York CTC News:


York CTC Newsletter - January 2006

SOCIAL EVENTS CALENDAR FOR 2006

Final Words



York CTC Newsletter - January 2006


The aim will be circulate three times a year to help keep everyone in touch with our activities. If you have any news items or suggestions for new routes/ destinations/ cafes/ weekends away etc that you’d like to share, please let me know and I can include details in the next circulation.

So before giving particulars of events/rides that are already on the calendar for 2006, let’s have a recap of 2005. The Social Section has continued to enjoy a good turnout throughout 2005. With numbers regularly in the teens over summer although no new members have joined us this last year. The Inters have had a moderate year with a few new riders joining them. Bill Baker continues to be the mainstay although he is threatening not to lead the 8am starts – watch this space for further details.
Reflecting on all the events we have taken part in, when all pulled together it’s a pretty impressive list of activities that I’m sure many a club would be envious of. We are luck to have amongst us such willing and competent organisers.

The 2005 locally organised Audax events proved very popular with Gerry’s two 100k events attracting a total of 66 riders, the Easingwold series managed 69 but the highest number was the Wiggy 300/100 event with 82 riders.
A big pat on the back for Brett Hill who completed the LEL, well done Brett! To read more about Brett’s build up to the LEL and his experience of the event see his article at the end of the Newsletter.

For many of us the thought of a certain sun kissed Mediterranean island keeps us going through the deep, dark months post Christmas and for 2005 it was to be the resort of Palma Nova, Majorca. Disappointingly without our illustrious leader this time round. We had to survive without PG and thanks to Brett, who willingly filled Pete’s shoes, all went smoothly and a good time was had by all. However, I don’t expect we will be patronising Herr Rompelberg’s establishment in the future!

So we were all set up for a cycling packed year. After Easter in the Lakes, based at Cockermouth, it was on to plenty of weekends way including Whitby, Kirkby Stephen, Spurn Point and Arnside, where a walk across the infamous Morecambe Bay Sands was included. 18 of us set out and thankfully 18 returned!

Midsummer saw groups on tours in Normandy and the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland where the weather was exceptional for both tours. The French trip was a great success with ample cultural and gastronomic delights as well as quiet rural lanes ideal for cycling. Our thanks go to John Savin (mate of PG’s) for organising this tour and for agreeing to organise another for 2006.
Dave’s Irish trip was another success. We know Dave’s good but how did he manage to arrange the sun to shine on us all week?? With time in Dublin to sample the night life and plenty of leisurely riding through quite picturesque countryside and over moorland and mountain passes, there was no excuse for not partaking of the local beverage. And it’s not true, it doesn’t always rain in Ireland. It must have been one of the driest July’s on record. How disappointed were we not to see any Irish rain….?? Not!

More weekends away including Dent, Whitby again and also a group tackling the Dales Three Peaks, I hasten to add walking not cycling!

Into the last quarter of the year, but still plenty going on with two PG Tours trips to enjoy. Here are Pete’s reflections on his tours and the Tockwith Service: 

“September was the MTB week in Wales, based just 3 miles from Llanrwst, which is not far, but at 850 feet above the town, it presented quite a challenge to the end of any (all) rides. There was a choice of 3 roads, hard, harder and hardest. The only easy way was when we had a car assist for a cycle and train ride on the Great Little Trains of Wales, well two of them. It was a superb farmhouse that had been extended with extensive views of the Conway Valley and the Snowden mountain range. With the setting sun it was very picturesque and inviting. In the morning with the sun catching the tops, it looked, well challenging. Although originally these weeks were started with the main aim of Mountain Biking, more punters are taking their road bikes with them and using tarmac surfaces for great days out. There was a wealth of minor roads to choose from and unlimited hills to climb. There was (in theory) several footpaths, although in practice, those outside of the National Park had "lost" their finger posts.

The highlight for those with Mountain Bikes was the climbing and descent of Snowden. The only proper mountain in Britain that has bridleways in all directions. Although it was a struggle to carry the bike the last mile from the Miners track to the Pyg, it was worth the effort for a fast effortless descent some 30 minutes later.
Early November saw 8 in Majorca at the cyclist friendly Cala Bona Hotel. Although it did rain on part of 3 days, it never stopped us going out every day and riding in shorts all the time. The usual rides to San Salvador, Randa and Alcudia were all made, but no big mileages, as it was billed as a "Wind down" trip. Even the bike shop at Manacor did not get its usual visit. Probably to do with the price of equipment as much as anything. Hannes from Velo Sport supplied first class machine and when John suffered a broken derailleur one afternoon, he arranged to come out that evening and change it. Small wonder that we hire from him every time now.

The carol service at Tockwith saw increased numbers after several years of falling attendances. The service has remained unchanged for a decade now and is so popular that the supply of hymn sheets ran out and had to be supplemented by the church's hymn books. The catering by the Tockwith Under 5’s Group again did us proud. Most of the food was home made and for a fiver you were allowed as much as you wanted.”

The year is almost at an end now so it just remained to organise a ride out Christmas Lunch. Despite a bitterly cold day 21 of us cycled out to the Castle Inn at Cawood. We were very well looked after by the hospitable landlady, Alex. She opened up early so we could get in out of the cold. We were all ready for a hearty lunch and we weren’t to be disappointed. Then it was back to York for most of us and the Fox & Roman for liqueur coffees to round off the day and an excellent year’s cycling.

I think that has just about covered the majority of the sections activities for 2005, it just remains to say a huge thank you to all who have organised these events, holidays and weekends away which we have all thoroughly enjoyed. It is appreciated.

So onwards and upwards!
Diaries at the ready.
What do we have in store for 2006?



SOCIAL EVENTS CALENDAR FOR 2006


2006 Audax events:
Please consult the Runs List for event dates.
There are a couple of omissions from last year’s programme. Keith will not be running the hilly September event and Ann has bowed out of organising the Easingwold 200k, however the 100 and 50k events will still run, organised by Gerry.
Coming up first this year is Gerry’s 100k on the 2nd April followed by the GHS (both start at Wigginton). Last year’s GHS attracted a record 38 riders. Keith hopes we can better it this year.
A new addition to the calendar and for one year only. Gerry will be celebrating his 50th birthday by organising a 50 mile event in August. Details to follow.

Walking Weekend:
18th & 19th Feb - Malhamdale. Contact Dave F.

Awards Evening:
Saturday 25th Feb. 7.30pm Beechwood Close Hotel. Ticket £8 from Keith.

Majorca Trip :
March – Cala Bona. See PG.

Whitby:
25th & 26th March. 9am from the Station on Saturday. Staying Whitby YHA. Contact Dave F.

Easter:
14th to 17th April - Slaidburn YH. Contact Dave F.

GHS:
23rd April from Wigginton.

May Day Bank Holiday w/e:
To be arranged. Possibly Langdon Beck or Alston YH

8th to 11th May Isle of Man. Ferry from Heysham. B&B. PG Mini Tours.

Whit Bank Holiday w/e:
27th to 30th May - Holderness & Spurn Point. Contact Andy Gibson, Leeds Section.

Normandy Tour:
11th to 18th June. FULLY BOOKED.

YORK RALLY 24th & 25th June

Northumberland:
7th to 9th July. Staying at Once Brewed YH. Walking & cycling. Contact Dave F.

CTC Birthday Rides:
29th July to 5th August - Dumfries & Galloway
Looking to book a self-catering cottage for 6-8. Contact Sally

Semaine Federale:
30th July to 6th August. Based at Chateauroux, Loire. http://www.sf2006.org/

Gerry’s 50th Birthday Ride: 20th August

August Bank Holiday w/e:
26th & 27th August. Joint with Leeds Section to Kirkby Stephen. Contact Andy Gibson.

Lakeland Passes:
15th to 17th Sept. Staying at Patterdale (15th) & Wastwater (16th) YH’s. Contact Dave F.

MTB Week:
15th to 22nd Sept – Eskdale. See PG


Note: For weekends organised by Dave please contact him in the first instance so he has an idea of numbers, then book yourself into the appropriate hostel.



Final Words


See you there!! Happy pedalling.

Sally