Weekend Roundup 17/18 March

Cam B · Post by **Cam B** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 6:23 pm

Headed down the M1 to Husbands Bosworth to do a LVRC race this morning. Andy (another training ride regular) also made the trip. The conditions were somewhat reminiscent of the Neil White Pursuit last year with it being on the chilly (4 degrees) and wet side. Oh, the joys of mid-March racing!! I, along with everyone else I suspect, never truly got warm in the entire race. Two escapees did really well to stay away as the bunch weren't hanging about- although only ave. 22.5 mph on what, admittedly would be described as an undulating course I think… so slower than the training ride did yesterday. (That should give any newcomers confidence as they approach their first race!). The finish to the run-in was down a very narrow strip of road with the line at the crest of a short/sharp incline. Everyone new this, including me, so was kicking myself after, when I was just too far back. Passed 2 or 3 riders on the little climb which made me think I might have snuck into the top 10 if I'd had the presence of mind to fight for a better spot. However, reasonably pleased overall as was in the thick of things for most of the race apart from that crucial bit right at the end - the finish I think it’s called!!
Barely recognised Andy in the car park at the end as he was sporting, what I think is referred to as a “Belgium face pack”. We could not talk long as our teeth were still chattering… Did I mention it was cold and wet! Andy is too modest to post anything on the website so I can report that he did make the podium, finishing 3rd in his category. Well done Andy!
Drove back to sunny York and saw a couple of riders in short sleeves….C’est la vie

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:03 pm

Nice race report above - well done Andy.

Sunday clubrun for me. Manageable size group of 9 left The Square at 9-05. With Tim and Mal planning early baths, that left Heather, Mark, Sean, Richard, Dave, Ian and self to tackle a flat to rolling ride around the southern Wolds. Took the easiest climb up onto the Wolds out of Burnby, then Middleton and on to a couple of new lanes for me around Lund and Etton. Even had to consult one of those big bits of paper with the squiggly lines on. Fantatstic tail wind run though through quiet, deserted lanes. Heard the first skylarks of the year - felt good.

As Raywell cafe was fully booked for Mother's Day, we sat outside in the sun. To be fair it wasn't quite warm enough for this and Dave was offered a blanket. Back via S. Cave, Holme on Spalding Moor, then lanes to Pocklington and back through Stammy Bridge. Like last week, a brisk average speed and we shared the work pretty well. Thanks.

Was thinking of a jaunt to the seaside next week. Always enjoy a trip to the coast - feels like you've really got soemwhere.

Darren N · Post by **Darren N** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:47 pm

Lucky seven on the Intermediate All Stars ride yesterday for a trip North to Farndale. Fellow joggers included Tony G, Jon G, Dan C, Young Dan, Stu, Karl and myself. Dan C seems to have scarily grown an extra leg for climbing and Stu is in very grave danger of becoming superbly fit!

It was raining, albeit lightly, when we left the Square. This rain stayed with us through to Terrington Bank, Hovingham and the climb towards Nunnington. When we got to the A170, the black clouds hovering ahead over the Moors looked ominous. So we were pretty surprised to get to Fadmoor and find that the roads were dry-as-a-bone! We continued North through Low Mill to the foot of Blakey at Church Houses before taking a right to charge down the East side of Farndale to lunch at Hutton Le Hole. I counted 3 people in the whole of HLH, the threat of rain obviously putting people off.

The return leg was again uneventful. Dan, and then Stu, led us at a solid pace Southbound through Salton and Butterwick which were new lanes for me. The roads were wet enough to make the bike filthy but it never rained. We then chose a route through Hovingham and Farlington to get home to York in a tight bunch. Nothing else to say really, a great ride!

Interesting result in the Milan-San Remo…back to back for the boys from down under.

Note to the Saturday regulars, I’m not out next Saturday. I’ll be doing the 102km Fountains Monk’y Business Audax on Sunday, 10.00am out of Wigginton. This is a Challenge Series event and it will be great to get off the mark after the loss of the Reliability. It would be nice to ride around in a sea of black ‘n’ red if anyone else is up for it.

D.

G. · Post by G. » Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:03 pm

Darren N wrote:Interesting result in the Milan-San Remo…back to back for the boys from down under.

I wondered how long it would take you to mention that, Darren! I'll also be out for the Monk'y business and I'll expect to see you in your club jersey, not that Aussie thing you wore last time an antipodean won something

Jon G · Post by **Jon G** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:10 pm

Good ride on Saturday upto Hutton le hole. Good conditions for cycling with light winds and not too warm or cold, shame about the wet muddy roads and drizzle that we set off in.

Felt pretty good early on and nearly suggested we give Blakey bank a go but then saw sense

. Glad we tweaked the route back coming back through Farlington etc as oppose to Flaxton as I always seem to struggle around there for some reason

Thanks for the company everyone and as Darren points out there were some strong performances.

Likewise I will be out Next sunday for the Fountains Abbey ride and will be riding out from the square around 9am so some company would be good unless of course your driving out to Wiggington

Jon

paulM · Post by **paulM** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 1:37 pm

First long ride on the race bike on Sunday. As I'd missed out on a Lockton / Levisham ride with Rob late last year (which is a challenging ride even with a cafe stop), I had it in mind to get round there although I'd never done it training or on a light bike!. Out via Bossall, Howsham, Gally Gap. Witnessed 3 deer cross the road near the Westow turn. Norton, Malton. Over the A64. Considered just carrying on for Pickering but your just road furniture on the road and it was a block headwind. So I went left at Eden Camp and through the lanes to Kirby Misperton and then down the bridleway and onto the Thornton Le Dale road. It was a right grovel out of there up to the whitby road. Right and left into Lockton, down the hill and up the other side to Levisham - a super steep climb that just keeps going through the village and beyond - but at least the road was dry. The barriers were down at the station but I managed to walk across and watched a "Black 5" waiting to depart for a few minutes. It overtook me me a couple of minutes later as I tackled the forest drive as it blasted north for Grosmont a good deal quicker than myself! However I was saving myself for the left turn up the steep path. I made it round the corner but had to push the bike round the tree stump that's still there. Got bounced about a bit on the rocky path but made it up the climb to the Stape road.
Pushed on to Cropton and absolutely flew down the descent to Wrelton now with the tailwind. Cut the corner off down the lane in Middleton, Risborough (the rough lane now sporting a nice new tarmac surface), Amotherby, Castle Howard & pushed on hard for home. 80 miles at over 18 mph. I was quite pleased with that. A good to be alive sort of day. I suppose I should start doing some proper training now:(

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 6:32 pm

Firstly sorry to all for the lack of mudguards! My winter bike has also been used for commuting and is now making lots of creaks and cracks so it needs to be stripped and cleaned. I do like Tony G's answer, buy a mp3 player!

As Jon and Darren have already said the A group went to H-L-H on Saturday, I had a good ride and actually enjoyed the hills, that certainly isn't me so must be doing something right in the gym! It helps having Young Dan and Stu laying on the pressure, my competitive side coming out.

A good tight bunch all the way around with a quick ride back to York avoiding the Castle Howard drag saw me back for 4pm covering 78 miles at 16.5mph average. Thanks guys for a great day.

I'm also not out this Saturday but will be doing the Audax on Sunday so see you in Wigginton for 10am.

Think I spotted you Paul on Sunday, near Flamingo Land at about 10:45am, I'm sure it was you in the Clifton CC gear. I was driving at the time.

paulM · Post by **paulM** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:03 pm

Dan - The time and place suggest it could well have been me - at least it proves I got that far!

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:33 pm

Paul, chapeau! That's some ride.

tomf · Post by **tomf** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 11:26 pm

No cycling this weekend for me, visiting family instead down near Cambridge. Unfortunately driving back up the A1 near Blyth I saw something chilling - the southbound carriageway blocked by police vehicles, and a lone bright yellow bike lying at the bottom of a sliproad. It was pretty clear whatever had happened had happened some time before, and the only reason why the bike was still in place was because they were dealing with a fatality, as indeed it turns out:

http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-we ... -30580791/

It's not a bit of road I'd fancy riding on myself, although I'd defend anybody's right to ride on whatever road they like if it's legal. Just a tragic scene.