Saturday 7th Feb; Kev’s group.
6 of us set out – 3 novices and 3 experienced (Kevin, Brian, Stacey, Anna Jamie and I). At a maximum temperature of 3 degrees there was a lot of chat about kit and ice. Brian won wearing 6 layers although Annas body warmer was coveted at lunch. Jamie’s mountain bike gear was viewed with suspicion. We did a 60 mile circuit out to Tollerton, Huby, Crake, Brandsby, Ampleforth, Coxwold, Raskelf (great café stop), Easingwold, Tollerton and home. Kevin asked me to review the ride so he could see it from my perspective – so hear goes.
My fourth outing with Clifton but I still arrive nervous. Will I be able to keep up? Once chatting to the group my nerves settle but it is not until we cycle a few miles I even think about enjoying it. My “group cycling confidence” has gown massively since joining in December but I remain slow and am constantly concerned about keeping the group waiting. I have, however, been overwhelmed by the friendly support from other club members and have never been allowed to feel a burden. Although I have felt each ride a challenge I have always returned home with the buzz of success.
Saturday’s ride was hard. Initially I followed Kevin, determined not to be dropped, aware of the huge advantage gained by drafting (one of the new skills I am working at!) I was pushed out of my comfort zone here, just that bit faster than I was used to. Later, when we hit a few hills, I was gone. My legs were heavy and the rest of the group were way ahead. I was rescued and force fed a gel. I found the rest of the ride hard but survivable. Stacey was my knight in shining armour, talking me up the hills. Despite the other 2 novices seeming to fly up the hills I was not made to feel that I shouldn’t have been there.
I look forward to my next ride. Work and family mean I can’t go every week but I know the only way to improve is to stick at it. I am cycling and “turboing” between club rides so common sense tells me the only way is up. I thank everyone who has welcomed me, waited for me, come back to get me when dropped and generally talked me through times of self doubt. I look forward to a future when I feel happy in the peloton rather than clinging on to it by my finger nails and will log the first time that I am strong enough to go back and collect someone else who has fallen off the back.
Saturday; Kevin's group
Moderator: Moderators
Great stuff. Sounds good.
You'll be satisfied to know then, that your 'K' group took in more miles than our 'B' group. We slithered along to a 54 mile total, revising our route to get there, but still keeping the intended cafe choice of Shiptonthorpe.
After Skirpenbeck, the climb of Kirkby Underdale seemed an unwise choice (and probably the descent worse) so Bernard picked his way though Bishop Wilton, Pocklington, Burnby, Londesborough to Shiptonthorpe.
Somehow, I managed to get on the 'wrong' table in the cafe and found myself discussing student life with Annabel and Will, who I hope don't mind my disclosing that they were born in 1989........this made me feel rather old!
Even more unlikely though, Bernard entrusted Finley with the map for our ride home, as he had an engagement to be home for! Fin ably assumed the responsibility and led us safely back via Barmby Moor for an early home mid afternoon.
Thanks to all for a good ride.
You'll be satisfied to know then, that your 'K' group took in more miles than our 'B' group. We slithered along to a 54 mile total, revising our route to get there, but still keeping the intended cafe choice of Shiptonthorpe.
After Skirpenbeck, the climb of Kirkby Underdale seemed an unwise choice (and probably the descent worse) so Bernard picked his way though Bishop Wilton, Pocklington, Burnby, Londesborough to Shiptonthorpe.
Somehow, I managed to get on the 'wrong' table in the cafe and found myself discussing student life with Annabel and Will, who I hope don't mind my disclosing that they were born in 1989........this made me feel rather old!
Even more unlikely though, Bernard entrusted Finley with the map for our ride home, as he had an engagement to be home for! Fin ably assumed the responsibility and led us safely back via Barmby Moor for an early home mid afternoon.
Thanks to all for a good ride.
The 'H' ride covered 83 miles approx - at an average of 18.5 mph. 6 riders (Dave Byworth performed his usual cameo performance and left us after 10 miles or so!) headed out via Shipton, Tollerton, Huby, Brandsby, Oswaldkirk, Ampleforth, Coxwold, Sowerby to Thirsk. A good cafe stop with a real French patron! Then home via Breckenbrough, Topcliffe, Cundall, Helperby, Aldwark, Whixley, Cattall, Tockwith and home.
'Spirited' is the term Howard likes to use to characterise the 'H' ride. Certainly the blustery head-wind on the way out was complemented by the steady help on the way home with speeds in the mid to high twenties being achieved for mile after mile - spirited indeed!
Thanks for a good ride again everyone.
'Spirited' is the term Howard likes to use to characterise the 'H' ride. Certainly the blustery head-wind on the way out was complemented by the steady help on the way home with speeds in the mid to high twenties being achieved for mile after mile - spirited indeed!
Thanks for a good ride again everyone.
Glad you enjoyed yourself Amanda and great to read your account-I'm sure you'll soon be shepherding riders just like "Collie" Kevin does now!
I once again thoroughly enjoyed the Group H ride; I felt that we got a real rhythm going (please no sniggering at the back Dr D - you know what I mean!) and that everyone contributed what they reasonably could – fantastic! And a smashing ice free route provided by Kevin - route highlight for me: flying south down the surprisingly pleasant A167 west of Thirsk in glorious sunshine.
The café too was an unexpected delight complete with, as Dr Dave says, a genuine French patron. I know he was French because apart from looking French, talking in a French accent and rustling up delicious food in a very efficient manner, I detected a definite glower from him as I casually dropped the words “Lance Armstrong” into our cycling conversation!
Here’s my Garmin’s log of the day (hope the link works properly this week):
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/2061784
I once again thoroughly enjoyed the Group H ride; I felt that we got a real rhythm going (please no sniggering at the back Dr D - you know what I mean!) and that everyone contributed what they reasonably could – fantastic! And a smashing ice free route provided by Kevin - route highlight for me: flying south down the surprisingly pleasant A167 west of Thirsk in glorious sunshine.
The café too was an unexpected delight complete with, as Dr Dave says, a genuine French patron. I know he was French because apart from looking French, talking in a French accent and rustling up delicious food in a very efficient manner, I detected a definite glower from him as I casually dropped the words “Lance Armstrong” into our cycling conversation!
Here’s my Garmin’s log of the day (hope the link works properly this week):
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/2061784
The Sunday (S) ride headed up Helperby Lane with a select group of 4 (self joined by Phil, Muzzy and Nigel L). Fabulous morning - blue skies, white fields... Muzzy left us at W Transfield so from then we were able to lift the pace a bit 
until the cafe at Thorp Perrow. Cut acroos the vale and back via Bagby and Cowold. 85 miles without melodrama. Phil has a bit of pedigree having been a roadie back in the 80s (when men were men) and can grit his teeth when required. Heaven help us when he sheds those 37mm tyres and parachute mudguards!
until the cafe at Thorp Perrow. Cut acroos the vale and back via Bagby and Cowold. 85 miles without melodrama. Phil has a bit of pedigree having been a roadie back in the 80s (when men were men) and can grit his teeth when required. Heaven help us when he sheds those 37mm tyres and parachute mudguards!Only a re-designated Bridleway spoilt a classic Winter MTB ride on Sunday.
14 riders took to the Ice Flows and Snow Fields around Skipton and Bolton Abbey on Sunday. The ride is best described in terms of timescales, views and height gained (1500m), rather than overall distance travelled. 4 1/2 hours of riding saw us climb up from Bolton Abbey onto the old Roman Road on Skipton Moor descending through the old quarry into Skipton. I decided the full route planned was unfeasible in the conditions so plotted a new loop over Embsay Reservoir and Halton Moor back to Bolton Abbey.
Mike provided the usual 'in ride' commentary on the history of the local reservoirs and pipelines. The snow was rideable (mostly) but tiring, views spectacular but the icy roads needed a little caution at times. A well earned Cafe stop at Storiths completed the day before retuning to York.
14 riders took to the Ice Flows and Snow Fields around Skipton and Bolton Abbey on Sunday. The ride is best described in terms of timescales, views and height gained (1500m), rather than overall distance travelled. 4 1/2 hours of riding saw us climb up from Bolton Abbey onto the old Roman Road on Skipton Moor descending through the old quarry into Skipton. I decided the full route planned was unfeasible in the conditions so plotted a new loop over Embsay Reservoir and Halton Moor back to Bolton Abbey.
Mike provided the usual 'in ride' commentary on the history of the local reservoirs and pipelines. The snow was rideable (mostly) but tiring, views spectacular but the icy roads needed a little caution at times. A well earned Cafe stop at Storiths completed the day before retuning to York.
Like it has been said above it was quite a hard days riding but very enjoyable on Howards ride which was skillfully devised by Kevin to avoid any small roads which may have been iced up.
Into the headwind to the cafe at the halfway point the average speed was 17.2 then with the bonus of a tail wind for the ride home.
A very cold day again but my choice of 5 layers of upper body clothing felt just about right for me.
Here's my garmin stats split into two laps one into the wind and the other with the tailwind on the ride home.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/2035674
Into the headwind to the cafe at the halfway point the average speed was 17.2 then with the bonus of a tail wind for the ride home.
A very cold day again but my choice of 5 layers of upper body clothing felt just about right for me.
Here's my garmin stats split into two laps one into the wind and the other with the tailwind on the ride home.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/2035674
Was planning on been there on Saturday but an invite to go watch Engalnd vs Italy in the 6 Nations was too good to miss. Never been to Twickenham so leapt at the chance. The game was a bit dissapointing despite the scoreline but the atmosphere was great.
As for the ride I did wonder however if it was going to be repeat of the Xmas dinner ride after the snow we'd had so wasnt too gutted not to be there but having read the reports i'm a bit dissapointed that i missed now.
Even though I didint get back until the early hours on Sunday I still managed 40 miles in the afternoon. in some glorious winter sunshine but to be honest Im getting fed up now of the cold. Roll on Spring.
Jonathan
As for the ride I did wonder however if it was going to be repeat of the Xmas dinner ride after the snow we'd had so wasnt too gutted not to be there but having read the reports i'm a bit dissapointed that i missed now.
Even though I didint get back until the early hours on Sunday I still managed 40 miles in the afternoon. in some glorious winter sunshine but to be honest Im getting fed up now of the cold. Roll on Spring.
Jonathan
Kevin's group
Amanda, sorry I did not join you, Kevin and the others this saturday, but after the Christmas lunch ride on ice, I have renewed my total opposition to riding on ice which I started many years ago. The one exception was enough to prove this rule correct, but Iam delighted that all the groups got home in one piece.
Having started peloton riding in Sept with Kevin's group, I was beginning to think I was doing ok until last week when I struggled home and my thanks to Paul [I think, brain dead at this stage in the cycle], who dragged me home gently at the back. I am really grateful.
Sharp old Kevin told me at the cafe stop that I looked dreadful. My gears were slipping but he was right, something else was up- I hit a wall that was a new experience. Why-no idea, although I may not have eaten enough, too busy talking.
Having read the accounts of 18.5 MPH averages on the other groups, I shall be your constant companion Kevin for years to come. Amanda, I'm sure with all this triathalon training that I will soon be clinging to your slip stream and then you'll be off with the fasties..keep it up.
Having started peloton riding in Sept with Kevin's group, I was beginning to think I was doing ok until last week when I struggled home and my thanks to Paul [I think, brain dead at this stage in the cycle], who dragged me home gently at the back. I am really grateful.
Sharp old Kevin told me at the cafe stop that I looked dreadful. My gears were slipping but he was right, something else was up- I hit a wall that was a new experience. Why-no idea, although I may not have eaten enough, too busy talking.
Having read the accounts of 18.5 MPH averages on the other groups, I shall be your constant companion Kevin for years to come. Amanda, I'm sure with all this triathalon training that I will soon be clinging to your slip stream and then you'll be off with the fasties..keep it up.
The Sunday (S) ride headed up Helperby Lane with a select group of 4 (self joined by Phil, Muzzy and Nigel L). Fabulous morning - blue skies, white fields... Muzzy left us at W Transfield so from then we were able to lift the pace a bit until the cafe at Thorp Perrow. Cut acroos the vale and back via Bagby and Cowold. 85 miles without melodrama. Phil has a bit of pedigree having been a roadie back in the 80s (when men were men) and can grit his teeth when required. Heaven help us when he sheds those 37mm tyres and parachute mudguards!
He means West Tanfield!
I took the right turn up to Thornborough then the main road to Thirsk then Bagby Kilburn and then the left before Oulston that brings you out near Yearsley. Plenty of snow and ice round there but the roads were clear. Back via Farlington. 72 miles in a little over 4 hours. No Garmin but I was puffing a bit on the climbs due possibly to the 5 stone of clothes I was again wearing.
I feel quite fortunate this winter. Pretty much all the weekend & evening rides I've done have been cold but dry with no dangerous ice. Hope my luck doesn't run out!
until the cafe at Thorp Perrow. Cut acroos the vale and back via Bagby and Cowold. 85 miles without melodrama. Phil has a bit of pedigree having been a roadie back in the 80s (when men were men) and can grit his teeth when required. Heaven help us when he sheds those 37mm tyres and parachute mudguards!He means West Tanfield!
I took the right turn up to Thornborough then the main road to Thirsk then Bagby Kilburn and then the left before Oulston that brings you out near Yearsley. Plenty of snow and ice round there but the roads were clear. Back via Farlington. 72 miles in a little over 4 hours. No Garmin but I was puffing a bit on the climbs due possibly to the 5 stone of clothes I was again wearing.
I feel quite fortunate this winter. Pretty much all the weekend & evening rides I've done have been cold but dry with no dangerous ice. Hope my luck doesn't run out!