I did “Ten under the Ben” at Ben Nevis range on Saturday along with quite a group of the Clifton MTB section. The Weather was true to form and pissed it down most of the day.
I was in a duo team with Paul Scott and went out first. This involved doing a short run then picking up your bike followed by about a 6mile shortened lap (The normal length was 10miles). I got off to a bad start with my chain snapping about 200 metres from the start. I then got seriously delayed as I tried to pass people on fire roads, but then got held up in traffic jams down the singletrack. There were some really boggy sections even at the start which increasingly got worse as we went on.
Paul then took over from me and managed to pull back quite a bit of time. I had a good second lap apart falling over whilst jumping over a log and injuring both knees.
From here on in the rain really kicked in. For my third lap I started getting real problems with the amount of crap and rain going into my eyes and I couldn’t wear my glasses, so couldn’t see much. By the second part of the lap I was getting shooting pains in my left eye and was riding some of the course with my eyes closed due to the pain. When I finished Steph had to squirt water into my eyes so I could open them.
On my fourth lap I borrowed Paul’s goggles which seemed to work for the first half of the lap. The second half was a complete nightmare on the eye front however and I came in a bit of wreck.
Paul then kindly did two laps whilst I suffered from Delhi Belly. At this stage I was wearing three coats and my quilted waterproof over trousers to keep warm waiting to do my turn again, also I couldn’t eat anything. I must say at this point I did wobble about going back out again.
I did however rise to the challenge and again the first half went well riding though paths that were streams and huge muddy puddles followed by a fire road climb in to the forest. However I walked a lot of the technical bits as I had to stop every 100m due to eye pain. With about a third of the course to go I remembered I had a wired hood in my Paramo jacket and wore that under my helmet which made a great difference. It was quite a relief to finish!
Me and Paul also did the red route at Ae Forest the next day. Before we started I found that I only had a wafer thin amount of pad on my rear brake pad (which I had only just replaced recently) and that I had gone through half of the aluminium backing on the front pads the day before.
Weekend Roundup 22/23 May
Moderator: Moderators
Jeff's write up pretty much sums up the day! It rained from the moment we got there to the moment we left. Not just spitting, proper soak you through rain that made the experience very cold indeed, especially when waiting for your partner to return! At least when you were riding you warmed up with all the climbing. The water in the streams that used to be the tracks was freezing cold as it went up your back, I also had severe vision issues from my glasses misting up and also all the mud and rain on them. There were times when I had to just use the force...
Laps were taking around about an hour each, so there was just enough time to change into fresh clothes and try and eat something before going back out and waiting in the changeover area again.
As the day went on the course got worse, I soon found it was tons quicker to jump off and run through the really muddy bits than it was to try and ride them. A bloke in front of me lost his shoe in the mud, I burst out laughing but I don't think he found it too funny...
Lisa and I managed 5 laps each, which is 50 miles each! Also 1200 ft climbing per lap. Everyone at Clifton did amazingly. We all went out lap after lap even though we wanted to go home. After my 4th lap I wondered if my poor body could take another one but fortunately I made it around in one piece.
If the weather had been good it would have been brilliant! It was still fun, but a nice warm hotel room at the end would have been nice, rather than returning to the cold wet tents and no showers!
Here is my full race report
Laps were taking around about an hour each, so there was just enough time to change into fresh clothes and try and eat something before going back out and waiting in the changeover area again.
As the day went on the course got worse, I soon found it was tons quicker to jump off and run through the really muddy bits than it was to try and ride them. A bloke in front of me lost his shoe in the mud, I burst out laughing but I don't think he found it too funny...
Lisa and I managed 5 laps each, which is 50 miles each! Also 1200 ft climbing per lap. Everyone at Clifton did amazingly. We all went out lap after lap even though we wanted to go home. After my 4th lap I wondered if my poor body could take another one but fortunately I made it around in one piece.
If the weather had been good it would have been brilliant! It was still fun, but a nice warm hotel room at the end would have been nice, rather than returning to the cold wet tents and no showers!
Here is my full race report
I completed my final PBP qualifer, the Darlington-Lincoln-Darlington 400. Up and down the vale of York was never going to be fun and 400km the weekend after my welsh 600 was never going to be easy, but I was still surprised at how lifeless I felt. A headwind all the way out, a tailwind part of the way back and a stop at home on the return leg gave me nearly 22 hours for a flattish ride. Returning to York in the morning, I was just in time to catch the club run as they left the square on their way to Robin Hood's Bay. I hope you all had a good ride? Someone asked if I was joining them; we obviously weren't riding close enough as I smelt like every one of those kilometres!
Now I've done all my qualifiers, I can put silly long rides to bed and have some fun! If I'm out next week, I think a nice gentle K ride could be just the ticket
Now I've done all my qualifiers, I can put silly long rides to bed and have some fun! If I'm out next week, I think a nice gentle K ride could be just the ticket
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emivita123
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Wed Jun 16, 2010 8:48 am
Steph forgot to mention that her and Lisa came 3rd and got medals!!! Very fast laps despite the weather.
For me, I had my first ever puncture in the first 20 min of the lap and then another one minutes later!!!
Me and Ian came 6th in our category out of 25 so not too bad considering my disastrous first lap.
For me, I had my first ever puncture in the first 20 min of the lap and then another one minutes later!!!
Me and Ian came 6th in our category out of 25 so not too bad considering my disastrous first lap.
Myself and the good lady have both been suffering with bad colds this weekend and havent done anything cycling related except watch the Giro which was excellant. I had hoped to do the Robin Hoods Bay ride but I'm not too disappointed considering the wind and fortunately hadnt anything entered I would have been forced to miss - like the Div Champs.
Talking of which here's somone who rode for Clifton and also had some good fortune this weekend. Superb.
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/a ... ionships-0
Talking of which here's somone who rode for Clifton and also had some good fortune this weekend. Superb.
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/a ... ionships-0
Another Grand Day Out for the Sunday gang. Robin Hoods Bay - some of the most exposed roads in England on the windiest day for a while. Some 15 riders in The Square, although a couple took early baths after an hour.
The first of the stormlets hit us on Egton Moor, real battles to get capes on - lose your grip and the Goretex would be in the N Sea! By the time we were caped up the rain had passed. This process was repeated q a few times in the morning.
This is a back breaking route. The hills are so steep that they have special high friction tarmac - I kid you not! Egton, Goatland, Blue Bank, Little Beck, High Hawkster. RHB. Sheltered cafe terrace overlooking the sea, could have been the Med. Most couldn't resist riding down to the beach to get sand on the tyres.
All concerned about headwind battle home, but in the end not too bad. More sheltered afternoon route through Fylinghalls, Silpho, Troutsdale and Settrington helped. But by tea time, many running on empty!
To be fair it wasn't our finest display of group riding. Terrain and large group made it hard to keep together. On the big climbs there will always be a need to regroup at the top, but I keep stressing the need to ride the the more rolling terrain at a constant effort, not a constant speed. If we sprint the small climbs, then the back of the group get shredded - and with a big group it takes a while for the front to get the message - and then we have to slow to walking pace. Really inefficient. Anyway, coaching talk over.
Good ride. Well done to all. 120+ miles and some serious up and down. I'm not out for the next couple of Sundays - suggest a couple of more sensible routes! Driffield, Pateley? Have fun.
The first of the stormlets hit us on Egton Moor, real battles to get capes on - lose your grip and the Goretex would be in the N Sea! By the time we were caped up the rain had passed. This process was repeated q a few times in the morning.
This is a back breaking route. The hills are so steep that they have special high friction tarmac - I kid you not! Egton, Goatland, Blue Bank, Little Beck, High Hawkster. RHB. Sheltered cafe terrace overlooking the sea, could have been the Med. Most couldn't resist riding down to the beach to get sand on the tyres.
All concerned about headwind battle home, but in the end not too bad. More sheltered afternoon route through Fylinghalls, Silpho, Troutsdale and Settrington helped. But by tea time, many running on empty!
To be fair it wasn't our finest display of group riding. Terrain and large group made it hard to keep together. On the big climbs there will always be a need to regroup at the top, but I keep stressing the need to ride the the more rolling terrain at a constant effort, not a constant speed. If we sprint the small climbs, then the back of the group get shredded - and with a big group it takes a while for the front to get the message - and then we have to slow to walking pace. Really inefficient. Anyway, coaching talk over.
Good ride. Well done to all. 120+ miles and some serious up and down. I'm not out for the next couple of Sundays - suggest a couple of more sensible routes! Driffield, Pateley? Have fun.
My Wimp Quotient rose to the heights of an Icelandic volcano's dust cloud and I bottled out of the Robin Hood's Bay jaunt at an early stage. Watching a tight bunch disappear up towards Castle Howard without breaking sweat made it quite clear I wouldn't be climbing any where near their rate when the "big hills" arrived. I was under no illusion of what was to come having ridden, and crashed spectacularly, in and around that part of the world since before a large proportion of the bunch were born (got to keep up my grumpy old g*t persona somehow). And I didn't want to keep holding people up either (see I'm actually quite thoughtful).
As they turned east, I headed west via the Howardian bumpy bits, Easinwold, Boroughbridge etc, and a most stupendous dry soil sandstorm, to catch a tailwind home. Much to my delight I ended up doing my longest non stop ride for over seven months.
However hats off to the MTBers, the PBPer, the RHBers and the racers (especially Arnie) who did much more sterling stuff than me - it's a priviledge to be a Clifton CCer at the moment
As they turned east, I headed west via the Howardian bumpy bits, Easinwold, Boroughbridge etc, and a most stupendous dry soil sandstorm, to catch a tailwind home. Much to my delight I ended up doing my longest non stop ride for over seven months.
However hats off to the MTBers, the PBPer, the RHBers and the racers (especially Arnie) who did much more sterling stuff than me - it's a priviledge to be a Clifton CCer at the moment
Sunday club run for me to Robin Hood's Bay.
Most definitely the hardest ride for me all year. I wish I had been fitter to have enjoyed the views and the whole day a lot more. Great route, lovely quiet roads and great company. Got to discover new roads and my favourite one has to be the road from Silpho to Snainton.
A big thank you to everyone on the ride for being patient and waiting for me all day! Thank you in particular to Shaun, Broomwagon and Rob for their support.
Virginie
Most definitely the hardest ride for me all year. I wish I had been fitter to have enjoyed the views and the whole day a lot more. Great route, lovely quiet roads and great company. Got to discover new roads and my favourite one has to be the road from Silpho to Snainton.
A big thank you to everyone on the ride for being patient and waiting for me all day! Thank you in particular to Shaun, Broomwagon and Rob for their support.
Virginie
I tackled the Robin Hoods Bay 200km (125m) climb-fest. As Rob said, 15 in the Square, 2 early departures as described, leaving 13 intrepid explorers to tackle Rob’s Himalayan trek to RHB.
We hitched up our train of mountain yaks in the early mist and headed up through the Howardian Pass before climbing via the Rosedale Icefall to the top of Egton Moor. A passing high altitude storm caused mayhem with the Group, firstly pummelling us with wind gusts and then horizontal rain. I took cover behind a tiny 1ft x2ft “sheep” sign which was so effective it attracted half a dozen others in a line behind me so as to resemble an old moors bus stop! We were soon on our way again for the abseil down into the Egton Bridge Crevasse. I knew this 33 per cent hairpin descent called for tight sphincters but one of our lot flew past me like a hawk in a power dive. I next saw him in the side grass with water bottles strewn everywhere! He wisely dispensed with the base-jumping thereafter. The big climb out of Egton Bridge pushed us close to the hurt zone before we backtracked to the Goathland Glacier in search of even steeper overhangs. I stupidly found myself chasing the mountain goats, Andy G and Heather, all the way to RHB from this point which definitely wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done.
After the long climb out of the Goathland Glacier, the serious mountaineering really kicked in. If anyone is ever cycling in the RHB area and is offered the chance to take a shortcut through Little Beck,...don’t do it! It is actually at the bottom of a deep abyss, where alien fish with fluorescent lights dangling in front of their massive shark-like jaws lurk in the blackness. My back wheel felt like it had an anti-lock brake system fitted as it half-rolled, half-skidded down the 33 per cent gradient. At the bottom there is a neat upward ramp to a mid-way ledge where we were given the choice of a 20 per center or a 25 per center to get out. Andy G said the map pointed to the 25 per center (I actually thought he was taking the P!) so up the non-slip rock wall we went. Rob had already warned us to click our carabiners into the side safety rope before we ascended. What a shocker that was!...I’m sure I saw Sir Chris Bonington on the ropes at the Hilary Step half way up!...I almost brought up the energy bars getting out of there. We then recovered through some nice back lanes before dropping into RHB where we landed in the cafe at the top of the cliff, not a moment too soon for me!
After lunch, Rob declared it would be rude not to dip the front wheel into the sea so off he went down the cliff with a bunch of other ‘cycling etiquette’ observers. I remained at cafe camp 5 to ‘man the radio’. We then tackled endless climbs to get out of RHB and headed back towards Silpho, Hackness and the 3 mile long climb out of Troutsdale. A coke and mars bar stop was then declared at Snainton. After all the mountaineering, it was always going to be a tough 40 miles back from there. We became a bit dishevelled as we tried to keep everyone together through Rillington and Settrington. At this point, many of us were fighting our own personal battles with frost bite and altitude sickness. Eventually, we all made it back to base camp despite being strung out like Hilary’s yaks towards the very end.
There was no room for the soft-hearted or soft-legged on this mountain trek. Big thanks to Rob for devising such an epic route through the Himalayan peaks. Thanks also to those who assisted in the management of the expedition party, especially Rob, Shaun W, Andy G and Broomo, a job which presented its challenges at various times throughout.
I’ve had far too many epic rides in successive weekends, my batteries are dead and rigor mortis has set in to my legs. I might have to install a Stannah stairlift to get me up to bed at night! I need to plug myself into a recharger, crank up the barby and go into relax mode for a week or so!
D.
We hitched up our train of mountain yaks in the early mist and headed up through the Howardian Pass before climbing via the Rosedale Icefall to the top of Egton Moor. A passing high altitude storm caused mayhem with the Group, firstly pummelling us with wind gusts and then horizontal rain. I took cover behind a tiny 1ft x2ft “sheep” sign which was so effective it attracted half a dozen others in a line behind me so as to resemble an old moors bus stop! We were soon on our way again for the abseil down into the Egton Bridge Crevasse. I knew this 33 per cent hairpin descent called for tight sphincters but one of our lot flew past me like a hawk in a power dive. I next saw him in the side grass with water bottles strewn everywhere! He wisely dispensed with the base-jumping thereafter. The big climb out of Egton Bridge pushed us close to the hurt zone before we backtracked to the Goathland Glacier in search of even steeper overhangs. I stupidly found myself chasing the mountain goats, Andy G and Heather, all the way to RHB from this point which definitely wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done.
After the long climb out of the Goathland Glacier, the serious mountaineering really kicked in. If anyone is ever cycling in the RHB area and is offered the chance to take a shortcut through Little Beck,...don’t do it! It is actually at the bottom of a deep abyss, where alien fish with fluorescent lights dangling in front of their massive shark-like jaws lurk in the blackness. My back wheel felt like it had an anti-lock brake system fitted as it half-rolled, half-skidded down the 33 per cent gradient. At the bottom there is a neat upward ramp to a mid-way ledge where we were given the choice of a 20 per center or a 25 per center to get out. Andy G said the map pointed to the 25 per center (I actually thought he was taking the P!) so up the non-slip rock wall we went. Rob had already warned us to click our carabiners into the side safety rope before we ascended. What a shocker that was!...I’m sure I saw Sir Chris Bonington on the ropes at the Hilary Step half way up!...I almost brought up the energy bars getting out of there. We then recovered through some nice back lanes before dropping into RHB where we landed in the cafe at the top of the cliff, not a moment too soon for me!
After lunch, Rob declared it would be rude not to dip the front wheel into the sea so off he went down the cliff with a bunch of other ‘cycling etiquette’ observers. I remained at cafe camp 5 to ‘man the radio’.
We then tackled endless climbs to get out of RHB and headed back towards Silpho, Hackness and the 3 mile long climb out of Troutsdale. A coke and mars bar stop was then declared at Snainton. After all the mountaineering, it was always going to be a tough 40 miles back from there. We became a bit dishevelled as we tried to keep everyone together through Rillington and Settrington. At this point, many of us were fighting our own personal battles with frost bite and altitude sickness. Eventually, we all made it back to base camp despite being strung out like Hilary’s yaks towards the very end.There was no room for the soft-hearted or soft-legged on this mountain trek. Big thanks to Rob for devising such an epic route through the Himalayan peaks. Thanks also to those who assisted in the management of the expedition party, especially Rob, Shaun W, Andy G and Broomo, a job which presented its challenges at various times throughout.
I’ve had far too many epic rides in successive weekends, my batteries are dead and rigor mortis has set in to my legs. I might have to install a Stannah stairlift to get me up to bed at night!
I need to plug myself into a recharger, crank up the barby and go into relax mode for a week or so!D.
The more I read the more I regret not doing it.Darren N wrote: I knew this 33 per cent hairpin descent called for tight sphincters but one of our lot flew past me like a hawk in a power dive. I next saw him in the side grass with water bottles strewn everywhere - good to see it's still catching young whipper snappers out!
take a shortcut through Little Beck,...don’t do it! ... neat upward ramp to a mid-way ledge where we were given the choice of a 20 per center or a 25 per center to get out. Andy G said the map pointed to the 25 per center - came off on this one too, only going up, - forgot to drop into small ring, came to a total halt and fell gracefully into the roadside.
D.
Another Robin Hoods Bay survivor. Firstly let me say another great write up Darren. Also well done to the mountain bikers atBen Nevis.
Another great ride, thanks Rob for leading it and yes I agree not the greatest group riding but that's what happens when everybody's ability is different. And Mal you should have stuck with it you could have kept me company on the hills
Welcome marshalling done by Shaun, Steve, Rob and Andy looking out for everybody, especially Steve for dropping back at Langton on the return leg to pace me back to York when my energy reserves were running low and my legs had gone. Thanks Steve I got back fine after you turned off home.
For the record my Garmin said 2800m of ascent, 200m more than the Runswick bay ride last year. It certainley felt like it.
The positives for me though beautiful scenery especially through Troutdale in the sunshine, another new road for me. Lastly well done Ginny for sticking with it after that climb out of Rosedale when we got hit by the squally shower. I certainley wouldn't have fancied turning back into that wind on my own.
Jon
Another great ride, thanks Rob for leading it and yes I agree not the greatest group riding but that's what happens when everybody's ability is different. And Mal you should have stuck with it you could have kept me company on the hills
Welcome marshalling done by Shaun, Steve, Rob and Andy looking out for everybody, especially Steve for dropping back at Langton on the return leg to pace me back to York when my energy reserves were running low and my legs had gone. Thanks Steve I got back fine after you turned off home.
For the record my Garmin said 2800m of ascent, 200m more than the Runswick bay ride last year. It certainley felt like it.
The positives for me though beautiful scenery especially through Troutdale in the sunshine, another new road for me. Lastly well done Ginny for sticking with it after that climb out of Rosedale when we got hit by the squally shower. I certainley wouldn't have fancied turning back into that wind on my own.
Jon
I love it! It sounds like you all had a great ride, I'll have to put a note in my diary to do the RHB next year. Congratulations to the racers as well, both on and off road.
Darren, have you read The Ascent of Rum Doodle by any chance?
Darren, have you read The Ascent of Rum Doodle by any chance?
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Broom Wagon
- Posts: 435
- Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:15 pm
I was out with the RHB riders this weekend - excellently lead by Rob. It was far from my natural environment with many long steep climbs but the views were second to none, though I was ready for a coffee by the time we got to RHB and luckily the cafe Rob had selected had tremendous views and good coffee.
Shame the weather did its best to try to chuck a spanner in the works at times, with showers that came in fast and heavy. Struggling not to get blown away whilst putting rain capes on, by the time you were caped up, you'd be wet through and the shower gone and already across to the next hill. Also the strong winds made it hard for us to keep together on the flat bits.
By the time I got home I certainly felt like I'd earned my three points for the challenge series, though from the descriptions of 10 under the Ben it sounds like there were tougher rides done this weekend.
Shame the weather did its best to try to chuck a spanner in the works at times, with showers that came in fast and heavy. Struggling not to get blown away whilst putting rain capes on, by the time you were caped up, you'd be wet through and the shower gone and already across to the next hill. Also the strong winds made it hard for us to keep together on the flat bits.
By the time I got home I certainly felt like I'd earned my three points for the challenge series, though from the descriptions of 10 under the Ben it sounds like there were tougher rides done this weekend.