Pit Ponies 100 km from Darlo - now Sunday 17/12/23

[Deano]

*** Postponed to Sunday 17th December 2023 ***



I'm getting a few entries for this day out on the rail trails, but there's space for a few more before I order cards.

We've got the Hart-Haswell line, the Castle Eden Way and Genesis, as the route finishes along the old Darlington to Stockton railway. Plus the usable cyclepath alongside the A66, the really lovely cyclepath between Hartburn and Eaglescliffe and a few other bits to make it a decent day out with lots of traffic-free sections and plenty of hounds. There is an urban bit through Hartlepool, but that's just MSeries bait, and I like riding past Victoria Park*,

This year's route is here (same as last year, pending final checks): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38059170

I've booked the hall again for the start and finish, with food on the go. You can enter here: https://www.audax.uk/event-details/10599-pit_ponies

*even if it's laughably know as Suits Direct Stadium nowadays.

[Socks]

Nice event and great hospitality - entry sent.

[Deano]

See you there, Dave.

PS I hope you all bring mudguards - not just cos the tracks can get a bit sloppy this time of year, but I have a large number of mudguard stickers to offload

[L CC]

I probably won't ride but Mr Smith probably will.
Shout if you need assistance.

[Deano]

I probably won't ride but Mr Smith probably will.
Shout if you need assistance.

PTSD from the Seal Sands road?

I'll be in touch, I need some help at the finish.

[atk]

Gutted I can't make it this year. Hope you get a good turn out!

[Deano]

I've re-opened entries since I had a few requests and some riders weren't able to make the rearranged date.

It's 30 years this year since the closure of the last deep pit in County Durham, and while there are better ways to mark the occasion, I expect at least one pithead photo from every rider.

[Peter]

Nice to see the Dave Yates again.

[Deano]

I keep telling riders it's the perfect bike for this ride, but they still keep turning up on mountain bikes. Not that MTBs aren't welcome, but there's overkill and overkill.

[aidan.f]

D'y reckon it's trikable? - I know there are some narrow bits.. which would add some fun..

I have been asked if you can fit mudguards onna trike.* I'm not sure spraying mud will make me very popular**

*Well yes, you can, but required fettling up custom stays and axle clamps.

** Tricycle rear wheels are exempt from the AUK mudguard rulze 

[canny colin]

 I have a set aidan.f ,you can use for the event . Trykit , stainless steel stays , black mudguard and fit a disc rear axel .  designed for 27" x 1 1/4 but you can fit 700c studded or cyclocross tyres . Ha no excuses now !!!. 

[Deano]

Mudguards aren't compulsory on this or any of my events! But they're a good idea here.

Trike-wise, go for it, the only narrow bits I can think of are the back way into Saltholme (and you know you can just main road that bit), one or two sections of the Hart-Haswell path and the bit through the woods into Station Town.

I can't think of any stupid gates, but if I've forgotten any, someone make sure and get a photo of Aidan lifting his trike over them

[Deano]

I have a set aidan.f ,you can use for the event . Trykit , stainless steel stays , black mudguard and fit a disc rear axel .  designed for 27" x 1 1/4 but you can fit 700c studded or cyclocross tyres . Ha no excuses now !!!.

Still don't have your entry Colin, you have until tomorrow

[canny colin]

Bugger i have succumbed , to the intense pressure .  I have the mudguards but no working trike , spanner time .

[Dingham]

Some moments from Dean’s Pit Ponies Audax ….
the low key, friendly start;
admiring the skill of the trike riders on the narrow paths and cambers;
crossing the Infinity Bridge (to Infinity and beyond?);
a distant view of the Transporter bridge across the nature reserve;
bowling along the big road to Seaton Carew with a howling tailwind;  weird distant structures that turned out to be a group of masts at the wind turbine factory;
Seaton Carew, its monumental loo, and the seaside;
miles and miles of clarty rail paths (though drier than they could have been!);
getting slightly lost after a Garmin fritz, relief on relocating!;
a few Millenium Milesposts;
the lovely lanes from Aislaby;
the final rail trail in the dark - glad to have good lights, the Garmin running on fumes;
the buzz at the finish, with some good grub too;
the stamped brevet card and realising it was my first Audax of the 2023/4 season.
Many thanks to Dean and his helpers for a grand day out.

Pithead photo ...

[Peter]

Great summary, Dingham.  One day, I might make that ride but i know I've probably run out of time.  Lovely picture.

[Socks]

And thanks for your company for part of the ride Dingham.  (I was the old gadgey on the recumbent).

[Peter]

Old Gadgey!  Got to love the North-East!

[Deano]

Cheers Paul, and I'm glad someone made the effort! I did suggest you lock your bike in case of theft, I should have mentioned I'd have been the likeliest culprit, it's gorgeous. The Seal Sands road has a much less post-apocalyptic vibe nowadays as they've finally finished stripping down the massive container ship that was there for years.

I took a few photos at the start, and a helper got a few out on the route, they're all here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/N6wA2LLs6B3vfkm68

Some trike action, one trike go through, other trike no go through.




There were 30 riders on the day, all finished, the youngest was 11, and the oldest was.. not 11.