Yorkshire Road Club 50

[Jon H]

After the 12 hour in August I calculated my average from my 50, 100 & 12 and thought I'd averaged over the 22mph required for a BBAR certificate. Then I realised that my best 50 was done in an association event which didn't count for the BBAR, and my second fastest 50 wasn't quite enough. When the a3crg 50 on bank holiday Monday was cancelled it meant I was searching for a 50 before the end of September on a reasonably fast course. Hence a long trip north yesterday to ride the Yorkshire RC 50 on the A168/A19 near Dishforth.

So three goals:
1) Faster than 2:01:35 for the BBAR.
2) Faster than 2:00:22 for a PB.
3) Under two hours.

Reasonable conditions, better than the forecast I saw anyway. On the way out the windsock on Dishforth airfield was hanging vertical which was a good sign. Seemed to be a bit of wind further up the course near the turn, and some poor road surface there too, but most of the course was pretty good. Two laps made up 48 miles, then back down past the airfield to the finish. I thought the course description had said the finish was by the windsock - the approach was on a long left hand bend, so I could see the windsock but not the side of the road, and my stopwatch was ticking past 1:59. Thought I might just get under two hours, but then the bend opened up and there was no sign of the chequered flag. Knackers, the finish was another half a mile down the road. Finished in 2:00:38, so goal number one achieved, which made the trip worthwhile.

Second part of the story: Tamar was also riding against a pretty strong field in the women's event. She went home happy with 3rd place, and a new PB and club record of 2:06:23.

[Andrew G]

Well done Jon on adding a BBAR Certificate to your SPOCO Gold, and Tamar for adding the 50 record to your 25 and 10 from earlier this year. I expect you'll leave the 100 and 12hr 'til next year now.