Recent rides

Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wednesday Rides
L'Etape Des Poddlers
Hello here is the ride report for the Garmin Chepoddle team on Wednesday 28th July, 2010....(And I promise it will be the last!!!) Due to a media blackout the details and photos of the Giro de Littlethorpe have been difficult to come by. However it is known that the big boys and girls of team Wirelesshut and the EG’s of team Astana Stairlift, failed to follow the route and seemed to get stuck in feeding stations and thus were disqualified, leaving the Garmin Chepoddle team to compete against themselves for the winning glory in this the 2010 Giro. Having left Hornbeam start point and heading towards Knaresborough Low Bridge the finish of the first sprint, downhill sprinter Cancellouta had a clear win, despite Dave Prestonio from Astana Stairlift sneaking in first, from his first breakfast at Morrison feeding station. Other members from team Astana Stairlift were gathering to work out where the breakfasts of the day could be taken. Team Wirelesshut finally arrived obviously suffering from the heat and bronchitus, seemingly very out of condition. There was a sudden team takeover, as Wirelesshut poached grimpeur Surge on Sanchez from Garmin Chepoddle. Undaunted the plucky team continued on its way to Farnham and Copgrove, leaving both Stana and Wireless confused, breathless and behind. Along the col du Rock Cottage Cattery the pucheurs of Wirelesshut surged upwards and headed off in the wrong direction led by Richard Popovich. As the main peloton including the legendary El Butler, Caroline Cancellouta, Liz Leipheimer a training partner of Richard Popovich, Suzy Shleck having lost none of her form despite a month debauchery and high living, John Vander Voode, Wonderful Wonderful Sue Bossen Hagen, Maxel Mercx and Calex Evans pushed on to Bishop Monkton, it became obvious that John Vander Voode was having problems, and not knowing whether these were personal or mechanical, the ladies of the team took the advantage, threw off their domestic status, did not slow the peloton down and went en bloc on the sprint towards Littlethorpe.

Another sprint stage saw the echappees form another breakaway group, and El Butler and Cancellouta reached Newby Hall and Boroughbridge gaining several minutes over the main peloton. El Butler would leave this tour with several new spotty, green, white and yellow jumpers, Dorothy would not be pleased about more washing, she has enough to do with the lunches. A nasty chute was avoided as the whole Astana Stairlift team were seen leaving their fifth breakfast feeding station of the day.... oblivious to the Garmin Chepoddle team, who had luckily seen them rolling all over the road in central Boroughbridge. Any previously gained lead was vastly reduced, when, in the final sprint stage of the day, between Minskip and Staveley, a head wind threw Cancellouta back to the main peloton, searching for the voiture balai. John Vander Voode suffered more mechanical problems, but unlike Contador, El Butler stopped to help Vander Voode, who was in a Schleklike situation, and acted as his poisson pilote, to lead him out to a near victory on the terrifying Col du Knaresborough. The victory in this stage of the Giro was snatched at the last minute by Calex Evans who was on excellent form due to his training partner, the up and coming Wonderful wonderful Sue Bossen Hagen's, strict training regime. About 33 miles in conditions perfect for cycling, with a superb team. The Lantern Rouge. CG

Wheel Easy Ride Report
Six trusting souls including Malcolm's bike on loan followed Richard vaguely in the general direction of Easingwold.
But from Thornton Bridge and a black cloud Thirsk sounded the better first call for coffee. So spoons it was for the larger appetites at 30 miles done and little climbing, just in time for last orders breakfasts (not all).
Thus laden a few rolling hills under the White Horse and Coxwold and for the thirsty a tea stop in Boroughbridge. Brian had to rush off for his plane with the photos still wondering where Easingwold was. Seven @ 66 miles and 900 ft climbed. Richard P

EG's Ride Report
A solitary EG on his way down to Low Bridge was joined by Caroline and Alec, so a pleasant conversation was had, DP unaware that we were being followed by the Poddlers and Wheel Easy Wednesday`ers.
So it was a gathering of Wheel Easy at Low Bridge comprising EG`s, Poddlers and Wednesday`ers.
Soon it was only nine EG`s left as the rest sped away, the EG`s then headed in the direction of Easingwold but not before having a TTT stop (Tea & Toasted Teacakes) in Boroughbridge.
One of the topics of conversation was Tuesday night`s cycling programmes on BBC4, especially the bit about Portland in Oregon as the USA`s best cycling city, especially the young lady (an art student) clad in a pair of shorts (nothing else but a smile) inviting people to draw works of art on her body, the programme presenter of course drew a bicycle on her thigh.
It was unanimously agreed she should be sent a Wheel Easy Membership Form, with Peter B saying he would mend all her punctures if she came on our rides.
Soon we were heading out of Fishergate only to be met by Caroline leading the Poddlers Peloton with a worried look on her face as she asked us if we had left any cakes for them. As it had been a relatively short cafe stop the Poddlers were in luck.
Then on to Easingwold unfortunately timewise to be at Cafe 21`s busy period , so it was on to Crayke and Sutton-on-the-Forest for lunch.
Here Terry regaled us with his experiences as a Licensed Victualer in central Wakefield. These experiences are not for the timid, so will not be reported here, in case they are read by someone of a nervous disposition.
The return to Harrogate was via Beningbrough, here a quick poll was made whether we should have a cake stop, the nay`s were in a slight majority, though the aye`s complained at that moment they were with the Lantern Rouge. As compensation a banana break was taken at Branton Green.
Then it was into Knaresborough and Harrogate in good order, good weather and good spirits, max mileage (those to the west of Harrogate) around 63 to 65 miles. Dave P

Evening Ride Report
Five of us gathered at 6:30pm including a few Americans! We decided on a 20 mile route to Norwood and past Menwith Hill, through Hampsthwaite and finally back over the ford and up Knox Lane. I was shocked that we managed 20 miles at an average of 16mph. It was a fantastic fast and excellent ride. I hope there are more to come. Ben

2010 Wheel Easy Miles (approx) Today 1369 YTD 87166