Airedale-Sunday-ride-Kettlewell
Sunday, 29 August 2010 19:43
Robert Wardle
Coxwold becomes Kettlewell on the wish of the wind.
Todays listed ride to Coxwold would have taken us east with a tail wind and riding with the rain clouds, then the thoughts of riding back into the wind was not endearing. After a bit of judicial discussion we set the direction west into the wind and rain with the knowledge that fair weather was forecast from the west. In our thoughts were Malham but this quickly became Kettlewell as the ride over the tops could prove hazardous in the 35 to 40 mph winds. And this worked out just as predicted as, by the time we got to Bolton Abbey the sun was shining & we saw no more rain. The 5 five of us took turns on the front into the wind, including this years most improved new rider Tracey Goodall. Welcome back Mark Thorburn who has rejoined after a period off, he makes a good wind break. The girls outnumbered the boys and also did some great work on the front. Another new rider this year, Kirstin Hommola rode much more confidently in the bunch, in part due to getting her brakes fixed. Predictably the ride back was a breeze, LoL "sorry", so we didn't push it and still made it back by 3 pm. Total miles 61 @ average 14.8 mph.
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Sunday 1st August Buckden
Sunday, 01 August 2010 17:28
Robert Wardle
The Not so Dirty Dozen, yes, we missed all the showers & rode dry.
Apart from a puncture before we started & Hamish with a dodgy wheel, which he smartly slipped off home to swap for a friends bike & 1 chain off, the ride was smooth & brisk. With a dozen (11 at this stage while Hamish fixed his wheel) the group pulled each other along. The route directly up the picturesque Wharfe Valley led us past Bolton Abbey up to Grassington and past Kilnsey Crags onto Kettlewell, Starbotton and before you know it we are in the Cafe & ordering tea and sandwiches, Hamish caught us up there. The conversation was as brisk as the ride as we all buzzing from a great ride out. Conversation covered all sorts including the Hill Climb competition up Weardly bank next Wednesday 11th. Kirstin Can't make it as she has a 5 a side football match, but we hear Bob Pratt is having a go, come on Bob! Must be the pub finish as everyone is keen to either do it or support it. The ride back was a great opportunity for a video of the group returning down Wharfe Valley, see this video on You Tube, search - cycling yorkshire airedale. Buckden total 67 miles 15.2mph average.
Airedale-Sunday-ride-Thirsk
Saturday, 31 July 2010 19:51
Robert Wardle
Thirsk on a great day, and the club out in force.
Yes, we set off with 11 riders including first timer Anna Ghajature who made a brave effort to keep up, & with assistance from Jane & I made good time to Knaresborough, while the rest of the group including Kevin Sayles back up north at working again at Woodrups after 10 years in exile, forged ahead. Well done Anna. After seeing Anna off home with Dad in the car, Jane & I had some catching up to do if we weren't to be arriving for lunch as the others were finishing. We worked well together and with a little less mileage by clipping the odd corner we arrived only 5 minutes after them & before they'd been served, Brilliant! The ride back was just as quick with little or no wind and cool bright conditions. The group makes all the difference, so come on you people thinking of joining a club, "Just Do It". Thirsk 92 miles at average 14.7.
left to right Roy Patchet, Rob Wardle, Kirstin Hommola, Kevin Sayles, Christine Gascoigne, Jane Ramsdale, Dave Hemsley, Peter Mason, Tracey Goodall & Graham.
Airedale-Sunday-ride-Middleton-in-Teesdale
Monday, 12 July 2010 19:32
Robert Wardle
Park & Ride to the near north. They said it'd be windy up north!
9 club members arrived at the square in the village of Leyburn for the park & ride. After the sunny warm days of the previous week, we weren't ready for the cold wind with a hint of rain blowing thorough every fibre of out kit. By the time we stepped out of the car we had capes on, or in my case, optimist that I am, a plastic bag with arm and head holes I just happened to have in the car as I didn't bring a cape, luckily Peter had a spare. As we set off towards Reeth, we immediately started climbing (into the wind) & once on the tops it was howling. If the climbing wasn't hairy enough, the decent was wicked. Wisely, 2 of the party felt they had to turn back before the drop in to Reeth, 1 of whom being very light in weight and not a regular rider. Although the wind didn't drop much during the whole day, at least the sun started to break through accompanied by cheers from Kerstin. It wasn't too long before the capes came off, as much due to the up & down nature of the terrain as to the mean temperature, although it was improving all the time. After lunch in Middleton in Teesdale, (in my case very nice hot beef sandwich almost the size of Sunday roast dinner and very good value) & with the wind veering cross tail we made good ground back via Barnard Castle. We arrived back to Leyburn for around 4.40 congratulating Jane on the route choice and feeling better for the challenge. Would you believe it the winds dropping now! Home by 6.10 & ready for dinner.
 Roy with Kerstin in the background
View from the rear.
Airedale-sunday-ride-Millington
Monday, 05 July 2010 19:57
Robert Wardle
Then again we could go the other way!
As it happens the ride was to Millington and despite the strong wind we headed out with the wind rather than change direction for the tail wind home. With the tail wind pushing us along we averaged 15.6 mph when we arrived at Millington. Of course we pushed it because as Chris Kaye mentioned, "this is too easy". As we neared the sign for Pocklington with only 3 miles to go, Mark & I were on front, guess what! I caught Mark sleeping and set off for the sprint, I nearly took him at the sign, but just as I was contemplating the victory he flew past with half a bike in front. Just time to get my breath back, as I recall there is a nasty little climb at the finish up to Millington, but well warmed up and with the tail wind I make the top just behind Mark well ahead of the Peloton. despite the Head wind we make good progress back dropping just .4 mph in the first 20 miles, but with it being warm dry and windy we were all running out of liquid. While Jane & Mark detoured to Tadcaster for drinks, and Peter decided to wait for Jane at Thorner, 3 of us continued to the store at Adel. Not having ridden for 2 weeks I was suffering now, but with team mates to help I made the 104.5 miles at aveerage 14.8 mph in 7h 09 (which is the same mileage as the Northern Rock sportive but faster). PS mark's not in the picture, he's taking it.
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