Clifton CC

More info here

http://www.cliftoncc.org/static.php?content=challenge

The reason for this post is two fold.

One to say well done to all who took part. I will be asking Cath to enclose a "claims" form with the Cliftonite for those who gained bronze, silver or gold. In the meantime feel free to post here with details of events completed.

It was not my intention to draw up a "league table" or anything like that - I think that would be against the spirit - but if you are happy for achievements to be made public i will knock up a "roll of honour" on the website.

I am also intending to jot a few notes on the events i took part in - if you would like me to include your thoughts / memories again please post here and i will try to incorporate.

I meant to say at the AGM that the choice of qualifying events did show a few inconsistences. We included the White Rose event this year because quite a few members had already entered. And my intention was to incorporate the Arthur Metcalfe but for some reason when i researched at start of season i thought it wasn't starting from Easingwold this year!

The second reason for posting is to say i plan to run the series again next year. I should like to include a couple more long, "club run" type rides. Or at least rides departing from York on a Sunday. But if we are going to do this we need people to step forward and offer to organise.

I was thinking if we ran say Spurn Head, Yorkshire Alps, or even the overnighter to the Lakes again they would be candidates for inclusion. Its never too soon to get dates into the calendar!

I would also want to include at least one more off road event. It strikes me the MTB side is now so important to the club and comprises such a significant proportion of activity it is a bit off to include "only" the Scotton. I say "only" in inverted commas because the Scotton nearly killed me this year (The good news is I spoke with Dave the other day and not wanting to act as a "spoiler" for any future announcements i think we may be in luck again!).

I only class myself as "fun" MTB'er so would appreciate input from some of the specialists - e.g. should we be looking at a separate series or encouraging members to try all disciplines etc.

Hi Mark

Just to say that I thought the challenge series idea was a good one. The choice of which events to include and which to leave out will always be a bit contentious as far as I can see - you'll never please everyone.

One thing I would say is that there is a need for a spread of events over both Saturday and Sunday so that anyone unable to enter many events on either day is enabled to take part.

Personally I thought that the inclusion of some non-club run events eg the White Rose was also good thing - the Ryedale Rumble is also a local event that York-based riders entered and enjoyed.

Why not have 2 classes of challenge award - one for MTB riders and one for roadies?

Mark,

My initial thoughts are;

1. I think you'll find most MTBers do it for fun!
2. I've often mused over specialist MTB events. However, I think they're a big undertaking, expensive, drowned in red tape and that's why a lot of the local series feel by the wayside.
3. Without wishing to speak for all the MTBers in the club I think you can break them down into 3 categories. Those that want to Race seriously but not do much else; those that ride for fun but like to challenge themselves with the odd competition/race/challenge event; and those that just ride for pleasure. I'd say the majority of our riders fall into the middle category and are pretty well served but the events that are already laid on (NYMBO, Scotton100, Lightwater Valley, National Events etc).
4. I think it's only the MTBers that 'crossover' and road bike also who are going to be interested in the Challenge Series. As such I think if you try to include more MTB events/emphasis you're in danger of upsetting the road only riders and not really attracting more MTBers to it.
5. I think Dave's suggestion of separate challenge series might be worth more discussion. However, given that you could only piece a 'series' together by including a lot of national events, this isn't without it's controversy. Rob made a good point last year that we ought to be encouraging riders to participate locally and in club events otherwise we may just send them off at the beginning of the year to collect their points only to see them again at the end of the year.

As I say, initial thoughts and open to suggestions.

Mark

I would be happy to organise a couple of club rides to be included in the Challenge series. I would vote for the Yorkshire Alps ride as it is a club classic. I wouldn't vote for Spurn Point as very similiar to the 3 Bridges Audax. I'm not up to leading the Lake District overnighter. I would be confident leading a ride out to Sands End or a club version of the Ryedale Rumble. I would like to see the Arthur Metcalfe included because it's good to have something at the end of the year and it's an option for the non-climbers.

Speaking for myself I don't think we should include Sportiff rides in the Challenge series. They offer their own reward system,have limited entries and are expensive to enter.

Helen

Mark

1. The series has been great.
2. Very important to keep the series accessible. This means local rides, cheap to enter, and can enter at last minute. This maximises the Clifton entry and minimises descrimination.
3. How about including a "Moors to Sea" type mtb weekend trip if Paul (or other) willing to organise?
4. As Helen said, Spurn Head is a bit like 3B, but it *is* significantly further.
5. Sands End is a good suggestion as it could be tweaked to make it 200km. An alternative would be Dalby/Langdale End/Driffield that we did a couple of years ago and was a nice varied ride
6. I'd like to do the Ullswater run again, but earlier in the year when there's less darkness!
7. YA is as great ride, but a bit like Tan Hill - need to be careful in the light of whatever else is included

I'm proud of my 9 points this year!!!

R

There's some politicking with the White Rose challenge - talk of it not being staged in 2009 due to a fallout with BC Yorkshire.

AndrewM wrote:There's some politicking with the White Rose challenge - talk of it not being staged in 2009 due to a fallout with BC Yorkshire.

http://tinyurl.com/4xc7yy

Edit: It's to be The White Rose Challenge in 2009! Entries to begin in November.......