25 August 2026Words · LINXPhotos by Jordan Green, Tom Joy and Ben Mac
Our first LINX × GripGrab social took us 38 miles from J’s at Pugneys into the Wakefield hills. Two timed segments added the spice, and the results were closer than anyone expected.
The plan was simple: two rides from J’s at Pugneys, one hilly and one flat. Ride 001 was the hilly one, with a proper route, good people and two chances to put a time on the board.
GripGrab and OTE helped us give everyone something to take home, but the point was the group rather than the giveaway. We wanted a social ride with a bit of competition woven through it.
The Sandwich Ride: slices of social, with spicy fillings
Front loaded with lumpsGripGrab swag bag
All photos · Tom Joy
Joe giving out our 'House Rules'. It's important for everyone to be safe and look out for each other.
West Yorkshire's lumpsPhoto · Ben Mac
Blacker Lane and Heartbreak Hill were our two timed efforts, with the second coming quickly after the first. In between, it was a social ride: a good crew making its way through the Wakefield hills.
A few proper hitters showed up, and the segments gave everyone a reason to dig in. Back at J’s, people gathered and gossiped while their times were added up. There was talk of riders matching one another; and when the results came in, 2nd through 5th were separated by a single second.
Joe Healy was announced in first place after turning up on his hill-climb bike. The challenge had done what we hoped: made the riding exciting without losing the feel of a day out together.
The group after the presentationPhoto · Ben Mac
Party-Race-Party. The Throttle & Trot. Combines high-effort segments with the relaxed cruising sections.
GripGrab’s vouchers and kit, OTE goodies and a custom patch gave people something to take away. The better bit was seeing everyone come out for the first one. Thanks to everyone who rode, to GripGrab, OTE and J's for backing it, and to Ben Mac for the extra footage. The Flat One came next, with a different route and the same idea: bring people together and make a ride worth remembering.
