Saturday saw myself and daughter, Siobhan, set off en tandem on the inaugral, and little advertised, Clifton 1045 ride. If I'd have known what the atmosphere was to throw at us, I'd have probably taken her swimming instead.... Nevertheless, we headed north through Sherif Huton, Whenby, Skewsby, Yearsley and on to the cafe in Coxwold to wait for Kevin's group. We'd got a bit cold and wet on the way, but the cake and hot chocolate were good and spirits soon rose.
The clifton faithful arrived in 2s and 3s over the next 50 mins. The atmosphere was good with much banter and jolity (sp?). Set off all together into a dark deluge. Strangely my 10 year old found it hilarious to be sprayed liberally by a group of about a dozen cyclists and have eyes stung by driving 5°C rain - latent clubrun potential for certain.
Tandems are not in their element on the uphill stretches, but bags of fun downhill and flat. We plugged away and got home before the cold knawed its way in too much. At bed time Siobhan said that she's had a fun day, but didn't want to do it every week - fair enough!
Sunday, 0900 and I was joined by Richard, Steen, Muzzy, AndyT(?) and Nigel. Not a cloud in the sky all day and cold and crisp. Finessed the route a little early on to avoid some icey stretches, but fairly hummed to Brid. New cafe (thanks for the recommendation John) of which Steen approved, phew!
Headwind return, but not too bad. That said I was pretty stuffed for the last hour. Just shy of 100 miles (slightly further than normal for this time of the year, but you've got to make the most of a day like that!) Thanks for the company guys.Rob
it was probably the coldest I've felt more to do with the wet than anything else. I have the added benefit of some extra padding 
so my core was fine . Really good day out though with some competitive sprinting for village signs between fin and stu with Scott and Jenny trying to spoil the party. I hope this benign weather continues though so I can continue to get the miles in. 