Had an eventful ride today! One set of car keys locked in car (Yvonne) - Green Flag to the rescue; two punctures in the same tyre resulting in a taxi ride back to Helmsley (David); two flooded roads (rode through one but had to detour round the second); one wasp sting; one bit of tree blown onto helmet; and one dropped ice cream (Richard).
Peter, Pauline, Berni, Tim, Richard, David, Graham B, Yvonne and I all did at least part of the ride. Yvonne ended up driving to Hovingham and met us at Castle Howard for lunch then rode some of the afternoon ride with us.
It's been a few years since we've held the 100 mile flat ride so we resurrected it this year. Seventeen members and one guest completed the ride from Brompton via Thirsk and Easingwold to Newton upon Ouse and back to Brompton via Boroughbridge, Ripon, Bedale and Kirkby Fleetham.
I cut the corner off my planned route, thinking I had a mile or so in hand. Unfortunately that was not the case and we arrived back in Brompton having done just over 98 miles so we cycled round and round the village much to the bemusement of residents until we clocked up the century.
Graham Banks, John Hallet, John Turner, Alec and I cracked on at a pace, I'd averaged 13.9mph over the whole 71 miles. We were faster than that in the first half. So it was definitely a faster ride which everyone enjoyed. Only one cafe stop at Alston - had intended to stop first at the top of Hartside but the cafe wasn't serving due to a water problem. Then after Alston we just carried on. I was pleased I managed to keep up with them though I was tired at the end.
