I took a break from Audax riding and spent the day with a colleague riding
from Otley to the York CTC Rally and back. Ian is a very fit cyclist who
does a lot of off road cycling and is considerably lighter and fitter than
me. Accordingly, he chose the only non flat route between Otley and York.
I normally take on the one climb at Harewood that's unavvoidable but Ian's
route had several climbs between Pool and Wetherby via Dunkeswick and
Sicklinghall but this was tempered by the roads being almost traffic free.
We had a brief halt in Wetherby where we withdrew or spending money for the
show and then pressed on. Ian was using a Garmin satellite thingy to
navigate with and it was doing a very good job at guiding us along the route
that he'd programmed though he had one or two crises of confidence in its
instructions when we approached York. We were both concerned the the poor
weather forecast would lead to a soaking but apart from some rain as I drove
to Otley, the rain held off until we arrived at the racecourse and entered
the catering tent when a thunderstorm commenced and very quickly blew over.
It was the first York Show that I'd attended. I did the Ron Kitching
memorial ride a few years ago but never visited the stands. This time I was
here for the stands and not the ride. There was a very realaxed atmosphere
at the show and I bumped in to folk that I'd meet on Audaxes in Humberside
and West and North Yorks as well as the chap that came to my rescue when my
frame snapped in Preston on a LEJOG ride. I managed to be focussed in my
spending and bought a new pair of SPD trainer/MTB shoes, some yellow bar
tape for my Flying Gate bike and some micro patches for puncture repairs.
Ian was worried by the close attention that I was paying to the tricycles
and the Tricycle Association stands warning me that they were death traps
and that I'd better abandon any notion of ownership. I grinned inwardly and
made a pledge to become an owner of one eventually once I'd got sufficient
spare cash and garage space. A display done by a couple of trials bike
riders was very entertaining. Their one metre high bunny hops were amazing
as were their one wheeled stunts. A leisurely stroll around some more
traders and it was time to set off on the homeward leg. At his point Ian
revealed that he'd received some ribbing about his Garmin and that it had
been christened Gremlin by his riding mates his confession was prompted by a
malfuntion that had it point in random directions.
We set off along the York - Selby cycle path and just as I was telling Ian
about a ride along the path with a different colleague and us discovering
an extended stretch of cherry trees in full fruit we came across a cherry
tree in full fruit. A quick halt and muching commenced. Two riders on
tricycles joined us and being observant they spotted the lust in my eyes and
offered me a trial ride. It didn't start well as the wheels seemed to get
in the way as I tried to get on it. I then ran over my own leg before
pottering off along the cycle path. Turning round I headed back to the
group before the camber of the path overcame my will and ability to travel
in a straight line and I veered off into a hedgerow and nettles much to the
amusement of everyone. I think I've been cured of my tricyle ownership
yearnings. They are too hard to steer.
Meanwhile the wind had built up and on reaching Ricall we aimed for Cawood
then Ulleskelf and Tadcaster. The Garmin still had a pretty odd notion of
where we were meant to be going so it was ignored. Besides, I knew our
intended route well. It was an energy sapping grind on the level with the
wind in our face. I felt flattered when Ian commented on the fact that he
was not coping as well as I was with the wind, I reminded him that he'd be
retracting that as soon as I sniffed a hill. After a quick chocolate
milkshake and a Kit Kat in Tadcaster we set off for Boston Spa . I
immediately felt the strain and had difficulty making my legs power me above
10 mph. I struggled at this pace all the way to Harewood and only then
realised that i'd probably bonked and the milkshake kicked in later than
anticipated. The pace picked up and a 16 - 18 mph leg got us to the
Junction Inn at Otley where, much to our surprise and delight there was a
colleague sitting outside who was suitably impressed with our exploits.
Oh, I nearly forgot. One dead badger between Collingham and Harewood.
All in all a nice day out. I'd maintained an average speed at the upper end
of range recorded to date despite the headwind and bonking. Got some
bargains and for a change the day and route was not dominated by Audax
controls. Back to the Audax toutine next week though. Two more 100km BPs
and I'll qualify for the 3000km Brevet award.
P.S. The cherry trees have yet to peak in their fruiting. Another week
should see a 100-200m stretch of trees laden with tasty fruits.