Photos from National Sportive

Darlo Round 50

4 Hambleton riders made the early 7.30 am start from Northallerton - Jase, Andrew, Karen and Myself. Steady spin up main road for an hour to Darlo Dolphin Centre. Met up with Andy Massey who had cycled out from the Rowntons.
Round 50 is part of Darlington Cycling Festival and is a tourist trial ie you navigate yourself. Jase and Andrew had ridden the route last year and it uses local training roads, so navigation wasnt really a problem. With a slight tailwind we set off at a good pace 18-20mph, back down to Hurworth and then eastwards along tees valley. The first couple of banks had Karen puffing a little but she was fine later on. We gradually began to reel in a couple of groups as we headed south away from Tees onto home roads to Appleton. A sneaky cut down Baker street saw us jump the group we had been tailing. Andy M's family gave us a cheer and shouts of cheats, as we sped through the village!;-)
The pace turned up a notch as we were being pushed by a couple on a tandem. But the HRC train kept the head of the group through the lanes back to Northallerton, and then the turn back into the wind for the homeward stretch. The group had swelled a little and we even got some assistance on the front through to Streetlam. Then the bladders weakened and the HRC group dropped back as all the blokes needed to release some fluid!
Great timing as the heavens opened with the promised showers. Capes on, the HRC 5 got back into the rhythm and the rest of the ride saw us swapping positions with the tandem as they slowed for the hills, but caught us on the flat and descents. Another cheeky alternative route saw us ahead again through Middleton Tyas.
A couple more swaps with the tandem saw us back in front coming down into Croft and then the final 4 miles back along the main road into Darlo. A good HRC team effort and swift pace - Av 18.5 mph for the whole ride, and good banter with the other riders.
Andy M left us at Darlo to cycle home, and wearily the 4 of us decided shortest option home was best. Fortunately the tailwind gave some assistance despite the showers, and the plucky quad of HRC riders eased back home in 54 mins. A fab day out despite the rain - cheers Andrew, Jase, Andy and Mrs P!

So if you fancy a decent ride out with minimum fuss and a good training effort, then check out the next ride - The Round 70 on 4th July from Barnard Castle, or The Castles Ride (85 miles) on 1st Aug from Leyburn.

http://www.darlingtoncyclingclub.co.uk/pedalpower.pdf

See Ride Data below:-
Darlo Round 50+ by redpooley at Garmin Connect - Details

Loch Rannoch - Tandem Ride

Our trip to Scotland for the Bank Holiday weekend combined Orienteering and Cycling. Saturday and sunday we competed at the Scottish Championships Individual Race and Relay both based at Rannoch Forest.

After sundays race we had decided to dust of Peg (Our Tandems name - Orbit Pegasus) after nearly a year of sitting patiently in the shed hoping for a ride out! We thought the tour round the lake would be a sensible challenge. Allow us to refresh our tandem skills - namely talking to one another, and a good spin out for the legs after the 2 days of running in tough forest.
There was quite a breeze blowing east to west down the Loch so I decided we should do a anti - clockwise tour as this would give us a bit more shelter on the return into the wind.
Its a fairly easy ride with a few undulations, but relatively little traffic as its a little off the main tourist route. There were quite a few other cyclists doing the same ride and we got a few smiles and admiring glances as we cruised round.
The forest edge round the Loch is pretty special - wild oak, birch and pine woodland to die for.
We managed the circular ride in 1hr 45 without too much effort and no major dramas or wobbles!

Loch Katrine & Trossachs

Wow what a beautiful sunny day in Scotland. I had promised to save this trip round the Loch for when Karen could join me, and it was to be our longest ride on our Tandem so far.
We had a few issues with a rubbing front wheel and jumping gears but after clearing the pier area at the south of the loch and all the walkers, we soon got into the roller coaster flow of the loch side road. It really is a lovely ride - through gorgeous natural oak woodland, weaving along the east side of the loch.
On one steep downhill section, I decided to try out our rear disc brake as I thought we might need it on the Dukes Pass descent later. Whoops! I had the lever half down for the twisty steep descent, then forgot which way to turn it and ended up full on as we started climbing again. Promptly bringing us to a swift halt and a not so stylish topple over into the verge. No damage to tandem or us fortunately, just a little embarrased!
Carried on round head of Loch to stop for lunch at Stronachlachar Pier - see pics.

Then headed up easy climb, followed by a cool fast downhill past Loch Ard, negotiating a few potholes and tourists cars on the narrow roads. Discussed our strategy for tackling Dukes Pass climb and decided to be safely in granny gear at the base of the climb in Aberfoyle. Just about negotitated the traffic without stopping then the long spinning grind up through the bends. A few impatient cars, but most respecting our need for more space. Had to stop just after first part of climb as both had burning arses! Not yet mastered the art of standing up on pedals at same time to provide some relief. Arses suitably cooled, we pedalled onwards spinning easily to the top. The final cruise down the flowing descent was good fun, getting used to leaning and steering the bike at speed.

All in all a lovely ride in stunning scenery.

Loch Katrine & Trossachs by redpooley at Garmin Connect - Details