RAPHA WOMEN’S 100 SUPPORTED BY WHEELBASE

 

A HUGE congratulations to all of the riders who took part in the Rapha Women’s 100 ride supported by Wheelbase!

Sunday the 18^th of September saw the Rapha Women’s 100 taking place all over the world, with groups of women coming together to enjoy a social ride with like-minded female cyclists. Keen to get behind this global initiative Wheelbase teamed up with Rapha and local gravel rider Emily Wormald to organise a unique point-to-point mixed-terrain ride starting at Wheelbase Yorkshire in Ilkley and finishing at Wheelbase Lake District in Staveley. Emily plays an important role in the running of the Lakes Gravel Gang, an all-women group of gravel riders who meet regularly for social rides on some of the best trails in the Lakes; with Em at the sharp end of the route-planning we were excited to have a really fun group ride planned which would take the cyclists over scenic gravel tracks and quiet country lanes while travelling west through the stunning scenery of Yorkshire and the South Lakes covering a distance of over 100km with a total elevation of just over 2,000 metres.

The Rapha Women’s 100 features some fantastic kilometres of gravel.

 

Watch the Rapha Women’s 100 supported by Wheelbase video by Dave MacFarlane

 

The Rapha Women’s 100 supported by Wheelbase was hosted by 3 qualified female cycle guides for the duration of the ride, with a total of 16 riders coming together to ride an epic journey. Riders met at our Wheelbase store in Staveley at 6.00am before jumping onto a mini bus to be taken to the start of the ride at Wheelbase Yorkshire in Ilkley; their large fleet of gravel bikes, already laden with everything required to take on this 100km ride, were loaded onto the Wheelbase van and ferried to Ilkley too for a scheduled ride start shortly after 8.00am.

With calm, dry weather for the majority of the route riders could enjoy scenic views across the Yorkshire moors.

 

The drive across to Ilkley was a chance for all of our riders to chat and get to know one another and once there it was time to listen to the ride briefing, do a quick bike check and split into two groups before heading out of the popular Yorkshire spa town and onto the first stretches of gravel in the picturesque Yorkshire hills.

There was plenty of climbing spread over the 100km route with a total of elevation of just over 2,000 metres.

 

Once the ride had commenced our Wheelbase support vehicle followed the route stopping at pre-arranged liaison points to provide food and nutrition for our riders or any mechanical assistance if it was needed. Dave and Deb were always there when they were needed and helped to keep spirits high as the two groups of riders headed west out of Yorkshire and towards Cumbria. As well as that excellent logistical support Emily and her team had thoughtfully scheduled in some proper café stops along the way too, with some of the best farm shops, bakeries and ice-cream parlors in the North peppered throughout the 100km ride.

There was plenty of time to chat and form new friendships along the way as riders shared the experience of a long day in the saddle.

 

Both groups of riders had a fantastic day on the bike, with a route that really showcased the most scenic parts of Yorkshire and Cumbria, providing some really fun riding made up of challenging climbs, fast & flowy descents and a healthy mix of gravel and tarmac to help keep the momentum of the Rapha Women’s 100 ride as it headed ever closer to its final destination of Wheelbase Lake District.

There were plenty of points of interest along the way including this short tunnel which descended into Clapham.

 

The first group of riders rolled back into Staveley as the light was beginning to fade, while the second group dealt with some untimely punctures shortly before the home-stretch into the South Lakes, slightly delaying their progress. With camaraderie strong and spirits still high the second group negotiated the final few miles in total darkness before arriving at Wheelbase Lake District to cheers and congratulations from their fellow riders as well as the team of Wheelbase staff who had provided support throughout the day. It had been a fantastic achievement for all the riders taking part, covering 112km, climbing over 2,000 metres and completing a challenging 12 hour ride with more than half of the group riding over the 100km distance for the very first time!

The journey west back to Wheelbase Lake District included some more familiar roads as the riders got closer to home.

 

MASSIVE thanks go to…

• THE RIDERS! – You really helped to make the Rapha Women’s 100 a success
• Emily Wormald – route planner, event organiser, cycle guide
• Karen Lederer – cycle guide
• Lucy Allan – cycle guide
• Dave & Deb – logistical support
• Billy Reid – logistical support
• Dave MacFarlane – media
• James Vincent – media

 

Wheelbase were proud to play their part in the Rapha Women’s 100 global initiative and we’ll be back next year to be part of it again. If you weren’t able to get involved this year look out for the 2023 edition when we will return with another fantastic ride…

Check out the official Rapha Women’s 100 supported by Wheelbase Route on Komoot.

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

All photos by James Vincent

Video by Dave MacFarlane

 

Scroll through all of James’ photos from the Rapha Women’s 100 supported by Wheelbase….