Thoroughly enjoyed the 107mile today - a great intro to fast roadie riding. Got round in 6.23 with the help of some fast roadies 🙂
I did see someone with a STW top on - were there others?
I did. 6.23 for the first time around is a great time well done!
We went off at 8ish on the 107. group of 9 of us, with a bloke known as 'fast Andy', he got the 10th best time last year. so set off at lightning pace, totally insane. 4 of us decided to ease up after Whalton as we were averaging about 24mph. we dropped back, then dropped one of the lads at forestburn gate. between there and bilsmoor we caught and passed a few of Fast Andys group, who were all suffering badly. From Otterburn to the Stamfordham it was mental, I got totally shelled out the back of our 3some 3 times, only to get back on 3 times. the road over the moor and the climb over to Wark were two low points!
did it in 6.08, happy with that, great days ride!
PS fast Andy did 5.40, down quite a bit on last year
Yep, the organiser is the chairman of my road club (Peter Harrison/Gosforth Road club). The extra three miles meant I missed gold (again) 5 hours 42 minutes. Nice ride but then I know it as we regularly do sections of it as training rides. If you are local then look at coming back to Newcastle of Winter's Gibbet from Elsdon. Nice hill!
Off to the nationals tomorrow to marshal. Couple of ex club mates in the start list. Chris Bush (amature) and James Moss (Endura Racing).
Ah - so 'warton' you are @stevieheaton? I can guess where you live 😉 I'm also 'sprocdoc'
My pal and I were as a pair until somewhere after Netherton then we jumped on the tail of another pair that came past then caught another 4 to make a decent group. Slightly too fast for me tho' - I lost them up one of the sharp clips after Alwinton but my mate stayed on. After a bit I picked up three lads (two of them Vags I think) and got over to Elsdon. Up over to Greenhaugh one of these three led the way into the wind but knacked himself doing it I think and really struggled on the hill overto Wark. However, they caught me at Matfen and he'd found his legs again but not totally - I went on the front to Stamfordham and after, collecting my mate on the way but he was blowing and couldn't keep up then bonked just before Medburn.
We were going for silver and got it so well chuffed.
We don't road ride that much (more fell running) but often go out from Kirkharle so the gibbet road's a regular. I live out Hexham way so all that Wark stuff is my regular stamping ground.
Another friend had been on to the organisers this week to try to get them to alter the timing for gold because of the detour! He did 6.06, stopped by the metro at Callerton.
Back for more next year definitely.
Paul, I am Stevieheaton! and i live in Whitley Bay, work that one out!