Week End Round Up 15-16 Aug 2015

[dave c]

Into the West Challenge Ride for me along with 12 others. Great ride over the Dales including Fleet Moss and Park Rash, thanks Dr Dave for a great route.

Cheers

Dave

[IanH]

Thanks Dr Dave, a great ride good weather and company, a rite good day out.

Ian H.

[Dr Dave]

Thanks lads. Also to Ben, Jai, Ian, Rob (Mor), Steen, and Joe who completed the ride - 3 points well earned . Pete S, and Tony G started out with us from the square before turning nr Masham and we were also joined by Neil S from Helperby as far as Middleham.
Was glad the ride went off without incident - I was slighty apprehensive that I was biting off more than we could chew with a more challenging route - Helperby, Middleham, Hawes, Fleet Moss, Kettlewell, Park Rash, Coverdale, East Whitton, Grewelthorpe, Fountains Abbey, Markington, Arkendale, Linton and home. Needn't have worried with a willing and able group that took everything in their stride - 144 miles and 9000ft climbing in lovely weather and the best dales scenery you could wish for.
Will need to devise something even more splendid for next year's challenge ride - watch this space

[Rob]

Just back from 2 and a half weeks in France, split between the Vosges and the Haut Jura. Lots of 2 hour solo 1000m col-bagging rides and some great longer high-altitude family rides. The Route Des Cret in the Vosges keeps you above 1000m for 30-40km. Lots of cyclists about - almost as busy as Buttercrambe on a Wednesday evening in July.

Also pleased to report that nobody spat at me

[IanH]

David, you forgot to mention our epic sports writer Darren but well done on remembering all the other names.

Ian H

[Darren N]

...hope you avoided other well publicised excretions too Rob!

Ha!...well done Ian! Glad you survived that attack by the pterodactyl bee that tried to cart you off at one point. I obviously was a highly forgettable freeloader on Dr Dave’s Wild West ride – huge thanks to the Doc for arranging the day, all of us really appreciate the efforts of anyone who takes the initiative and leads a great day out. I haven’t been up to posting – my brain fell out of my head on Saturday!

Tbh, I didn’t have the legs for a 150 mile ride in the Dales, but once you’re out there, you just have to keep slogging away! In fact the slog into the breeze along Wensleydale from Leyburn to Hawes was only made comfortable by some tight group riding. I loved the impromptu group committee meeting near Kettlewell to decide whether or not we tackle Park Rash: it was Dr Joe who piped up first with a ‘let’s go for it!’ – he obviously hadn’t been psychologically scarred by this climb before…not sure he’ll be so enthusiastic next time. Big thanks also to the great man, Steen, who drifted back and collected up a few of us backmarkers on the charge to Middleham – really appreciated.

Sorry I had to bail out of the group about 9 miles north of Masham. I was worried all day about getting home in time for a celebratory A-level dinner for my son and when the guys headed up the back roads again for Grewelthorpe, I knew I was in desperate trouble. I conferred with the guys about a direct route back and decided to turn back to the main road, rang home to report my predicament, then proceeded to absolutely trash myself in a horrible way on a personal TT from 9 miles north of Masham, through the gauntlet of drunks emerging from Ripon races, then past Boroughbridge with eyes becoming increasingly blurry, and finally home. Fell in the door a zombie-like, goggle-eyed mess at 7.20pm, 146 big ones on the clock - but thankfully I made it to the dinner just about on time. When did everyone else get home? – I never imagined the ride would be so long or so late. Heartiest thanks to Dr Dave and everyone else for a huge ride – still expecting it to take another few days before I feel back to normal again

[Dr Dave]

Really sorry I neglected to mention you Darren - not acceptable reportage and I will need to be more careful in future. TBH I've rather missed your presence on many of the Inters rides this year which makes it slightly strange that I should commit the sin of omission from recall when you are able to make it out. Anyway, glad you arrived back without incurring serious penalties invoked by the management and hope that your evening wasn't too impaired by your exertions.
It was around 7:50 when I got home btw - we had a stop for re-fuelling in Kirkby Malzeard and a few regroupments but otherwise made steady progress.

[Dr Joe]

When it comes to future ''Everest Like'' hill suggestions, i shall be the one with his tail proudly tucked between his legs and with a mouth that is firmly nailed shut !!

I thought Tan Hill was a challenge!

I encountered a new level of fatigue I haven't come across before ..... getting into the garage two things became evident
1) My ears were ringing
2) I couldn't care less how dirty my new bike was .... i didn't even look at the damn thing until Monday evening.

However i have to say, this was by far the best ride i have ever done huge thanks to the group that carried me back and a special thanks to Dave, that part of Yorkshire is just amazing. Taking in the views helped me ignore the cries and murderous screams coming from my thighs.

The old saying stands true, pictures just don't do it justice !

Keep Limping .......

[Dr Joe]

Pics