Author: daveyk74

Hi wheelers, it’s the start of challenge ride season again. The first up is the Northallerton 50/4, this Sunday 15th March, departing 09.30 from Ayton high green car park. 4 hrs to complete the route, finishing at the Stokesley sign, with John kelly signing you off, either in the town square next to the toilets and the flower pots, or in his car outside the town hall, depending on the weather. Usual challenge ride rules apply, please depart in speed order from Ayton, fastest riders first, and please keep things tidy heading out through Stokesley high street and Hutton rudby bank! remember it’s not a race! 

The challenge events are not lead rides and it is up to the participants to navigate the route arriving back within 4 hrs. Having said that it is the trend these days for groups to form before departure, and likely we will have a Cleveland wheelers steady, medium and speedy group. 

Please note a small route improvement at Northallerton, when approaching the Northallerton roundabout from Yafforth, instead of turning right over the level crossing, we will be turning left, then right over the new rail bridge to the main Brompton road.  Further details and route available by following the link below. 

Please arrive at Ayton in good time to sign on, and enjoy the ride. Cheers, Dave K 

Northallerton 50 – Cleveland Wheelers

Hi wheelers. This Sunday 5th Oct is the last of the 2025 challenge rides. The rough stuff, departing from Fletchers farm car park at 09:30. Please see the link below for details and route. It’s a last chance to collect them all important tourist trophy points.

 Im afraid I’m unable to make it again, and as yet I have no Cleveland wheelers official in place to sign riders on and off the ride, and usually ride the event with this one.  So can one of the usual characters who turn out please make me a list of starters and finishers on your phone, and if any of them have properly fitted mudguards and a proper size saddle bag capable of containing a sandwich and a flask. Participants have 4 hrs to complete the ride and finish back at Fletchers. Weather looks improved Sunday after storms Saturday. So keep safe, and enjoy the ride. Thanks, Dave K 

Rough Stuff

Hi Wheelers. Next Sunday 21st September is the premiere event of the year, the Castleton 50 in 4.  Continuing with the new start at Ayton high green car park with the finish at the Dudley arms Ingleby Greenhow. So basically we will roll out along Fletchers lane to join the existing course on Easby lane. Head up to Ingleby and Clay steep side, Helmsley, Kirbymoorside, Blakey ridge, descend in to Castletown and take the 2nd left over the cattle grid to Dibble bridge, out on to Hob Hole Climb, artists cottage, Kildale, Battersby, with the route finishing at the top of Stone stoop hill and sign off at the Dudley arms. As usual with the challenge rides, part of the challenge is being prepared, navigating the route and finishing within the 4hrs cut off time. This is not a lead ride, however I am expecting ability groups will form in the car park. Please arrive in good time to sign on and be ready to roll out for 09:30. If you can all try and depart in speed order with the fastest riders first please, and remember to keep your riding neat and tidy.

Unfortunately I am unable to attend this year as I’m am taking part in some triathlon thing at Barnard castle. John kelly will be there as usual to do the sign on admin, with Gavin Chatto guest officiating for me to brief you with your ride instructions. So please pay attention, and remember “it’s not a race”!  Enjoy the ride. Follow the link below for further details. 

Thanks, Dave K 

Castleton 50

Hi wheelers. This Sunday 17th August brings around the 100 in 8 challenge ride. Sign on Ayton high green car park ready for a 9am prompt roll out. Finishing back at the Tannery pub out the back of Ayton high street. 8hrs to complete the ride to gain them all important tourist trial points. 

As with all the challenge rides, part of the challenge is to navigate the course and make it to the finish within the time cut, these are not lead rides so please come prepared. Having said that I expect at least a steady and medium group to form at the start.

This is a great ride for any members that are wishing to complete their first 100 miler. Although the route does climb over Grinton moor, it’s not an overly challenging course and the weathers looking improved with a cooler weekend forecast. 

Challenge ride official John kelly will be at the start to sign you all on. I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it as I have badly miscalculated and will be at work. So if John signs you on, please can the usual ride leaders get everyone organised and set off on time. Sign off at the Tannery, if a wheelers official ( Marcus or nick smith perhaps? ) would be able to carry the paperwork around with them please ?

Take care out there, keep it tidy, and enjoy the ride. 

Thanks, Dave K 

100 Mile Challenge – Cleveland Wheelers

Another successful running of the Cleveland wheelers 150 in 12 hrs challenge ride on Sunday, with what’s now becoming a classic  route.  12 riders rolled out of Ayton, and 12 rolled back in. Taking in the 153 mile route via the coast road to Sandsend, Grosmont, Stape rd, Malton, York, Boroughbridge and Bedale. Finishing at the Tannery bar Ayton.  Those of us who knew Bryan Bevis rode it in his memory. Bryan organised and officiated the challenge rides / tourist trials for many years before I took over the rains. Commendation’s go to Martin Bell who wins the Bryan Bevis “it’s not a race”  award, Martin set off early to get over the hilly first part of the route, and then stayed away from the group till Northallerton, riding most of the route solo. Other mention to Toran Sharma, who after finding out at the start he had no steady group mates, stuck in with the speedier group on his gravel bike with tractor tyres on, plus riding out and back home to Carlin How.  Great work from all the group completing the ride. Please find the list of finishers below.  

Thanks, Dave K 

2025 Finishers 

Dave Kirton     

Martin Bell

Philip Carroll

Toran Sharma  

Graham McCrindle

Mike Jefferies

Gordon Mitchel 

Dan Waring  

Andy Stot

Keith Richardson  

Lewis Aucott

Eoin Carroll