Weekend roundup 19-20th
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Weekend roundup 19-20th
Whats everyone been up to ? I managed 2 hrs Saturday & 3 Hours Sunday in the Wolds.
A J
There's a hint about the "Spring into the Dales" Audax on another thread - maybe we could have more here? The Muzzy's were touring in the Dales. The Saturday ride sounded like a classic - report?
Four of us rode the Teesdale Mountain TT at Barnard Castle, the second Open Series counter and Clifton Long Circuit championship. This has long been my favourite race on the calendar - 1600m of climbing packed into 40.5 miles of some of the finest mountain roads in the UK - there's barely 10m of flat in the whole race with long big ring drags, 16% back-breakers and even steeper hairpins. There's not many TTs where you get the opportunity to bunny-hop a level crossing at 65kph!!
Alistair Kay (York Cycle Works) caught me for 9 mins coming back up Unthank Bank at about 25 miles and he was giving it "full berries" (Kevin would approve). Alistair got back in 1-55, a ride that would often have won the event - this time however, Dominic Munnelly spoiled the party with a 1-50. The Clifton riders racing in the mortal category - Mark Anderton finished in 2-38, Arnie Pearson in 2-36, Pete Skelton in 2-26 and yours truly in 2-9. I don't have the full result as I had to slope off before the presentation but I guess Pete won the V60 category.
Edit : Full result - http://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/res ... 1&ID=52830
Four of us rode the Teesdale Mountain TT at Barnard Castle, the second Open Series counter and Clifton Long Circuit championship. This has long been my favourite race on the calendar - 1600m of climbing packed into 40.5 miles of some of the finest mountain roads in the UK - there's barely 10m of flat in the whole race with long big ring drags, 16% back-breakers and even steeper hairpins. There's not many TTs where you get the opportunity to bunny-hop a level crossing at 65kph!!
Alistair Kay (York Cycle Works) caught me for 9 mins coming back up Unthank Bank at about 25 miles and he was giving it "full berries" (Kevin would approve). Alistair got back in 1-55, a ride that would often have won the event - this time however, Dominic Munnelly spoiled the party with a 1-50. The Clifton riders racing in the mortal category - Mark Anderton finished in 2-38, Arnie Pearson in 2-36, Pete Skelton in 2-26 and yours truly in 2-9. I don't have the full result as I had to slope off before the presentation but I guess Pete won the V60 category.
Edit : Full result - http://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/res ... 1&ID=52830
Last edited by Rob on Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
4 riders turned up for the sunday club run,Nigel,Ian Kent,me, first timer Rob and we went out round Bolton Abbey/Storriths.
A big well done to Rob.
Rob's only 19 and his longest ride prior to yesterday's 100 mile run was 35 miles on a mtb with slicks and hadn't done any hills.I explained the route and Rob said he was tenacious.
We went out via Wetherby,Kirbyoverblow, Norwood Edge on to Duck Street(it was cold up there) up to Stump Cross Caverns and over to Storriths.Back to York via Ilkley, Otley (cafe stop),Harewood,Boston Spa and Wighill.
Rob found it tough going but he kept plugging away and finnished in good spirits.We should have another good report for the 'My First Club Ride Thread'.
Rob, forgot to mention it yesterday, would you like to join the club?
Details are on the website or if you make it on Saturday I'm sure Kevin will have a form.
Helen
A big well done to Rob.
Rob's only 19 and his longest ride prior to yesterday's 100 mile run was 35 miles on a mtb with slicks and hadn't done any hills.I explained the route and Rob said he was tenacious.
We went out via Wetherby,Kirbyoverblow, Norwood Edge on to Duck Street(it was cold up there) up to Stump Cross Caverns and over to Storriths.Back to York via Ilkley, Otley (cafe stop),Harewood,Boston Spa and Wighill.
Rob found it tough going but he kept plugging away and finnished in good spirits.We should have another good report for the 'My First Club Ride Thread'.
Rob, forgot to mention it yesterday, would you like to join the club?
Details are on the website or if you make it on Saturday I'm sure Kevin will have a form.
Helen
5 of us (Steph, Bernard C, Alistair, Steve and myself) did the Spring into the Dales Audax yesterday.
Not quite the Teesdale TT, and not quite Spring conditions, but a hilly route from Hebden Bridge over the Bronte moors into the Dales and back, about 2500m climbing. After last weekend's muddy antics it felt good to get on the road bike and stay dry. It was also nice that my bike and I finished the ride the same colour we started.
Temp wasn't too bad and the rain held off with just a light drizzle half way round, hardly even warranting waterproofs.
Spotting a dip in spirits at Burnsall, Steve entertained us for half an hour with his 'How to mend a puncture' act. My particular favourite bit was how he turned his tyre inside out and couldn't right it again.
Not quite the Teesdale TT, and not quite Spring conditions, but a hilly route from Hebden Bridge over the Bronte moors into the Dales and back, about 2500m climbing. After last weekend's muddy antics it felt good to get on the road bike and stay dry. It was also nice that my bike and I finished the ride the same colour we started.
Temp wasn't too bad and the rain held off with just a light drizzle half way round, hardly even warranting waterproofs.
Spotting a dip in spirits at Burnsall, Steve entertained us for half an hour with his 'How to mend a puncture' act. My particular favourite bit was how he turned his tyre inside out and couldn't right it again.
After crashing out of the Girvan one week and the Tour of the Reservoir the next I spent a week in Spain near Granada with the Kinesis team for some R&R and plenty of training (with stabilisers). Highlights from that included temperatures over 25 degrees, riding up Sierra Nevada and not a single snowflake or hailstone.
Yesterday I rode the CDNW league event at Elswick, my sole intention being to remain upright. I did that, and was in the break with two team-mates (J Sampson and M Cronshaw - made famous in Cycling Weekly a couple of weeks ago), James Williamson, Matt Stephens, Rob Hayles and a couple of others. Hayles had a point to prove, and along with the sticker on his top tube that read '50.3' he had a straight line speed of over 30 mph which he used to shred the legs of the rest of us. From 2 laps to go there were constant attacks from the break, but nobody could prevent it from coming back together each time. I started the sprint early in an attempt to lead out Matt, but he was beaten to the line byHayles and one other. I was 5th. I wish I had 50.3%.
Yesterday I rode the CDNW league event at Elswick, my sole intention being to remain upright. I did that, and was in the break with two team-mates (J Sampson and M Cronshaw - made famous in Cycling Weekly a couple of weeks ago), James Williamson, Matt Stephens, Rob Hayles and a couple of others. Hayles had a point to prove, and along with the sticker on his top tube that read '50.3' he had a straight line speed of over 30 mph which he used to shred the legs of the rest of us. From 2 laps to go there were constant attacks from the break, but nobody could prevent it from coming back together each time. I started the sprint early in an attempt to lead out Matt, but he was beaten to the line byHayles and one other. I was 5th. I wish I had 50.3%.
Seeing as the my first ride thread seems slightly out of date, thought i'd tag my review onto this one. And Helen...I shall definitely be joining the club shortly! Enjoy...sorry it's a bit of an essay.
So I bought my first ever, shiny new race bike last November. Since then I have done a number of rides of 25-30 miles on my own, but nothing particularly challenging. Then I found out about Clifton CC on the internet one day. Unfortunately my job means I can’t get out most Sundays, but towards the end of my Easter holidays I had a day spare and decided to give the Sunday club run a go. I expected it to be challenging and like nothing I had ever done before, but what I got was so much more than that – so much harder than I could have ever imagined!
It was Sunday, April 20th, and the day before I had carefully cleaned and lubricated my bike ready for my first group riding session. After misreading the forum, I turned up about 45 minutes early to the exhibition square and waited in the cold overcast conditions for some other people to turn up. At 9am I saw Helen across the road and then a guy pulled up in a Clifton CC jersey...I suddenly thought ‘I’m actually going to have to do this’. After introductions were out of the way, Nigel set to work sorting out my headset (which I had screwed up the bearings on, after playing with the bike a few weeks before). We took a look at the map and initially I thought the ride was probably going to be around 60 miles, at no point did I think I’d be strong throughout, but it seemed like a reasonable amount of distance for my first ride. As soon as we looked at the map Helen had, the ride was re-estimated to be 85 miles, quite a first ride this was going to be!
Once we set off, we made quick time to Wetherby. Sticking in the middle of the line, I was able to keep the pace nicely, although I can’t say it was easy and I was thankful for the toilet stop in Wetherby if only to ready my legs for the rest of it. Then the fun started, up and down hills on generally quiet country lanes, it was total bliss and torture at the same time. My inability to ride out the saddle, mixed with fairly large gears for a first timer meant that my legs were soon exhausted by fairly meagre climbs. Nigel, Helen, Ian and Graham were so kind waiting for me at the top of each climb, I felt fairly bad for holding them up but decided quickly that everyone has to start somewhere so I may as well just battle up each climb at my own pace, although, it simply added to the pain watching Nigel effortlessly get to each summit.
The occasional descent was a nice rest for my legs and it gave me some time to fully enjoy the views without pain on the brain. Graham eventually peeled off to head back and just 4 of us were left. Riding with companions generally was a great experience, and although I wouldn’t quite say that the time ‘flew by’, it definitely moved a lot faster with people to chat to and take my mind off of things. I pushed on through it all, I’d like to think I moaned little but I am sure that around the 4 hour mark the occasional ‘are we there yet’ would slip out...I mean, I at least felt I had to fulfil my duties as the youngest of the group.
Towards Otley, where our cafe stop was planned, we hit Storiths...now this hill was soul destroying. Other cyclists dropping by the minute, I was put off by the water crossing at the bottom and lost all momentum at the start. I then slowed without thinking of pulling my foot from my cleat, resulting in a 0mph crash right in front of a photographer! Thankfully he missed his chance and I remounted and tried my best to get up the monster of a hill. Getting about 15m before realising my brake was rubbing on my rear wheel, I stopped again to adjust and then walked up most of the hill, thoroughly disappointed, but realising that it was just not going to happen today. I remounted at a rare piece of flat ground and continued up to the top to meet up with the others, happy with my effort and even more in dire need of the cafe stop.
I lost track of time between that point and when Ian said ‘look, there’s Otley down there’. Happiness filled me before I realised there was yet another climb in front of me. My exact thought at the time was ‘if Otley is all the way down there, why the **** are we going uphill again’! We finally reached the cafe stop and lunch was had...including an amazing toffee and apple crumble with custard. Feeling like some sort of legs had vaguely returned to me, we set off again towards home. Having done 70 miles already at this point, it was quite obvious that the trip would not be 85!
The journey home went by slowly, but I don’t remember much. My legs held out for a while before my whole body just slowed and every pedal turn started to become a challenge. Helen was lovely and chatted to me all the way home (although for most of it I was fairly silent...sorry Helen! I do usually talk more). My legs slowing, I left Helen to complete the last few miles with Nigel and make my way back through the city centre.
By the time I got home, I had completed my first club ride, a ride of 102 miles....slightly more than I believed I would do at the beginning of the day! I slumped on my bed with a stiff back and a bottom that felt like, well, prison shower stories come to mind. Overall, it was a fantastic day and a hell of an experience. Although I’ll probably stick to some shorter rides from now on, doing my first club ride and century on the same day felt great and a day that I will always remember through my hopefully long cycling years! I just want to say a huge thank you to Helen, Ian, and Nigel who were so kind to me and really looked after me...you all made it what it what it was.
Thanks a lot and I hope to see you all/meet more of you soon,
Rob
So I bought my first ever, shiny new race bike last November. Since then I have done a number of rides of 25-30 miles on my own, but nothing particularly challenging. Then I found out about Clifton CC on the internet one day. Unfortunately my job means I can’t get out most Sundays, but towards the end of my Easter holidays I had a day spare and decided to give the Sunday club run a go. I expected it to be challenging and like nothing I had ever done before, but what I got was so much more than that – so much harder than I could have ever imagined!
It was Sunday, April 20th, and the day before I had carefully cleaned and lubricated my bike ready for my first group riding session. After misreading the forum, I turned up about 45 minutes early to the exhibition square and waited in the cold overcast conditions for some other people to turn up. At 9am I saw Helen across the road and then a guy pulled up in a Clifton CC jersey...I suddenly thought ‘I’m actually going to have to do this’. After introductions were out of the way, Nigel set to work sorting out my headset (which I had screwed up the bearings on, after playing with the bike a few weeks before). We took a look at the map and initially I thought the ride was probably going to be around 60 miles, at no point did I think I’d be strong throughout, but it seemed like a reasonable amount of distance for my first ride. As soon as we looked at the map Helen had, the ride was re-estimated to be 85 miles, quite a first ride this was going to be!
Once we set off, we made quick time to Wetherby. Sticking in the middle of the line, I was able to keep the pace nicely, although I can’t say it was easy and I was thankful for the toilet stop in Wetherby if only to ready my legs for the rest of it. Then the fun started, up and down hills on generally quiet country lanes, it was total bliss and torture at the same time. My inability to ride out the saddle, mixed with fairly large gears for a first timer meant that my legs were soon exhausted by fairly meagre climbs. Nigel, Helen, Ian and Graham were so kind waiting for me at the top of each climb, I felt fairly bad for holding them up but decided quickly that everyone has to start somewhere so I may as well just battle up each climb at my own pace, although, it simply added to the pain watching Nigel effortlessly get to each summit.
The occasional descent was a nice rest for my legs and it gave me some time to fully enjoy the views without pain on the brain. Graham eventually peeled off to head back and just 4 of us were left. Riding with companions generally was a great experience, and although I wouldn’t quite say that the time ‘flew by’, it definitely moved a lot faster with people to chat to and take my mind off of things. I pushed on through it all, I’d like to think I moaned little but I am sure that around the 4 hour mark the occasional ‘are we there yet’ would slip out...I mean, I at least felt I had to fulfil my duties as the youngest of the group.
Towards Otley, where our cafe stop was planned, we hit Storiths...now this hill was soul destroying. Other cyclists dropping by the minute, I was put off by the water crossing at the bottom and lost all momentum at the start. I then slowed without thinking of pulling my foot from my cleat, resulting in a 0mph crash right in front of a photographer! Thankfully he missed his chance and I remounted and tried my best to get up the monster of a hill. Getting about 15m before realising my brake was rubbing on my rear wheel, I stopped again to adjust and then walked up most of the hill, thoroughly disappointed, but realising that it was just not going to happen today. I remounted at a rare piece of flat ground and continued up to the top to meet up with the others, happy with my effort and even more in dire need of the cafe stop.
I lost track of time between that point and when Ian said ‘look, there’s Otley down there’. Happiness filled me before I realised there was yet another climb in front of me. My exact thought at the time was ‘if Otley is all the way down there, why the **** are we going uphill again’! We finally reached the cafe stop and lunch was had...including an amazing toffee and apple crumble with custard. Feeling like some sort of legs had vaguely returned to me, we set off again towards home. Having done 70 miles already at this point, it was quite obvious that the trip would not be 85!
The journey home went by slowly, but I don’t remember much. My legs held out for a while before my whole body just slowed and every pedal turn started to become a challenge. Helen was lovely and chatted to me all the way home (although for most of it I was fairly silent...sorry Helen! I do usually talk more). My legs slowing, I left Helen to complete the last few miles with Nigel and make my way back through the city centre.
By the time I got home, I had completed my first club ride, a ride of 102 miles....slightly more than I believed I would do at the beginning of the day! I slumped on my bed with a stiff back and a bottom that felt like, well, prison shower stories come to mind. Overall, it was a fantastic day and a hell of an experience. Although I’ll probably stick to some shorter rides from now on, doing my first club ride and century on the same day felt great and a day that I will always remember through my hopefully long cycling years! I just want to say a huge thank you to Helen, Ian, and Nigel who were so kind to me and really looked after me...you all made it what it what it was.
Thanks a lot and I hope to see you all/meet more of you soon,
Rob
Made my return to road racing yesterday in the Hambleton RR at Northallerton ,after a 2 year absence. Coincidently it was this event that I last raced on the road (barring one RR league).
Watched several moves come and go on the first lap, including one that Nick B and I formed, but the main move went towards the end of the first lap. I bridged across to it and we quickly established a good lead in our group of 9. I took the prime on lap 2 (always good to get the fuel money back!).
On the final lap I started to wish I had taken on some more gels, and going into the last couple of km still with the group I knew I would not be contesting the finish. One guy nipped off the front to take the win. I came in alone, taking 15 th place after being swallowed up by a chase group (scoring 1 point!). 61 miles, average speed 24.7 mph.
The bunch were around 3-4 minutes back, containing Andy J. All in all, a good days racing, great training for the MTB racing and a pleasing return to the road scene. That'll do for another couple of years...
Watched several moves come and go on the first lap, including one that Nick B and I formed, but the main move went towards the end of the first lap. I bridged across to it and we quickly established a good lead in our group of 9. I took the prime on lap 2 (always good to get the fuel money back!).
On the final lap I started to wish I had taken on some more gels, and going into the last couple of km still with the group I knew I would not be contesting the finish. One guy nipped off the front to take the win. I came in alone, taking 15 th place after being swallowed up by a chase group (scoring 1 point!). 61 miles, average speed 24.7 mph.
The bunch were around 3-4 minutes back, containing Andy J. All in all, a good days racing, great training for the MTB racing and a pleasing return to the road scene. That'll do for another couple of years...
I did my second race in the LVRC race series which was the Pete Fryer Road Race at Halifax consisting of 12 laps of approx 4 miles each.
Setting off 3 minutes after the A and B cats I decided to stay in the pack and not doing anything daft Knowing that I had a hill to tackle on each of the laps, there were a few breaks going on at the front and we were passing a few of the A and B riders who had dropped off their group, after about 7 laps I was struggling to stay with the others on the climb but always managed to get back to them once over the top until with 2 laps to go the gap they made on me on the climb was just too much to make up so I decided to head back to the race HQ with just over a lap left to go, still its all good training.
Well done to Rob who managed to complete 100 miles+ on his first club ride, Great achievement.
Ian H
Setting off 3 minutes after the A and B cats I decided to stay in the pack and not doing anything daft Knowing that I had a hill to tackle on each of the laps, there were a few breaks going on at the front and we were passing a few of the A and B riders who had dropped off their group, after about 7 laps I was struggling to stay with the others on the climb but always managed to get back to them once over the top until with 2 laps to go the gap they made on me on the climb was just too much to make up so I decided to head back to the race HQ with just over a lap left to go, still its all good training.
Well done to Rob who managed to complete 100 miles+ on his first club ride, Great achievement.
Ian H
The above as ever makes a varied and enjoyable read.
With Peter being amused by the grandparents for the weekend, myself and Cath had a touring weekend in the Dales and a B&B booked in Reeth. Not the earliest of starts saw us head out to Masham for lunch and then the back road through Thornton Stewart to Middleham. Had a few options from here and reckoned we had time to carry on to Askrigg which is further up Wensleydale and then turn right and climb over into Swaledale. We'd had tail wind thus far but the right turn from Askrigg took us up a really tough climb - 1in 4 for a couple of stretches - I don't recommend it on 39x23 with a saddle bag! but the view from the top was superb. However the wind chill was something else. Have to say this road gives one of the best views over Swaledale - a real panorama.
Sampled a couple of pubs that night in Reeth - Theakstons in each so I was in heaven. The walk-in fireplace in the second was very welcoming.
The following morning we carried on down Swaledale to Richmond and by chance happened upon the finish of the Hambleton RoadRace. It looked a better circuit than when I last rode it with Charlie a couple of years ago? A few people around the finish I recognised saw me pass, complete with saddle bag, and probably now presume I've given up racing - especially after recent results.......
Got lost in Northallerton because I didn't have a map but picked up the Thirsk road and then into some quiet lanes and by chance got onto the road that comes out on the A19 opposite the Thimbleby turn. Osmotherly for lunch and then back the usual way - Kepwick, Kilburn etc etc. 140 miles in total. A great weekend even if it was bloody freezing.
With Peter being amused by the grandparents for the weekend, myself and Cath had a touring weekend in the Dales and a B&B booked in Reeth. Not the earliest of starts saw us head out to Masham for lunch and then the back road through Thornton Stewart to Middleham. Had a few options from here and reckoned we had time to carry on to Askrigg which is further up Wensleydale and then turn right and climb over into Swaledale. We'd had tail wind thus far but the right turn from Askrigg took us up a really tough climb - 1in 4 for a couple of stretches - I don't recommend it on 39x23 with a saddle bag! but the view from the top was superb. However the wind chill was something else. Have to say this road gives one of the best views over Swaledale - a real panorama.
Sampled a couple of pubs that night in Reeth - Theakstons in each so I was in heaven. The walk-in fireplace in the second was very welcoming.
The following morning we carried on down Swaledale to Richmond and by chance happened upon the finish of the Hambleton RoadRace. It looked a better circuit than when I last rode it with Charlie a couple of years ago? A few people around the finish I recognised saw me pass, complete with saddle bag, and probably now presume I've given up racing - especially after recent results.......
Got lost in Northallerton because I didn't have a map but picked up the Thirsk road and then into some quiet lanes and by chance got onto the road that comes out on the A19 opposite the Thimbleby turn. Osmotherly for lunch and then back the usual way - Kepwick, Kilburn etc etc. 140 miles in total. A great weekend even if it was bloody freezing.
I rode the Hambleton road race with Charlie and Nick, I managed to bridge across to Charlies breakaway group but got dropped from it as quickly as I latched on to it, so back to the drawing board. I spent the rest of laps 2 and 3 chasing down and sitting on any attacks that went off the bunch along with a couple of other guys who also had team mates in the breakaway. As expected this didnt bode very well with some other competitiors but thats tactics for you. Next up is Wetwang next week, dreading it!
No Saturday ride reports as yet, so I'll start off with one of the group's adventures.......
Kevin's Saturday riders all started together this w/e, which was a big help into the wind as far as Skirpenbeck. Here we split and I followed Bernard, along with Dave (Scotton organiser), Andrew M and John heading off towards Little Weighton.
Howard was leading a group via the Wolds to Hovingham and Kevin and Arthur latched onto that group - how did you all fare?
We took a splendid route via Millington Pastures, Huggate, North Dalton, Cherry Burton, Walkington to Little Weighton. The cafe there lived up to expectations, as Bernard told us the Skidby Mill cafe supremos had moved on to here!
Headwind all the way for 49 miles to the cafe certainly led me into thinking that I might be topping my longest ride for some time......
A fairly direct and mostly tailwind route back via Newbald, Holme on Spalding Moor and Skipwith most certainly topped furthest ride for some time at 89miles!
Thanks to all for the company and wheels to follow and especially to Bernard for navigating our challenging route.
Kevin's Saturday riders all started together this w/e, which was a big help into the wind as far as Skirpenbeck. Here we split and I followed Bernard, along with Dave (Scotton organiser), Andrew M and John heading off towards Little Weighton.
Howard was leading a group via the Wolds to Hovingham and Kevin and Arthur latched onto that group - how did you all fare?
We took a splendid route via Millington Pastures, Huggate, North Dalton, Cherry Burton, Walkington to Little Weighton. The cafe there lived up to expectations, as Bernard told us the Skidby Mill cafe supremos had moved on to here!
Headwind all the way for 49 miles to the cafe certainly led me into thinking that I might be topping my longest ride for some time......
A fairly direct and mostly tailwind route back via Newbald, Holme on Spalding Moor and Skipwith most certainly topped furthest ride for some time at 89miles!
Thanks to all for the company and wheels to follow and especially to Bernard for navigating our challenging route.
Following on from Claire's account - the 'Howard' half of the Saturday ride:
I arrived early at Howard's for a pre-planned maintenance session when Howard very kindly installed my new Compact Chainset - ready for the White Rose Torture (oops I mean Classic). Silly me had failed to work out that as well as the chainset work, the chain would also need shortening to accomodate the smaller front sprockets so it was a bit of a rush to get to the square on time. Fortunately all was well and we arrived in time!
As Claire has mentioned we all left together planning to split up after Buttercrambe. Unfortunately owing to a misunderstanding the front half of the whole group , tucked in behind Howard's wheel, managed to overshoot the planned splitting point and thus Arthur and Kevin were marooned with us. This seemed to spur Arthur into great things for on the climb up Uncleby Hill (?) - the biggest of the day for us as it turned out - he cunningly clung to Howard's wheel the whole way before giving it 'full berries' to out-sprint both Howard and James M at the top!!
After this great effort we proceeded to Thixendale where Kevin, Arthur and James M headed back round to ? Millington whilst the remaining 5 of us (Howard, Chris, Simon, Iona and myself) meandered through the Wolds, through to Duggleby, Kirkby Grindalythe, then down Settrington Bank, through Malton and across to Hovingham for a late lunch at 60 miles. Coming back the usual way via Bransby Bank and Easingwold Iona towed us all home with a formidable display of sustained pace. Back at around 5:30 at around 90 miles from the square.
I arrived early at Howard's for a pre-planned maintenance session when Howard very kindly installed my new Compact Chainset - ready for the White Rose Torture (oops I mean Classic). Silly me had failed to work out that as well as the chainset work, the chain would also need shortening to accomodate the smaller front sprockets so it was a bit of a rush to get to the square on time. Fortunately all was well and we arrived in time!
As Claire has mentioned we all left together planning to split up after Buttercrambe. Unfortunately owing to a misunderstanding the front half of the whole group , tucked in behind Howard's wheel, managed to overshoot the planned splitting point and thus Arthur and Kevin were marooned with us. This seemed to spur Arthur into great things for on the climb up Uncleby Hill (?) - the biggest of the day for us as it turned out - he cunningly clung to Howard's wheel the whole way before giving it 'full berries' to out-sprint both Howard and James M at the top!!
After this great effort we proceeded to Thixendale where Kevin, Arthur and James M headed back round to ? Millington whilst the remaining 5 of us (Howard, Chris, Simon, Iona and myself) meandered through the Wolds, through to Duggleby, Kirkby Grindalythe, then down Settrington Bank, through Malton and across to Hovingham for a late lunch at 60 miles. Coming back the usual way via Bransby Bank and Easingwold Iona towed us all home with a formidable display of sustained pace. Back at around 5:30 at around 90 miles from the square.