Gordon was flying the RCC flag over at the Rydale Rumble, here is his report of the ride.
I represented the Leisure Section in the Ryedale Rumble last Sunday. Due to a mix of combining it with a camping weekend away with the family and a desire to actually enjoy a sportive whilst taking part (rather than afterwards), I signed up for the mid-distance 70 mile route, and vowed I'd take it easy.
The Rumble is rated as one of the best in the Country - and I can see why. The scenery is superb, and its interesting to have both a hilly and flat section in the route. I was provided with breakfast, superb food en route, and a meal at the end. The start and finish is at Ampleforth College - which is quite an impressive location (whatever you may think about such institutions!).
The numbers doing the ride are relatively small, so I set off on my own at about 08:00am and wondered whether or not there was anyone else
on the ride. Then the first rider past me, and instantly the red mist came down and I forgot about taking it easy. I hung on for a while and then saw sense, and eased off again. The first climb is Boultby Bank - which is a vicious climb. Not as steep as Rosedale Chimney (which the mid-route avoided) - but, IMHO, tougher overall. First stop Helmsley. Then I teamed up with a guy from Sheffield and a guy from Hambledon and we made a reasonable pace to Blackey Bank - which is a spectacular climb - scenically. The descent to Hutton-le-Hole is fantastic. Several miles of just steady downhill - rather than the handelbar gripping descents more typical of the dales. Another feed stop. Then the last 20 miles of flat (ish) roads through Hovingham. I got into a chain gang for a while - but that blew apart on a small hill.
Overall I did 4'25'' - which (for my age) was a gold - obviously I was trying to hard - but I still managed to enjoy the route.
Looks like the organisers will have 2012 off - but I'd definitely recommend it for future. I know Mark B. has done it so we should try and have full Richmond CC outing one year.
