The Spofforth village website boasts a famous past inhabitant: “Blind Jack Metcalf, the eighteenth century road builder, lived in Spofforth in his later years and is buried in Spofforth Churchyard.” Had he returned to this serene spot, had his vision restored and then set eyes on the liquid state of the trails we ploughed through on this day, doubtless he would have raised those orbs heavenward and vowed to build more roads.
Ronald Arthur Dewhirst introduced me to the Spofforth Loop about 6 years ago, when we went on a bike ride to Knaresborough; since then I have enjoyed this c.35 mile circuit, (missing out Knaresborough) sometimes solo, sometimes with friends. I have taken Tony, Viv, Deb, Kim and most recently, Chloe and they all enjoyed the route in varying degrees.
You learn a lot about someone by seeing how they respond to the joys of the Spofforth Loop, in fact with some, friendship has been pushed to its limits.
Finding out there was a 10k trail race in Spofforth simply added to the allure for me and I had visions of leading a peloton of 15-20 Striders who would share my enthusiasm for the day, following mainly bridlepaths there and quiet roads back (apart from a couple of horrendous stretches of fast road)…
Ron himself expressed interest in joining us and committed to do so, but then fractured a rib. Paul Sanderson was compelled to pull out as he also was injured a couple of days before race day, so at 10.30 am on a fairly grey but warm Bank Holiday Monday myself, Paul Smith, Gary Mann and Steve Dixon set off from Meanwood – a quartet of enthusiasm, a generation inspired.
We followed King Lane up to Eccup and from there followed the bridlepath through Harewood, and there we had our first sight of mud. We were on a fairly tight schedule, and didn’t have time to stop, we needed to be at Spofforth by 12.30 pm to register. I had managed to negotiate a later registration cut off time with the race announcer who understood I was cycling there. He had kindly assured me by email, “no power on earth will stop you getting a run” – which words were shortly to be recalled by Steve recognising my grim determination to get to Spofforth in time for the start, in the face of mounting obstacles en route.
Leaving the Harewood estate, we crossed the A61 and continued to follow the bridlepath of the Leeds Country Way to East Keswick. All was going to plan.
The first fall was fairly straightforward, I just fell straight into shrubs and then jumped straight back on again, no tears only laughter.
I went down the hill shortly after, just before leaving the bridlepath to head to East Keswick and I then realised I had lost the others. Worried that there had been another fall, I went back to find them, fortunately all was well and as I had scooted off and lost them at a junction, I now realised that I needed to make sure no one got left behind – or lost.
We crossed a busy road and continued to follow the bridlepath, wended our way along the gladed, smooth trail and quietly glided over the Wood Hall bridge. The second fall was a little more complicated requiring fairly complex operations to secure my removal from barbed wire – I was hoist by my own petard, literally. My release was managed only by ripping a hole in my cycling shorts. No tears, just laughter, a quick dusting down and we were off again.
Up the short, steep, sharp pull to the Wood Hall hotel, then sweeping down the driveway, four highwaymen pounding away like there was no tomorrow; and flying through Linton, from there onto the disused railway from Wetherby to Spofforth…
Now we were behind our schedule, no time having been factored in for falls; we put the pedal to the metal and pushed on at a good pace towards Spofforth slowing only for women and children. We were greeted at Spofforth by friendly registration marshalls, a selection of homemade cakes the length of the village hall and promises there would be plenty left by the end of the 10k race.
We were also greeted by Paul Sanderson who had cycled from Northallerton to hook up with us, by Ian Sanderson and Kathy who came to support us and by Ged Coll who beat our 2h 15m scenic bike ride with his 35m road cycle. Pascale Fotherby, a new recruit, joined us and we posed for pre-race pictures, giddy with the excitement the day had so far offered and had yet to bestow.
Ronald Arthur Dewhirst introduced me to the Spofforth Loop about 6 years ago, when we went on a bike ride to Knaresborough; since then I have enjoyed this c.35 mile circuit, (missing out Knaresborough) sometimes solo, sometimes with friends. I have taken Tony, Viv, Deb, Kim and most recently, Chloe and they all enjoyed the route in varying degrees.
You learn a lot about someone by seeing how they respond to the joys of the Spofforth Loop, in fact with some, friendship has been pushed to its limits.
Finding out there was a 10k trail race in Spofforth simply added to the allure for me and I had visions of leading a peloton of 15-20 Striders who would share my enthusiasm for the day, following mainly bridlepaths there and quiet roads back (apart from a couple of horrendous stretches of fast road)…
Ron himself expressed interest in joining us and committed to do so, but then fractured a rib. Paul Sanderson was compelled to pull out as he also was injured a couple of days before race day, so at 10.30 am on a fairly grey but warm Bank Holiday Monday myself, Paul Smith, Gary Mann and Steve Dixon set off from Meanwood – a quartet of enthusiasm, a generation inspired.
We followed King Lane up to Eccup and from there followed the bridlepath through Harewood, and there we had our first sight of mud. We were on a fairly tight schedule, and didn’t have time to stop, we needed to be at Spofforth by 12.30 pm to register. I had managed to negotiate a later registration cut off time with the race announcer who understood I was cycling there. He had kindly assured me by email, “no power on earth will stop you getting a run” – which words were shortly to be recalled by Steve recognising my grim determination to get to Spofforth in time for the start, in the face of mounting obstacles en route.
Leaving the Harewood estate, we crossed the A61 and continued to follow the bridlepath of the Leeds Country Way to East Keswick. All was going to plan.
The first fall was fairly straightforward, I just fell straight into shrubs and then jumped straight back on again, no tears only laughter.
I went down the hill shortly after, just before leaving the bridlepath to head to East Keswick and I then realised I had lost the others. Worried that there had been another fall, I went back to find them, fortunately all was well and as I had scooted off and lost them at a junction, I now realised that I needed to make sure no one got left behind – or lost.
We crossed a busy road and continued to follow the bridlepath, wended our way along the gladed, smooth trail and quietly glided over the Wood Hall bridge. The second fall was a little more complicated requiring fairly complex operations to secure my removal from barbed wire – I was hoist by my own petard, literally. My release was managed only by ripping a hole in my cycling shorts. No tears, just laughter, a quick dusting down and we were off again.
Up the short, steep, sharp pull to the Wood Hall hotel, then sweeping down the driveway, four highwaymen pounding away like there was no tomorrow; and flying through Linton, from there onto the disused railway from Wetherby to Spofforth…
Now we were behind our schedule, no time having been factored in for falls; we put the pedal to the metal and pushed on at a good pace towards Spofforth slowing only for women and children. We were greeted at Spofforth by friendly registration marshalls, a selection of homemade cakes the length of the village hall and promises there would be plenty left by the end of the 10k race.
We were also greeted by Paul Sanderson who had cycled from Northallerton to hook up with us, by Ian Sanderson and Kathy who came to support us and by Ged Coll who beat our 2h 15m scenic bike ride with his 35m road cycle. Pascale Fotherby, a new recruit, joined us and we posed for pre-race pictures, giddy with the excitement the day had so far offered and had yet to bestow.
The Spofforth Gala 10k trail race was a muddy trail race, and the map of the route rightly referenced ‘bogs’.
The Spofforth 10k Gala trail race is a scenic circular across fields and tracks, you will get your running shoes dirty on this one so don’t wear your new ones. The runners gather on the historic Spofforth Castle field and then walk to the start along the road. Before you know it you are off and, on your way.
Powered by lemon drizzle cake and inspired by Chloe Hudson, I determined to keep up with those in front and try not to be overtaken, and I felt I held my pace fairly respectably round. Fortunately for me there were no major hills as I tend to grind to a halt at times like that; I enjoyed the light rain which cooled and cleaned and decided to grit my teeth and get to the end without further mishap. This was done. And before you know it you are at the end of the race, finishing with a sprint up Heroes’ Hill, back in the Castle field, in the middle of the Gala.
1st Mark Bryant 00:37:33 Leeds City AC
27th Gary Mann 00:44:44
42nd Paul Smith 00:47:12
63rd Steve Dixon 00:50:16
74th Ged Coll 00:51:43
86th Sarah Smith 00:53:32
113th Pascale Fotherby 00:57:00
Powered by lemon drizzle cake and inspired by Chloe Hudson, I determined to keep up with those in front and try not to be overtaken, and I felt I held my pace fairly respectably round. Fortunately for me there were no major hills as I tend to grind to a halt at times like that; I enjoyed the light rain which cooled and cleaned and decided to grit my teeth and get to the end without further mishap. This was done. And before you know it you are at the end of the race, finishing with a sprint up Heroes’ Hill, back in the Castle field, in the middle of the Gala.
1st Mark Bryant 00:37:33 Leeds City AC
27th Gary Mann 00:44:44
42nd Paul Smith 00:47:12
63rd Steve Dixon 00:50:16
74th Ged Coll 00:51:43
86th Sarah Smith 00:53:32
113th Pascale Fotherby 00:57:00
190 finished.
We posed for post race photos proudly be-medalled, courtesy of Kathy, then headed back to the village hall for more lemon drizzle cake and pork butties.
Cycling back, four became five as we had picked up Paul Sanderson - but not Ged who seemed to disappear rather than risk become embroiled in our madcap escapade. Now, acting more responsibly, I was able to advise the group about the route ahead, warn of busy roads and advise on safe positioning.
We posed for post race photos proudly be-medalled, courtesy of Kathy, then headed back to the village hall for more lemon drizzle cake and pork butties.
Cycling back, four became five as we had picked up Paul Sanderson - but not Ged who seemed to disappear rather than risk become embroiled in our madcap escapade. Now, acting more responsibly, I was able to advise the group about the route ahead, warn of busy roads and advise on safe positioning.
No mishaps, just good cycling down to Kirkby Overblow, then up by Weardley, stopping only for a quick photo stop at the top of the last hill
and just before the rain started we peeled off in our separate ways to go home and get clean.
A very good day out. We agreed that we should cycle to more races, Gary confirming that he did not think that the cycling impacted much on his time.
A very good day out. We agreed that we should cycle to more races, Gary confirming that he did not think that the cycling impacted much on his time.
