Ramblings

Good to see that the upper valley boys have started their preparation for the 2013 season, I hope to be out with you soon, lets hope that the Autumn weather is better than Summer. The poor weather doesn't appear to be affecting Brian - I haven't seen him for a few weeks but glancing at the CTT results page I see that he has returned 1hr 55min 50miles and a 54min 25mile times over the last couple of weeks - I'm sure he will try to explain to me why these are not good results when I do see him but the look pretty impressive to me.
I dipped a toe in the Sportive world for the 1st time for a few years last Sunday riding the Evens Cycles 'King of the Pennines' , a 101 mile route from Skipton.  I didn't expect there to be many riding this event due to the 'Ride with Brad' sportive from Barnoldswick taking place the same day so I was surprised to find over 500 cyclists signing on at Craven College where we were given breakfast  plus energy bars and gels for the jersey pockets.

I teamed up with an old mate who lives in Skipton, Rick Small, and we went for the 9am start to give ourselves plenty of people to chase.  Rick certainly wasn't short of miles in his legs having just ridden home from the Mediterranean coast with his and his wife's camping gear attached to his bike in 4 panniers. However it didn't stop him being worried that he may be short of speed for the impending 3 Peaks CX. 

The route took us down into Skipton then to Rylstone duck pond but via Stirton to avoid the by-pass roundabout. From Rylstone it was down to Eshton then up to Malham and climbed the left side of the Cove where a good number of riders were already experiencing difficulties - it was going to be a long hard day for some. Over Darnbrook to Arncliffe and up to Kettlewell for the 1st feed - Cake, flapjack, bananas, jellybabies plus gels and energybars and sportsdrinks for your bottles - rather impressive - I was obviously going to finish the ride heavier than when I started.  We then made our way up Langstrothdale and over Fleet Moss, I had been relieved to find that Rick and I were compatible up these climbs as I know that he can really push it climbing when he wants.  We turned right in Gayle then right and right again up to Countersett and Semerwater before taking a left down to Bainbridge.  The rain started at Akrigg but it wasn't cold so we soldiered on to the 2nd feed at Redmire village Hall. We loitered there for some time donning rain jackets when we set off again but taking them off again on the climb from Wensley over to Coverdale - still raining but too warm for the jackets. By the time we were on the climb to the top of Park Rash there were some big strong looking lads struggling but Rick and I, twiddling on our granny-rings were both feeling good and still catching up on the gossip. The descent of Park Rash was taken with care in the rain and after a brief stop at feed 3 at Kilnsey we headed via Grassington and Burnsall to the sting in the tail, the climb over Halton Moor to Embsey and back to the College for our 'goody bag' and meal. At £25 entry it was in fact good value for a great ride.

GET WELL SOON

Ian Wellock - Ian was run down by a motorist who 'didn't see him' (although another vehicle had already stopped in the other lane)  at Outlane roundabout a couple of weeks ago leaving him unconscious and with broken ribs and a broken coller which requred plating. I spoke to him yesterday and he sounds to have regained his usual self and is considering digging out his Turbo.
Clive Williamson - Clive has undergone surgery on his eyes and has invested in some hiking boots, he can be seen rambling over the Calderdale fells waiting for his sight to improve enough for him to return to his bike.

I must have caught the sportive bug 'cos I was going to enter the Rydale Rumble till I found out its been cancelled so I'm going to have a change of scenery anyway and do my own Rumble. I've got a 90 mile route planned this Sunday (26/8) from Sutton Bank car park including Blakey Bank, Rosedale Chimney and White Horse Bank (will shorten route if poor weather). I'm intending to leave Sutton Bank at 8am - if you fancy a day cycling in the North Yorks Moors let me know.