Whats everyone been up to ?
There were two Cliftonites at the Hessle 210k a great ride in just over 9 hours, we hit a shower mid afternoon otherwise the weather was good.
See at Richmond next Saturday!
Weekend Round Up
Moderator: Moderators
-
like my bike
- Posts: 697
- Joined: Mon Mar 06, 2006 3:19 pm
- Location: The East
Weekend Round Up
A J
Gill and I had a wedding to go to in Durham so took the opportunity of babysitting and headed to Kielder on Saturday to do the Border Raid MTB Race.
53km race through Kielder Forest, on some of the new purpose built trails, accross the fells into Scotland, around Newcastleton Forest Trails then back over to Kielder. A very hilly route but suitably cool and drizzly conditions.
Gill not only achieved her goal of beating her brother but took 1st Lady Vet and 2nd Lady overall. I punctured within site of Kielder Water so decided to pump rather than fix. The finish was a bit further than it looked so I lost about 20 mins through various 'pump stops' and ended up doing my usual, propping up the middle of the table. Destined for a life of mediocrity
53km race through Kielder Forest, on some of the new purpose built trails, accross the fells into Scotland, around Newcastleton Forest Trails then back over to Kielder. A very hilly route but suitably cool and drizzly conditions.
Gill not only achieved her goal of beating her brother but took 1st Lady Vet and 2nd Lady overall. I punctured within site of Kielder Water so decided to pump rather than fix. The finish was a bit further than it looked so I lost about 20 mins through various 'pump stops' and ended up doing my usual, propping up the middle of the table. Destined for a life of mediocrity
Well, I'd hoped to ride the Hull Thursday RR, but had my entry refused. So teamed up with Muzzy for the long drive north for the Tyneside Vagabonds Mountain TT. 47 miles of mountain rode on the edge of the Cheviots. A strong field of 70 chasing a £500 first prize. Paul packed after 8 miles - "too much like hard work!" (not sure what he expected!) This left me to fly the Clifton flag. The route plunged up and down with gay abandon and you never felt like you were in the same gear for more than 10s. The two *really* big climbs come in the second half. On the first, Bilmsmoor, felt really good and on top of the gear. On the second, aptly named "The Gibbit", I started to unravel and it was a really tough final 10miles home. Clawed over the line in 2-20 in 25th place, some 24 minutes behind Dominic Munnelly. Hardest race of the year so far.
So, did anyone ride Hull Thurs RR?
So, did anyone ride Hull Thurs RR?
Good turn out for the Sat Social ride. 'Howard's ride' was pleased to welcome back it's eponymous leader - fresh from great exploits on the continent (maybe he will relate the story in a future Cliftonite?). A group of around 11 left the square heading for Strensall, Brandsby, Boltby Bank, Helmsley, Nunnington, Castle Howard, Howsham and home.
On the first climb (out of Bransby) our leader realised that he was ailing and sensibly headed back, James M also elected to return so we bid them fairwell and continued to Ampleforth, then Bylands Abbey where Phil B and his 'training group' branched off leaving a group of 5 - myself, Dave C, Scottish John (on his new BH!), Ian H and 'willhub' to push on.
All went fine until the ascent of Boltby Bank - any apprehensions were then shown to be fully jusfified when only one rider - Dave C - was able to ascend without stopping! For me this was the second time I'd had to get off and push since joining the Clifton almost a year ago. I'd like to think that using a bike with a 39 inch granny gear was my downfall - surely I'd have cracked it with a lower gear....wouldn't I?
We regrouped at the top then sailed over the top to Hawnby relishing the views before climbing out onto the Helmsely road where Dave C's front mech decided to break it's braze-on mount. We limped into Helmsley where Dave removed the mech before heading back leaving the 4 of us to follow Kevin's prescribed route via Castle Howard.
After crossing the A64, Ian announced that he could do with getting a few more miles in as preparation for Richmond next week so he headed off towards Acklam leaving the 3 remaining riders to chug home the usual way. Well done to Will for hanging on in over the last few miles - as many of us have found, there is no substitute for 'getting the miles in' when it comes to building stamina.
On the first climb (out of Bransby) our leader realised that he was ailing and sensibly headed back, James M also elected to return so we bid them fairwell and continued to Ampleforth, then Bylands Abbey where Phil B and his 'training group' branched off leaving a group of 5 - myself, Dave C, Scottish John (on his new BH!), Ian H and 'willhub' to push on.
All went fine until the ascent of Boltby Bank - any apprehensions were then shown to be fully jusfified when only one rider - Dave C - was able to ascend without stopping! For me this was the second time I'd had to get off and push since joining the Clifton almost a year ago. I'd like to think that using a bike with a 39 inch granny gear was my downfall - surely I'd have cracked it with a lower gear....wouldn't I?
We regrouped at the top then sailed over the top to Hawnby relishing the views before climbing out onto the Helmsely road where Dave C's front mech decided to break it's braze-on mount. We limped into Helmsley where Dave removed the mech before heading back leaving the 4 of us to follow Kevin's prescribed route via Castle Howard.
After crossing the A64, Ian announced that he could do with getting a few more miles in as preparation for Richmond next week so he headed off towards Acklam leaving the 3 remaining riders to chug home the usual way. Well done to Will for hanging on in over the last few miles - as many of us have found, there is no substitute for 'getting the miles in' when it comes to building stamina.
An early Saturday start saw me, Bernard, Claire & Cath head up to Castleton via Castle Howard, Amotherby & Hutton le Hole.
A drag upto Rosedale Bank, and descended that as the Triumph Owner's club day out were all coming the other way.
From Rosedale Abbey upto Fryupdale, where the weather changed badly. Very, very cold and raining, the descent from the top to Danby wasn't pleasant until we got below the rain and it warmed up.
Cafe stop at Castleton, and then out to Westerdale, upto Blakey Ridge, Gillamoor, Welburn, Helmsley, Nunnington for a cracking Hot Chocolate, Hovingham, Terrington and back to York.
My speedo is not properly adjusted - I had 108 miles but it was closer to 100 I think.
And I noticed something about Gillamoor Bank when out in the car yesterday - when you climb from the bottom, the road sign says 11%
From the top, descending, the sign hidden by the vegetation says 20%.
It felt like 20% in places yesterday.
A drag upto Rosedale Bank, and descended that as the Triumph Owner's club day out were all coming the other way.
From Rosedale Abbey upto Fryupdale, where the weather changed badly. Very, very cold and raining, the descent from the top to Danby wasn't pleasant until we got below the rain and it warmed up.
Cafe stop at Castleton, and then out to Westerdale, upto Blakey Ridge, Gillamoor, Welburn, Helmsley, Nunnington for a cracking Hot Chocolate, Hovingham, Terrington and back to York.
My speedo is not properly adjusted - I had 108 miles but it was closer to 100 I think.
And I noticed something about Gillamoor Bank when out in the car yesterday - when you climb from the bottom, the road sign says 11%
From the top, descending, the sign hidden by the vegetation says 20%.
It felt like 20% in places yesterday.
On Saturday it was as per Dr.Dave's report up until Bylands Abbey where Charlie, Chris C and Richard (?) from Harrogate peeled off and weaved our way across to Crayke via some very grassy by-ways. My promises to Charlie about not needing to clean his bike were sadly undone. I left the other three at our second visit to Brandsby and got back with three hours on the clock.
Yesterday was a friend's birthday party so all the good work was buried under piles of food...
Bit distressed to hear about Dave C's mechanical - I didn't think Cervelos did that (even five-year-old ones!)
Yesterday was a friend's birthday party so all the good work was buried under piles of food...
Bit distressed to hear about Dave C's mechanical - I didn't think Cervelos did that (even five-year-old ones!)
Sunday Club Run
Chatting to Nick as we left I told him it might just be the 2 of us, as I knew there were a couple of things on,instead we found Andrew,Arnie,Dave C,Mal and Willy waiting at the square.
We headed out to Pickering,Newton-on-Rawcliffe where Mal had to split of to get back home,we took the Roman Road to Egton and were rewarded with sea views,climbed up to the moors (good climb that one) down to Rosedale up the chimney and on to Hutton-Le-Hole for a cafe stop.We came back at a good pace as Arnie needed to be back for 5pm.For those who don't know Arnie's wife is recovering from an operation in hospital.
It was a good ride in good company.
Helen
Chatting to Nick as we left I told him it might just be the 2 of us, as I knew there were a couple of things on,instead we found Andrew,Arnie,Dave C,Mal and Willy waiting at the square.
We headed out to Pickering,Newton-on-Rawcliffe where Mal had to split of to get back home,we took the Roman Road to Egton and were rewarded with sea views,climbed up to the moors (good climb that one) down to Rosedale up the chimney and on to Hutton-Le-Hole for a cafe stop.We came back at a good pace as Arnie needed to be back for 5pm.For those who don't know Arnie's wife is recovering from an operation in hospital.
It was a good ride in good company.
Helen
Most of my ride covered by Dr Dave apart for the fact that The bike skidded from under me when stopping at a farm entrance in Kilburn, went down heavily onto my Right side with my upper arm taking the brunt of the damage still the good news was my bike was OK, I was looking to do 100 miles which I managed after leaving the group and headed towards Langton then over the Wolds to near Sledmere then back via Stamford Bridge, could hardly move my arm by the time I got home and Sunday it was no better, however its a little easier today so I hope to make the TLI race at Wistow on Tuesday.
Me and Andy J rode the Hull RR, good course with a hard climb out of the village with 2 kicks and the finish was 200m over the top. The climb got harder each lap and soon thinned the field out. There was a break that got away in the neutralised start-absolutely ridiculous! They got a 1.20 gap but caught on the last lap. A few riders expressed their disgust! Anyway i got 2nd in the sprint so i was pretty happy and Andy did a good ride finishing in the bunch behind.
Well I took part in the Etape du Dales on Sunday. Main aim was to beat last years time which I achieved, however it wasnt world record breaking at 9 hr 53 mins ( including stops I might add) ride time was 8 hr 39 mins.
The weather was rather cool throughout and very cold and windy at Tan hill and you really got chilled on the decents. The good thing about the climb to Tan hill was the tailwind we had this year unlike the headwind last year.
The winning time was 5hr 56mins (av sp. about 18.5mph) which I find astonishing for such a ride. About 5 other rider finished within 6 hours. Apparently I found out these guys were also fell runners and former winners of the 3 peaks race which wasnt surprising. My hat goes off to them. I was just glad to get round in one piece having broken my downhill speed record off Fleet Moss which now stands at 57mph. Granted I was only at that speed for about 3 or 4 secs before I realised what was doing and started to slow down. A good day and I didnt get off and walk unilike last year.
Jon
The weather was rather cool throughout and very cold and windy at Tan hill and you really got chilled on the decents. The good thing about the climb to Tan hill was the tailwind we had this year unlike the headwind last year.
The winning time was 5hr 56mins (av sp. about 18.5mph) which I find astonishing for such a ride. About 5 other rider finished within 6 hours. Apparently I found out these guys were also fell runners and former winners of the 3 peaks race which wasnt surprising. My hat goes off to them. I was just glad to get round in one piece having broken my downhill speed record off Fleet Moss which now stands at 57mph. Granted I was only at that speed for about 3 or 4 secs before I realised what was doing and started to slow down. A good day and I didnt get off and walk unilike last year.
Jon
Yeah, 2nd overall. 12 points and 50 quid which should cover this weeks food bill! Cottingham couriers guy won, a big strong lad.Rob wrote:"2nd in the sprint" - just to be clear - that's second overall an nobody was away?
Fantastic.
Liked the course so much that i've entered the city road club race on the 15th June on that course. I may be a little bit late but hopefully not!