Weekend Roundup, 28th/29th March

[craigdabrown]

The predicted strong winds and heavy rain didn't really materialise in the morning but I joined Kevin, Alison, Bernard, DaveI and JohnC for a 12:30, afternoon start with the “K” Ride.

JohnC was looking fit and well following his extended holiday in Oz and it was nice to see him back in the saddle. We decided on a round trip to Boroughbridge and passed a number of Club cyclists returning from the morning rides as we headed out via Overton and Beningburgh Hall with Kevin and JohnC at the helm.

Bit of a strong headwind in places but conditions were quite good, encountering only a single, heavy shower through Flawith, Helperby and Thornton Manor. A cafe stop probably wasn't necessary but we had one anyway, at Gilchrists in Boroughbridge, before following an identical homeward route to last week.

55 miles and back home in time for the footie results and wins for Airdrie and York City. So, all in all, quite a pleasant day, although I'd be the size of a house if I ate as much every Saturday morning.

[Steen Berg]

Sunday brought out 9 for this weeks challenge ride Nigel Heather Andrew not Graham AndyG JohnB Eric IanH MarkD and self.
Given the company you would have thought it would be straightforward. Point them in the right direction and don't let them get too quick. The first puncher was Nigel so we let him get on with it had something to eat emptied our bladders and a quick chat before the first bank of the day, White Horse. Great decent down Sutton and everyone was up Boltby without any long delays. Then it started to rain. After the ford going up Murton Heights another puncture. Due to the steepness of the Bank getting back on the bikes proved to be an extra challenge. Ladhill Bank at 33% was taken well by all. After Newgate Bank we had knackered rear brake blocks and broken mudguard or fender from Eric. Who decided very wisely as it turned out it was time to get home before anything else fell off his bike. Also at this point it was the first puncture for John or did you get two hear John ?
Lunch was taken at the Glider Club at the top of White Horse. This is a good venue for a stop as the views can be fantastic and the food is as good value as you will find and the service is fast enough. All they need to do is work on the coffee. John had another puncher going down White Horse. This proved to be too much for Heather and Nigel who didn't wait around for the repair to be made. I can understand why they tock off as we were all getting cold standing around in damp gear. It was nearly 3pm by this time Mark had to pass his house in Wass. He said his goodbys and must have been enjoying a warm shower before the remaining 5 reached the top of Wass Bank. We got round all ten banks and headed for home the rain had stopped and we started making up a bit of time. I got to the front of the group but fatigue was getting the better of me and I failed to see a major pot hole until almost on top of it. I avoided it but did not warn those coming up on my wheel. AndyG was not best pleased with a puncture to both his new wheels that he had just bought on Saturday err Sorry.
So that's why it was getting on for 6pm as we entered York covering the 95 miles, 10 very illegitimate banks still not sure how much climbing as no one was really speaking to me by the end.

As for next week Rob and AndyG are busy and I have a two match ban so if you want a Sunday Club Run you better post something up near the end of the working week.

Steen

[IanH]

Hi Steen, it was just under 2,200 metres by my garmin but I've been getting a few strange readings lately

Thanks for organising this epic ride Steen and for the company of the others mentioned above, just as we were going through Strensall with only about 4 miles to go I got the old hunger knock despite the amount of great food I had at the glider club I was struggling to get a gel and an energy bar out of my rear pocket due to wearing my tight fitting waterproof at the same time as losing most of my va va voom, it's amazing how quickly your energy returns after you eat but by this time I was well behind the remaining guys.

Ian H.

[GerardC]

Only myself, Mike R and Jez for the 08:45 ride on Saturday. Despite a couple of heavy showers, the weather largely behaved itself, although the strong wind certainly made its presence felt. We navigated westwards to Tadcaster via Bolton Percy, followed by Bramham, Thorner and eventually Harewood House. From there it was on to Pool in Wharfedale and back home via Kirkby Overblow, Wetherby, Wighill and Askham Bryan. Square-to-square it came to a tad over 66 miles at an average of 17.3 mph.

I would like to offer my thanks to Mike and Jez; Saturday's ride was one of the most enjoyable 08:45 rides I have completed. In particular, Mike deserves special mention for the hard work that he has undertaken over the past year in organising these rides. I, for one, am certainly most grateful. Hopefully the rest of the year can continue in a similar vein.

Gerard

[markdent]

Thanks again to Steen for an epic Sunday - I can't say I was sorry to be turning into my drive at the bottom of Wass Bank and heading straight for the shower!

See you all soon,

Mark D

[Rob]

Great report Steen. Sounds like my sort of ride, shame I missed it. I did get out for a couple of hours in the morning, and in that cold rain, wondered how you were getting on...