The 8:45 early social ride seems to have got off to an excellent start - well done everyone!
The Intermediate/A ride set off for Cockayne anticlockwise via Bulmer with 9 - Tony, Dave C, Stu, Neil, Dan, Shaun the Merciless, John G, Dr D and a new chap named Mike.
Slightly hairy moment for Dave C on the fast descent to the bridge at the bottom of Bulmer when Mike's water bottle bumped loose and shot across the road under Dave's front wheel. Could have been a nasty crash but luckily he hit it amidships and stayed on.
Dave was only out for a couple of hours warm-up for Scotton tmrw and Tony was feeling sub-par so these two, along with Stu turned at Slingsby leaving six to loop the loop. Dan and Mike really kicked butt on the hills with nobody even bothering to offer token resistance.
Coincidentally my water bottle decided to make a break for freedom over the cattlegrid on the way down to Helmsley - not sure whether they were colluding. Anyone else had a wanderlust waterbottle (breakaway bidon?) today?
With 50+ miles done by the cafe a slightly steadier ride back was in order with frequent halts to allow re-grouping. Nearing York the sun seemed to grow in strength and the last few miles were really rather pleasurable.
Thanks to all for the company.
Weekend round-up.
Moderator: Moderators
What a great day at the Scotton 100 blockbuster, and today the block was well and truly busted! – perfect weather, started out a bit cold but soon warmed up.
The Scotton really is one of the great events on the cycling calendar. It had everything today – tarmac, off-road, dirt, sand, dust, rocks, snow, mud, lakes, oceans, fallen trees, closed gates, horses, dogs – everything! This event is a combination of the Grand National and Paris-Roubaix – many off-road sections joined by tarmac sections, and many riders coming to grief along the way with punctures and broken bikes. Prime objective is to make it round safely, try to avoid breaking something and having to be put down, and try to achieve the best time possible (even though it’s not a race
)
This was my second ride in the Scotton. Last year I did it as a club run, this year I decided to push it, albeit on a mountain bike (which seemed to be in a small minority c/w cross bikes this year.) I set off in the third group with the ‘normals’, as they called them, alongside Broomwagon, Karl & Andrew and ended up spending the majority of the day with Broomo. It was a tough day but we had a superb time together. Broomo and I spent most of the day matching it with the cross bikes, which was pleasing in itself. After a few minor wrong turns early on, we found a nice guy, John, who was very strong and also had the course loaded into his Garmin, - an important point which ensured he was never going to be dropped!
I noticed at around the half way mark that we were still on for the magical sub-4 hour. So we spent the 2nd half pounding away on the road and dirt trying to keep the average speed up. I got there with 5 mins to spare, but really had to bury myself on the lumpy bit before the A168 and then in the final miles into the westerly wind to get there in time. Made mince meat of my legs but v. pleased to log the achievement. Soup & cakes back in the village hall were great, and another Scotton mug in the bag. Huge thanks to Dave, Trevor and fellow helpers who put on a superb show.
D.
The Scotton really is one of the great events on the cycling calendar. It had everything today – tarmac, off-road, dirt, sand, dust, rocks, snow, mud, lakes, oceans, fallen trees, closed gates, horses, dogs – everything! This event is a combination of the Grand National and Paris-Roubaix – many off-road sections joined by tarmac sections, and many riders coming to grief along the way with punctures and broken bikes. Prime objective is to make it round safely, try to avoid breaking something and having to be put down, and try to achieve the best time possible (even though it’s not a race
)This was my second ride in the Scotton. Last year I did it as a club run, this year I decided to push it, albeit on a mountain bike (which seemed to be in a small minority c/w cross bikes this year.) I set off in the third group with the ‘normals’, as they called them, alongside Broomwagon, Karl & Andrew and ended up spending the majority of the day with Broomo. It was a tough day but we had a superb time together. Broomo and I spent most of the day matching it with the cross bikes, which was pleasing in itself. After a few minor wrong turns early on, we found a nice guy, John, who was very strong and also had the course loaded into his Garmin, - an important point which ensured he was never going to be dropped!
I noticed at around the half way mark that we were still on for the magical sub-4 hour. So we spent the 2nd half pounding away on the road and dirt trying to keep the average speed up. I got there with 5 mins to spare, but really had to bury myself on the lumpy bit before the A168 and then in the final miles into the westerly wind to get there in time. Made mince meat of my legs but v. pleased to log the achievement. Soup & cakes back in the village hall were great, and another Scotton mug in the bag. Huge thanks to Dave, Trevor and fellow helpers who put on a superb show.
D.
Scotton 100 for me also and as Darren said above one of the classic events of the year, started in the third group this time and managed to get back to a good group after losing ground on each of the off road sections by working extra hard on the Tarmac parts, thanks for the tow at times as each time I got back on I did not have enough left to do much work on the front but thanks guys, Heather and Keith doing many turns up there at the front.
Many thanks once again to Dave and his hard working team who looked after everybody ending with some great food at the end.
Ian H
Many thanks once again to Dave and his hard working team who looked after everybody ending with some great food at the end.
Ian H
Are we there yet
-
Broom Wagon
- Posts: 435
- Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:15 pm
Scotton 100 for me. I always say I’ll never do it again, but three quarters of a bottle of red and Billie Holiday on the stereo massaged my pains away and that sentiment has already gone. Strange what difference a few years makes, the first time I rode this (as a long time road only rider) I considered some sections almost unrideable, but now nothing on the route gives me any hesitation (not on an MTB anyway).
I ended up being towed round by Stuart O Grady (hang on he was doing the Paris – Roubaix so it must have been Clifton’s own Doppelganger) until about three quarters of the way round whence I was sure I could find my own way to the finish and it was time to admit I was slowing him down and to tell him to ride on and leave me to do my own steadier pace.
Thanks to all the organisers for their hard work and effort in putting on such a well run event and thanks Darren and nice guy John for the tow. I didn't quite make the planned sub four hour time - 4hrs 3 minutes....smeg!
I ended up being towed round by Stuart O Grady (hang on he was doing the Paris – Roubaix so it must have been Clifton’s own Doppelganger) until about three quarters of the way round whence I was sure I could find my own way to the finish and it was time to admit I was slowing him down and to tell him to ride on and leave me to do my own steadier pace.
Thanks to all the organisers for their hard work and effort in putting on such a well run event and thanks Darren and nice guy John for the tow. I didn't quite make the planned sub four hour time - 4hrs 3 minutes....smeg!
Did the first part of the A ride on Saturday round by Castle Howard, Slingsby, the back via Hovingham, Sheriff Hutton. As Dr Dave mentioned, I had a heart stopping moment descending Bulmer Bank when Mike's water bottle came across the road in front of me, luckily I ran over it square on in the middle and survived. It may be worth checking bottle cages are secure and tight enough to hold the bottles securely.
On sunday, started Scotton and was going well and really enjoying it until I broke a spoke on the Brimham section. Adjusted the spokes to get the wheel turning but decided to call it a day. A pity but thanks to Dave and everyone for a superbly organised event.
On sunday, started Scotton and was going well and really enjoying it until I broke a spoke on the Brimham section. Adjusted the spokes to get the wheel turning but decided to call it a day. A pity but thanks to Dave and everyone for a superbly organised event.
Scotton for me also. Prepared meticulously as ever - by taking mudguards off me winter bike! The final part of my preparation was reading the directions at 11pm the night before as we had been away that week and only got back on the Saturday. I failed miserably at this and coupled with a winter of short plodding rides on my own I was hanging on the back of the front group at the end of the first section and was off the back and on my own by the second! I had been joking at the start that if I started in the front group I could work my way back through the groups. I was almost correct but actually managed to miss most of the second group completely as I was taking my second wrong turning of the day at the time. I had acouple of other stops a tractor on the section before Ripon and the lights in Ripon but managed to keep mind and body together and finished ok - 3:45 so my longest ride since December, but I reckon I lost quarter of an hour so was pretty pleased with how I went. Bike held together ok - no issues with punctures although my tyres contained more kevlar than rubber! Picked up a Harrogate Nova rider near Ascenby who seemed to know where he was going so rode most of the way back with him.
Pushed hard on all the off road sections but have to face it there is no way you can keep up using road tyres. The sandy section before Aldwark Bridge was just about unrideable for me and its probably the longest section. But I will be back now I know the way! Thanks to Dave and everyone involved in the organisation. This is such a unique event with something for everyone and you get to go places you wouldnt normally go!
Pushed hard on all the off road sections but have to face it there is no way you can keep up using road tyres. The sandy section before Aldwark Bridge was just about unrideable for me and its probably the longest section. But I will be back now I know the way! Thanks to Dave and everyone involved in the organisation. This is such a unique event with something for everyone and you get to go places you wouldnt normally go!
Last edited by paulM on Thu Apr 11, 2013 10:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I'd say you should be more worried about the aero trackie bottoms, Dr DDr Dave wrote:Helmet absence notwithstanding no doubtG. wrote:The bad news is, I didn't do the Scotton because I had to prepare for a job interview.
The good news is, I didn't get the job so I may be around to torment you losers for a while yet
