The Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Challenge July 2015

Brian Anderson's Account of his Ride

Introduction

The 5th Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Challenge took place on Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th July. The challenge was to cycle 146 miles in 2 days on the now well-established and fully signed “Yorkshire Wolds Cycle Route”, a circular route developed and launched by Sustrans in 2011 and now part of the British Cycle Network.

The route starts and finishes at the same place: Norton College, near Malton, North Yorkshire, where the competitors could leave their car if desired. At the end of day 1, there was an overnight camp at Hutton Cranswick Sports & Recreation Centre. Waiting were the competitors' tents and luggage, as well as showers, a barbecue, a licensed bar and live music.

The entry fee was £40 and each rider was expected to raise at least a further £60 in sponsorship for the Ryedale Special Families local charity, supporting families of children with disabilities and special needs (http://www.ryedalespecialfamilies.org.uk/).

Riders set off in small groups of 12 or so, a few minutes apart, between 8.00 am and 9.30 am on the Saturday morning, the slowest and less experienced being asked to go first.

Support was provided by a number of “Guardian Angel” cyclists who watched out for anyone requiring assistance. There was a vehicle offering back-up mechanical support and a St John's Ambulance team was strategically positioned in case of any real emergency.

Click: Images of the Ride on the MagBazPictures Website

Official Website: http://www.yorkshirewoldscyclechallenge.org.uk/index.html

Map:

Map of the 2015 Yorkshire Wolds Ride: 146 miles in 2 Days

This is Brian's Account of his Ride

“It was really good weather for the cycle ride. It rained over the Saturday night, when we were camping at Hutton Cranswick half way round, but during the two days of the ride it was marvellous.

About 180 cyclists stared off round the western half of the circular route, with the long steep climb up Leavening Bank being a real test (I managed that one). Then on toThixendale, which was wonderful, then Huggate, Pocklington and Market Weighton. I started off riding with a group of friends (one man and three women) but I was unable to stay at their pace and so was on my own by about Huggate. I was also feeling quite tired and so consulted the map and decided to cut across to Etton and South Dalton, avoiding the loop around Beverley. This enabled me to miss out quite a bit of the route so that, about half an hour later, I was stretched out on the grass after arriving  at the sports field at Hutton Cranswickby about 3 pm.

I had an excellent shower, although later on people were complaining that there was no hot water left. There was free tea and coffee so I had a pleasant time relaxing, drinking tea and enjoying a piece of flapjack. My friends arrived about 5 pm. In the evening at Hutton Cranswick we enjoyed an excellent BBQand live music, with a few of the local 'Wold Top' beers. I finally hit the sack at about 9 pm after a long hard day. By then I had erected my tent without any of the assistance I usually need. It was a windy and rainy night but the tent stayed up and kept dry. 

The next morningI was up about 6.30 am to take the tent down and have it packed up ready for the collecting vehicle. I ate a lot of cereal and yogurt, not realising that a good breakfast of cereals, yoghurt, bacon and sausage was going to be served. Taking advantage of this, I kept my roll, sausage and bacon for the day's ride. Two cups of tea later, we were off at 8.20 am.

The first period I was cycling along well and keeping up with friends but by Burton Agnes they had moved ahead. We think we rode past the place in the Bridlington area where David Hockney does his painting when in the UK: it was a really beautiful setting. On to Sewerby and along that fabulous beach that leads towards Bridlington. The road then took us to Bempton, Reighton and Hunmanby.

I was supposed meet the friends for lunch just past Forden (where it crosses B1249) and it was a really tough climb out of Hunmanby and up to Forden (I walked this hill). No sign of the friends by then but I had a wonderful pot of tea and a cream scone!

Then came Foxholes, Butterwick, Weaverthorpe (pronounced locally as We'rethrop!) and so to Sledmere. By now I was travelling along with a woman from Kirbymoorside who was faster than me on the straights but slower on the hills, so we rode the last hour together. The 250-degree view from the top of Settrington just before dropping down the big hill was incredible. We swooped down the hill and into Settringtonvillage, getting back to base in Malton at 5 pm. I collected my certificate and a goody bag containing a water bottle, a luminous cycle clip wrap and a few other things.

It really was a bit too much for my level of fitness, I should have trained for something of this length. However, despite being sore and aching the next day, I am very pleased that I did it and I enjoyed the experience and some of those wonderful views.”