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