February 2020 – yorkshiretruegrit.co.uk

Although at times it may not have felt like it, we were once again lucky with the weather for this year’s Yorkshire True Grit Dark Skies p/b Fenwick’s Bike Products. As I write this, from my window I can see fields covered in snow; there’s thick fog; and it’s freezing cold outside. So a little bit of a breeze and the occasional shower are relatively perfect conditions! 😉

Thanks to everyone who came along and got into the spirit of the event – travelling from all over the UK to join in the fun – Kent, Cornwall, Newcastle, York!

Massive thanks to our sponsors Fenwick’s Bike Products – who took on an active role with Jon providing spannering service at the Feed Station (and provided the freebies at the end); and Vielo, where Trevor took on an enviable job of giving out the finish line beers. I suspect he also did some kit checks too!

Thanks to LR Motors for popping along with a 4×4 in case any of you needed recovering (none of you did!); and to Cleveland Mountain Rescue Team for coming out to provide medical cover for the event (none needed!).

The marshals and volunteer team were, as always, awesome! Lots of love for them coming from the riders – thank you 🙂

I hope you’re all still smiling about your achievement, about the brilliant gravelly trails and the lovely fun ascents. We’ve popped some Strava segments in (three of them prefaced YTG Dark Skies) for you to rank yourselves on (it’s not a race!).

Below are the Times that you finished the event (ie not time taken); start time was 4:00pm.

Other Events:

Next event is Yorkshire True Grit summer (19th-21st June) – and I’m super pleased to announce that the HQ will be in the village of Hawnby. Nestled between Sutton Bank and Helmsley this is a fantastic location with access to some amazing (previously unridden and private) gravel tracks. Don’t miss out – entries are open now for that one.

Five Forests – our new one….(thanks for patience on this)…hope to open this week but you know how I love I.T….formal announcement when actually open!

Rider Number	Surname	Time at finish
1	Adams	20:35
2	Adamthwaite	DNS
3	Aldridge	21:42
4	Allan	21:05
5	Alvarez-Buylla	DNS
6	Armitage	22:17
7	Ashton	20:33
8	Atkinson	20:43
9	Barlow	21:06
10	Barnes	21:50
11	Barry	20:28
12	Barton	21:42
13	Barton	DNF
14	Batty	21:24
15	Bell	20:41
16	Birkitt	21:18
17	Black	22:27
18	Blyth	22:27
19	Bowley	DNF
20	Broome	22:17
21	Browell	19:47
22	Byrne	DNF
23	Collins	22:21
24	Cooper	DNF
25	Cussons	21:47
26	Davies	20:35
27	Daley	19:57
28	Dixon	21:15
29	Douglas	22:25
30	Drakeley	21:16
31	Drysdale	21:22
32	Duffin	21:25
33	Duffin	21:25
34	Emmerson	DNS
35	Fairbairn	20:53
36	Ferrier	20:46
37	Foott	20:48
38	Gibbons	21:46
39	Gott	20:32
40	Guy	21:28
41	Hallas	20:07
42	Harrison	20:48
43	Haw	20:32
44	Hickey	20:51
45	Hodson	22:02
46	Holding	21:29
47	Home	22:04
48	Hodd	21:00
49	Hope	20:36
50	Horlock	20:13
51	Horlock	20:23
52	Howell	21:08
53	Jackman	20:33
54	Jackson	22:02
55	Johnson	22:13
56	Jones	20:48
57	Jonsen	22:45
58	Kaye	DNS
59	Kelsey	19:47
60	Kesteven	DNS
61	Kettlewell	22:14
62	Kilgour	DNF
63	Kraemer	21:08
64	Levell	DNF
65	Lumb	19:47
66	MacPherson	DNS
67	MacSween	DNF
68	Martin	21:19
69	McCarthy	21:24
70	McManus	DNS
71	Miller	20:11
72	Milligan	DNS
73	Milsom	20:28
74	Moore	20:55
75	Newman	22:00
76	Nuttall	20:42
77	Oliver	21:10
78	Oswald	21:27
79	Pennock	20:14
80	Pridmore	20:07
81	Roberts	21:47
82	Reed	21:56
83	Robottom	DNF
84	Sedgewick	20:54
85	Sloan	21:19
86	Smith	22:03
87	Smith	20:31
88	Smith	DNF
89	Sullivan	DNF
90	Tate	20:55
91	Taylor	21:29
92	Thorne	DNF
93	Tomlinson	20:45
94	Tregidgo	20:49
95	Walker	22:03
96	Watkins	21:48
97	Wheeler	DNS
98	Whittaker	19:35
99	Wilsdon	22:04
100	Wilson	22:21
101	Winter	22:03

Not long to go until Yorkshire True Grit Dark Skies – as I write this the weather is cold but still – almost perfect riding conditions – of course Storm Ciara is heading our way for the weekend….

As those of you who have ridden Dark Skies before will be aware, this year’s first half of the ride is now tougher than the second half. There are some great “burn-your-thigh” climbs and some swoopy fun gravel descents. We’ve also re-jigged part of the route in Boltby Woods to create a 4.5 mile climb to get you to the Cleveland Way!

So Cut-Offs: we’re extending the time you have to get to the Feed Station (27 miles) by 30 minutes to make that an 8pm cut-off. If you don’t make it to the Feed Station for then, you will be routed back on road to the Event HQ.

There will also be a second cut-off in Yearsley Woods (41 miles). You will need to have reached this cut-off by 9:30pm or will be routed by on the road to the Event HQ.

Why do we put cut-offs in the Dark Skies event? It’s for your safety and the safety of our marshals. If you are asked to return to HQ because you haven’t made a cut-off do not beg, argue, annoy the marshal. Please just follow their instructions. If you’ve not made the cut-off time then the likelihood is that you are struggling around the route. At night time it only gets colder, and you only get more tired.

For those who have ridden the event before – the route in Yearsley, second half of Wass (and potentially Pry Rigg exit) have changed. Make sure you a.) use the GPX and b.) follow the signs/instructions from marshals and c.) use your map!

Month: February 2020

So that was Dark Skies!

Yorkshire True Grit Dark Skies p/b Fenwicks – Cut Offs and Timings