Weekend roundup 9th/10th

[Jon G]

Well what can I say. I took part in the 2nd prudential ride London. I'd been watching the weather forecast all week and couldn't believe that the backend of a hurricane was approaching the south east to hit on Sunday. So it was with apprehension that I set off on Friday afternoon down to London. I was staying in the posh end up by regents park so it was about 8 miles from the Olympic park and a mile or so from the mall. One thing to say though I can't fault the organisation of the event it was superb. Everything ran smoothly logistically even travelling around London on the trains. It couldn't have been simpler. That just leaves the ride. I'd come prepared for bad weather and the forecast wasn't improving really so when we received an email with organisers planning a contingency of shortening the route I thought what's the point. Traveling 200 miles to do a flat 86 miles. They'd basically took the 2 challenging bits out of the ride. If it hadn't been for riding on closed roads I would not of bothered. Even so I still rode round at a decent pace finishing for about 11am. I don't think it would have been much more of challenge with the hills to be honest. It just shows how blessed we are up in Yorkshire with scenery and challenging roads. I think the decision was a bit hasty and I think they should have given people the choice what to do on the day.

Despite the disappointment of not completing a tonne in crap weather it was a good event really and definitely worth doing if you could just plan the weather.

At least there was other things going on over the weekend to watch.

Jon

[G.]

Michael Scholfield and I were both doing the Bridlington CC 10 on the V718. It was a windy old day but we both managed to put in decent times with 21:09 and 21:20. Unfortunately for me, I was the one who got beaten by 11 seconds! It was just a shame there wasn't a third Cliftonite there to make up a team, or we could have done quite well in the team standings

[Steen Berg]

Your not the only one who only got a short ride on Sunday Jon.

The Sunday club run only got as far as Helmsley. Three set off from York AndyM MarkD and myself.
Andy gave up on the cafe and decided to sprint home just after Oswaldkirk having done the training ride on Saturday. Mark and I got a coffee and a bite to eat in Helmsley. Then back out into the rain for the ride back. Mark had cycled into York before 9 so headed for home at Nunnington.
I got back into York about 2.30 after a puncher. Although wet thankfully little wind 60 miles was enough for me.
Not out this Sunday if you are hope you get better weather.

Steen

[mikeh]

Like Jon I did the Prudential Ride London Surrey Ftang Ftang Ole Biscuit barrel 100....86! on Sunday. Having done the ride last year I went for a train down on Saturday and back straight after. It worked a treat. I left York at 7.57 and was in London for 9.45. I cycled across London and was registering by 11.

My first impression was that the exhibition was not as big or glitzy as last year. By noon I was ready to leave and go to my hotel at Tower Hill. On the way out of the exhibition however I got talking to the lady on the Skoda stand, had a look at their very nice car with bike rack inside. I must have said the right things because I was then offered full hospitality and grandstand seats for the Women's race that afternoon!

Naturally I couldn't fail to accept such a generous offer. I therefore dropped bike and bag off at the hotel and made my way to the Mall where I entered Prince Philip House and was treated to an array of delightful food, champagne, beer, Pimms etc. I thought I better stay off the booze but had a cheeky Pimms in the sunshine on the patio before afternoon tea was served at 4.

The race started at 5 so I made my way to the grandstand and was treated to more tea and sandwiches.

My seat was right by the finish and I thoroughly enjoyed the race. Very good cars those Skoda's!

I was prepared for the rain on Sunday and dressed accordingly. I was a bit disappointed with the reduction to only 86 miles but I think it was the right decision. Last year there were 16,000 riders. This year 24,000 was just too many. The ability of the riders was very mixed and coming down Leith Hill or Box Hill would've been dangerous. When we came through the towns the riders had to slow right down as we rode over smooth wet slabs on the corners. Other than this I was lucky and didn't get any hold ups but at Kingston where the route coiled around on itself I went past those entering Kingston who were at a stand still.

The organisers I think need to take the numbers down and improve the exhibition after registration. 2013 was something special, but even given the poor weather 2014 was very inferior. Organisation as Jon said is very good. Excellent in fact. They shouldn't ruin it by being too greedy on the numbers.

Talking about the weather, I have ridden in worse. The Clifton CC trip over the Tour route for one was twice as bad. It wasn't cold and as we all know, when you are wet you are wet.

I finished the 86 miles in 4hours 20mins. My Bryton said 4 hours 13mins which I had been following to try and cover the route at an average of 20 mph. I therefore finished at 19.8mph which was a little annoying. The only reason for the discrepancy, as I only stopped very briefly when my chain came off after going through a very deep section of standing water, could have been the underpasses and my losing gps contact.

I was back in York to see the finish of the men's race. Great weekend in all.