HCC Sunday Social Cafe Ride
It was all Deja Vu this week with another early start and another ride that ended up in Stokesley. The early start was needed to be able to get to Crathorne for the start of the club’s 10 mile time trial, the little trip to Stokesley just sort of happened as a coffee stop was called for.
Peter, Steve and Sean got to the Golden Lion although Sean only just made it by walking up Hart lane having dropped his chain but that was soon fixed and although a bit of a niggle with his bike he decided to set off and ‘see how it goes’. And mostly it went ok but I think it’s fair to say that it’s in need of attention.
The route there was just straight through Stockton to Yarm and arriving at Crathorne just in time for the off. Steve did some Marshalling by checking lights and pushing off the TTers. Peter and Sean’s services were not required though so they had a nice sit down and a cup of coffee in the old Crathorne reading room. A building that also once served as a library. You had to pay a monthly subscription of 1 old penny to be use the building as a reading room. But it cost 2 old pennys to join the library. Guess you had to bring your own reading material if you weren’t a library member. There are no books now however so having had some refreshments the only thing to do to pass the time was to go and watch the action at the start of the TT. Steve did a very good job it has to be said.
With the last of the riders off along the A19 the Sunday ride could resume and it was decided to head towards Great Ayton via Hutton Rudby and back along the chicken run following the same route as last week’s ride and revisiting the Costa cafe again. More Deja Vu.
Then it was back through the Boro and along the Tees road with wind assistance all the way back to town.
In total it was about 55 miles with no hills to talk about and an average speed of around 14/15 ish.
Club/Racing News
On Wednesday night, it was the 2nd Croft 10 Mile TT in the series, which seen riders set off in 30sec intervals round 5 laps of the Croft Motor Circuit. There was a slight breeze but overall the conditions were good. Although only 114 riders took part as the weather was forecast rain which never showed. But this didn’t put off two Hartlepool CC riders, with great rides from Lee Morley in 9th place in 23:45 and Steve Scanlon in 35th place in 26:05. Well done to both for flying the HCC colours on such a great event round a traffic free course. The event was won by Matthew Brennan of Team Bottrill, aged 16 in 20:14. The next event is 15th June.
On Sunday, Hartlepool CC Hosted the 10 Mile Open TT event from Crathorne on the A19 to the Tontine and back. This is known to be a very fast course, but with a strong headwind going out, the riders had to push hard with the wind behind them on the return to put a good time on the board. Two Hartlepool CC riders took part, out of a field of 42 starters. Paul Thirling came in 5th in 22:08 and Richie Grant in 31st in 25:37. Great rides guys and thanks for supporting the clubs 10 mile event! The event was won by Marcel Schubert in 19:41. The next HCC hosted event is the Mens and Womens National Championship 50 Mile Open TT on the 26th June.
Strava Club Leaderboard
This week The Thirlwind took the top spot in the leaderboard with 203.4 miles, Lee Morley was 2nd with 123.9 miles and Max.Headwind in 3rd with 113.3 miles and also the highest elevation gain with 6,089 ft of climbing. Superb guys, well done! We would also like to say a big well done to Peter Sanderson for just missing out on the top 3 in 4th spot with 109.9 miles. 23 riders put miles on the board this week, well done to everyone!