Clifton CC

No-one else has posted so I thought I'd post on my 1/2 mile ride this weekend - bet it's a while since such a short ride warranted posting!

I left the house for the square and turned on to Tadcaster road to see James M going past. I sped up to catch him up, went past him and, seeing that the oncoming traffic-light was green kept accelerating. Unfortunately two cars coming in the opposite direction decided to turn right straight in front of me. The first one got clear but there was a sickening inevitabilty about the way I T-boned the second, striking it perpendicularly at the B-pillar at what must have been around 28mph.

I just had long enough to think 'Oh shit, this is going to hurt' before there was what felt like a 'bloody great bang' and I decelerated rapidly. The car's motion resulted in me hitting the road on my R hand side. I don't think I was down for more than a second or two before I was on my feet - somewhat annoyed - but I remember also hoping that I could get back on and get to the square before everyone had left. Then James - who had stopped said 'Dave, look at your bike' and I realised that the frame was almost completely cracked through where both the top tube and down tube joined the head tube! Luckily it seems that the bike had absorbed most of the impact but the bars had twisted right round to the L, the R shifter was twisted on the bars and my R wrist was begining to stiffen and throb.

Fortunately I was able to get a lift home and later recovered the bike and get it taken to Cycleworks. Unfortunately my R wrist became painful as the day wore on - I went to A&E where they said it was too early to be sure if it was fractured or not. I now have it in a support but it's swollen and painful so I can't work - Grrrrr! My R ankle is a bit sore and stiff too but considering I hit the car with such a bang I suppose I should be grateful that I wasn't more seriously injured but that was it for my cycling weekend. Hopefully others had a better time in the lovely autumn sunshine!

Wont the drivers insurance pay for your broken bike? I'd have thought the fall would have been worse at 28mph?? ouch!!!

Sorry to hear about your accident Dave, Did you get the drivers details ok so you can proceed with a claim ?

Get well soon.

Ian

Another weekend away for 16 of the MTBers, this time Snowdonia, organised by Gill.

Friday saw the usual dash from York after work. Some of us rendezvoused near the Welsh border for dinner before the 'night stage' down the windy roads to the mountains. We arrived at our digs in Penmachno, a bunkhouse above a pub, just in time to join the rest of the group for last orders.

Saturday was to be a ride around the local trail centre then a trip to Snowdon for a ride up and down. This was called off on safety grounds because of wind, rain and low cloud. So the afternoon was spent at the Marin trail nearby.

Sunday was dry and sunny which was the icing on the cake of the riding at Llandegla. The younger riders enjoyed the jumps and obstacles. Strange the way, on account of last year's record, I was one of the few not to attempt the obstacles and yet I'm the one that came away with the sore shoulder. How does that work?

Dr Dave - check your emails.

I had a great day out yesterday, first long ride for months and was feeling quite happy with my lot, my injury hasn't returned (yet!) and then at 3am this morning someone tried to nick my car from outside the house and I've been up since.

There's always something waiting to knock you down a peg or two.

Went out on Kevin's Saturday ride as part of my ongoing quest to remind myself I'm part of a club rather than just part of a committee! Good to see some old faces (not in that way - they were all younger than me) and some newcomers too (new memberships keep rolling in) plus Mr Weston in cycling kit rather than climbing kit. The sun shone for much of the ride, an excellent choice of cafe at Raskelf, and a flat but pleasant route made it a pleasure to be there. Kevin does a great job with these rides.

PaulC wrote:
... the younger riders enjoyed the jumps and obstacles. Strange the way, on account of last year's record, I was one of the few not to attempt the obstacles and yet I'm the one that came away with the sore shoulder. How does that work?

It's an age thing, hence you come across me sitting by the roadside on the Coal Road. Willie on the other hand has age and wisdom and therefore goes on forever.

AndrewM wrote:
... I had a great day out yesterday, first long ride for months and was feeling quite happy with my lot, my injury hasn't returned (yet!) ...

Ditto. Although the definition of long in my case was just over 30 miles ... and at a painfully slow pace.

Good to see Rob heading up the sunday peloton heading back towards Stamford Bridge yesterday PM!

Gerry's Autumn Brevet yesterday - the first time I've ridden it - used to organise a YH trip on this weekend every year. Nice event with 85 riders, including maybe 15 Cliftonites. Familiar roads, nothing too severe and a good distance for this time of year. Dropped back with Andy S when he punctured at Buttercrambe then we set about sweeping up Clifton riders (Steve S, AndrewM, Il Presidente, Willy, Dave C, Mac....) and assorted hangers-on. Muzzy, Anthony, Michael and Ian H had long since disappeared over the horizon.

I think I'm all "evented-out" now and am looking forward to some proper clubruns!

On Saturday Rich, John Banks and myself made the trip over to Manchester velodrome. There was a few nerves before we started but they disappeared as soon as we got going. An hour belting round the track with 15 others really takes it out of your legs but the smiles on our faces told the real story. First-timers Rich and John both vowed to make a return too.
All weekend seesions are booked up until Christmas, so if more people want to join us next time it looks like it'll have to wait till the Spring.

On Sunday I made the trip over to Temple Newsam to watch the Yorkshire Points cyclo-cross. Saw one Clifton rider in the vets race but didn't recognise him and I'm sure he didn't know me from adam when I shouted encouragement from the sidelines. Also saw Cycleworks' Jamie Sharp ride an awesome race for a victory in the senior race.
Photos from the day will be online in a week or so.