A cool breezy day was almost perfect for the latest running of this popular charity ride, from Easingwold, N Yorks. 

A swift one hour drive from home and i was there in plenty of time, a chance to chat to riders I have seen before and  get ready before the 0930 start,as about 200 itchy riders lined up.

As soon as the route left easingwold high street riders from Yorks Road Club, Dinningtton Rc and other clubs well represented lifted the pace and despite taking in Terrington Bank and climbs around castle Howard we covered 21 miles in the first hour.  Ridng in the front group of about 30 riders I was glad i had left the  saddle bag and kitchen sink at home! 

The was the flavour of things as the ride was fairly flat for the next hour and we flew past Flamigo Land and out towards Ampleforth.

Some roads were narrow and with gravel on teh bends, but good shouts from those at the  front meant a safe  ride.  Although i did come close to riding on the grass verge whilst trying to catch up to the group on one descent!

 There is some lovely scenery out there, (so i am told as i was watching wheels, and chewing my stem quite a lot) and the climbs around Hovingham were taken with the thought that it was better to suffer and shove the HRM into 90%+  than lose the group and have to ride alone

 The inevitable happened after 53 miles and 2 hrs 40 in the saddle, the  climb to Ampleforth just  took too much and the group pulled away, as fatigue set in I eased back stoked the engine with nutragrain and hoped for a second wind

 I didn’t have to wait long as at 59 miles i hooked up with a rider from Scarborough who had shipped his chain and got dropped and we  rode together to finish the 70 mile route in 3hrs35 mins,

It isn’t compulsory to try andkeep up with the front group and there are cafes en route if anyone fancies an easier day

 How about a few Thorpers next year?