Author Topic: Pit Ponies 100 from Darlington - Saturday 03/12/2022  (Read 1677 times)

Pit Ponies 100 from Darlington - Saturday 03/12/2022
« on: 31 August, 2022, 11:08:54 pm »


Another day out on the rail trails. 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. There is an urban bit through Hartlepool, but that's just MSeries bait, and I like riding past Victoria Park*,

I've changed the route a lot from last year (the thread's here with a few photos: https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=121127.0) as I didn't fancy the transit of Durham again, and it's a fair bit flatter.

This year's route is here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38059170

I'll book the hall again for the start and finish, with plenty of food on the go. You can enter here: https://audax.uk/event-details/9677-pit_ponies

And for an extra bit of MSeries bait...



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

Re: Pit Ponies 100 from Darlington - Saturday 03/12/2022
« Reply #1 on: 01 September, 2022, 01:00:27 pm »
It's a retro-commute  ;D

Re: Pit Ponies 100 from Darlington - Saturday 03/12/2022
« Reply #2 on: 03 September, 2022, 02:57:13 pm »
Enjoyed last year's event, I've entered again.  Plenty of time to think about which bike to use.
Sunshine approaching from the South.

First time in 1,000 years.

Re: Pit Ponies 100 from Darlington - Saturday 03/12/2022
« Reply #3 on: 11 September, 2022, 11:23:17 am »
It's a retro-commute  ;D

Same here - that was one of my routes to St. Ockton, though the bridge at Long Newton didn't exist then.

Re: Pit Ponies 100 from Darlington - Saturday 03/12/2022
« Reply #4 on: 17 September, 2022, 01:07:13 pm »
Have to admit this looks fun. Better pump some tyres up…

Re: Pit Ponies 100 from Darlington - Saturday 03/12/2022
« Reply #5 on: 26 September, 2022, 09:30:33 pm »
I rode most of it after work tonight (I skipped the Seal Sands road at commute o'clock, though zipping through Poolie wasn't an especially soft option, excepting the decent path through Cowpen Bewley Woodland to Greatham). It's a good route to shelter from the wind (howling in from the N/W this evening), features plenty of quality bridges, and it's generally a pretty gentle half day out.




I'm hoping not to get too many What Tyre or What Bike questions, but the answers will always be 1) Rubino Pro in 25 mm and 2) steel bike, fixed gear. It's not a technical route. Bring a mountain bike if that's what you have, but it's overkill and then some. Mudguards, however, are strongly recommended :)


Re: Pit Ponies 100 from Darlington - Saturday 03/12/2022
« Reply #6 on: 28 September, 2022, 09:01:21 am »
Nothing wrong with the Seal Sands road at Commute O'Clock. Puts hair on your chest. And you get to see seals at Greatham Creek.



We'll be there. Probably mudguarded. Possibly on the same bike- how bad are the Sustrans gates on the paths? I can't remember anything dodgy but when I'm not on the tandem, I tend not to notice them.

Re: Pit Ponies 100 from Darlington - Saturday 03/12/2022
« Reply #7 on: 28 September, 2022, 09:38:57 am »
Pretty easy. Can't think of anywhere that awkward.

(And there was nae point in going via Seal Sands as Saltholm e would have been closed and I didn't fancy hoying my bike over the gates again)

PS this is the third "will my bike be ok" question I've had  :facepalm:

Re: Pit Ponies 100 from Darlington - Saturday 03/12/2022
« Reply #8 on: 28 September, 2022, 11:43:18 am »
Sorry!
 ;D

Re: Pit Ponies 100 from Darlington - Saturday 03/12/2022
« Reply #9 on: 30 September, 2022, 03:13:15 pm »
Enjoyed last year's event. Will pop an entry in over the weekend  :thumbsup:

Edit: Is there a chippy on the new route?

Re: Pit Ponies 100 from Darlington - Saturday 03/12/2022
« Reply #10 on: 30 September, 2022, 08:21:01 pm »
You're kidding, right? There must be dozens in Seaton Canoe, though I'd personally recommend a lemontop.

And there is one at the control in Shotton Colliery, but I'll have to check if the opening times work. Plus Gill's Golden Plaice in Station Town, and loads of others on the route.

And there's a good chippy just near the finish if you prefer takeout to whatever goodies we have at the finish...

Re: Pit Ponies 100 from Darlington - Saturday 03/12/2022
« Reply #11 on: 30 September, 2022, 09:57:46 pm »
You're kidding, right? There must be dozens in Seaton Canoe, though I'd personally recommend a lemontop.

And there is one at the control in Shotton Colliery, but I'll have to check if the opening times work. Plus Gill's Golden Plaice in Station Town, and loads of others on the route.

And there's a good chippy just near the finish if you prefer takeout to whatever goodies we have at the finish...
Three in Seaton. Fish Face or Youngs on the inland side are faster but the Almighty Cod on the coast side is nicer.
All riders should also try out the public toilets below the clock tower at the (listed) Art Deco bus station.

Re: Pit Ponies 100 from Darlington - Saturday 03/12/2022
« Reply #12 on: 01 October, 2022, 11:22:42 am »
You're kidding, right?

Maybe I should have said "is there a decent chippy on the route", sounds like that's covered though :)

Re: Pit Ponies 100 from Darlington - Saturday 03/12/2022
« Reply #13 on: 03 October, 2022, 01:42:21 pm »
I'll try and taste-test them all. No promises, mind, so if I don't get chance, go with what boab said. I don't think any are up to the standard of Fields, mind.

Or just go lemontop  :P