Bishop Auckland Cycling Club

Just going along for the ride!

Paul did the Hell of the North solo as apparently we missed him at the start line.

Dave, Graham, Jon and Keith also did the Hell of the North but as a group of four.

The group of four did the 100 mile route (with non of the short cuts others seemed to take) in just under 6 hours at an average speed of approximately 17 miles per hour.

I am sure other rides were available on the day but I am not aware of the details.

This is the last report from this correspondent but hopefully someone will take on the baton soon.

Only 5 out at the Market Place today, probably due to the weather forecast!  Sorry folks I was on dog sitting duties so went out very early and covered 70 windswept miles in the Mickleton and Newbiggin area.

Other groups from the market place covered the rides as detailed below:-

Easy Ride – 2 set off for Durham via the railway lines, meeting up with 3 others at Willington.

Eddie’s ride – 5 left the market place with Stuart leaving to head out to Barnard Castle and beyond.  The remaining group went out via Wackerfield, Staindrop, South Cleatlam, Winston, Eppleby then on to Piercebridge for a coffee stop.  Home via Summerhouses or Walworth.  40/50 miles covered on a very windy day.

3 main groups out today.

Firstly, the castles ride from Darlington.  An organised event covering 85 miles around the castles of the north pennines.  This doesn’t include the ride there and back from Bishop Auckland.

Secondly, Eddies group had a pleasant ride covering the following route:- Hamsterley, Folly Top, coffee stop at Romaldkirk (recommended)  Return via Lartington, Egglestone Abbey, (Barney Bridge being closed to everyone)  Whorlton, Ovington, Staindrop and Hilton where the group split.  5 returning via West Auckland and others going via Bolam and Aycliffe.  60-75 miles covered.

Thirdly,  3 set off for Tan Hill.  Route out:- Folly Top, over the moors to Brough with a coffee stop at the castle.  On to Tan Hill via Kaber and Barras.  A descent from Tan Hill to the Stang.  Up and over the Stang  to Barnard Castle where unlike Eddie’s group we blagged our way across the bridge.  A return home via Whorlton.

80 miles covered with a fair amount of ascent!

Today’s events.

1.  Andy, Graham and Stuart in a 3 up time trial, results to follow.

2.  Jon racing cyclo-cross at Ponteland, results to follow.

3.  Eddie took a group out from the market place.  The group split into two one with a short ride via Redworth, Heighington with a coffee stop at Brafferton then home.  The president’s group, route – Redworth, Walworth Gate, Darlington, coffee stop at South Park.  Home via Hurworth, Middleton St George and Long Newton.  45/50 miles covered.

4.  Keith and Dave took Danny, a guest from the deep south, on a tour of the quieter routes of the north pennines.  Route – Woodland, Mickleton, Middleton in Teesdale, Newbiggin, gated road to St Johns Chapel for a coffee stop.  Route home to Westgate up Peat Hill, Rookhope, high level route to Stanhope, Wear Bank, Howlea, Hamsterley and home.

66 miles covered with 5,600 feet of ascent.

Todays rides were affected by strong headwinds and heavy showers.  In fact on Chapel Fell the conditions could be said to be wintry.

Nikkis  Group did a circuitous ride with a break at Barnard Castle covering 48 miles.

The other group headed for the hills as usual over Bollihope, St Johns Chapel, Chapel Fell, Middleton In Teesdale and home.  70 miles covered by this ride.

Best wishes from everyone to Ewan for a quick recovery following his accident which resulted in a hip fracture on Saturday.

The Stang, Reeth, Grinton Moor and Richmond.

80 = 100 miles covered at an average speed of 16 miles per hour on a hilly route.

Other shorter routes were available.