Pocklington Pedal Sportive - Wolds Apart

My sympathy on Saturday morning for the clubmates setting out at 5am in sub-zero temperatures on the 'Wiggy 300' was obviously misplaced. The temperature had increased by the time John Doherty and myself left Pocklington for many of the same roads as the 'Wiggy' - and what a joy those roads are, especially in the glorious sunshine.

It's 100 miles of long roads under big skies and takes in some wonderful villages - Wetwang, Sledmere, Warter, Thixendale, Fridaythorpe and then a loop to Stamford Bridge returning via Millington. It is all pretty lumpy terrain and when the road goes uphill it seems to be for a very long time. With bright sunshine, the rolling hills and some narrow gritty roads we could almost imagine Tuscany and the Strade Bianchi !
With 3 different distance rides and several cross-overs there is lots of room for confusion and several riders missed out parts of the course rendering the electronic timing a bit pointless - the organisers did ask riders to clarify their route and promised to improve signing for next time. We found ourselves passing the same riders twice - pushing on as we were in pursuit of a good time, stopping just for a puncture and some fine sandwiches and flapjack at the Stamford Bridge feed.
According to Dwartys Garmin we covered the full 100 miles, with a bit added for one slight detour, and were timed at 5hrs 30 mins, over 18mph average.
Great riding in fantastic countryside that we rarely visit.

Pottering With Pete

Pottering With Pete

Four riders set off this Sunday morning. Oakworth Steve, Pete Horne, Myself and a long missed Steve Barker, who is going really strongly at the moment.

Skipping on past Skipton and on under Kilnsey Cragg, where here 4 became 3 as Steve Barker peeled off to Arncliffe. Thank God, we could knock the pace off a little!

On to Kettlewell, where both me and Oakworth Steve realised the very same thing. Although Pete had missed the 300km Audax on the Saturday, he was to prove he could burn the same number of calories on the Sunday, by adding in a few lumps and bumps along the way. 

Below are a few of the hills we tackled,

Park Rash, (Leaves the legs with a burning irritation!)

Cam Gill Road

Trapping Hill

Greenhow Hill

With a great cafe stop at How Stean Gorge on the way and fair weather. Good practice for the smaller gears and out of the saddle action.

But pottering!!!  Seriously??? HA HA!

Chris Smith