Weekend Roundup 2nd/3rd April

[Andrew G]

Seven of us met up on a damp and not very warm Sunday morning - Dr Joe (making a welcome Sunday club run appearance), Jonny, Steen, AndyT, Austin, George (first timer for the Sunday gang) and self. Heading out of York via Wetherby we were wondering if we should be demanding a refund from the Met Office for their promised 14degC or at least a contribution to some warmer attire. The long drag out of Beckwithshaw got the circulation going and by the time we climbed up from Fewston Reservoir the sun was making a long-awaited appearance. Following a fantastic descent down to Askwith we were then amongst the most cyclists any of us have seen outside a sportive. Scarcely a stretch of road didn't have someone on a bike and the road along the River Wharfe to Bolton Abbey was like cycle central.

An excellent cafe stop at the Abbey Tearooms put us in the right frame of mind to tackle the climb up to Greenhow Hill past Stump Cross Caverns. At this point we did join a sportive when we mixed in with riders heading back to Summerbridge. Steen peeled off at Greenhow to get some more climbing in the legs on his way back home near Thirsk. We then benefited from more of a following wind and cruised along Penny Pot Lane to Harrogate at a fair lick.

At this point things went pear-shaped for Dr Joe and Jonny (sounds like a good name for a pair of rappers?!) as they didn't spot us hiding outside the Co-op, 50m beyond the junction, and headed off in the direction of Harrogate town centre. Despite my best efforts to catch them, they obviously had had enough of our company and I couldn't find them. Abject apologies for this guys and hopefully you got with incident? It would never happen if Rob was leading the ride!

All that remained was for us to get a wiggle on and complete the remaining 25 miles or so at race pace (or so we'd like to think!). Great day out and the temperature did rise! Many thanks guys...

[Jonny B]

After Dr Joe and I crested the last climb we made our way along the road and pulled up at the left of the cars parked at the lights, we didn't see you guys waiting for us over on the right. Thanks and sorry. We made our way home via Spofforth and Tockwith. Got home safe and sound see you in the square next Sunday.

[Dr Joe]

Dear Andy & Steen( who I hope got home in good time ), thank you both for what has been truly a great ride. The description above sums up everything about the day that was great including my legendary sense of direction, however the one thing I must disagree with is that you were absolutely superb at leading the ride.

Both Jonny and I managed to not only miss you guys near the co-op, but we decided to Leg it as quickly as we could to see if we could meet up with you the other side of Spofforth as you went through what we only were to assume the other route going via panal, we realised as we got to Cowthorpe that this wasn't going to happen and therefore made our way home for the last leg of the journey via the usual Cowthorpe, Tockwith, LM etc.

By the time we arrived to askam Richard The ride had began to take its toll on me, and so Jonny gracefully accommodated my request to alter our pace to steady cruise pace for the remaining couple of miles. We even bumped into Tony Noon who was the first member of the club to Don the hairy legs( obviously Kevin Norman doesn't count as he wears shorts all year round! Not a surprise if you average cadence of 120 ) , as opposed to the chaps who set off early morning with their Arctic kit.

A superb ride with great company on a beautiful day. It's what it's all about.

[Dr Dave]

we were then amongst the most cyclists any of us have seen outside a sportive. Scarcely a stretch of road didn't have someone on a bike and the road along the River Wharfe to Bolton Abbey was like cycle central.

That road is always like that - especially at weekends. The funny things is that a goodly percentage of the cyclists are women and children - not something that seems to be as prevalent in (flat) York but which operates in the (lumpy) Dales!

[AndyT]

Sunday ride for me also.

Nothing more to add really, great route/views/company/cafe (good chips)

105 miles/16.2mph average/1,725m climbed & 203NP

Was suitably knackered last night and I've eaten everything in the house today

[Tony]

Despite the rain, thirteen of us set off on the Saturday A-ride, in what turned out to be a day beset with mechanical problems.

Simon flatted just past the Stockton Lane roundabout and we were on our way after a long pause, only for someone to request a comfort break at the other end of said lane.

Once onto North Gate we met what turned out to be a steady stream of Wiggle Vale Velo participants coming in the other direction, a trend that continued all the way to Burton Fleming.

I thought the group was holding together quite well, but evidently we went full gas through Howsham and up to Gally Gap (sp?). Apologies to JonG that we were unaware that you got dropped and flatted. We waited a while and sent a search party to no avail. Glad you got home safe and sound.

IIRC, this stop was the first reported incident of Ben snapping spokes.

Perhaps due to the gritty, wet conditions we had some further attrition, leaving eight to head for the coast in tight formation. Thankfully the rain stopped around Grindale and it was smooth sailing into Flamborough and on to the lighthouse.

The Headlands cafe was open and quite busy, While the sun was trying to peek through the clouds we elected to sit inside. The food was OK, but the coffee was lacking; it appeared to be machine made from powder

Rising temperatures and a southerly wind managed to dry up many of the roads for our return trip as we cut through Bridlington, Kilham, Sledmere and Fimber. A few tired legs were evident on the drag out of Thixendale but we certainly enjoyed blasting down to Kirby Underdale.

Stu flatted a couple of times between Bugthorpe and Buttercrambe, while Ben continued pulling spokes. IIRC, between front and back wheels, he lost 3-4 spokes that day.

It was 6pm when we stopped for Stu's second flat, and a couple of guys continued on to avoid the wrath of their SO's, leaving five of us to time-trial it back to York. Chapeau to Stu and Ben for some amazing pulls on the front!

Despite an unpleasant start to the ride (weather), the day certainly got better as it progressed and we got to explore the most easterly point of Yorkshire - a first for some of us.

My Garmin logged 174Km and since it the altimeter is rubbish in the rain, I checked with James near the end of the ride and heard that we climbed ~1,300m
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Oh yes, and on Sunday afternoon I was caught doing a weak impression of Sagan - white jersey, black shorts and hairy legs as I headed West for a spin, encountering Dr Joe and Johnny (?) returning from their adventure.

[dave c]

Joined the A ride for the 1st time since hip hop. Kept up most of the time until I turned off at Kirby Grindlaythe as I had to be back early. Joined by Ian H, Dr Dave and Pete S, we went to Millington via Sledmere, Wetwang, Huggate, Standard route home, 72 miles.

By the way, when are the 2015 members going to be presented with their awards for challenge rides, time trials, road races etc?

Cheers

Dave

[IanH]

By the way, when are the 2015 members going to be presented with their awards for challenge rides, time trials, road races etc?

Was just thinking that the other day Dave.

Ian H.