Hartlepool Cycling Club

HCC Sunday Social Cafe Ride

The theme of this Sundays ride was ’50/34′, ‘pension age’ and ‘early cafe stops’ as only 2 hardy soles made it out to ride against the wind and intermittent sunshine & showers.

Sean and Steve agreed to meet at the Tall Ships at 9am for this week only, as the plan was to ride an easy short one since the weather forecast looked a bit bleak.  From the moment they set off, the sunshine was out, but there was a cold chill in the air as they cycled up towards Trimdon with no definate cafe stop location decided as it was more of a, how far can we go before it rains.  As they approached the left turn up towards Trimdon from Hart, the showers started, but soon stopped and there where periods where the sunshine managed to shine through the black clouds and dried the path and made it an enjoyable ride.

Anyway, the cafe of choice was decided, No.4 in Sedgefield.  The memories of last years gorgeous Strawberry Tarts couldn’t be forgotten and as Sean and Steve looked through the glass cabinet, as if they were almost forbidden delicacies, the tarts again looked perfect.  But, barely 12 miles into the ride and reaching the cafe just after 10am, Sean and Steve decided to go big time and have a coffee, a Bacon sarnie AND a slice of Orange cake (the waitress did say “you need all the energy you can get when cycling”), so they believed her and tucked into the grub on the table outside, just as it started to chuck it down.

Once inside the cafe they had a chat with 2 fellow cyclists, one from Billingham and another from Long Newton who impressed Sean with their knowledge on the Garmin Varia rear light tech and after a good feed, they where soon back out on the road and headed towards Bishopton.  Sean still fresh with cycling tech on the brain, was finding his PlanetX bike gears a lot easier than his Giant and found out he was using a 50/34 and that’s why he was finding the gears easier than maybe his 53/39 on his Giant?  Steve also learn’t that you don’t pay National Insurance in your wages once you reach pension age.  So they both learn’t something today at least!

With the conversation flowing well, fuelled by plenty of calories, they were soon headed back through Wynyard with a slight detour round Billingham to the Greatham Track and then back home via Seaton.  The rain was coming down a bit more now and they were facing a headwind, so they took it nice and easy and cycled up the promenade to home.  In general, a nice easy enjoyable ride, just over 14mph avg and 35-40 miles covered.

Club/Racing News

On Wednesday night, it was Week 1 of 7 of the HCC T107 – 10 Mile TT League from Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park.  This event is open to anyone, but club members are awarded points for Fastest and also VTTA Standard to win this years awards.  An awkward headwind/sidewind covered the main course and only the start to the first roundabout allowed some good speed.  8 riders took part, with 4 of the riders from HCC.  Lee Morley was first home for the club in 24:40, 2nd was Steve Scanlon in 28:11, 3rd was Phil Wright in 29:11 and 4th Tony Cheshire in 32:48.  Full results can be seen below:-

On Sunday, two Hartlepool CC riders took part in the East Bradford CC 15 Mile Spoco TT on the V221.  38 riders started and Paul Thirling had a great ride for 9th place in 35:25 and Phil Wright 33rd in 44:03.  Great ride from both on another testing SPOCO course.  For those that don’t know, there is a series of SPOCO races and each rider is awarded points.  So good luck to Paul and Phil in the overall competition.  This event was won by Joe Wilson in 31:26 with a 28.632 mph avg!

Strava Club Leaderboard

This week The Thirlwind took the top spot for the 2nd week in a row with 201.0 miles, Stephen G Rhodes was 2nd with 186.3 miles and also the most elevation with 9,366 ft of climbing and Lee Morley in 3rd with 132.0 miles.    Superb guys, a great week of cycling in a tough wind!  We would also like to say a big well done to Paul Sefton for a noticeable increase in weekly mileage, keep up the good work and also to say a big well done to 7 riders this week all going over the 100 mile mark for the week – The Thirlwind, Stephen G Rhodes, Lee Morley, Vince Duffy, Tim Summerton, Phil Wright and Steve Scanlon.  22 riders put miles on the board this week, well done to everyone!

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!

HCC Sunday Social Cafe Ride

Club/Racing News

On Saturday Phil Wright competed in the Melton Olympic CC (Slowest 120 Riders)(Inc VTTA East Mids) 25 Mile TT on the A25/34.  This was a fairly undulating course near Nottingham and 61 riders took part.  Phil finishing in a great time of 1:06:59 and averaged 22.394 mph.  Well done Phil!

The event was won by William Perrett in a time of 46:13 with an average speed of 32.456 mph.

This Sunday 6 members took part in the Stokesley Charity Bike ride.  This was a 30 mile ride covering a route from and back to Stokesley Town Hall, taking in Clay Bank.  This was in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance and Steve S, Matt, Peter, Trevor, Steve B and Graeme Coates all enjoyed the event with over 200 cyclists taking part.

Strava Club Leaderboard

This week Stephen G Rhodes took the top spot in the leaderboard with 244.6 miles, Trevor Jones was 2nd with 221.7 miles and The Thirlwind 3rd with 220.7 miles.  Superb miles guys, well done!  We would also like to say a big well done to Matt Johnson for riding 147.3 miles and taking 4th spot and also to Stuart Summerside for cycling a massive 13,886 ft elevation for the week.  Well done guys!

HCC Sunday Social Cafe Ride

This Sunday, some of the usual group members were either taking part in the Stockton Spoco 23 Mile TT event or sunning it up on holiday.  Therefore that left Matt Johnson and Paul Sefton as the only other usual group riders to get out for a couple of solo rides.  Matt riding a descent 33 mile on his new ‘gravel’ machine with some off roading skills required, with a route up towards Murton and back.  Well done Matt for picking up the Local Legend for the H2H Full Length Northbound (Hart to Haswell).  Paul Seftons ride took in a road route towards Houghton-le-Spring and back to Peterlee over 24 miles.  Well done to both!

Club/Racing News

This Sunday two HCC riders took part in the Stockton Wheelers SPOCO 23 Mile TT event.  This was the first HCC Club Championship event of the Season and took riders from Bishopton up towards Stainton and then left towards Sadberge and then left again through Redmarshall and back to Bishopton, just short of  2 laps.  This being a very undulating and hilly course, with good climbs towards Stainton and up to the turn at Sadberge.   The early morning fog at 3 Deg C wasn’t enough to deter the riders, and it soon warmed up and was nice and sunny prior to the start.

33 riders took part and this year the event was split between the Road Bike and Time Trial Bike categories.  Phil Wright (Time Trial bike category) and Steve Scanlon (Road bike category) put in great efforts to finish as follows, Phil in 1:16:30 and Steve in 1:10:58.   Well done to both Phil and Steve for winning the SPOCO Handicap Cup and the Edward Walker SPOCO Cup respectively!

The Road bike category was won by Rob Carter in 52.22 and the Time Trial bike category was won by Marcel Schubert in 51:03.  Stockton Wheelers picked up the Team prize with a total time of 3:00:46 with 3 counting riders.

Lee Morley has had a great start to the time trial season and on Sunday, competed in the Drighlington BC 25 Mile TT on the V232/1 course which runs from Dishforth to Knayton and back.  Lee completed the course in 59:59 with a 25.0 mph average.  Well done to Lee!

51 riders took part and the event was won by Jack Levick in 48.27

One of our fellow riders taking a well earned break this week Sean Phillips, is taking in the sunshine and beautiful views in Lake Garda in Italy.  But cycling is never far away as Sean has been following the start of the Giro d’Italia.  Enjoy your holiday Sean!

Other HCC News

Trevor Jones topped this weeks HCC Strava Leaderboard for the 2nd week running with a massive 262.6 miles.  Richard Nichol was 2nd with 176.7 miles and Steven Rhodes in 3rd place with 170.9 miles.  Other riders to note, well done again to Paul Sefton for getting more good miles in the bank and also to Peter Sanderson for cycling a total of 68.8 miles for the week, despite being away for the weekend.  This week there were 26 riders with miles on the board.  Well done to you all!

HCC Sunday Social Cafe Ride

The early Spring bank holiday weather got off to a good start, with warm sunshine and fair breezes on Friday and Saturday. So all was boding well for Sunday. But as ever with the British weather, it is changeable and Sunday morning was grey with a noticeable westerly wind blowing. There had also been a bit of the damp stuff falling overnight. So only Sean and Peter were at the Golden Lion by 8:30. Destination unknown but as Sean had to be back for his dinner at 12:00 options were limited.

So the ride was out to the Devonport in Middleton one row and back. Matt, who had been held up caught up along Catcote Road but decided to do a solo ride instead which made for a cheap round in the Devonport.

Imagine if you can have a bike ride with no bragging rites. No Strava KOMs, no big hills, no massive distance covered. Just the simple pleasure of riding a bike made better by the fact that Hartlepool is close to open countryside with relatively traffic free lanes. Well that just about sums up today’s ride. The only down side being the poor food offering at the Devonport. It was lemon drizzle scones or crisps and crisps don’t go with coffee. It’s a fact. So Lemon drizzle it was.

The way back was around the airport to Yarm and then toward Hartburn and the leafy suburbs of Stockton.
The wind was now from behind and gave an easy roll back to town.

The ride was around 45 miles which is not bragging, just a fact and it was fairly flat at an easy pace.(well easy going down hill with wind from behind)

Other HCC News

Trevor Jones topped this weeks HCC Strava Leaderboard with 211.1 miles.  The Thirlwind was 2nd with 129.7 miles and Phil Wright in 3rd place with 109.4 miles.  Other riders to note, well done to Paul Sefton for getting back out on the bike, Peter Sanderson for having a good week and totalling 95.2 miles and Lee Morley for consistantly getting 100 miles in each week.  This week there were 20 riders with miles on the board.  Well done to you all!

HCC Sunday Social Cafe Ride

Just as the sunny weather continues to show, although still a bit nippy, this week HCC had a few members down through injury/illness.  Therefore, only Sean, Matt and Steve S met up at 9am from the Golden Lion and planned a ride North.  Sean was the route planner today and he didn’t disappoint, taking in the delights of Easington Colliery, Hawthorn, South Hetton, Haswell, Ludworth, Cassop and Kelloe.  All quiet and nice rolling roads.

We then came up the 15% Watch Bank climb up towards Trimdon crossroads and Seans chain came off, but it didn’t deter him and he fought on.  Matt then split from the group to go on an off roading adventure and Sean and Steve S took the tricky A19 crossing to Elwick cafe.  Two coffees and an extra large cookies were consumed on a bench and we were greeted by the famous Show Jumper ‘Hayley’, before heading home.

The ride was 40 miles at a steady 14mph avg with 2400ft climbing and took just under 3hrs.

Other HCC News

Meirion Hughes topped this weeks HCC Strava Leaderboard with 202.8 miles.  The Thirlwind was 2nd with 182.5 miles and Trevor Jones in 3rd place with 180 miles.  This week there were 23 riders with miles on the board.  Well done to you all!

HCC Sunday Social Cafe Ride

Easter weekend had brought with it some fine weather and an extended ride was in order to make the most of it. Usually the Sunday rides have been around 40- 45 miles but this week the cafe destination was Eppleby in leafy North Yorkshire. Another difference this week was that when we set off we were still heading for the original destination. Often things can change at the last minute. But this week Steve S, Matt, Sean and Peter met at 8:30 at the Golden Lion and set off out along Catcote Road, enjoying the earlier start and lack of traffic on the Easter Sunday. We met Steve B at Hartburn shops in Stockton and then took the scenic roads to Croft and beyond.

The rise in the road from Hurworth to Croft came as a reminder that we were still in Durham (the hilliest county in England) but once we had crossed the bridge we hit the really cycle friendly lanes of North Yorks rural idyll.  It is a good job that Steve B had turned out as he knows these lanes as well as the veins on the back of his hands. Getting us all safely to the Eppleby tea rooms. A Mecca for cyclists with a queue of mamils and mamilesses half way down the road. Bloody cyclist!
Coffee and cake and microwaved sausage sandwiches were consumed on a bench on the village green. The main debate being whether brown or white bread makes the best sausage sarnie. (Really there is no debate as everyone knows it’s white.)

On the way back we caught up with a bloke on an e bike who managed to stay with us all the way through Darlington and beyond. In fact he left us when Matt had to stop for a fiddle in the hedge, at least I think that’s what he said. Peter and Sean kept going however as the rest could soon catch them up. But they didn’t as the breakaway two were now out of site. Apparently breaking rule no 1 of the group ride. Which starts with a NEVER. I can’t remember the rest.
Anyhow the breakaway was soon caught and dropped again with the group coming back together at the Wynyard Golden Gates. From there it was an easy roll back to town with a stop at the Welly in Wolviston just so we could go over the rules again.

The ride was 65/70 miles depending where you started from but this wasn’t enough for Steve B who must have got lost on his way home as he ended up doing 100 miles. For those that are interested in statistics, the average speed was social and there was as much climbing as there was descending.

HCC Sunday Social Cafe Ride