By Sunday standards there was a colossal group of 13 riders in The Square this morning, for an early spring-like ride to Osmotherley. Classic route involved White Horse Bank and the incomparable Hawnby-Osmotherly mountain road. Back via the foothills, but all told - more climbing than you could shake a stick at. I'm not going to try to mention everybody - but Sam had done more miles than ever before.... by the time he'd reached the cafe. Dave Byworth was on his first Sunday after a long layoff looking like the "Ghost of Bikerides Past" with his white beard. And Steen will be pleased to know that Mark didn't talk too much about teaching......
Jordan's Moss next week - Heather's birthday treat.
Weekend Roundup 25/26 Feb
Moderator: Moderators
On Saturday, Nine decided to savour the early season delights of Bulmer and the Cockayne Loop. Dr Dave arrived in the Square with the news that Kevin had snapped a chain en route and had passed on his maps. Dave waved a map at me saying it was for the ‘elite ride’,…yep, elite!…well, taking that map was about the only ‘elite’ thing I did all day.
Bulmer initially got the heart started, before I proceeded to play a shocker around the Loop, struggling up the hill into the headwind on the way out and torpedoed by a serious leg cramp on the final climb on the way back. Granty drifted back to find out what the hell I was doing, and then hung around till we drifted in to Helmsley trailing a couple of minutes behind the rest of the group. [I’m getting very p***ed off with this cramp thing, I reckon I suffer more than my fair share of leg cramps compared to everyone else. I rarely wilt before I cramp. I’m probably at the high end of the Sweat-a-lot Index and normally maintain a low salt diet. I’ve been Googling cramp prevention methods all w/e; sodium and potassium deficiencies looking like something I need to actively manage.]
We found some K-riders in the ice cream parlour as we searched for the Intermediate lot, eventually finding them in the other café. I was then embarrassingly caught ordering quiche (won’t bother to explain why). Tried to keep it low key but was buried by the waitress who marched into the dining area and announced to the entire café, “Who ordered the quiche?”…sparking an appropriate response
We then chatted about my propensity to get cramps, decided I needed a potassium fix so went “in search of banana”, the lads kindly pointing out that this was Helmsley, not San Fran, but wished me good luck anyway! The bananas must have done the trick because I was fine on the return leg to York, via Harome, Hovingham and Farlington. Most of our crew were on their last legs by the time we got home. Big points to Ian K and Dan for leading the charge around the Loop, and then Simon W for having the strength to sit on the front with Tony G almost the entire trip back to York!
D.
Bulmer initially got the heart started, before I proceeded to play a shocker around the Loop, struggling up the hill into the headwind on the way out and torpedoed by a serious leg cramp on the final climb on the way back. Granty drifted back to find out what the hell I was doing, and then hung around till we drifted in to Helmsley trailing a couple of minutes behind the rest of the group. [I’m getting very p***ed off with this cramp thing, I reckon I suffer more than my fair share of leg cramps compared to everyone else. I rarely wilt before I cramp. I’m probably at the high end of the Sweat-a-lot Index and normally maintain a low salt diet. I’ve been Googling cramp prevention methods all w/e; sodium and potassium deficiencies looking like something I need to actively manage.]
We found some K-riders in the ice cream parlour as we searched for the Intermediate lot, eventually finding them in the other café. I was then embarrassingly caught ordering quiche (won’t bother to explain why). Tried to keep it low key but was buried by the waitress who marched into the dining area and announced to the entire café, “Who ordered the quiche?”…sparking an appropriate response
We then chatted about my propensity to get cramps, decided I needed a potassium fix so went “in search of banana”, the lads kindly pointing out that this was Helmsley, not San Fran, but wished me good luck anyway! The bananas must have done the trick because I was fine on the return leg to York, via Harome, Hovingham and Farlington. Most of our crew were on their last legs by the time we got home. Big points to Ian K and Dan for leading the charge around the Loop, and then Simon W for having the strength to sit on the front with Tony G almost the entire trip back to York!D.
A fairly busy weekend for me on the bike. Got back from Uni on friday afternoon, and went straight out for a 2 hour steady spin to make the most of the lovely sunshine!
Then headed out early saturday morning telling myself I'd do a very steady 4 hours. When I got to Bishopwood I found the training group doing their thing on the circuit there, and after getting several very puzzled looks as if to say "why is that Clifton rider going in the wrong direction?!" I decided I couldn't resist, and I joined Phil for a 3-up lap of the circuit before riding with the group back into York.
Sunday, again I headed out early; this time to join the club run to Osmotherley. After staying with the group for just over an hour I split off and continued back through Boroughbridge. All in all, 2 hours friday, 4 hours saturday and 4 hours sunday, and back on the train this afternoon! Not a bad weekend's riding, thanks all!
Then headed out early saturday morning telling myself I'd do a very steady 4 hours. When I got to Bishopwood I found the training group doing their thing on the circuit there, and after getting several very puzzled looks as if to say "why is that Clifton rider going in the wrong direction?!" I decided I couldn't resist, and I joined Phil for a 3-up lap of the circuit before riding with the group back into York.
Sunday, again I headed out early; this time to join the club run to Osmotherley. After staying with the group for just over an hour I split off and continued back through Boroughbridge. All in all, 2 hours friday, 4 hours saturday and 4 hours sunday, and back on the train this afternoon! Not a bad weekend's riding, thanks all!
Was one of the Cockayne crew on Saturday. On paper a tougher ride than last week to Pateley but felt much stronger, amazing what a difference a week makes 
It was still a struggle into a nagging westerly on my route home though when you have nearly 100 miles on the clock. I'm sure the wind strength had picked up but don't all cyclists say that I did regret not bringing the bike without guards though as it was bone dry I'm sure it will make a difference having ridden a 'slightly' heavier bike tthrough out the winter. Without wanting to get into the whole mudguard debate I don't really like saying I have a summer or winter bike even though I do I still would use the one with the guards in the summer if the weather is bad simply to be considerate to others. I even had the energy to go out for a steady ride today on the 'summer' bike 
Jon
It was still a struggle into a nagging westerly on my route home though when you have nearly 100 miles on the clock. I'm sure the wind strength had picked up but don't all cyclists say that I did regret not bringing the bike without guards though as it was bone dry I'm sure it will make a difference having ridden a 'slightly' heavier bike tthrough out the winter. Without wanting to get into the whole mudguard debate I don't really like saying I have a summer or winter bike even though I do I still would use the one with the guards in the summer if the weather is bad simply to be considerate to others. I even had the energy to go out for a steady ride today on the 'summer' bike Jon
" I’ve been Googling cramp prevention methods all w/e; sodium and potassium deficiencies looking like something I need to actively manage"
I did a lot of research into this a couple of years back after repeatedly cramping up towards the end of races. From all the reading I did there's no one cause, nor one cure. But.. ..I started taking Magnesium/calcium pills (get them in big pots from Boots or I'm sure they're even cheaper on the net) and since then rarely cramp in races and absolutely never get woken by cramps the night after races, which used to be a regular event. Worth a try, I'd say, assuming you're already doing all the other sensible stuff like drinking enough / stretching regularly / etc.
I did a lot of research into this a couple of years back after repeatedly cramping up towards the end of races. From all the reading I did there's no one cause, nor one cure. But.. ..I started taking Magnesium/calcium pills (get them in big pots from Boots or I'm sure they're even cheaper on the net) and since then rarely cramp in races and absolutely never get woken by cramps the night after races, which used to be a regular event. Worth a try, I'd say, assuming you're already doing all the other sensible stuff like drinking enough / stretching regularly / etc.