Saturdays inters ride.
11 of us at the square: Graham, Rich, Tony(Canada), Craig, Pete, Dr Jo, Kevin 1 & Kevin 2 (sorry guys), Tony, & ian.
Set of to Stean Gorge via - Ripon & Jordans Moss, realy good views from the top.
Good weather if a little windy, Tony headed back early as he was out on Sunday the remaining ten of us got to Stean Gorge ready for a rest & food.
We all enjoyed the back wind on the home.
Dr Jo headed into Harrogate to get his rear wheel looked at, hope you got things sorted.
kevin pulled strongly on the front on the way back into York.
I hope Ian enjoyed his ride out & hope to see you again.
All in about 95 miles depending were you live in York.
Weekend roundup May 16th/17th
Moderator: Moderators
Re: Weekend roundup May 16th/17th
In an effort to make the club more joined up I'm sticking my road race report here!
Stuck a number on me back for the first time today at the Yorkshire Div Champs in Lincolnshire - work that one out! In fact I was Cliftons sole representative. For once I am glad I was a veteran. A circuit round Owston Ferry and some other back of beyond places. I've raced there before but 20 years ago at least and had no memory of the area such was the impact it had. This was a big circuit, apart from a couple of drags, one up to the finish it was flatter than a salt lake, hardly a tree or hedge to shelter behind. Our event included the juniors so it was a big field. The circuit was at least 6 miles from the hq which meant everyone was keen to finish as no way would you find your way back alone. This race was so hard - Jamie Sharp didnt win (2nd) - probably one of a long list of riders who would've preffered a circuit with a few hills. As soon as the flag dropped We were doing over 30 mph in long stretches of crosswind. The commissaire stopped the race on the opening lap to warn the riders not to cross the white line as we were lined out down the right hand gutter - well what do you expect? After that it was just a question of survival - I was on the drops for 80% of a 57 mile race pushing the biggest gear I could following the biggest riders I could find. Frustratingly managed to lose the wheel in front a couple of miles from the end so finished alone but probably only half the field left by then. But never been so glad to see the finish - still had over 24 mph average on my clock. Most of the field then got lost riding back to the hq - including support vehicles - you cant make it up! I could only imagine how hard the main race was in the afternoon as it was blowing a gale by then!
Stuck a number on me back for the first time today at the Yorkshire Div Champs in Lincolnshire - work that one out! In fact I was Cliftons sole representative. For once I am glad I was a veteran. A circuit round Owston Ferry and some other back of beyond places. I've raced there before but 20 years ago at least and had no memory of the area such was the impact it had. This was a big circuit, apart from a couple of drags, one up to the finish it was flatter than a salt lake, hardly a tree or hedge to shelter behind. Our event included the juniors so it was a big field. The circuit was at least 6 miles from the hq which meant everyone was keen to finish as no way would you find your way back alone. This race was so hard - Jamie Sharp didnt win (2nd) - probably one of a long list of riders who would've preffered a circuit with a few hills. As soon as the flag dropped We were doing over 30 mph in long stretches of crosswind. The commissaire stopped the race on the opening lap to warn the riders not to cross the white line as we were lined out down the right hand gutter - well what do you expect? After that it was just a question of survival - I was on the drops for 80% of a 57 mile race pushing the biggest gear I could following the biggest riders I could find. Frustratingly managed to lose the wheel in front a couple of miles from the end so finished alone but probably only half the field left by then. But never been so glad to see the finish - still had over 24 mph average on my clock. Most of the field then got lost riding back to the hq - including support vehicles - you cant make it up! I could only imagine how hard the main race was in the afternoon as it was blowing a gale by then!
Re: Weekend roundup May 16th/17th
Good to see another Race Report on here Paul and chapeau!
Circuit of the Moors for me on Sunday. I remember last year being quite nervous about this one - knowing the lanes through Grosmont, Egton and Castleton..... but it transpired to be fairly comfortable. In hindsight that was probably down to benign conditions and quite a few wheels to follow.
This year was cooler and windier... not the sort of hooly that would worry you on a clubrun, but leg-sapping on a long ride. Just 5 of us in the Square, and this number was reduced to 4 when Steen had a chute on the damp corner in Thornton-le-Clay and Stuart went full tilt into Steen's bike. Bike remarkably little scathed, but despite a roll that would please a Judo First Dan, Stuart was too sore to continue and headed in the direction of Ibruprofen.
And so Steen, AndyG, IanH and self set to some efficient riding through the Howardians, across the Vale of Pickering, up the Forge Valley, Silpho, Harewood Dale and to our forst stop at The Flask on the coast road above Boggle Hole. Absorbed bacon whilst sat in the conservatory over-looking the sea and trying to ignore the flags that flapped ever-more frantically.
From thence it was the classic route through Sleights, BenSwift Corner, Glaisdale, Leelholm, Castleton, Kildale and on through Busby, Cote de Swainby and down into Osmotherly. That was quite a 70k!! Gnarly roads, block headwind and the thick end of 2000m of climbing left us pretty giddy for crumble and custard.
The final leg became a little easier as the wind came over our right shoulders and we cruised back through Sutton, Coxwold and Crayke. Thanks guys for some fantastic team riding and for looking out for each other. Back in York for 6pm, 226km beneath the wheels.
The next long one is Spurn Head in mid June, and I'm suggesting we dial the distance back a bit between now and then...
Circuit of the Moors for me on Sunday. I remember last year being quite nervous about this one - knowing the lanes through Grosmont, Egton and Castleton..... but it transpired to be fairly comfortable. In hindsight that was probably down to benign conditions and quite a few wheels to follow.
This year was cooler and windier... not the sort of hooly that would worry you on a clubrun, but leg-sapping on a long ride. Just 5 of us in the Square, and this number was reduced to 4 when Steen had a chute on the damp corner in Thornton-le-Clay and Stuart went full tilt into Steen's bike. Bike remarkably little scathed, but despite a roll that would please a Judo First Dan, Stuart was too sore to continue and headed in the direction of Ibruprofen.
And so Steen, AndyG, IanH and self set to some efficient riding through the Howardians, across the Vale of Pickering, up the Forge Valley, Silpho, Harewood Dale and to our forst stop at The Flask on the coast road above Boggle Hole. Absorbed bacon whilst sat in the conservatory over-looking the sea and trying to ignore the flags that flapped ever-more frantically.
From thence it was the classic route through Sleights, BenSwift Corner, Glaisdale, Leelholm, Castleton, Kildale and on through Busby, Cote de Swainby and down into Osmotherly. That was quite a 70k!! Gnarly roads, block headwind and the thick end of 2000m of climbing left us pretty giddy for crumble and custard.
The final leg became a little easier as the wind came over our right shoulders and we cruised back through Sutton, Coxwold and Crayke. Thanks guys for some fantastic team riding and for looking out for each other. Back in York for 6pm, 226km beneath the wheels.
The next long one is Spurn Head in mid June, and I'm suggesting we dial the distance back a bit between now and then...
Re: Weekend roundup May 16th/17th
Hard ride like Rob has posted heading for Osmotherly in unfamiliar territory I was sure we were nearly there a few times but never actually saw a signpost saying so, glad to get to the cafe (must be the Wednesday Wheeler in me)
Rang Stuart to ask how he was after his brave effort to clear Steen and his bike in one almighty bunny hop which he unfortunately didn't quite make he said he called at the hospital to get checked out and luckily no dislocation or fracture so he just felt as stiff as a plank but hopes to be on the bike in a couple of days which is good news.
Ian H.
Rang Stuart to ask how he was after his brave effort to clear Steen and his bike in one almighty bunny hop which he unfortunately didn't quite make he said he called at the hospital to get checked out and luckily no dislocation or fracture so he just felt as stiff as a plank but hopes to be on the bike in a couple of days which is good news.
Ian H.
Are we there yet
Re: Weekend roundup May 16th/17th
My best wishes to Stuart for a quick recovery.
On Saturday I did a 5 hour NYMBO (mountain bike orienteering) event out of Gargrave in the big hills around Malham Cove in the Dales. Thankfully it was a dry day but huge winds on the tops. A couple of thousand metres of climbing over 50 miles of gravel tracks made for hard work. It’s a picturesque part of the world, from what I saw of it through sweat-covered sunnies. Finished in the pack, good course coverage but again compromised by my indifferent route selection. A great day nonetheless.
Some oddities made for highlights:
• As I left the start and headed out to the hills, coming toward me out of the distance was a tandem with a couple on it wearing full Clifton CC cycling kit! – we heartily waved at each other, neither of us believing we would find a friendly jersey in such a remote place. Who was that??
• As I shut a bridleway gate near Malham Tarn, the wind blew my bike over. I realised 5 minutes down the track that my garmin had somehow been knocked off when it fell. I bolted back to the gate and, in the middle of a couple of groups of ramblers, there it was on the track exactly where it had been knocked off – relief or what!
• I was washing my bike at home and found a full handful of wool in the jockey wheel of the rear derailleur! It was an amusing find and I had to reassure my wife that I had not ridden over a sheep in pursuit of the control points.
D.
On Saturday I did a 5 hour NYMBO (mountain bike orienteering) event out of Gargrave in the big hills around Malham Cove in the Dales. Thankfully it was a dry day but huge winds on the tops. A couple of thousand metres of climbing over 50 miles of gravel tracks made for hard work. It’s a picturesque part of the world, from what I saw of it through sweat-covered sunnies. Finished in the pack, good course coverage but again compromised by my indifferent route selection. A great day nonetheless.
Some oddities made for highlights:
• As I left the start and headed out to the hills, coming toward me out of the distance was a tandem with a couple on it wearing full Clifton CC cycling kit! – we heartily waved at each other, neither of us believing we would find a friendly jersey in such a remote place. Who was that??
• As I shut a bridleway gate near Malham Tarn, the wind blew my bike over. I realised 5 minutes down the track that my garmin had somehow been knocked off when it fell. I bolted back to the gate and, in the middle of a couple of groups of ramblers, there it was on the track exactly where it had been knocked off – relief or what!
• I was washing my bike at home and found a full handful of wool in the jockey wheel of the rear derailleur! It was an amusing find and I had to reassure my wife that I had not ridden over a sheep in pursuit of the control points.
D.