Wow, how lucky can we be? Could the weather be more perfect? Beautiful blue skies, sunshine and very little wind. It was quite a cold start but suitable clothing soon sorts that out as does avoiding an 8am start.

 

 

Neil and I set out shortly after 9am with me concerned about the distance, the hills and being with Neil… and he had decided to ride his race bike.

 

I was much more inclined for him to ride his heavier Trek or even his winter lump of a Pete Dunn… but no, get the light one out.

 

The only thing in his favour was the strength training he had done on Saturday which might have tired him a little (I didn’t notice him tiring).

 

So off we went with me holding Neil’s wheel. Not bad until corners when he seemed to race away, and I had to work hard to get back to him.

 

When he asked how I was doing I said, “OK”, but his response was, “You’ll have to work on your cornering.”

 

Rather than telling him what to do with the cornering I gritted my teeth, but I think he might have noticed I was quiet!

 

However, soon had to speak when my rear tyre exploded – a piece of flint had torn through the edge.  “Neil, I’ve punctured.” (imagine slightly whiny voice).

 

I then help as best I can getting the wheel out and pumping the new tube a little, but he is sooo much better at it.

 

Everyone passing asked if we were OK and if we had everything we needed, which was very nice, and it gave me chance to get some photos…

 

“Smile for the camera Neil, ha! ha!”  It was Neil’s turn to grit his teeth!

 

 

Off we went and the miles passed quickly with beautiful views and very quiet roads. We caught up with a lad just past Thixendale Brow. Neil nearly gave him a heart attack when he came alongside and said, “Morning!”

 

Up Millington Woods we passed a large group of Selby cyclists who were heading for their freewheel event (two weeks to Hull Thursday’s freewheel race. Can anyone beat Mike Pickering?)

 

I insisted on a photo of the view, which might not have been a good idea as we had to pass them all again.

 

 

Into the feed station and hero Andy used the track pump to get me up to pressure. Food and drink. Chatted to ‘the lad’ (Jake, a friend of Ed Walker’s) and invited him to join us.

 

He wasn’t sure earlier if it was OK to tag on ‘Neil’s wheel’, but we assured him it was.  It was his first venture into this area and it was lovely to hear how much he was enjoying the quiet roads and the beautiful scenery.

 

We were soon on the nasty climb on the main road, then some respite before Nunburnholme.  I now had two people to wait for me at the top, then just four small climbs for my tiring legs. We arrived at base with a 17mph average pace, the Garmins showing 67 miles distance and 4,000ft of climbing.

 

Sitting down to chilli and rice was very welcome, along with a couple of cups of tea. Neil cycled home whilst I waited for a friend who had come over for the ride which gave me chance to help out.

 

Top marks to Les and all the other volunteer helpers. The route marking was excellent, the feed station brilliant (thanks Andy and George, where was Will?) and the organisation at the base ran really smoothly with perfect catering and facilities.

 

Mandy Dean