Clifton CC

Thanks to a variety of circumstances I was Billy No Clubmates at the fifth round of the EYRRL last night, as gorgeous summer evening sunshine bathed the Newbald circuit - "the one with the hill", as it's known. A fair description, too - a long climb up to the finish, and the rest of the triangular course mainly on narrow Wolds roads with gravel up the middle to unsettle the careless.

I went off in the second group as usual and was one of about half a dozen who put some work in until we were, inevitably, caught by the third group halfway round lap 2. On the second go up the hill (where a shout of "come on the Clifton!" from Matthew E was quickly followed by a more anxious shout of "come on the Malton!" as a couple of his team mates went backwards) the bunch split into two; I just failed to cling on to the front group and crested the top in a group of four, and we worked (and failed) to try to get back to the bunch.

What followed was an absolute emotional rollercoaster of a ride. Caught by the fourth & scratch groups I again got towed to within yards of the front bunch but then couldn't hang on, worked with another fella to finish the job and then got cramp, did half a lap on me own and then got caught by the second main bunch - the second group from the original split on the hill. Tucked in with them through to the line, and chugged steadily up the final climb to a middling finish. Felt very unwell indeed for a while afterwards; 1hr 20-odd at Normalised Power of 265W.

A good course and excellent marshalling by the organising club. Plenty of chances to enter on the line; these races are really very good - still three more to go for anyone who fancies it. It's a drive out, but less than an hour. Go on, you know you want to (but probably not after reading my reports....)

I had looked at this one and was intending to do this so rang the organiser on the web site and he told me it was full as they had a fixed maximum of 70 riders which the police had set. I thought it a little too far to go on half a chance of starting.

On the second go up the hill (where a shout of "come on the Clifton!" from Matthew E was quickly followed by a more anxious shout of "come on the Malton!" as a couple of his team mates went backwards) the bunch split into two

It was really hard up that hill wasn't it. The group that I was in split again just before the finish line. Not to let that bl@@dy gap go again, I busted a gut to get into a group of 4 infront. I sat on them for a while but through the shear effort of "getting back on" was sick in my mouth. Bleargh. Spat that out, had a drink, tried to get my breathing back into some sort of normality, snot the carrot out of my nose and then carry on working as a team.
Its not a sport for the faint hearted, or stomach!

I really wish I hadn't just read that.... just chopped carrots for tea.

Is the next race next Thursday 8th July ? and are there entries on the line ? How does this compare to Croft and Tockwith - have been able to finish in bunch for both of these - quite fancy a go on a different course.

Yes, it's a week on Thursday. In theory there are entries on the line, and Phil reported the last race wasn't full. I hope to be there - I haven't raced at Croft or Tockwith so I'm not the best to make a comparison; the courses (next one is at Etton) are quite hilly hich will obviously make a difference, but I think the races are well run, the handicapping works pretty well, and the riding is generally responsible, so I'd recommend them.
tom
Useful links:

http://www.hullthursdayrc.co.uk/index.html (calendar on the right)

http://www.hullthursdayrc.co.uk/X/Cours ... urses.html

They're very different to circuit races. A bit longer - around 30 miles so around 1hr 15 racing - and a much steadier pace. You'll go off in a group of similar ability and - unless you feel like heading off the front and soloing to a glorious victory, or towing round your fortunate companions, your best bet is to work as part of that group and see what happens. That's not to say there aren't changes in pace; just that it's less like a succession of 45 sprints linked by a bit of elbowing for position. They've been good fun so far - good circuits, good marshalling. Worth a call to the organiser (but beware Nick's experience above -so far there have always been enough no-shows to allow entry on the line).

See you there??

Thanks for the replies - very useful and looks good. Need to keep racing between now and the end of July to keep my fitness for the York City Centre Race (don't want to get dropped on first lap in front of a crowd) and these look a good way of providing some variation to racing at Croft. I will ring the organiser to see what the situation is re places - not sure I want to make an hours journey out unless I am sure I can get an entry.

Spoke to organiser - races limited to 70 people - have not had to turn anyone away yet - but did fill the last place for one event. Seem confident that if you get there by 6 you should get an entry. Still considering whether to race this or goto Croft tommorow.

As per previous, they're very different events so just depends which you fancy most - or treat yourself and do both???

Another round of The EYRRL at Etton last night. First one for me. A warm, sticky windless evening. Set off in second group of 21 along with Phil, Tom, Tim and Simon. 7 laps (or was that 9!) of a 4 and a bit mile circuit around the sometimes narrow country lanes ; one minor hill(ock). Some solid work from the Clifton riders helped to ensure that we stayed away from the chasing groups until the penultimate lap I think. It inevitably boiled down to a bunch sprint. A rush of blood led to me "powering up" the hill for the last time only to leave me dangling at the front with about 6-800 metres to go; either that I had mistakenly thought I was the first "lead out man" for our team. This only served for me to get in every body's way as the more seasoned riders swept past me. Apologies to Tim for getting in his way on the run in.

Quick look at speedo revealed we covered about 30 miles averaging just over 25mph.All in all, a very enjoyable ride and well worth the drive out. I entered on line. I rang organsiser on day and he was 90% sure I would get a ride as long as you get there before 6.

As Cam said, a proper Team Clifton for the Etton race. Highlights were the nice circuit (narrow but almost completely car-free lanes, undulating but only one thing that could be called a hill), the 30mph+ whoooooosh through the narrow start/finish area, and the solid work done by all in black'n'red (plus Hull Thursday - most of the rest took a bit of shouting at). The messy sprint on the narrow run-in and the equally messy pre-sprint up the hill meant that with the exception of Cam's bold lunge off the front, the rest of us got caught in the bunch. Good fun though, and relieved my legs would still go round quickly after a week of dawdling round France.

Enjoyed my first "road" race out in East Yorkshire last night. Good to have bunch working together whizzing around the fast quiet lanes. Quite an interesting experience to see the one or two cars intimidated by the fast moving group of cyclists rather than the other way around. Preamble is unfortunately just a way of masking the dissapointing result for me - dropped after about four laps - not quite sure whether this was because I hadn't recovered from exertions at Croft on Tuesday - or not being able to hide in the pack - or just inexperience racing over hills. Either way I really enjoyed the night - stuck in and rode out the distance - and will definately be back for more. If you are new to this - nothing to fear other than being dropped - and even riding around at the back everyone is very supportive.Looking forward to next time and planning to pop into the pipe and glass Inn at South Dalton (15th C with a Michelin Star) for a jar on the way back !

Just discovered that there are photos by photographer Ian Chapman of the last two EYRRL events at http://www2.clikpic.com/printmyride/gallery_163085.html - the races are labelled incorrectly but the dates give them away.