I don't think I was destined to complete the ride. I arrived late having taken a wrong turning and driving through York instead of around it. Everyone had gone and there was no-one left to hand me a brevet card. I did however set up my bike and was just about to set off when I dicovered that I'd left my Camelback at home. As I noramlly keep my pump and puncture repait kit in it I decided to not start and put the bike away. 200 mafter setting off for home, I remembered that I'd repacked the pump and puncture kit into a pannier bag that was in the car - back to the car pack and departure two. I set off in the hope that I could catch up with the tail enders - I've done it twice before but never with a 25 minute deficit.
I really enjoyed the brisk ride to Kilburn through some really lovely villages that I's not seen sionce I was a schoolboy on a trip to Mousey Thompson's workshop in Kilburn. I'd been suffereing from a cold and was perspiring more thatn usual. The first real challenge of the ride was White Horse Bank. I resolved to pedal up the entire bank come what may. I did it albeit with two pauses to get my breath back and to allow my pulse to drop to very fast from 'oh my God!'. I'd forgotten how big the White Horse was when I saw it again at close proximity for the first time in thirty years. I rode on past the Yorkshire Gliding Club and on reaching the A170 I made the decision to bail out as I felt a bit off colour.
I rode towards Helmsley and then took the turning for York just before Helmsley itself and headed back to Wiggington. I didn't feel too disappointed. I'm sure that I'd have felt worse with my cold than I do this morning. I feel quite happy about taking on and completing the longest fiercest climb that I've encountered so far. My wife was happy that I got to spend more time with her on her birthday. I got 45 miles under my belt - a respectable distance.
I am going back out there at some stage to explore the loop that I cut out of the ride - my confidence with climbs has move upwards, pardon the pun. I also would love to do White Horse Bank in one continuous go.
I don't think I was destined to complete the ride. I arrived late having taken a wrong turning and driving through York instead of around it. Everyone had gone and there was no-one left to hand me a brevet card. I did however set up my bike and was just about to set off when I dicovered that I'd left my Camelback at home. As I noramlly keep my pump and puncture repait kit in it I decided to not start and put the bike away. 200 mafter setting off for home, I remembered that I'd repacked the pump and puncture kit into a pannier bag that was in the car - back to the car pack and departure two. I set off in the hope that I could catch up with the tail enders - I've done it twice before but never with a 25 minute deficit.
I really enjoyed the brisk ride to Kilburn through some really lovely villages that I's not seen sionce I was a schoolboy on a trip to Mousey Thompson's workshop in Kilburn. I'd been suffereing from a cold and was perspiring more thatn usual. The first real challenge of the ride was White Horse Bank. I resolved to pedal up the entire bank come what may. I did it albeit with two pauses to get my breath back and to allow my pulse to drop to very fast from 'oh my God!'. I'd forgotten how big the White Horse was when I saw it again at close proximity for the first time in thirty years. I rode on past the Yorkshire Gliding Club and on reaching the A170 I made the decision to bail out as I felt a bit off colour.
I rode towards Helmsley and then took the turning for York just before Helmsley itself and headed back to Wiggington. I didn't feel too disappointed. I'm sure that I'd have felt worse with my cold than I do this morning. I feel quite happy about taking on and completing the longest fiercest climb that I've encountered so far. My wife was happy that I got to spend more time with her on her birthday. I got 45 miles under my belt - a respectable distance.
I am going back out there at some stage to explore the loop that I cut out of the ride - my confidence with climbs has move upwards, pardon the pun. I also would love to do White Horse Bank in one continuous go.
It happens sometimes. I had planned a jaunt in the Pennines today, Leeds to Sheffield via Holme Moss and Snake Pass, back over Strines. I'm still at home couldn't be ar$ed with the weather. Need to go into the garage and clean my bikes, might go out on the fixed later. Mrs MSeries was glad of my company on a Sunday morning for a change !!!
I was planning on going for a trundle on my new MTB (!) today, but likewise managed to avoid going out at all. Still, the garage has had a seeing to, esp. George Dawes which I think will be getting a new BB before my next event. Only done 6000 too, but it's very notchy so will have to go.
I was planning on going for a trundle on my new MTB (!) today, but likewise managed to avoid going out at all. Still, the garage has had a seeing to, esp. George Dawes which I think will be getting a new BB before my next event. Only done 6000 too, but it's very notchy so will have to go.
Just been out to the garage fettling lights onto the trailer and replacing my Sante rear mech for an Ultegra long cage. Now the bike is quite happy and can get every gear in the 12-28 cassette, so I shouldn't find it quite so dire on the long climbs. Might do the Law circuit a few times tonight if I feel bored (a 2(?)mile circuit with a 100m height gain, 75m in one go with a peak of 1 in 8).
