Great North Road 400 - Saturday 29/04/2023

[Deano]

Just a heads-up that this thing is filling up as we're really close to the number of riders madcow and team can be bothered to feed at Skelton, so do get your entry in if you want to ride, and I won't be entertaining entries after it's full.



Should be a decent ride, with a roadside control up Gretadale early on, plus second breakfast courtesy of madcow & team at Skelton. Most of the hills are out of the way by then, though I can suggest a hillier route to Skelton. After that, it is mostly the flatlands and where the cooling towers mostly used to be, plus all the bridges as advertised, of course.

https://www.audax.uk/event-details/10018-great_north_road

[L CC]

I should be back to catering duties by the time this one comes around.

[Deano]

Well these riders will be in luck then! I'll be in touch closer to the time, ta

[John Stonebridge]

Im in for this one.  Hopefully the trains will be running between Edinburgh and Darlo to facilitate smooth passage. 

[markcjagar]

though I can suggest a hillier route to Skelton

yes plz!

[Socks]

Dean - let me know if you an extra helper.

[Deano]

Very kind, cheers Dave, I'll be in touch.

(riders are also still welcome )

[Deano]

though I can suggest a hillier route to Skelton

yes plz!

Just for you, Mark: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41954348

It's actually a wee bit shorter though it won't be quicker. Still passes a McD's if you're fussed too. Just watch out for the descent at Bargate.

[markcjagar]

Just for you, Mark: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41954348

It's actually a wee bit shorter though it won't be quicker. Still passes a McD's if you're fussed too. Just watch out for the descent at Bargate.

Brilliant, thanks buddy!

That descent looks brilliant, will have to keep an eye on my bottles.

[Deano]

And the thing's now full.

[Deano]

Everyone should have the info by email now - let me know if not.

[John Stonebridge]

Everyone should have the info by email now - let me know if not.

Received 12th April here Dean. 

I'm looking forward to this one - I'll decide on the day whether I'll ride through or not. 

If I'm slugglish I might go for the gentleman's option and hole up for a bit at Wetherby, Leeming or both and finish in the daylight.  Though I am booked on the 0935 train back to Edinburgh so wont be able to cut it too fine!     

[markcjagar]

Last email was 5 Feb, presume when I entered, is this correct?

[Deano]

Nope, sent the full details on the 12th April - hang on, I'll re-send it (check your spam folder too)

[Deano]

Everyone should have the info by email now - let me know if not.

Received 12th April here Dean. 

I'm looking forward to this one - I'll decide on the day whether I'll ride through or not. 

If I'm slugglish I might go for the gentleman's option and hole up for a bit at Wetherby, Leeming or both and finish in the daylight.  Though I am booked on the 0935 train back to Edinburgh so wont be able to cut it too fine!     

There's a quality bus shelter in Rainton too, on the laney bit of the service road

[madcow]

If you're a full value rider , there isn't much between Belton and Leeming except for the Jet garage at Askern (about 400 metres to the north (to the right) of the A19 crossing point.
Make sure you have enough food and drink for  the stage.

Boroughbridge and Wetherby Morrisons petrol station shut at 11pm.
Leeming Coneygarth Truckstop is open 24/7. Bit off route but you can get a hot drink (Costa machine but you need to ask at the pay desk for tea )Subway may or may not be open depending on staff .

McDonalds is  on the left hand side just before you reach Leeming and is 24 hours at weekends.

I look forward to meeting any YACFers at Skelton control.

[Deano]

About 60 started this morning, have a few photos from the start, and from the van control up Gretadale: https://www.flickr.com/photos/197645863@N06/albums/72177720307874941

A hint of the Creation of Adam about this one, or maybe it's just me:

[markcjagar]

Cheers for organising and sorry I couldn't make it back to Darlo.

Unfortunately I puked on the train back to Sheffield, probably good I tapped out when I did.

[John Stonebridge]

Thanks for organising Dean and sorry I didn't do it justice. 

My eyesight has deteriorated significantly in the last 3-5 years and the misty conditions make it difficult for me to make stuff out with glasses on, but I cant navigate without them either.  I'd had a couple of minor slides earlier in the ride and clipped something or other non trivial around Whashton just after 60km and that was enough to make me decide to give it until Catterick to make a decision on whether to push on or not.   

It was no better by then so I hung a left and returned to Darlo for about 110km and live to fight another day.   

[Deano]

It was a bit mizzly. And apparently we introduced a couple of riders down from Inverness to that word - I'm surprised, I've definitely seen that in the Highlands, but it must be more of a Middle Lands term.

[FifeingEejit]

Mizzlys a new one on me, is that like dreich but with haar/mist/fog at the same time?

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[Lightning Phil]

Mist and drizzle at same time, hence Mizzly.

[FifeingEejit]

Ah yeah we have a word for that...

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