Topic Title

Now then.

Willy's already described, in florid style, Saturday's Grimpeur:

"What a ride!
The Dales Grimpeur must be the best and most scenic of all the local sportive rides, but there were at most 35-40 entries! Five Cliftonites though, with new rider John and father Danny.
A memorable day with brilliant weather, and the food feast at the finish was as good as ever: Pasta, tom soup, scones, rice pudding....beat that!"

What else was going on then? I know Steve had a 25 TT - how did it go? Muzzy was leading the clubrun on Sunday - how was that? I'm told that Claire, Cath, Arnie and Brian had a brisk training ride around the usual Saturday loop and that Kevin had a good turnout for the Saturday cafe run - let's hear from one of you! Who else was racing?

I'd dropped out of the Grimp on Saturday due to some childcare issues, but was committed to assessing a group of teenage DofE bike campers on Sunday. Their route wasn't overly physically challenging but they organised themselves well - hope it inspires them to do more and is not just an end in itself... Anyway, I somehow managed to clock 80 miles trying to rendez-vous with them at various points and didn't get further than about 10 miles from York!

Rode - Hetton Hawks Crit Saturday, a great little closed circuit, due to Regional Champs a small turnout. An hour of flat out racing + 1 lap got 6th and was happy with my performance.

Some excellent York rider performances in Yorkshire Champs how was it Kit?

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/si ... Champs.asp

On Sunday, I did the LVRC Elswick Road Race #1 in Elswick Lancs (in the A/B race). The race, organised by Lancashire Road Club, was 50 miles long on a flatish circuit in the lanes around Elswick, Roseacre, Wharles, and Inskip (near Preston). I finished in the A/B bunch. Veteran Liverpudlian wheelbuilder Pete Matthews (Liverpool Mercury) was riding in the E/F/G race. I heard that Colin Hawxby finished in 7th place in the LVRC National Crit Champs on Saturday.

Myself and Kit were riding the divisionals at Penny Pot Lane. Since the race was 90 miles+ I thought the best tactic was to sit on and do nothing, but after 2/3 of the race my group was embarrassingly far back and I packed. Meanwhile Mr Gilham seemingly unfazed by the distance had gone on the attack in the first few miles and after being up front all day finished 10th! A great ride on a long tough course, with a good field.

Some excellent York rider performances in Yorkshire Champs how was it Kit?

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/si ... Champs.asp

Anybody know how Matt got on in the Juniors' race?

I was in a break of 6 for most of the race. Our lead fluctuated between 30 seconds and a minute and a half until we were caught with about 15 miles to go. I tried several last lap attacks but none of them stuck (Randle and Tanner took it in turns to chase me down) and I missed the move by Ali Kay and Wayne Randle, after Dean Downing had jumped away with half a lap remaining. On the finish climb I just held off the 55 year old Phil Axe for 10th. One of my two bottles bounced out on the first lap so I rode the whole race on 3/4 of a litre - not pleasant - I'll spend my £8 prize money on some cages that work.

Kit is he a 55 year old 1st cat. ?

There is hope!

Kevin writes:

Just to let you know myself, Bernard,Alan W, Elaine, Marion & Findlay (6) made the Saturday social Ride to Helmsley.

Out via Tollerton, Easingwold Coxwold Ampleforth, return via Harome Slingsby Castle Howard Drive & Howsham.(70miles).

A marked change in the weather, saw us sat outside @ Ryeburn cafe in Helmsley.

Alan W would have got 90 miles in, as he rode in from Pocklington, following up from his 2 &1/2 minute improvement in Thursday Evenings Club "10".

"Kit is he a 55 year old 1st cat. ? There is hope!"

Hey, I've been holding back a bit so as not to peak too early - I thought everyone else was too (apart from Kit)... ...no???

Not too many takers for the club run on Sunday. Had a change of heart with the destination as the four punters in the square looked like they could handle a slightly stiffer test than Driffield - so we headed for the jewel of the Western North Yorkshire Moors - Osmotherly - a destination which never disappoints. Andy S & Willy cut it short having ridden the Grimpeur the day before. Myself Hans & Chris C rode out via Farlington, Coulton, Gilling, Helmsley & Hawnby and back the 'easier' way - Kepwick, Sutton under Sutton Bank & Kilburn under Whitehorse Bank. Myself and Chris pushed on back via Crayke, Huby & Strenny. I'm hoping Hans took one of the Easingwold turns around Oulston or was abducted by Aliens?? Finishing two out of five is a bit retro but Chris appeared to enjoy it?
You can come out in relative safety next week. The slightly cuddlier real captain will be back.