V
vernon
Guest
The weekend before last's DIY Audax turned out to be probably the last one
done in shorts in its entirety until the spring. I started this weekend's
DIY 100km Audax ride in shorts and admitted defeat when I reached Ripon
halfway towards my destination of Darlington. I'd had a short break at
Wetherby where the Remembrance Sunday service was taking place on the bridge
over the River Wharfe. It was well attended by ex-service men and the Scout
and Guide movement along with the general public.
I normally enjoy the ride to Darlington but this time despite the sun and
bracing air, a strong North/North-easterly wind was in my face for the
entire ride and was energy sapping. It was a good time however to
re-acquaint myself with the strengths and weaknesses of some of my riding
kit.
Fingerless gloves are definitely out now. When the sun dropped the
temperatures plummeted and my fingers felt the change markedly. I took the
precaution of wearing an amourguard base lyer normally used by rugby
players. It and an Aldi cycle shirt proved to be sufficient for most of the
ride with me resorting to adding an Altura Nevis jacket for the last 10km
for its wind blocking effect. I'm most impressed with the base layer made
by Canterbury. Last year it enabled me to cycle in v. low temperatures with
only two additional layers of clothing on top.
My favourite bit of the ride to Darlington is along the A61 from Ripon
towards Thirsk before branching off towards Northallerton at Busby Stoop
(what a wonderful name!). I was noticeably faster along here possibly
because the headwind was more oblique or because my legs were warmer after
donning tracksuit bottoms. I dropped in to see a friend at Croft and took
advantage of the generous time allocation for DIY 100km perms to have a
cuppa and a chat before getting my final proof of passage in Darlington
before I caught the train back to Leeds. My average speed was a lowly
14km/hr taking pedalling time alone into account and my legs are still
aching after yesterday's exertions.
It's now time to dig out my Aldi winter cycling jacket, Aldi winter gloves
and a thicker wooly hat.
done in shorts in its entirety until the spring. I started this weekend's
DIY 100km Audax ride in shorts and admitted defeat when I reached Ripon
halfway towards my destination of Darlington. I'd had a short break at
Wetherby where the Remembrance Sunday service was taking place on the bridge
over the River Wharfe. It was well attended by ex-service men and the Scout
and Guide movement along with the general public.
I normally enjoy the ride to Darlington but this time despite the sun and
bracing air, a strong North/North-easterly wind was in my face for the
entire ride and was energy sapping. It was a good time however to
re-acquaint myself with the strengths and weaknesses of some of my riding
kit.
Fingerless gloves are definitely out now. When the sun dropped the
temperatures plummeted and my fingers felt the change markedly. I took the
precaution of wearing an amourguard base lyer normally used by rugby
players. It and an Aldi cycle shirt proved to be sufficient for most of the
ride with me resorting to adding an Altura Nevis jacket for the last 10km
for its wind blocking effect. I'm most impressed with the base layer made
by Canterbury. Last year it enabled me to cycle in v. low temperatures with
only two additional layers of clothing on top.
My favourite bit of the ride to Darlington is along the A61 from Ripon
towards Thirsk before branching off towards Northallerton at Busby Stoop
(what a wonderful name!). I was noticeably faster along here possibly
because the headwind was more oblique or because my legs were warmer after
donning tracksuit bottoms. I dropped in to see a friend at Croft and took
advantage of the generous time allocation for DIY 100km perms to have a
cuppa and a chat before getting my final proof of passage in Darlington
before I caught the train back to Leeds. My average speed was a lowly
14km/hr taking pedalling time alone into account and my legs are still
aching after yesterday's exertions.
It's now time to dig out my Aldi winter cycling jacket, Aldi winter gloves
and a thicker wooly hat.
