Clifton CC

Not much to add to what the others already said - well organised, good fun to get a race with no hail/potholes/floods, but the wind effectively neutralised the course. It was pretty much straight head and tail; a cross-wind could have cut up the bunch and forced more of us to work. There were over sixty starters in the 4ths event so there plainly is a demand for circuit races...

Vic Sutton vets race at Warter just outside Pock. on Sunday for me. Richard also in the A,Bs and Andy in the C,Ds. Not the biggest field but some strong riders (Richard Binks/Darren Otter). Probably about 30 or so in my race?? Rain just about held off but a blustery day. A challenging course with a stiff climb out of Warter up to Huggate. One guy went from the gun and seemed to benefit from a crafty bit of drafting from the lead car to steal a march on the dozy bunch . There was some mutterings in the pack like "...he's a bit keen...etc". We never saw him again as he effectively time trialed 50 miles on a tough course on a windy day. So hats off there.. The race behind proved to be very cagey. No-one really wanted to lead into the wind (all this a.......g about presumably allowed John Hall - the winner- to forge even further head). In the chasing pack all the action happened just after the climb with (invariably)Darren Otter having a few digs but he was pretty well marked. He and couple of others briefly opened a gap on the last lap but were reeled in. Down to 8 by the last lap. Not a break as such more like last men standing as the hill/punctures took there toll. My Legs were battered coming up the climb on the last lap. Positioning/luck, etc. had nothing to do it ...my legs had just gone (!) so no Phillpe Gilbert type (Mark 2011 version) sprint from me. I did manage to get 8th overall and actually 2nd in the A's ( I guess you get stronger when you turn 45!). Only 17 finishers but, technically, I did manage a top 10 for the first time in any race I have done so fairly pleased. I am guessing Richard must have punctured very early as I never saw him at all in the race. Keith McKay from VC York had rotten luck when he crashed early when, on paper, he was in with a great shout of winning.

Good stuff guys. Well done Cam, that was a quality field on sunday. I was down to race the Vic Sutton, but I've been nursing a delicate knee for a week or two now, all this cold wet weather I think?.. and battering it round Warter/Huggate might not have done it much good. I did ride down to watch a little of the circuit racing, and yes thoughts of signing on the line did enter my head for a few seconds, then I got chatting to some guys who were having a potter round to the Hungry Fox which was more appealing.

Me 6th from left
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... =1&theater

Phil, good picture of you from Sunday here http://www.photoboxgallery.com/Craigzad ... id=3028326

...possibly my finest moment...

Well done Cam. I managed less than 15 mins at the Vic Sutton. Was looking forward to it as one of the few really hilly courses on the LVRC calander. We were warned about potholes before the start. My fault really but I ended up on the inside shielding from the wind and I hit a pothole full on (as did the guy in front who also blew a tyre). Snake bite puncture and a long slow drag down the descent to the HQ and a grumpy drive home.

Had to work today at Sellafield for the day. Not been to that part of the world before, so on Sunday to cheer myself up I looked at the map and booked a camp site at Ravenglass for Monday night. Got there for the early afternoon and went on a return trip to Ambleside via Hardknott and Wrynose passes. It rained the whole time but was clear enough to enjoy some spectacular scenery and manged to find a nice cafe. For what its worth I found Wrynose east to west, and Hardknott west to east the most difficult, particularly the former which does not have the headline 30% gradients but seems to go on for ever with few hairpins. Respect to those that have done the Fred Whitton and do these climbs with 90+ miles in the legs.

Some nice pics from last night's NYERRL race at http://www.photoboxgallery.com/Craigzad ... 1353847754 - including a fine shot of nearly the full Clifton squad. How was it for everyone? Numbers on the box came out at 24.5mph and 253W averages (25mph+ if you discount the final climb!) - not hanging around. The first half-lap had (with hindsight) a rather wonderful madness about it - nudging thirty along a wiggly road most people didn't know with potholes all over the place... ...still, everyone stayed upright!

Well done Andy...you climbed that last wall (I mean hill) brilliantly.

Really good course and good representatation from Clifton. Wished I had saved a just little bit more (don't we all!) for that last climb as it was a killer! Dragged my backside over the line for about 15th in the end. Had a little dig about half way with Damien's encouragement (!) plus 2 others and stayed away for, ooooh, at least a mile and a half That was my highlight! Credit to Darren for giving it go, even with a dodgy knee..

The guys from Rock Racing seemed to take control later on with large numbers on the front.

thanks to Fraz and co. for organising a great race

Anyone got the results of the top ten?
I can add them to the overall results.

Thanks Cam and all for the kind words I was a little nervous to begin with, so wanted to be at the front of the pack for the first trip round the hairpin bend. After that mile or so off the front with Damian I felt so much better and settled in a bit, and came to the conclusion that nothing would stay away as everything had been brought back for the first 2 and a half laps.

So I sat towards the back of the bunch with Darren for the remainder of the race, only to watch 4 riders disappear down the road within the last half lap Moved up a little late at the end, so gave myself plenty of work to do on that climb. But managed to negotiate my way through after being boxed in once or twice and was chuffed with 6th Even more chuffed to think I must have been the 2nd rider from the peloton to cross the line behind the 4-man break A good learning experience for me.

Thought it was a good circuit too (potholes aside), and felt it would make a good one for a longer race with more laps. Strangely enjoyed the finish too Thanks Fraz and Cycleworks for a well organised event

Was also great to see Toby at the race, and with a Clifton CC pot on too

Andy

Good to see everything went well at the Clifton races.

Festival of cycling in Scarborough for me on Sunday. Lack of car meant a 45 mile warm up down the A64. Fortunately, the sun was shining, the wind was from the west and the road was quite.

Managed to get 5th spot in the 4th Cat race. Didn't think my legs would have a break away in them so just stayed with the front group until the sprint finish.

My first brown envelope was a welcome reward. Paid for the train to Malton which cut the total ride down to just over 100 miles.

Cheers

Martin

the road was quite quiet!

Well done Martin, inching towards that 3rd cat. A bit soft getting the train back though

Cheers. Bit of a cop out I know. There was a headwind though!