I hope you have all had a Happy Easter and are now looking forward to the summer rides and events stretching ahead of us.
On a serious note to begin with, many of you will be aware for the death of a local cyclist on Garrowby. The reason for mentioning this in the newsletter is to advise people, if riding alone, to carry some form of identification and an emergency contact number with them. It took the Police sometime to identify the casualty after the incident happened.
On a lighter note, some good news sent in by Mike Fielding. NYCC are upgrading the footpath between Rillington & Yedingham lane end, alongside the A64, to a cycle-path. The section, which is finished, is of very smooth tarmac, with ramps at the end to road level. In fact the cycle-path continues beyond the Yedingham junction, but we don't yet know how far it will go. Eventually it will be possible to cycle from just outside Norton to Yedingham lane end without riding on the A64 itself. This will be extremely useful to us & hopefully also to other members.
Whilst we were still in what felt like the deep depths of winter and battling against blizzards on the Wolds PG Tours were on their 20th annual pilgrimage to Majorca.
Read Pete’s report at the end of the news.
Fancying an evening ride now that the nights are beginning to draw out and including some refreshment on the way?
Read John McCloy’s report on the Wednesday Evening jaunts and see if you fancy joining them. (After Pete’s Majorca report)
With April came the first Audax event of the year, Gerry’s Spring 100K from Wigginton. Here’s Gerry’s report.
“ What I hoped were enough cards had been ordered and received, so a few sneaky trips to the office computer and printer and I had route sheets and entry forms for the event (thanks BT!). Entries had been coming in over a month before the event. All I needed was some decent spring weather, some hope! On the day of the event it was dry but windy to start, but unfortunately didn’t stay that way and everyone returned rather damp! All booked entries turned up, which was a first. Lots of people entered on the line meaning 55 set off for a very enjoyable ride despite the mixed weather. As soon as we all left Mike went home to ask Anne to bake some more cakes, as there were so many entries. Many thanks to Mike and Anne for all their efforts and to all the other helpers.”
Also see Martin Weeks report on the DA website.
A plug from Keith for the next event on Saturday 13th May – the Brimham Rocks 100K and if anyone is interested the 300k on the same day. The 300 course is quite gentle, ideal for a first attempt at the distance.
Update on the Café List. It now holds details for 315 establishments and has the top slot up when you type café list into Google UK. So if you’re passing or using a café it’s worthwhile checking the opening times etc. and passing them back to Andy so the list can be kept upto date. Thanks Andy.
The Great Yorkshire Bike Ride on Saturday 17th June 2006.
Wetherby to Filey.
See www.gybr.co.uk for an entry form.
Dave & Lydia have entered and will be staying over in Filey before riding back on the Sunday if anyone would like to join them.
Morecambe Bay
For the second year running, another chance to do the guided walk across Morecambe Bay.
Saturday 1st July - Cycle to Arnside (or make your own way)
Sunday 2nd - Walk across Morecambe Bay or run the half marathon across
Monday 3rd - Cycle home
Contact Peter Gray if interested.
Dumfries & Galloway CTC Birthday Rides - 29th July to 5th August.
One place remaining in the self-catering accommodation on the Dalswinton Estate (5-6 miles from the HQ). All twin rooms, secure cycle storage, all linen provided, all we need to take is food & drink. If you’d like to join us please let me have a £25 deposit.
www.dalswintonestate.co.uk
Tour de France in the UK
Looking even further ahead - July 2007 and we see the Tour de France in the UK. Anyone interested in going down to London to watch the stage should contact Peter Gray. Probably a good idea to book early to avoid disappointment.
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First Climb of the Day
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Sunday Walk - Lunch stop at Dunsop Bridge
The Easter weekend saw the majority of the Social Section joining Dave & Lydia at the Youth Hostel in Slaidburn. We were also joined by Mark Waters of the CTC’s Touring Dept. along with others from Hull, Portsmouth & London. We totalled 15 in all. Despite an energy sapping headwind all the way over from York, we just managed to muster sufficient reserves for rides over the Tatham Fells and across the Trough of Bowland to Lancaster. Our pins were more than happy to go for a stroll on Easter Sunday, just a leisurely 15 miles, during which time Gerry lost his soul in a peat bog…!!! Oops, that should be sole. Time for a new pair, Gerry. I think you’ve had you’re money’s worth out of that pair! How old…??
I think we can all recommend the local hostelry, the Hark to Bounty, the Steak pie especially getting the thumbs up from all who sampled.
Luckily the wind stayed in the west for a brisk ride back to York on the Monday.
A big thank you to Dave & Lydia for organising another successful trip. Just one request, please could you arrange to have the fan turned off next time?!
The 20th PG Tour to Mallorca had very much reduced numbers this year. Why this should be is open to speculation and the following are thoughts:
Folks are getting older and no longer cycling.
The price has gone up far more than inflation over the past 5 years.
Folks want to explore new places.
The choice of venues on the island is now down to two, so rides tend to become familiar.
Some folks have bought properties on the island.
Whatever the reason(s) 17 met up at the Hotel Alicia in Cala Bona on a sunny March 10th, only to be told that the hotel was not expecting them, and had no rooms reserved.
Mainly a paper hiccup, as we had been transferred from the Cala Bona Hotel at short notice after promenade works took longer than planned and would not open until after the end of our holiday.
Timely intervention of our "rep" soon sorted the paperwork out and we were promised rooms within the next 3 hours. This too, proved optimistic as it was well after 4pm before we could unpack. In the meantime Johannes from VeloSportMallorca turned up as arranged and delivered the bikes we had been looking forward to hiring. One or two were not exact fit, as this is the firms busiest time of the year and they could not supply the exact size requested for everyone. This was but a small point as they were all were top class machines and easy to ride. The miles being kilometres spend by so much more quickly and far easier than at home.
A very short ride to the Max Hurzeler Boutique in Sa Coma late that afternoon, sorted out the riding positions on the new bikes and enabled a few more items of cycling clothing to be bought.
The first day is normally to San Salvador and this was taken as read and the lack of granny gears on the bikes did not provide the drawback some us feared. The main market for the hire bikes is the German cyclist, who wants the latest set of gears. Having 10 speed blocks was a first for us all, but only a double chainring did not make it any harder to climb the hills.
Sunday saw half the party zing along the road from Arta to Alcudia and onto Pollensa for lunch. The plan was to come back fairly direct but after the Tour Director was seen heading towards Lluc, the rest changed their minds and followed an hour later. They had ordered the set lunch while PG made do with a banana and Mars Bar. Some things never change. It was a fairly tired party that claimed 98 miles that day, and apart from two doing a 200k Permanent Audax later, proved to be biggest daily mileage of the week. How times have changed from when I first started going to Majorca, when if we did not get a ton in everyday, we thought that we had been short changed. Now, not only far less miles, but folks even have rest days. I suppose that we justify this to ourselves that we get quality miles now rather than quantity.
The idea of sitting down to a locals lunch has far more appeal than it ever did in the past when we made pack ups at the breakfast table and smuggled out.
VeloSportMallorca proved to be far more in tune with our needs than our last supplier and when one member slit a tyre, a visit to their shop in Felanitx had a replacement tyre and tube done in 5 minutes with a smile and without charge. On another occasion when one of the party had a moments lack of concentration and two of them hit the ground, Hannes arrived early next day to repair the damage and return the bikes the same evening. He had to make 50 mile round trip twice and only made a minimal charge for the repair and petrol.
The week ended all too soon with most folks getting a top up tan and a few hundred miles in their legs.
For the cooler winter nights in February we take a winter warm-up with a Curry supper. To make the most of the time for the meal, we do a short route out along the riverbank and the racecourse cycle path to Askham Bar and directly to the Auhasd restaurant at Copmanthorpe for a splendid meal from their varied menu. The restaurant is unlicensed, so it is not unusual to see customers arrive with a bottle in hand, especially as there is an off licence shop close by. A soft tyre was detected on the way home, but there was enough pressure to ensure a safe journey to the Park & Ride car park!
Yet another Sam Smith’s pub, the Tankard at Rufforth allows a pleasant short ride out of the city for a pint (or two) of the Old Brewery Bitter; excellent form as usual and a welcome open fire and company as well. As we went out through the country lanes from Poppleton it was a quick return along the main road afterwards.
The White Swan at Deighton must be one of the busiest pubs along the A19. Run by CAMRA members ?????? They have maintained the reputation for the restaurant and now it is a non smoking pub. A choice of Bank’s Bitter, Mansfield Bitter, (getting rarer!) Marston Pedigree or Red Brick Double Barrel. The return, an easy ride through Naburn on a some what dismal night mad for an early finish.
It was a frosty night for the ride scheduled to Shipton by Beningbrough, and as anticipated there were no takers, so I took the opportunity to combine a ride out of York with the delivery of the latest edition of Ouse Boozer. First stop was the Blacksmith’s Arms at Naburn, long enough without a stop when the temperature was below freezing, even though the wind had dropped. Bank’s Bitter & Marston Pedigree on offer here and a pleasant chat with local a fellow cyclist. On to Deighton I chose to go to Escrick first and the decision was well rewarded by the choice from Theakston Bitter, John Smiths, or, my choice, Eastwood& Sanders, Beyond the Pale, just the thing, if not a bit pricey for a cold night, on then to the Swan at Deighton had the same choice of Bank’s Bitter, Mansfield Bitter, (getting rarer!) Marston Pedigree or Red Brick Double Barrel, can anyone deny that Wolverhampton & Dudley have not introduced the chance of variety? A quick dash back up the cycle track to Fulford and a refreshing half of Hyde’s HPA (that’s Highly Prestigious Ale to you and me!) at the Saddle, yet another W. & D. outlet!
It was still cold for the ride out to the Buck Inn at Appleton Roebuck, so the warm welcome was added to by the traditional Sam Smith pub open fire, and the Old Brewery Bitter. We chose to go through Copmanthorpe on the outward journey, favoured by a tail wind, so felt the difference from the “Siberian” blast on our return through Acaster Malbis and Bishopthorpe, avoiding the flooded road as best we could and it was a relief to get back early into York.
At last we were able to set off in daylight as summer time had been introduced the Sunday before the ride to the Sun at Long Marston, yet another Sam Smith pub. The daylight had brought out one or two extra riders and a lively conversation over the Old Brewery bitter was welcome change and also to have companions on the ride back through Askham Richard, where two fell by the wayside at the Rose & Crown!
I always feel that the official start to summer is the ride to the Cross Keys at Stillingfleet. An excellent sunset set the scene and the warning of a cooler evening to follow was heartened by the Sam Smith Old Brewery Bitter. It was a pleasant ride along the cycle track from Bishopthorpe and the light had almost gone by the time we arrived. One of our members, not a beer convert had a pleasant pint of Sam Smith’s new “Naturally Brewed” Lager at 5%. The sky had clouded over and there was a hint of it becoming warmer when we made our return through Naburn, so perhaps summer is on its way!
Now that the evenings are lighter the rides are extending, but still only for a couple of hours or so on Wednesday evening. Why not join the CTC group meeting 7pm at Leeman Road Gardens. Details of the destinations are also published in the Evening Press each week.
Hope you all enjoy a happy and safe summer’s cycling.
Sally