Annual Club Ride 2024 – York

Last Saturday, as every year, the Eagles from the United Eagles Cycling Team soared into the skies… well, maybe not quite into the skies, but onto the saddles of their steel steeds, to jointly traverse the picturesque terrains of York and Yorkshire. As early as Friday evening, most of us checked in, ready for a feast of gossip, laughter, and… well, alright, maybe a few bottles of beer.
Saturday morning greeted us with rain, so the weather was good, but not very good. The gathering at the York station went smoothly, apart from a short wait for those who apparently considered punctuality a relative concept. We headed towards Kirkham Priory, where we were supposed to meet Ewa from the Polish Cycling Group. Kirkham Priory, once an Augustinian abbey, now picturesque ruins, provided an ideal backdrop for souvenir photos.
The road to Ewa was not without its adventures. Tomek Wysocki, our technical expert, decided to showcase his skills right at the beginning of the route. Fortunately, after a short stop, we moved on. The rain let up after about 30 km. The route led us through charming rural landscapes, among fields, forests, and… remnants of the former inhabitants of these lands. The Stray, a long, straight road, once a Roman road, led us to such monuments as Carrmire Gate, The Obelisk, and fragments of defensive walls.
In Helmsley, we stopped for lunch. In the beautiful Helmsley Walled Garden, coffee, cake, and a moment of relaxation allowed us to recharge our batteries before the next part of the route. And most importantly, we could also rinse our bikes from the mud and dirt after the rainy ride. Refreshed and with shiny bikes, we moved on.
The next part of the route promised to be more demanding. Those who didn’t feel up to it could choose a shorter option and wait for the rest under the famous white horse.
For the braver ones, there were climbs with a gradient reaching 33%. There, Marcin Moszczyński, unfortunately, became another victim of technical problems. Nobody complained, and we used this opportunity for another coffee. For entertainment, we decided to play the role of ardent cycling fans, cheering on the riders and overcoming one of the most difficult sections.
After conquering all the planned peaks, it was time for a different kind of fun – echelon riding. Our strongest riders clearly felt the call of competition, rushing like a locomotive. As a reward for their effort, they rode to The Dawnay Arms pub for a little something. The second group, not wanting to be outdone, also indulged in a small beer.
We returned to York together. At the station, we said goodbye to those who had to hit the road, and the rest went for a well-deserved pizza to replenish the burned calories.
In summary, this year’s United Eagles rally was a mix of beautiful landscapes, historical curiosities, technical problems, sports rivalry, and good fun. The rain didn’t dampen our spirits, but on the contrary, added spice to the whole trip. And the opportunity to wash our bikes after the rain in Helmsley Walled Garden was a bull’s-eye! We can’t wait for the next rally!