Senior Team Meet - June 2019

Alberto and his good lady Jen were kind enough to host a little gathering in Sheriff Hutton, and the team spent the weekend trying to stay in the local pub as long as possible, as well as dodging showers that threatened our every move.

Our delightful base in Sheriff Hutton. The blue sky has been added courtesy of Photoshop ;-)

Thankfully, we only got wet in the pub, Alberto skilfully directing us away from all the large black clouds building over this delightful part of Yorkshire.

Our warm-up ride of 45km took us west to Easingwold, and we were fortunate enough to be joined by Alansandro Prattachi and his wife, who has yet to be christened properly as a club member. But she certainly earned her place, churning relentlessly uphill without complaint!

Setting off for our little warm-up ride. Not sure who the fella with the fuzz is second left...

The following day saw the main event, a 100 km circuit through the Howardian Hills, a lunch stop in the remarkable town of Ampleforth, followed, of course, by the essential club rehydration programme.

A great day out for all, just enough effort not to kill us older chaps, a good lunch in the hospitable White Horse Inn, and the rain only started as we got back to base. Our climb up through Castle Howard was entertaining as our ride coincided with a classic car rally, but we were soon out on the empty roads northwards with views to the North Yorkshire Moors. 

There were no major climbs to endure, but the constantly lumpy terrain meant that we accrued over 1,000m of ascent during the day. It is notable, however, that Heyddie managed two different rides on the same day...I think they call that technical doping...

Beautiful riding, good company, another great GRAC day out. Well done Alberto for the great planning, except, perhaps for the aborted café stop!!

Heyddie sloping off into the distance

Heyddie McFuzz and Jan telling the truth for once...

Heyddie, Alberto and Jan about to descend to Amotherby

View south after leaving Ampleforth

Byland Abbey

Tour de Yorkshire Sportive - May 2019

A chilly start, but the team soon warmed up as the roads climbed north out of Leeds. This year, just five participants: Carlos, Fabian, Jan, Alanssandro and Stewie, but all in good condition for the challenge, despite excessive hydration in the Half Moon the evening before. Stewie had even been working out in the gym!

The team if full pre-ride hydration mode. Alberto (second left) with us in a supporting role ;-)

Carlos, keen to demonstrate just how much time he'd spent on the turbo trainer during the winter set off at a strong pace, trailed by the hapless Fabian (the Prez) who always thinks he can keep up with the younger ones (but can't). And Team Prattachi fell into a good steady pace, keeping together for the duration of the ride.

The team looking brave before the 123km epic

We expected the usual workout on Côte de Greenhow Hill out of Pateley Bridge and the Côte de Otley Chevin, but there was a horrible little surprise waiting for us at Summerbidge, a nasty, gnarly climb out of the valley bottom that was relentlessly steep and completely unexpected. The Prez's heart rate reached 183 bpm...nuff said and he is mightily glad the he's still here to tell the tale!

Jan topping out on Greenhow Hill

At about 30km out, Carlos correctly decided to drop the Prez, and finished 21 minutes ahead of him, but the latter still happy with a 5h32m ride time over 123km with 2,456m of climbing. Carlos, was, naturally, gutted that he didn't smash the 5h barrier. Team Prattachi also posted a respectable time, Jan finishing in 6h 11m.

This year's finisher's medal was the work of Fabian's favourite Yorkshire artist, Mackenzie Thorpe, a nice memento for all the effort. Chapeau all!