I used the ride as a proving trial for a new 11 - 28 cassette that I'd
fitted as an alternative to12-23 close ratio one my road bike came fitted
with.
I'm getting better at the pre-Audax malarky and arrived in good time for the
start. An ex-colleague turned up to to experience a calendered Audax having
done a permanane with me back in March. I was greeted by several riders who
I've got to know from the York CTC Audaxes. A prompt start and four miles
later a vist from the p*nct*re fairy. My mate Dave hung around and a new
tube was fitted. Dave is competitive and he led a chase on the riders who's
ridden past us. It's his natural instinct having spent the past 40 year
speed skating. I got sucked into the chase and we hauled all of the riders
in a handul of miles before I persuaded him to consider the ride as a
sociable affair.. The initail part of the route took in some of the
regularly visited villages and towns of Alne, Youlton, Knaresborough (cafe
point and control) and Ripley, Nidd and Ripley before the lumpy bits between
Ripley, Sawley, Risplith, Grantley and Kirkby Malzeard. The lumpy bits were
the testing ground for the changed gearing and much to my suprise I found
every climb rideable though I had to stop half way up a 1:6 to allow my
pulse to drop to a more manageable level before setting off again. I found
it satisfying to see several riders get off and push on the hill knowing
that I'd beaten it by pedal power.
The wide ratios suited my riding style and only once did I find a 'hole' in
the ratios.
The flat leg of the ride was from Ripon back to Easingwold via
Boroughbridge and Dave couldn't curb his racing instincts and hare off
towards the New Inn final checkpoint 20km from the end. I oculdn't muster
the energy to race after him but was content to pootle at 15mph for the last
20km. I couldn't ride any faster, I think I'd not eaten enough to compensate
for the extra work done in the lumpy part of the ride. I discovered that,
by virtue of completing three of York CTC's rides I'm eligible for one of
their bronze medals. Dave gained five minutes on me and for once I was not
last. There were 16 riders still out when I signed out.
In terms of saddle time I'd averaged 13.6 mph. I'm happy with that and I'm
happy with the gearing from the new cassette - I found that I was changing
gears less frequently which is no bad thing in my opinion and that the jumps
between the gears.were not that vast. I'm still considering new chainrings
but I'll try a few more rides before making a firm decision.
As an aside, I have found that I am eating and drinking less than I used to
on a ride. Does one's metabolism change when exercise is taken on a regular
basis?