Weekend round-up 25th/26st July

[Dr Dave]

The Inters ride to Whitby was a rather strange affair - a case of 10 green bottles in cyclist form! 10 riders left the Square: James, Ben, Kevin, NIgel, Pete S, Dave C, Ian H, Graham, self and one other whose identitiy I forget - apologies. We knew that there was a steady headwind on the outward journey but were anticipating a nice tailwind back. We rode out to Malton via Galley Gap and along the main road. Dave C and Ian had to be home early and so turned back at Malton and Graham seemed to be having an off day and so decided to accompany them - along with the rider who I am failing to recall - so that was us down to 6. We pressed on via Stainton Lane and up Troutsdale - by now the sun was shining and the ride up the valley was sublime albeit against the breeze. At the turning for Hackness, Pete decided to head back leaving a mere 5 of us to climb up through the hairpins and on towards the A171. This isn't the best road for cycling along but there isn't any real alternative so we set about battling the wind and trying to keep in to the verge to avoid the traffic - not all of whom seemed to entirely accept our presence on 'their road' Luckily it wasn't long before we could branch off left and along the B road towards Whitby via a swooping descent that felt hard-earned after 55 miles into the wind.
On entering Whitby, Nigel branched off to visit family so we were down to 4 hungry cyclists picking their way through the hordes to the cafe at the north end of the town. Kevin decided against Fish and Chips but James, Ben and I were soon tucking into a decent plateful with mushy peas and copious quantities of tea
By now it was 3 pm and so the return journey beckoned. Laden with bulging stomachs, the first few miles to Sleights and Grosmont seemed like hard work and the climb to Egton and then up from Egton Bridge were a bit of a grind but once on the Roman road, the miles started to slip by (although it was noted that the wind had slackened appreciably ). A quick drink and bottle fill in Pickering and we were rolling again through to Amotherby and home via Castle Howard - where we rejoined Nigel who had made his way back alone after his family visit - and Flaxton.
All in all an excellent day out with lovely views and clear skies (apart from a brief shower after Flaxton). 121 miles and 8800 ft of clmbing so a good day's cycling - well done to Ben who kept going all day and thanks to James for some strong pulls - especially along the A171
I'm not out for the next 2 Saturdays so if someone can take on the selection of a suitable route that would be great.

[DavidShort]

Fantastic ride! My grandparents used to live up Troutsdale, one of my favourite places. I must join you guys one day.

Cheers David

[Dr Dave]

You'd be most welcome David - it's more 'tortoise' than 'hare' compared to the TTs but we all seem to have a good time

[James Milner]

Many thanks for organising it all Dave. Fish & chips were well and truly spent by the end and I was running on fresh air. A great day out nonetheless with some spectacular views going back over the Moors.

[Rob]

25 years ago this month a rode the CTC 400k Audax down in Essex with mates Nick and Giles. We set off far too fast getting to the first few check points before they opened (impetuosity of youth) and paid an unpleasant price later on. I vowed never again.

Earlier this year Steen cast around the idea of this year's CTC 400, starting in Inverness and heading North. Now these are some of the best cycling roads in Europe, and on Friday Steen, Andrew Lumb and I headed up to Dingwall, just North of Inverness, sampling every rail line between York and there.

And what a ride it was! Wild deserted roads, huge vistas, craggy mountains, sparkling beaches, clear air. Off a 10am start we headed N to Liarg, then NW right across Scotland to the west coast at Laxford Bridge. North to Durness in the top left hand corner, then along the north coast through Tongue where we could see Orkney across the sea to our left. Then south to Helmesdale on the East coast, inland to Liarg and back to Dingwall.

The organisers had laid on check points about every 60k, where you were fed a 3 course meal before off into the wilds again. We left the N coast at about 2230 and the crossed the watershed towards Helmesdale in the dark. At the next check point we got our "heads down" on one of the rows of air-beds/blankets for a couple of hours before pushing on at first light (about 0430).

We were proud to be riding strongly all the way to the finish and even managed to raise the average speed a little over the last few miles. The cognitive power to get changed at the end was less in evidence.

With the ride to the start I clocked 420km, my second longest ride ever. My electronics claimed 4500m of climbing which is more than advertised and 14000 american kcals. These were heavy roads.

This has to go down as one of my favourite ever rides, and by far and away the best Audax.

The journey home went less smoothly, the Scotrail system for booking bikes onto trains was creaking under the strain of the added bike traffic, and we were lucky to get home at all on Sunday evening.... Got to say it was worth it though.

Chapeau to Andrew and Steen, these guys really know how to ride.

[paulM]

Sounds like a right adventure Rob. And that's just the train ride never mind the cycle ride!
Cannot compete with any of the above. a family ride Sunday morning being the best part of the day and 16 miles in fine sunny, warm weather. A light lunch and then out for three hours Sunday pm. Ian H, Rich D, Nigel and Heather all had it time tabled right (but not together) heading home in the dry as I was heading out! I had no expectations of staying dry but managed to get up Yearsley Bank, up the 'orrible climb out of Ampleforth that brings you out at the top of Wass Bank, down into Helmsley and was heading back to Slingsby when the heavens opened and the head wind picked up. Managed to avoid the triathlon at Castle Howard and took a direct route back. A workmanlike performance - 55 miles at just short of a 20mph ave but never felt sparkling.
Anyway enough of me - clinical it maybe but Skys performance was probably the best team performance I've ever seen and Chris Froomes victory was superb and a great performance from all the British riders - 3 individual stage winners in what must have been one of the hardest editions in recent history. Desperately sad that success seems to breed suspicion but personally I think the success comes from attention to detail and a team that simply has only one agenda. We are spoilt - not so long ago who could have imagined this - it seems almost routine now but it shouldn't be taken for granted!

[Rob]

Got to agree Paul. Just caught up with the weekend stages, and, although I knew the results, I was getting goose-bumps. Can't remember seeing riders so completely empty themselves (apart from our hill climb of course), heroes everywhere.