08:45 - Saturday 13th September

[GerardC]

Mike is once again absent this week, so he has delegated responsibility for organising Saturday's ride to yours truly.

As such I think a trip over the Wolds is in order. I'm sure that I can put a route together that includes a few hills!

Usual format, i.e. meet at 08:45 and depart by 9. Distance will be of the order of 70 miles, average 18.5-19.5 mph. Back into town for 12:45-13:00.

[Dom S Teak]

Just wondered if you managed the 19.5 mph average you were expecting for your 70 miles in the Wolds?

[GerardC]

We were pretty close; when I got home yesterday I had recorded a total of 82.4 miles (including 11 from the Square and back), just a smidge over 3,000 ft of ascent and an average speed of 19.3 mph.

Mike should be back for next weeks ride, so no doubt he will post something closer to the time. At present though the plan is to either do a route through the Howardian Hills or to complete another loop of my favourite ride to Brimham Rocks.

[Dr Dave]

Yes, a brisk trip this week. Certainly fun although we did drop a couple of riders so not a ride to choose if your form is a bit off........

[MarkP]

Tut tut I thought no one got dropped on this ride

[Melly]

There was me thinking riders only got dropped on designated road race training rides which is fair enough (lets you know where you are) but....., poor show really and doesn't look good for potential members !!!!

[GerardC]

I believe that last comment to be rather disingenuous. We had one individual on Saturday who made a decision to return home early. This was at the individual’s insistence and was contrary to the protestations of others. The crux of the problem was that this individual was informed by the club that this ride was going to be approximately 50 km at an average of around 17 mph. The discrepancy between this information and my original post is rather startling.

I must confess my utter frustration with the above post. We do our utmost on these rides to be inclusive of a wide range of abilities and to ensure that we return to York with the same numbers as we departed. Where individuals’ have proceeded to struggle, either myself, Mike or Tony have ensured their safe return to York. This to me is the exact opposite of a ‘poor show’ and must clearly highlight to new riders the compassionate nature of the members of Clifton Cycling Club.

For me, this discussion is rather dispiriting. This is a fantastic ride, covering some great roads and meeting some great people. However, it is a ride that is conducted at a fairly brisk pace, particularly when you consider the typical terrain that we cover. I have completed each Saturday ride since the beginning of April. Over that period no ride has been less than 70 miles and the lowest average speed I have recorded is 18.1 mph. I know that I am not the only one when I say that I am very much looking forward to this Saturday’s ride.

[Dr Dave]

I confess that I did enjoy the last 2 saturdays - the rides do pretty much provide exactly what suits me at this time of year and I have no issue - I know what's on offer and do the 8:45 with my eyes open.

There were actually 2 riders who dropped off last Saturday finding the pace a bit much - one of whom has been a better cyclist than any current member I can think of.

The ride is fine as is - providing it is advertised as being 70 miles @ 18+ mph over lumpy terrain so that potential riders know what to expect. (As I recall the original intention was for this ride to offer a half day ride for those for whom the training ride was too full on - not sure it ever entirely achieved this aim, I remember doing 19.5 mph over a lumpy course 18 months ago before most of the current 8:45 riders were regulars -Tony excepted).
You'll never please everyone!

[GerardC]

Again, I disagree with the above post. You mention that a further person turned back early because he found the pace too high. Whilst the first part of this assertion is correct the second is not. Upon entering Crambe he stated that he was encountering bouts of cramp and thought it wise to return home early. I believe this to be a prudent decision, better to return in the first 15 miles rather than continuing with the group only for the problem to worsen. In addition, you mention the credentials of this individual; it is for this reason that he has had no issues with the speed or distance of the ride in previous weeks.

The fundamental reason why I joined the club was because of this ride. I have participated in this ride since its commencement last April; bar a hiatus last summer when I felt the rides were far too short. In my opinion, the rides this year have been far more enjoyable than those of the earlier part of last year. I believe the reason for this is the extra distance covered, i.e. the majority of rides in 2014 have covered 70 miles instead of 50-55 miles in the early part of 2013. In my opinion, this year’s rides have greatly benefited for the extra distance. The previous post mentions rides conducted at an average speed of 19.5 mph. I believe the reason for this is the short distances covered last year. From a personal perspective, I did not derive any great satisfaction from these rides, as I often cover distances of this nature on a weekday evening at a higher average speed. The extra 20 miles enables much better routes to be selected, particularly my favourite around Brimham Rocks.

Therefore, I am struggling to determine how this ride does not meet the original criteria. It is a half-day ride, always returning to York for 12:45-13:00. If we are only to cover 50-55 miles, then why not assimilate this into the 09:00 training ride? I believe that the majority who undertake the 8:45 ride will have no problems with the speed of the training ride. The blurb accompanying this ride is correct; it is a brisk social ride. I for one seem to spend the whole of the ride chatting away to Mike! However, that does not deflect from the fact that this is a ride intended for experienced cyclists who are comfortable with riding at speed in a group. Whilst we are extremely accommodating of newcomers it is essential they have the requisite levels of fitness. This is highlighted by a ride we conducted recently to Masham over Warthermarske to Ripon at an average of 19.8 mph.

Perhaps your right on one thing, you can’t please everyone.

[Tullio]

Let's not re-open the discussion on this ride. It's a fast paced social ride that isn't suitable for everyone but has a big following.

The issue may be partly my fault as, after the discussion earlier in the year, I'd agreed a new description for the 'Our Rides' description page. Mike flagged earlier that it still had the old description which I've just corrected.

Move on, enjoy your riding......

[mart66]

Crikey!

This has all become a bit 'training rides in October'!

[Broom Wagon]

Woah there boys, to echo Tullio, move on. As someone who has been dropped from pretty much every Clifton ride at one point or another, it's not nice but you get over it. It's nice to have inclusive rides but no ride suits everyone.

This discussion has been held many times before and will many times again that's for sure. Best not to take this issue to heart.

[Paul W]

Ah.the Saturday 8.45 ride..last year it had to be one of my best regular rides which I enjoyed immensely, I'm making a return to Clifton cc soon.not knowing where my ability fits into the 8.45 ride after reading the above comments.
Hope nothing has changed too much in a year,