Weekend roundup 27-28th Feb

shaun · Post by **shaun** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 11:54 am

Turned up at the square at 9am to see a good group of riders waiting for the training and H group rides. After the weather on Friday I was a bit unsure if the h group planned route to Osmotherly would be feasible - after discussing with Howard agreed to give it a go so four set off from the square Howard D, Howard, Dr Dave and myself.
Dr Dave decided to cut the ride short at Helmsley and returned to York - hope everything is alright now.
Climbing out of Helmsley kept an eye on the distant hills they were clear enough to make it worth continuing. Climbing up over the tops seamed even harder than usual this week for me as I struggle to find my fitness but the views over the tops made it well worth the effort couple of inches of snow making everything nice and white. Roads where rideable with care with the cars having cleared a couple of tramlines and the rest just being slush.
Food at the cafe in Thirsk was as good as ever just leaving the run into York. After a good restart I found my legs disowned me as soon as we hit the rolling hillocks and was very grateful for the two Howards easing the pace enough for me to catch a wheel and tow back into York.
Still an enjoyable ride.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/25714191

PS Howard I did have the correct map loaded, it had corrupted and I have since downloaded okay so I think it must have been network problems at my end nothing to do with the link you posted

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 7:39 pm

Sunday clubrun for me. 4 went off for a training ride. 4 of us (Roo, Bernard, Swindon Andy, and self) went off for a traditional clubrun. Nice day, was even contemplating that spring is just 2 weeks away. Bernard waved us goodbye at Amotherby and the rest of us took an early cafe (Baldersons) at Thornton le Dale (it's been decorated and was much warmer than usual). Roo had to get back and then there were 2. We headed off up Dalby Forest Drive (nice and quiet), then around Langdale End. I decided that after several week's membership Andy could be let in on the secret gem that is Troutsale. Don't worry though, I did point out that "the least said, the fewest tourists..." Our secret is safe with him. Great climb out (bit of a grunt on 42x17 fixed), then back across the Vale of Pickering, the edge of the Wolds and Gally Gap. This is a tough ride at the best of times, but, with fewer miles than usual at this stage of the year in my legs, I was flagging towards the end. Andy still looked bright as a button - good job really as he still had to ride back to Taddy!

paulM · Post by **paulM** » Sun Feb 28, 2010 11:50 pm

Five set off from the square on the Sunday training ride. Just enough bodies to share the work on a cold and windy day. And so it proved and we stuck together well on a classic route- Elvington / Sutton / Pocklington / Water / Huggate / Wetwang / Kirby Grindalythe / N Grimston / Langton / Gally Gap. Several climbs I've been over in road races - some I'd rather forget. Life Hill out of Wetwang will be revisted 6 times in a few weeks and todays ride gave me the chance to recce the pothole situation! A good honest workout today which should set myself and Paul Bennett up well for our first road race next Sunday. Still only just managed to break the 17mph barrier for the 62 miles though......

Dr Dave · Post by **Dr Dave** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 9:05 am

As Shaun has mentioned, for some reason I found I was making hard work of it on Saturday - working hard to go....not very fast. Rather than hold everyone else up I therefore headed back via Hovingham where I had a coffee and snack in the shop/cafe by the green before returning via Terrington Bank. 60 miles altogether. Still feeling a bit below par today so probably a bug or something...

Tullio · Post by **Tullio** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 10:22 am

22 MTBers headed to Coed Y Brenin in Wales for the weekend.

Despite not too promising forecasts, the weather improved throughout the weekend and yesterday almost felt like Spring to allow 2 full days of excellent riding. Although abilities are still mixed the gap between abilities is narrowing as everyone has (clearly) been working on their fitness in preparation for a season of racing.

Pete K had a close encounter with some of Wales' finest Limestone and did a tour of the NHS with a grimace on Saturday. There was also talk of adding a 'favourite recipes' section to the website after some fabulous food was produced for the group on Sat evening, courtesy of Sarah, Jay, Ian, Jez, Rich H and Virginie. Virginnie's brownies will be keeping riders fuelled 'til about Thursday I think.

barberj · Post by **barberj** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 4:30 pm

Was really nice to be back at Coed Y Brenin in Wales as it was the first trail centre I went too with Clifton and the first time I had ever ridden a bike with suspension (I hired a Specialized Stumpjumper at the time). First time I did it it seemed crazy! I remember one section I decided to jump of the bike as I did not like where it was going and I was so slow! This time its still technical with lots to hurt yourself on (mostly rock, which means its rideable in the wet!) but you do get a used to it. As per last time we had good weather and some really competitive rides both up and down with quite a bit of climbing to do. The final fire road climb up at the end on the newer side when you are knackered is particularly punishing.

morri · Post by **morri** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 6:22 pm

Rob wrote:I decided that after several week's membership Andy could be let in on the secret gem that is Troutsale. Don't worry though, I did point out that "the least said, the fewest tourists..." Our secret is safe with him.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it is marked on my two-miles-to-the-inch cycling map as part of a scenic circular route. The hordes of cyclotourists, with SPD sandals and tiny mirrors on their helmets, must have been put off by the threat of rain. I must admit, it is a very nice road, reminiscent of some loops and dead-end lanes through lush valleys in the quieter parts of the west coast of Scotland.

BTW, I've yet to go on a club ride up here without at least one person ordering beans-on-toast at the cafe stop. Perhaps a change in club kit is in order (if a sponsorship deal could be arranged, 45 quid is a bit steep for the privilege of advertising someone's products.)

Jon G · Post by **Jon G** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 9:04 pm

It was the intermediate ride for me on Saturday. Only the second time I've been out with the club this year, the first been the Reliability. It was also my first century ride this year.

7 of us set off from the square, myself, John O'D, John C, Stuart, Richard Mal. and another lad form bishopthorpe who I cant believe I forgot to ask their name, sorry.

A decent ride to Thorton le Dale via Strensal, Flaxton, Coneythorpe, Kirby Misperton etc and a rather more hilly route back via West Lutton and Settrington Bank (i must admit i prefer the steep side to the long drag that ensued it just seemed flat but went on forever) and finally baqck into york through Howsham Bossal and Claxton. Good to be back in dayllight after a good day weatherwise with little wind, not that I did alot of work on the front

.

Hopefully out again next week all been well seeya then

Jon

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/25715273

Broom Wagon · Post by **Broom Wagon** » Mon Mar 01, 2010 10:02 pm

Another good non-stop Saturday training ride, up to Boroughbridge and then a couple of circuits of one of the TLI race routes at chaingang/race speed? The training ride seems to get a little quicker every week, though no doubt this week it was sped along by Phil B being all sparky from last week's racing and Craig Gath showing us what it is like to be in a different league altogether.