Velo29-Altura Daffodils Sportive 2014
26/04/2014 - Thirsk - Sportive
Rating: 
A choice of 3 route options -
- Long - 88 miles
- Medium - 78 miles
- Short - 36 miles
Daffodils Sportive, named after the World famous Farndale Daffodils was a new event in 2013. We wanted to add a 3rd Sportive to the Velo29 Calendar which incorporated some of our favorite roads, had a challenge for all abilities without been too hard (it is still April after all) and like the other Velo29 events, focused around a North East land mark.
For those new to the event, the ride leaves Thirsk under supervision of National Escort Motorcycles and immediately heads onto quiet country roads. All 3 distances ride together to Kilburn where the first challenge of the day is presented, the short but steep climb to High Kilburn. From there there route is lumpy but rolling as we head along the untouched roads towards Ryedale.
The Long and Medium routes leave the short after about 18 miles and head towards Ampleforth, the Short start's its loop back to Kilburn, shortly after the split in 2014 we'll introduce a new mini feed for the short route riders, Gel's and water to keep you going!
Ampleforth is well known in Cycling for the 2012 National Road Race Championship as well as the annual Ryedale Grand Prix Premier Calendar event. From there we head out across the Vale of Pickering towards Farndale, again quiet roads which most won't have ridden on before.
Soon we are approaching Farndale and as we leave Gillamoor suddenly the road twists left and the trees clear to expose one of the North Yorkshire Moors finest views and our first sight of the Farndale Daffodils. It's a fast descent to reward us and speed us towards the first feed at Church Houses, though they are a few little ups and downs before we reach the Village Hall which is a Hut donated from a local Lord and the end of the 2nd World War! It's not the most luxurious halt in the Velo29 Series but it's fit for our purpose.
Fill up well on food as Blakey bank is just ahead, 2 miles and 25% in places, it's as tough as you will find! Of course half way up the long and medium split, it's a real temptation to turn right and "bail-out" to the medium route but you know back at HQ you'll regret it!
The medium continues through Farndale to Kirbymoorside whilst the Long climbs out of Farndale onto Blakey Ridge and up to Ralph Cross, another local land mark. It's a descent to Rosedale (on of our favorites) before heading through Lastingham to rejoin the medium route.
We then head back across the Vale of Pickering in the direction of home on the way picking up the 2nd feed at Hovingham and then heading North West back towards Kilburn to rejoin the short route and home.
It's a lovely ride which you all really enjoyed last year with well positioned feeds, quiet roads and of course the great Velo29 signage so you can't get lost!
See you there.
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
