White Rose Classic Sportiv

[Toks]

Anyone elso doing this one? It takes in a few of the Etape Du Dales climbs. So far its just me and Maria I think. Its on June 11th and there's still places available!

http://www.whiteroseclassic.co.uk

[Maria David]

Yep, I've signed up for the White Rose Classic.

I am also going to do the Ron Kitching Challenge ride on Saturday June 24th.
It's 170km from York race course up into the North York Moors, takes in White Horse Bank (a stinker) with the option of riding to Rosedale Abbey via the Chimney - 33% climb (an absolutely hellish stinker). There are shorter options on offer too.

The event takes place in conjunction with the York Rally, a bike show at York race course. (All part of Bike Week).
And just up the road in Beverley, the national road race champs are being disputed, so why not pop along and watch that too. Alternatively if you don't want to go over to Beverley on Sunday, you can always chill out in York and savour the brew at one of the numerous ye olde roman pubs.

[Toks]

A very very challenging ride in absolutely breath taking scenery. Both Maria and I did the 170km version!

Generally well sign posted on a combination of A roads, quiet
country lanes and the odd farm track

Met some great people - a couple of very strong female riders

Managed to get my food intake and hydration spot on, so no usual
energy loss roundabout the four hour mark.

A cool free T shirt

Fleet Moss - A Bloody Tough Gruelling Climb

Failed to get a top 10 place when I lost nearly 25mins following
some riders who were on the course but not part of the ride.

3 or 4 riders that had pretty bad accidents

[Brian Nolan]

Sounds like a great day out - though Conor & I reckon you should try it in the pi**ing rain for the full Yorkshire effect !
do you remember what speed you clocked on the descent from Fleetmoss ? That came in the early, dry part of our ride. The descent is a bit bumpy - enough to give me a scare at 56mph...

[Toks]

Brian mate, I'm not the greatest descender at the best of times so even if my computer was working, which it wasn't, I wouldn't have bothered to look. Yes that is one scarily fast descent. I wouldn't like to think about descending it in the wet! Maria said she was braking a lot and still clocked 45mph. Sadly I saw an ambulance at the bottom of the hill where a couple of people crashed

[Maria David]

I wrote a report on this and then some gremlin in the forum failed to post my article (!!!) so here is the abbreviated version.

Good ride - the sun shone in Otley.

It was basically rolling with many 16% climbs thrown in along the way. The main difficulties came at Fleet Moss and Malham - both of which were 1 in 4's.
Fleet Moss had a one in 4 descent which was pretty scary - like riding down a wall !
Cow and Calf 5 miles from the end was a real sting in the tail. One mile of unrelentless 10% (cf Anerley Hill) in blazing sunshine.
Good atmosphere. I had a good incident free ride (contrary to the unlucky few who came off on Fleet Moss and a bloke I saw who trashed his face after a fall at Greenhow Hill). No hunger knocks, cramps or heat stroke for me so I was pleased and finished ok. Our new found cyclosportive buddies also rode well and were pretty happy with their rides.
Well done to Toks on his gold standard.

No doubt I will be back in the Yorkshire Dales before long - and the sun will shine. It aint that grim up North !