I'll kick this off this week.
Turned up at the square on Saturday; lots of people out. Great to see lots of younger riders out too - the club's really getting some new faces on board. Headed out with the "medium" group, intending peeling off somewhere to make it a couple of hours or so steady riding. Good ride out to Kirkham; good roads, good company, no rain. Down Kirkham Bank, straight into the biggest pothole in town. BANG! pull over, wave the rest of the group on, as I'd been just about to head off on my own anyway. Bloke from level crossing box comes out and tells me the potholes never get fixed because the council and the railways won't agree whose responsibility they are. Great.
Wheel off, tyre off, tube out. Inevitable snakebite, two holes too close together for two patches, too far apart for one. Rip out tube, get out spare, shove it in. Oh ****! Sudden realisation that I'm still carrying tubes for training wheels and the valve stem's too short for me summer wheels - it just kinda peeps through the hole. Try pumping it up but don't get far. Revert to Plan B; patch the punctured tube as best I can, pump it up, put everything away. Quick squeeze before re-fitting wheel. ****! It's going down... ...so back to Plan A again, new tube goes in, pump it up to point where pump loses its tenuous grip on end of valve and pops off (about 30-odd psi). Put everything away and set off for very slow ride back in order to avoid every lump and hole and hopefully avoid a second pinch flat. Get back late, screw up day's plans, head off out climbing in bad mood. (This is sounding very Mal, isn't it). Return later, check wheel:- gash in tyre and dint in rim....
Anyone got any recommendations for puncture repair stuff that actually works? I was using Park self-adhesive ones, and because there's no gunge to fill the gaps, they don't work well if there are moulded ridges in the tube. Any suggestions gratefully received....
Weekend Roundup 28th/29th
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Broom Wagon
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Ian H, Dave C, Will Hub and myself rode up to Easingwold for a 100K Audax to Knaresboro and Ripon. At Easingwold met er....Ian, sorry I really should know your name, nursing a frozen shoulder and out for a steady day.
It wasn't any of our intention but the mighty red and black rode the whole ride at the front slowly riding absolutely everyone who wasn't in a Clifton jersey off our wheel - something about wearing a Clifton jersey seems to make everyone ride 2 mph faster. I enjoyed the day, it was substantially faster than I'd expected and certainly tested me on the rolling bits, Ian's racing mileage certainly showed. We got to Easingwold just a few minutes outside the minimum time allowed for the ride.
Then for a drenching on the way home. Must admit I'm getting a bit fed up with that, one expects to get wet in winter, well and autumn too, and er in spring and perhaps on the Tan Hill audax in August
, but it's not too much to ask for a couple of dry sundays in June is it?
It wasn't any of our intention but the mighty red and black rode the whole ride at the front slowly riding absolutely everyone who wasn't in a Clifton jersey off our wheel - something about wearing a Clifton jersey seems to make everyone ride 2 mph faster. I enjoyed the day, it was substantially faster than I'd expected and certainly tested me on the rolling bits, Ian's racing mileage certainly showed. We got to Easingwold just a few minutes outside the minimum time allowed for the ride.
Then for a drenching on the way home. Must admit I'm getting a bit fed up with that, one expects to get wet in winter, well and autumn too, and er in spring and perhaps on the Tan Hill audax in August
, but it's not too much to ask for a couple of dry sundays in June is it?
Gonna have to stop drinking wine the night before races Me and the 2 Andy J's rode the huddersfield star wheelers race near holmfirth this morning. I think Andy JohnsTon climbed off after the first lap? Full of cold? Anyway it was a deceptively tough circuit, i felt rubbish and after the first few attacks and god knows how many unsuccesful breaks (loads of breaks could have easily stayed away if more than 2 people just worked!) my legs were just gone and ended up sprinting in agony for 5th place so all wasn't so bad. Andy Jonno rolled over the line with what was left of the group, maybe 30 riders out of 60.
Oh happy day, saturday! Arrive square, late, expecting to have missed "le grand depart", only to find more bike riders than the average gate at Bootham Crescent and a confusing range of rides on offer. Decision made, venture forth with Kevin and a diverse peloton, the mustering of which must make him meritorious of some sort of unsung hero award, towards Nunnington. Return home alone via Little Ouseburn, Whixley, Walshford and Cowthorpe.
Clocked up 60ish miles at a gnat's doodah under 17mph. Not too brill in the great scheme of TTs, TLIs, chain gangs, challenge rides, road racing and sportives but a significant improvement on the past six or seven weeks.
Willy - all the best for Tourmalet and Hautacam! Bonne route!
Clocked up 60ish miles at a gnat's doodah under 17mph. Not too brill in the great scheme of TTs, TLIs, chain gangs, challenge rides, road racing and sportives but a significant improvement on the past six or seven weeks.
Willy - all the best for Tourmalet and Hautacam! Bonne route!
Always warned to be careful of Jeff...hidden talent indeed.
My cycling this weekend consisted of the sum total of 50 mins on a spinning bike
Meanwhile Gill spent the weekend in Wales on her Dave Lloydride. 224 km and 5,000m climbing in very mixed and windy conditions so a final time of 11:53 wasn't bad at all.
My cycling this weekend consisted of the sum total of 50 mins on a spinning bike
Meanwhile Gill spent the weekend in Wales on her Dave Lloydride. 224 km and 5,000m climbing in very mixed and windy conditions so a final time of 11:53 wasn't bad at all.
As has already been described a veritable melee were thronging the square at 10 on Saturday. As friendships were made and renewed the morning ticked by until the concept of three groups began to distill. Howard, I learned was leading 'his' group to Osmotherley - this sounded fine so I advised him that I'd join up - the only trouble was that out of the entire throng precisely.......no one else did! Somewhat chastened the two of us trailed out of the square wondering whether our personas or personal aromas were responsible for our dismal popularity.
Once out of town we chatted our way through Tollerton and Easingwold, then Coxwold to White Horse Bank. This caused a brief lull in our conversational flow, but I must be getting fitter because we resumed our dialogue at the top and kept going through to Hawnby. By now we were starting to exhaust our topics of idle banter - and the rolling nature of the route through the western moors was starting to take a toll on me - must be near to a quick cafe stop (I'm a Saturday rider after all!). Unfortunately the Chequers cafe wasn't open we reverted to plan B - continuing round via Nether Silton and Felixkirk to Kilburn and the Mouseman cafe.
After a sumptuous feast it was off again. After a brief discussion as to the route, Howard suggested a 'back-way' though to the Oldstead road, mentioning that 'Kevin doesn't come this way'. As we turned up the narrow road we discovered why - gooey mud covered almost the entire road for most if it's length. We should have realised that if Kevin doesn't use a road they'll be a reason! (Must make a mental note to ask Kevin for a list of roads to be avoided within - say - 50 miles of York, it'll be worth a fortune!)
From there it was a straightforward run to Ampleforth then right to Yearsley, down to Easingwold and home, Howard generously assenting to my sitting on for the 15 or so miles back so that we would get home before my curfew was up.
A nice hilly 95 or so miles, I can heartily recommend this group to anyone who might be thinking of selecting 'Howard's ride' next Saturday!
Once out of town we chatted our way through Tollerton and Easingwold, then Coxwold to White Horse Bank. This caused a brief lull in our conversational flow, but I must be getting fitter because we resumed our dialogue at the top and kept going through to Hawnby. By now we were starting to exhaust our topics of idle banter - and the rolling nature of the route through the western moors was starting to take a toll on me - must be near to a quick cafe stop (I'm a Saturday rider after all!). Unfortunately the Chequers cafe wasn't open we reverted to plan B - continuing round via Nether Silton and Felixkirk to Kilburn and the Mouseman cafe.
After a sumptuous feast it was off again. After a brief discussion as to the route, Howard suggested a 'back-way' though to the Oldstead road, mentioning that 'Kevin doesn't come this way'. As we turned up the narrow road we discovered why - gooey mud covered almost the entire road for most if it's length. We should have realised that if Kevin doesn't use a road they'll be a reason! (Must make a mental note to ask Kevin for a list of roads to be avoided within - say - 50 miles of York, it'll be worth a fortune!)
From there it was a straightforward run to Ampleforth then right to Yearsley, down to Easingwold and home, Howard generously assenting to my sitting on for the 15 or so miles back so that we would get home before my curfew was up.
A nice hilly 95 or so miles, I can heartily recommend this group to anyone who might be thinking of selecting 'Howard's ride' next Saturday!
I think it was Groucho Marx who said "I've had a great day - unfortunately this isn't it. Made a 200mile round trip to ride Derwentside CC's 2/3/4 cat road race at Stamfordham in Northumberland. A horse event meant the coarse had to be changed on the morning from a tough 55 mile 3 lap circuit which featured 3 climbs of The Ryalls - a steep climb which would have had the race in bits to 5 laps of a rolling circuit which most definately wouldn't. The circuit they decided to use is the one that is often used for the Sloan Trophy - I rode this 2 years and decided then I'd never do it again. There's always a bad crash approaching the finish - too many riders trying to get in position. Today was no exception. We were flat out chasing a break of 12 riders which only had about 15 or 20 seconds - however a touch of wheels on a fast bend and about 5 riders hit the deck, slid across the road, over the verge and into a roadsign! Managed to miss this but by the time I got back to the bunch I'd nothing left for the sprint for 13th! I've had legs that feel like they've been filled with concrete all week and today was no exception. Perhaps I should have taken a chair yesterday instead of standing at the roadside marshalling the Womens Nat RR for 4 hours.
Chris Clark was the only other local rider - also resigned to finishing in the buch . However unfortunately I think he puctured (or fortunately depending how you look at it).
Chris Clark was the only other local rider - also resigned to finishing in the buch . However unfortunately I think he puctured (or fortunately depending how you look at it).
.......Phil and I were only discussing on the Saturday ride who writes the 'grumpiest' of forum posts. Mal has surprised us this week with a remarkedly upbeat one - he'll be losing his end of year trophy! 
As Kevin took the largest Sat group a steady route out to Hovingham, 4 of us took a slightly longer and slightly swifter route there, hoping to join them there at the cafe.
Bernard led myself, young Arthur (sorry 'old' Arthur !!), Shaun and Phil B out Crambe, Kirkham (where we unknowingly left Phil for his puncture trauma), Menethorpe to Malton. With the wind behind us to Malton, we were sailing along. Through Old Malton and the quiet lanes past Eden Camp, Great Baraugh to Nunnington, the headwind kept us all in training mood, 1st taking turns in 2's and then eventually lining out behind young Arthur, who ably took us to finish a good 42 miles training ride for me to Nunnington cafe.
We joined forces for the route home and there were some notable rides by new faces to the club rides. Rachel Barber is following Jeff with that hidden talent and given her previously longest ride was 20miles, she seemed to take her 61 mile route in her stride (and on Jeff's stretched out MTB). Well done too, to 14 yr old Alice Scull who also completed that ride and at times admirably gritted her teeth, given she was having some trouble with a sore wrist. Given her Mum's genes, I'm sure she'll be back for more.
A great ride and as mentioned, thanks to Kevin for marshalling us all to appropriate groups / routes.
Any more views from the pack?
As Kevin took the largest Sat group a steady route out to Hovingham, 4 of us took a slightly longer and slightly swifter route there, hoping to join them there at the cafe.
Bernard led myself, young Arthur (sorry 'old' Arthur
!!), Shaun and Phil B out Crambe, Kirkham (where we unknowingly left Phil for his puncture trauma), Menethorpe to Malton. With the wind behind us to Malton, we were sailing along. Through Old Malton and the quiet lanes past Eden Camp, Great Baraugh to Nunnington, the headwind kept us all in training mood, 1st taking turns in 2's and then eventually lining out behind young Arthur, who ably took us to finish a good 42 miles training ride for me to Nunnington cafe.We joined forces for the route home and there were some notable rides by new faces to the club rides. Rachel Barber is following Jeff with that hidden talent and given her previously longest ride was 20miles, she seemed to take her 61 mile route in her stride (and on Jeff's stretched out MTB). Well done too, to 14 yr old Alice Scull who also completed that ride and at times admirably gritted her teeth, given she was having some trouble with a sore wrist. Given her Mum's genes, I'm sure she'll be back for more.
A great ride and as mentioned, thanks to Kevin for marshalling us all to appropriate groups / routes.
Any more views from the pack?
Ok, my turn. You've raced, crashed, bored everyone at length about it, and now your regular ride is just a little bit of an anticlimax. So what to do next?
Train and prepare for the next race, of course! Here are two useful sessions:
1. The Repair Session (Saturday).
A. In the cold light of day, check over bike. Realise there are three problems: the front rim (one careless outing) has a distinct bend in it; the rear skewer which was wrenched round in the crash now seems to drift slowly out of the dropout when the pressure is on; and the end cap on the left handlebar is missing.
B. 25min steady ride down to Selby.
C. Describe problems to Mr Bike Centre. Include some suitably self-serving anecdotes about your Big Race.
D. Adjourn to Mr Thomas' bakery for quick cake while bike is given The Treatment.
E. Return after 5 mins to find: front rim now bang on true, bent and blunt-toothed rear skewer replaced, new shiny end cap for handle bar.
F. Now you have to convince yourself that the back wheel is really fixed, so ride home on longer loop doing 30s sprints with 1m recovery. After about six, legs seem shot after 10s, and it takes longer and longer to justify going up a gear. After a dozen or so, hearing going funny. That cake seems to be working against you. Maybe this wasn't such a fun idea. Time for warm-down trundle home.
G. Check bike. Back wheel hasn't budged: all fine. However now you are feeling sick.
Total cost: six quid (plus 40p for the cake).
2. The Sandwich Session (Sunday)
A. Accept invitation to barbecue in Harrogate. (Actually, accept wife's acceptance of barbecue invitation without consulting you, which is much the same.)
B. Use Clifton Chain gang experience to plot cunning route from York via Tockwith and Spofforth avoiding major roads.
C. Leave 30min ahead of wife+children in car (them not you).
D. Sky goes grey. Unpleasant head wind seems really hard work after Rufforth. Struggle to maintain 19mph...
E. Realise at North Deighton you are going to be very late. Text apologies, blame wind.
F. Hill out of Spofforth is fun. Then there's Panal golf course rollercoaster, and vicious final hill on Leeds road into town.
G. Arrive just as rain starts in earnest. Food is just ready. Your host moans that he's cooked far too much. You reassure him that you are even hungrier than usual, so you will eat for three (instead of your normal two).
H. All food gone (including large raspberry cake). Manage to resist Beery temptation and stick to squash.
I. Take niece for quick spin on her smart Christmas bike. Unfortunately saddle so low and bottom bracket so high, she almost clips the seat with her heels on the up stroke. Use your ever-present hex keys to raise saddle, and criticise host's shoddy bike maintenance practices. Now she can't get on or off the bike (saddle too high) but at least she can pedal properly. Explain why this is clearly an improvement.
J. Time to go. Quick pint of coffee before fond farewells. Luxuriate in the damp clagginess of your cycle shorts second time around. But the rain's done, it's sunny, and the wind is behind you now.
K. Whizz back over the A1 (which seems to have become a caravan park). The Cake is with you this time. Give Land Rover Driver Who Was Sure Nothing Was Coming a fright on the way out of Tockwith. Sprint after a few cars through York, roll home in good time.
Total cost: one friendship (but the cake was free).
A weekend well spent, I hope you will agree.
Train and prepare for the next race, of course! Here are two useful sessions:
1. The Repair Session (Saturday).
A. In the cold light of day, check over bike. Realise there are three problems: the front rim (one careless outing) has a distinct bend in it; the rear skewer which was wrenched round in the crash now seems to drift slowly out of the dropout when the pressure is on; and the end cap on the left handlebar is missing.
B. 25min steady ride down to Selby.
C. Describe problems to Mr Bike Centre. Include some suitably self-serving anecdotes about your Big Race.
D. Adjourn to Mr Thomas' bakery for quick cake while bike is given The Treatment.
E. Return after 5 mins to find: front rim now bang on true, bent and blunt-toothed rear skewer replaced, new shiny end cap for handle bar.
F. Now you have to convince yourself that the back wheel is really fixed, so ride home on longer loop doing 30s sprints with 1m recovery. After about six, legs seem shot after 10s, and it takes longer and longer to justify going up a gear. After a dozen or so, hearing going funny. That cake seems to be working against you. Maybe this wasn't such a fun idea. Time for warm-down trundle home.
G. Check bike. Back wheel hasn't budged: all fine. However now you are feeling sick.
Total cost: six quid (plus 40p for the cake).
2. The Sandwich Session (Sunday)
A. Accept invitation to barbecue in Harrogate. (Actually, accept wife's acceptance of barbecue invitation without consulting you, which is much the same.)
B. Use Clifton Chain gang experience to plot cunning route from York via Tockwith and Spofforth avoiding major roads.
C. Leave 30min ahead of wife+children in car (them not you).
D. Sky goes grey. Unpleasant head wind seems really hard work after Rufforth. Struggle to maintain 19mph...
E. Realise at North Deighton you are going to be very late. Text apologies, blame wind.
F. Hill out of Spofforth is fun. Then there's Panal golf course rollercoaster, and vicious final hill on Leeds road into town.
G. Arrive just as rain starts in earnest. Food is just ready. Your host moans that he's cooked far too much. You reassure him that you are even hungrier than usual, so you will eat for three (instead of your normal two).
H. All food gone (including large raspberry cake). Manage to resist Beery temptation and stick to squash.
I. Take niece for quick spin on her smart Christmas bike. Unfortunately saddle so low and bottom bracket so high, she almost clips the seat with her heels on the up stroke. Use your ever-present hex keys to raise saddle, and criticise host's shoddy bike maintenance practices. Now she can't get on or off the bike (saddle too high) but at least she can pedal properly. Explain why this is clearly an improvement.
J. Time to go. Quick pint of coffee before fond farewells. Luxuriate in the damp clagginess of your cycle shorts second time around. But the rain's done, it's sunny, and the wind is behind you now.
K. Whizz back over the A1 (which seems to have become a caravan park). The Cake is with you this time. Give Land Rover Driver Who Was Sure Nothing Was Coming a fright on the way out of Tockwith. Sprint after a few cars through York, roll home in good time.
Total cost: one friendship (but the cake was free).
A weekend well spent, I hope you will agree.