Clifton CC

The Ron Kitchin Challenge - the third time (I think) I've ridden this. The day I had was good and bad.

First the good: 1) The last two rides I've done I've had bad back ache, the last one indeed, I had to stop every 30 miles, which was worrying as I'm someone lucky enough not to suffer from this common ailment, but a slight adjustment of my cleats before the ride resulted in not even the slightest twinge.
2) Got up Rosedale chimney without stopping. Indeed all the Cliftoners that rode it did. All the same this climb is so steep and judging from the conversation at the top I think even Rosedale veterans like Nick and Helen were euphoric to have done it again. Indeed I felt good enough to have a fun sprint at the top, being resoundly put in my place by Helen and Dave C (sorry for weaving about on the way up, Dave).
3) Got to ride in the company of most excellent club mates.

Now the bad:- 1) Avoiding a dog on the millenium bridge on the way to the ride ended up emergency braking and ruining a £25 back tyre.
2) Weirdly I came to the ride dressed in June type cycling gear and realised I'd made a mistake when I arrived as just about everyone else was in winter longs and gillets. The last bit of the ride tipped it down and I think by the end most of us just wanted the ride over.
3) Snapped a spoke
4) At the end I wasn't relishing the ride home on a badly out of true wheel, I was wet through and getting very cold. Then when I came out of the finish tent I found I had a flat on the back. I just couldn't face changing it being as cold as I was and admitted defeat and called for a lift home, an ignominious end to the day.

Still you can't alway have the wind behind you and the sun on your back.

Felt very lazy on Saturday in comparison with the Ron Kit mob - just went out for a quick hour or so to check that my newly returned Rolf rear wheel (cracked rim replaced with new wheel, bless them) went round as it should. Which it did, and the sun shone, so all was well with the world.

Today was the Tom Simpson Memorial veterans race down at Harworth, Tom's hometown. I was sole Cliftonite in a biiiig field (80-odd in the 40-50 race alone) but there were a few other locals - Colin Hawxby, Simon Wright, TLI regular Ian Holohan - so I didn't get too lonely. I know we're not supposed to be mentioning the wind but 60 miles in it was hard work, and there were bits of tree landing on us to make life more interesting! My tactical nous was, as usual, reliably hopeless; we pulled back an early break but a second one went away as I watched flat-footedly from the front, and they took the placings. Good fun tho, apart from raging cramp everywhere in the last two laps.

I spent saturday am at work, saturday pm laying turf.

Sunday morning consisted of having my arse kicked up every climb by a bunch of 5 other club mates, route was a 55 mile jaunt out Helmsley way with some strong riding by the group getting back into York by lunch time.
Sunday Pm, laying more turf!

Cant wait to get back to work tomorrow for a rest.

Did the 150 Ron Kitchen as reported by Broom Wagon above. Very enjoyable ride with a good group of Nick, Helen, Howard, Will, Willy, Jon g, Steve and myself plus a few guys from West Yorks. who were good company also.

Managed to miss all the sheep but got very close to an encounter with one on the descent towards Hutton le Hole from Rosedale Chimney but luckily missed it.

Thanks Helen for organising the group and also to Mike and Wendy Fielding for the superb cakes and tea at Marton.

Next event for me is my first race at Bishop Wood on Tuesday.

Jason and i completed the 105 Ron Kit in good company and in good time.

Back before 2 and didn't get wet.

OK i admit to getting caped up to ride home from racecourse

Met Keith and Anne at cake stop who were appreciative of Clifton support for 150 - well done to all.

Biked back to racecourse with troops + family Page today. Good roundabout route fending off horses, cows and fallen trees. Coming back was just plain windy but 4 adults + 6 kids did v well.

Those of you out on the road yesterday, struggling against the 'breeze' spare a thought for the MTBers that were 400 metres + up on the Moors!

5 of us met up at Danby for a circuit around Danby, Glaisdale and Lealholm Moors. By the time we reached our 2nd summit, having ridden into the teeth of the wind all the way, I was told my phrase of 'character building' was wearing a little thin.

However, we avoided the rain completely and found some rewarding descents and fabulous views for our efforts and finished off with a late lunch, high up, in The Lion Inn.

Meanwhile, Steph had her own challenges in the form of her first 24 hour event at the Mountain Mayhem in Eastnor. She completed it OK but details are sketchy with the only feedback so far as 'the toughest thing I've ever done'. More details when she wakes up again no doubt. Well done Steph!

Had the archetypal York Rally experience on Saturday. Bumped into Dave Byworth (an incident synonymous with a typical day at the Rally in itself). "Found any bargains Dave?" I asked. He glanced round nervously, checking that nobody was near, then opened his carrier bag just enough for me to peer in the top. I had just enough time to see a couple of battered boxes before he snapped the bag shut (lest anyone else be privileged to the info). "What are they Dave?" "Vittoria Open Corsa CXs!" came the reply in a barely audible whisper. Checking around again, he fished one out and held it out of sight against his chest. "Must be 10 years old!" he said, "rubber's beautifully matured." he added, stroking the side-wall lovingly. Realising the risk he was taking, he stuffed it back quickly into its box then back in the carrier. "Ten quid each," he whispered, "in the that stripy tent over there, half way down on the right in a cardboard box on the floor."

So my Rally experience was completed with 5 mins poking around in a cardboard box on the floor of a packed, humid tent. But I got the last one!!

Which Steph?

I'm always very impressed by anyone able to keep upright on a bike for 24 hours let alone competing.

Good ride on Saturday, although I must be going soft because we ended up having 2 stops.Back to normal for my next Sunday.

Helen

Rob wrote:Had the archetypal York Rally experience on Saturday. Bumped into Dave Byworth (an incident synonymous with a typical day at the Rally in itself). "Found any bargains Dave?" I asked. He glanced round nervously, checking that nobody was near, then opened his carrier bag just enough for me to peer in the top. I had just enough time to see a couple of battered boxes before he snapped the bag shut (lest anyone else be privileged to the info). "What are they Dave?" "Vittoria Open Corsa CXs!" came the reply in a barely audible whisper. Checking around again, he fished one out and held it out of sight against his chest. "Must be 10 years old!" he said, "rubber's beautifully matured." he added, stroking the side-wall lovingly. Realising the risk he was taking, he stuffed it back quickly into its box then back in the carrier. "Ten quid each," he whispered, "in the that stripy tent over there, half way down on the right in a cardboard box on the floor."

So my Rally experience was completed with 5 mins poking around in a cardboard box on the floor of a packed, humid tent. But I got the last one!!

An archetypal cycling club tale - you should send the story to the Comic!

Dr Dave wrote:An archetypal cycling club tale - you should send the story to the Comic!

Ah, but there's a better caliber of reader on here....
And probably more of them...

Rob wrote:"Corsa CXs!" "Ten quid each," he whispered, "in the that stripy tent over there, half way down on the right in a cardboard box on the floor."

I knew old ones were cheap but a tenner!!!

Bloody boy racers and their souped up Vauxhalls - should be banned.

Rob wrote:

Dr Dave wrote:An archetypal cycling club tale - you should send the story to the Comic!

Ah, but there's a better caliber of reader on here....
And probably more of them...

Not to mention the fact that the readers are actually doing some reading, and not just standing in WH Smith's scanning the Ribble and Parker International ads. Not that I ever do that, honest.

Dave