Click on the image above to view more of Roger's photos on Flickr
Cleckheaton Town Hall clock
...NP&SP Warrington & The Sankey Valley
NP&SP Sunday26 May 2019
SANKEY VALLEY PARK TO SANKEY VALLEY PARK
What a wet morning, travelling
...Cotswolds: St. Briavels : May 2019
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/34646735
Chose to start at Speech House, Forest of Dean. A mistake -
...RSF NP&SP Hooton Pagnell Sunday 7April 2019
Rsf NP&SP Hooton Pagnell Sunday 7April 2019
We met at the Buttercross for a 10.0am start, but were
...Italy - In Search of Urban Roughstuff
{gallery}politi-rome:240:140:0:2{/gallery}
Riding the main roads departing from Rome, on my Sunday
...NP&SP Monton Sun 10/2/19
Rsf Monton Sun 10th Feb 2019-02-11
As we prepared for a ride in the east of Greater Manchester
...
Towy Valley Rainbows
With the Mountain Weather Information Service indicating clearer weather coming
...Marple
Marple 6th January 2019
Click on the photo above for more of Roger's photos of the ride:
The
...Ashton u Lyne Sun 9th December
Ashton to Lees Sunday 9th December 2018
Short days mean short rides, and so once we had crossed
Saturday Leisure Ride 17th November
I don't normally write a report for these rides but as this was Jim's first attempt I'll make an
...NP&SP Worsbrough Sun 11 Nov 2018
A Short and Gentle ride around South Yorkshire
I will not bore you with a turn by turn account.
...November Saddo
My thanks to Dave for leading and Roger for photography. Don't forget to book for our annual
...Autumn Riding
Click on the above photo to view some more of Mick Ely's photos from the ride
It was a lovely
...Rides, Eats and Leaves: A Pleasant Autumn ride Around Holmfirth!
Click on the photo above to view more of Roger's photos on Flickr:
This ride was planned (sort of)
...Seventeen Saddistes
Click on the above photo for more of Roger's photos:
The monthly RSF (Rough Stuff Fellowship]
...A Ride around Hayfield
Click on the photo above for more of Roger's photos on Flickr:
Eight riders started from Hayfield
...Hollingworth lake
Long time since I have been as wet as yesterday. Delayed start by an hour because of rain and then 4
A Ride to Leeds Bike Park
Click on the photo above to view more on Flickr:
The aim of the ride was to visit the new Urban
...Ogden Water to Haworth in the Rain!
Ogden/Haworth ‘Walk & Ride’ Festival Event
Click on the photo above for more of Mike's photos from
...The Saddo Picture Trail
Click on the above image for more photos of the ride
A treasure hunt ride with picture clues
...John Kemp's 80th birthday ride
About 25 riders set off from Hadfield to Tintwistle on what was billed as a short and easy ride. We
...Photos from John Kemp's Birthday Ride
Click on the image above for more of Irene's photos on Flickr.
Links to Roger's Flickr Photos of June and July Saddos
Click on the photo above for more June Saddo photos:
Click on the photo above for more July Saddo
...Meltham to Oil Can Cafe Holmfirth
Eight riders set off from Meltham on a ride that headed out through Honley woods via Mag Dale to
...Hope to Tideswell
It was damping slightly when we met across the road from the Grass Hopper Café, which is closed now
...Wessenden Valley May 2018
Never cast a cla't until May is out, couldn't be truer today. We arrived at the starting point in
...Whaley Bridge to Buxton
In Rob's absence I offered to lead the ride but did make a comment about 'leading from the rear' !
...A much postponed ride across the Mosses!
With a spare Sunday in the offing and slightly better weather than was earlier predicted I took
...Hayfield to Etherow Country Park
The promised sunshine not only arrived but so did a dozen or so eager cyclists but yet again
...Maythorne Crosses Ride From Holmfirth
The Maythorne Cross, was thought to have originally been a Saxon boundary marker. There are two
...SANDAL CASTLE MUD FEST.
Considering the recent terrible weather it was pleasing that we had picked a reasonable day to
...Back in the Saddle for the March Saddo
After an enforced break from cycling it was great to be back in the saddle for a winter Saddo with
...West Vale to Bolster Moor
The dull February morning turned out to be bright and sunny within an hour of our arriving at West
...Punctures Galore - a ride from Rose Hill Station. Marple
- Punctures Galore!
On a cold dry day fourteen members, including a couple of new faces, met at the
...In the Bleak Midwinter! First Saddo of 2018
No snow on snow but grey, cold and icy on the tops! As I said to John when we met at the Lime Kiln
...Two rivers and a couple of canals from Sale Water Park
A dozen or so Peakies plus potential new member Dave from Macclesfield (welcome Dave!) turned out
...Philips Park to Bury with little twists!
A very hardy, some might say "fool-hardy", half dozen or so Peakies joined me at Philips Park,
...Christmas Saddo 2107
With a generous dusting of snow and seriously sub-zero temperatures, choosing a route for the
...Three Cities in one ride!
Three cities - well if you count Media City alongside Manchester and Salford, two canals, the Ship
...Roger's photos of the November Saddo:
Culture and R.S.F. Pie and Peas.
This year we started at West Vale car park.
It was a beautiful crisp autumn morning as seven of us met
John Eaton's Holmfirth Explorer: Hell or Heaven?
Twelve brave souls showed up at Digley Car Park on Wednesday to explore the challenging topography
South Pennine Walk and Ride Festival
Every year since I have been a member and probably for several years before that, there has been a
...Two Peters' Abbey Ride
11 October 2017
I don’t normally approach strange men in toilets and ask them “Are you George Nutt”?
...Paul's Two Abbeys Ride
Paul's Two Abbeys Ride
6 September 2017
The first of the two abbeys we visited was Byland Abbey.
...Ride The Lights.
RIDE THE LIGHTS
It was a chilly afternoon on leaving the camp site at Lytham. Eddie found two new
...A Moorland Adventure with Sharon Lowe
Sharon Lowe has led two rides for us this summer and both have been crackers, repaying the effort
...Reid's Heather Cruncher - 23 August 2017
Having bought a mountain bike in 1992, I joined RSF soon afterwards as a means of enjoying some
...TAKING IT EASY FROM TANDLE ****
Don't mention the “h” word! This was the first of the “easy ride” series I have led and on a sunny Sunday
...A Soggy Summer Saddo!
Even with rain forecast for most of the day fifteen intrepid Saddistes assembled at the Lime Kiln
...Mytholmroyd to Crimsworth Dean.
Mytholmroyd to Crimsworth Dean Sunday 6th August 2017.
Meeting at Mytholmroyd We welcomed three
...ROOLEY SCRUMPTIOUS
This ride was billed as a sweet ride with a hard bit in the middle – something like my favourite
...PBWS Saddo to Tintwhistle
Ever since discovering the route some years ago, this somewhat epic ride has become a feature of
...Fountain of Youth Ride to Castle Carr
1947 Post War England was full of interesting facts, it was the year Princess Elizabeth and The
A Rainy ride from Burrs Park, Bury
It was one of those really wet days when you wonder why on earth be a ride leader, but noblesse
...York Rally June 24th and 25th 2017
This year the Rough Stuff “Corral" was even bigger than usual with a variety of tents, a camper
...Hartington Holiday!
Hartington Holiday!
Thanks to Nev and Jane for arranging a couple of days cycling under the expert
Jackie's Easy Rider from Clarence Park, Bury
Six of us arrived below the Lido at Bury around 9.30 with the prospect of a hot day out! Michelle
...John Kemp's Easy rider from Portland Basin
NP&SP Rsf Leisure Ride from Ashton under Lyne.
Sunday 21st May 2017
This was an inaugural ride of
...Fun in the Sun?? June Saddo.
Fun in the Sun?
Not really!
Could have been
Pain in the Rain!
But thanks to the indomitable spirit
...Wortley to Langsett
NPSP Ride from Wortley, Sunday 4th June
Six regular Peaky Blinders turned up at Wortley for our
...Haworth and Newsholme Dean
Most people have heard of Haworth, home of the Brontes, tourist honeypot etc but not so many have
...Up the Goyt Valley from Whaley Bridge
Ride from Whaley Bridge Sunday 7th May
On a glorious spring morning, free of the freezing cold winds
...A White Rose/Red Rose Ride
A Joint Ride with the Lancashire and Yorkshire Mucky Lane Groups from Bolton by Bowland,
14 April
...PBW From Hayfield
Perhaps I should not have billed this as a route up the Pennine Bridleway to Robin Hood's Picking
...Chevins and Chevrons 20 April 2017
The West Yorkshire (nobbut just) town of Otley straddles the River Wharfe and is famous for
...Hade Edge but no Maythorn Cross!
March Saddo in the Mist!
Mist and rain often deter cyclists but in Saddleworth inclement weather seems to bring them out in
...The Magnificent Seven from Sandal Castle!
A Mucky Ride from Hellifield
16 February 2017
The weather forecast said it should be dry and pleasantly warm so it was cold and
...Up the Wessenden Valley - in February!!
Luckily this ride happened the day before Doris - the storm not Day - hit! Otherwise plan B would
...A Valentine's Day Saddo
Do you remember that feeling you used to get when you’d enjoyed being on a school trip but the next
...Sale Water Park - Bridgewater Canal, River Irwell, Salford and Manchester City Centres and a lot of history!
A very healthy turnout of fourteen riders congregated in the cafe at Sale Water Park for a brew and
...Mud, Mud, Glorious (?) Mud 25 January 2017
The weather gods really smiled on us for the ride and gifted us a beautiful sunny day. Our numbers were
...West Vale to Robin's Nest
Nine of us turned up for today’s ride.
After taking suitable sustenance at the car park café we set
...A Soggy January Saddo!
Given the weather forecast it was amazing that nine Saddinistas, plus Mick Ely who was doing his
...Sol's Spen Valley Explorer
We met outside the Spen Valley Sports Centre on a dull and damp morning. Those travelling from
...Philips Park Easy( ish) Rider!
It wasn't a very promising day and in the lead up to Christmas it was probably a miracle that four of
...Christmas Saddo 2016
Another great turn out of over 20 for this our third Saddo Christmas Ride and Lunch at the Lime
...Pre-Christmas ride and lunch at the Old Original
On a dreary Saddleworth day it was a bit of a challenge getting some 20 or so members out of the
...Pie and Peas at The Cat i'th Well
Pie and Peas
Sunday November 6th 2016.
Leaving the car park we headed east on sustrans route 66 to
...A Grand Day Out! October's Saddo.
A dismal start and poor forecast failed to put off 21(ish)November's Saddo
Triple Egg and Chips, a muffin and a pint for £5.80!
It was Roger's fault really as he let slip that
...Healey Dell to Heywood
Nine riders turned up at Healey Dell on a beautiful autumn day for one of my favourite rides in
...Autumn Meet: Ride around Avebury
Having failed to get a glimpse of Stonehenge on the Saturday, Cary and I decided to have a ride
...IT'S SET IN STONE TH'A KNOWS.
NPSP Ride from Mytholmroyd
2nd October 2016. Twelve riders turned up at Mytholmroyd on what was a
...Ogden Water to Haworth
Watch Iain Johnson's Video of the ride here:
Another splendid Autumnal Day and an impressive
...Shibden Valley Ride
September Saddo: South Pennines Walk and Ride Festival
What a day for a Saddo! The promise of sunshine all day plus some extra advertising through the
...Sharon's Hollingworth Lake Surprise!
The weather looked a little grey and drizzly for the start, but soon bucked up and set fair for the
...Monsal Trail and more
The Monsal Trail and more with Eddie
17 August 2016
Ten of us set off from the Haddon Grove Farm
...Around Giant’s Seat
Arriving at Moses Gate Country Park the weather was a step change for the better compared to last
...The Woodnook Greenway.
Or should it be the Woodnook Wetway, it rained for the whole ride, but at least it was warm. We
...Toujours la Moor!
I've been puzzled for a while why most weekday rides start at 10am and finish between 4pm and 5pm
...Saddo to Tins!
The Saddo route to Tintwhistle - “Tins” to those in the know - is one of my favourites and since we
...Round Reddish with Roger
With six cyclists, plus Roger, having negotiated the rather difficult way in to Reddish Country Park we
...Seven riders enjoyed a very pleasant cycle along the banks of the River Ribble on a fine warm
...Mary Towneley Loop with full ride report!
Mary Towneley Loop Day 1
Thankfully we were not riding the Loop on the Tuesday, the hottest day of
...Towpath Trek
Yes, this was the day of our easiest family friendly ride, just ten flat miles on the well
...Scratching an Itch!
'Scratching an Itch'
Wednesday 13 July 2016
As Rob Newton has been often heard to say 'it's got to be
...July Saddo, The Holingworth Lake Climber
Thankfully the torrential rain of Monday gave way to a pleasant and, crucially, dry day, not too
Lune Antics
Our annual ride from Glasson Dock to Morecambe is as always quite flat; no-one would be enjoying the
...Reservoir Ramblings
Due to the title you may be forgiven for thinking this was a ramble; the ramblings are just me
...Monsal Trail and more!
Thank heaven for common sense! Six members, including newcomer Pauline, managed to turn up at the
Reid's Nettle Ride
Reid's Nettle Ride
22 June 2016
With so many grumbles about travelling through places such as
...Three Dales Road Ride
Mick Ely's THREE DALES RIDE 25 May 2016
It was a day for indoor events according to the weather
...York Rally 2016
York Rally 2016
This is the second year of the re-invented York Rally on the Knavesmire and was
...After a stay over at the York Rally where I enjoyed Geoff & Rob's rides, I got the last direct
...The Irwell Invasion.
As usual on this ride we had our early cuppa in the Café Tor within Musbury Fabrics, we were
...The Rochdale Smasher!
The Rochdale Smasher!
A loop in the hills to the east of Rochdale was the objective of our ride, a
June's Steamy Saddo!
Perhaps it was the weather forecast but an unusually modest collection of Saddistes turned up for
...Railroad & Towpath Tarrying.
Before I set off to Barrowford this morning I looked at two disparate weather reports,and after some
...RSF Lancs Group Clapham to Pen-y-Ghent Thursday June 9th 2016
Dales Trails in the Northern Peak
Hope to Tidewell via Shatton Edge
On a superb sunny Sunday I was expecting more of a turnout at
...The weather forecast for our May camp at Sandside was promising and proved to becorrect, we
...Our regular run from the Cow Shed at Buckshaw Village comes round every three or four months
...Casillero del Diablo
You may suspect that today’s ride was in Chile, but no, nor was anyone drinking the wine; but we
...Stanza Stones Ride, Ilkley
A Bridge Too Far?
Well, not far enough in fact; technically speaking it was actually a viaduct we had arranged to
...Saddo May 2016: Medlock Valley Meander
Those Bloomin’ Rascals Scale Mount Sion
Starting from Moses Gate Country Park a circular route was planned, primarily off-road and making the
...Hollingworth Lake to "Craggies" for lunch.
I always wait until we're well into Spring before putting on this ride - you don't want to be
...The Molly Wood Marauders
Today’s meet started from Towneley Hall Country Park beside the infant River Calder, the first leg of
...The Moses Gate Meander
What’s this I hear...... Another Meander....... Yes it’s confusing, isn’t it? Don’t mistake this ride for
...A combination of moorland, woodland, towpath, old mills, grand houses and modern urban housing
...The Bailiwick of Billy Brook
Once again Paula was kind to us, opening her Victorian Tea Room at Turton Towera half hour early;
...Wakefield's Wheel of Wonder!
Curley’s and In-conveniences.
Today’s run started from Curley’s Trout Fishery at Wallsuches on the western flank of Winter Hill
...Saddo: April 2016
Up and Down in the Mist till lunch then back on the flat in the rain!
Not a bad turnout for a
...The Smithills Scallywags.
Ali and Chris were the hosts for our usual early cuppa; toast and butter were on offer too; it was
...Whaley Bridge to Buxton
A Long Hill! Possibly a Hill Too Far!
When we assembled at Whaley Bridge Canal Car Park it was as
...Rob's Wortey Sunday Ride
Wrong Hill Gromit!
(The ride when I started with 20 and ended up Billy No-Mates!)
A slightly less
...The Witton Wheelers Way
I began my career with ICI in 1963 at their then headquarters in Welwyn Garden City where I joined
...Wortley Highlights
RSF Easter Meet Wortley Hall
Saturday Ride:
Wortley Highlights
Saturday came with weather warnings so we
...A Mucky Lane Ride from Burnsall, 23 March 2016
Ride report by Andrew Eatch
Albert Winstanley paused on the narrow lane to Thorpe-in-the Hollow. It was hot
...Easter Saturday .The Ride with a Surprise Twist.
Following the Grand Photo shoot by the Wortley Fountain the bulk of the riders left to go on the Sight
...Ten of us met in the Café Tor at Helmshore for today’s foray along NCN6 to Ramsbottom. It is a
...Being a Wednesday ride you could have mistaken this meet for one of our regular Wednesday runs
...The Easter Sunday Ride to Canon Hall Farm.
Waking up to blue sky’s was a nice surprise after the forecast of storms.
After another photo
...Was it a washout? Well it had been, the Guild Wheel that is. Lancashire County Council completed the
...Roman Lakes to Whaley Bridge - Mainly Flat!!!
Despite a chill wind blowing and a little mist in the air, the promise of sunshine later in the day
...Black Lane Shenanigans
Today’s run from Moses Gate is one of the very few outings we have that does not start from a
...The Moses Gate Meridian (2)
Before I start the report, may I remind you to make the most of this year’s extra day on Monday
...March Saddo in the sleet and rain!
Whatever The Weather, We’ll Always Be Together …but how many?
And now, a weather report: Whilst
...Philips Park to Wetherspoons!
A wintery morning did not deter the faithful and a healthy turn out of a dozen riders assembled at
...When I left Darwen it was fine rain. Going through 'The Printshop' the rain turned to hail. By the
...Most folks visit Church on a Sunday; visits to Church on a Saturday usually involve a wedding, a white
...Absolutely Airedale (A Ride From Gargrave)
Yorkshire Mucky Lane Riders
Wednesday 24th February 2016
Absolutely Airedale (A Ride From
...Route 55.
Our route 55 is not quite the equivalent of America’s Route 55, which although no longer touted,
...A very blustery day didn't stop us heading to the hills above Darwen today to try out some of the
...The Magnificent Seven Ride!
No, this isn’t the story of the film, and Lee Van Cleef wasn’t on the outing with us, but it has
...Billy One Mate Ride from New Mill
Looking at the weather forecast and scanning a grey threatening sky over breakfast whilst fielding texts
...Lolloping Along to Lostock
Although somewhat cloudy it didn't prevent our ride being accompanied throughout by bright sunshine
...A beautiful cold, rare dry & sunny morning at Curley's fisheries ten of us met ready to enjoy Geoff's
...Starting out early a week last Sunday on my bike I rode to Hillside train station and caught the 08.32am
...Just to make it clear from the off, this is a ride report! All the years I have cycled with the iconic
...February Saddo to Daisy Nook - and beyond!
A break in the miserable wet weather was forecast for Tuesday and a very healthy turnout assembled at
School's Out!
I think the first ride we had from Turton Tower was in the summer of last year, and if memory
...Dunham to Walton Hall
How many ways can the ride leader lose a group of cyclists and how often can he get lost himself?
Why meridian you may ask; well it was one of our middle of the day rides and of course the middle
...The Padiham Pootlers
Meeting on the Riverside car park just before 10-00am we were able to witness the hundreds of
...Sol's Greenway Explorer
It was only a few weeks ago that we met for a Saturday ride at the Tesco store in Accrington, this
...The River and Railway Rapscallions
Today’s run started from the Café Tor within Musbury Fabrics at Helmshore, quite close to the
...First Saddo of 2016
New Year Saddo
What an amazing turnout for our first Saddo of 2016. Eighteen rides assembled at
Botany Bay and the White Bear
We started today’s ride from the old spinning mill (now a shopping mall), built in 1865, at Botany Bay.
...Sale Water Park - in the rain!
Sunday in the Park with Rain?
Raindrops keep falling on my head?
And then there were none.
Too
...The First Footers.
The first Rascals ride of the New Year, and the first RSF meet of 2016, started from Moses Gate
...