Clifton CC

So how was it then?

I'm told there were many, many out on Saturday - would be good to hear all.
I believe it was a big mtb weekend,including some competition....

Personally I was juggling riding with some family stuff which, again, entailed getting up at the crack of doom both days to get a ride in. Still, did a good ride on Sunday around the Almscliff Crag area and got the best part of the weather.

Busy weekend for me as well, so only able to do a short ride on Sunday.
Jeff and Mal also needing to be back home for lunch,Steve and Anthony happy to do a shorter ride,(I think they had seen the weather report) the club run set out for a loop of York. Our route took us out to Easingwold,up to Coxwold,round Kilburn,Nunington and back to York. Good ride and we were back in York as it started to rain.
Nick, with help from Heidi, got his exercise digging out the last section of our pond. You know you have reached a certain stage in life when you have a pond in the garden.

Helen

Was planning on doing the Lightwater laike MTB race, but due to promising the children we would go swimming ended up doing the Sunday road ride which was good fun. As Helen said we managed to time it perfectly getting back just before it rained.

the off road guys have been out there - see thread on the other forum: http://www.cliftoncc.org/discussion/vie ... php?t=1492

Let us be honest here, if it hadn't have been for my usual strategy of dropping off the back and making them wait at the top of hills Helen, Jeff, Steve and Anthony would have been home well before the rain. And whilst I tried to assuage my guilt by doing a stint on the front between Haxby and New Earswick I got my true come-uppance with a good dousing between York and Stamford. Despite that I had a very nice day out and my thanks to the four windstoppers who left me with just enough in my legs to complete my longest ride for several months.

At the risk of incurring Helen the Navigator's wrath: it would have been an even longer ride if we had gone from Kilburn to Nunnington, it was in fact Kilburn to Ampleforth via Oldstead. I think it was my (stupid) idea to come back that way to test out my climbing legs a little. I found them lacking.

Took part in the Lightwater Valley MTB race and came in 4th place in the Sports category. I used deft tactics in the sprint start allowing others to sprint early and timed my surge to get me into 6th place before the first single track section. I got my head down and got my self into third before the quarry section. My plan was to hang in third and use the others as a wind break as the headwind in places was quite special. However the other lads were lighter than me and I could not keep up with them on the steep slopes in the quarry area. From then on I battled for third place overtaking my nemesis on the flat muddy sections (assisted by his mechanicals) only to be reeled in during the lumps.

On the final approach I was on the wheel of my prey. We both had to dismount to tackle an incredibly muddy slope. He remounted his steed quicker than I and got a gap, a furious chase ensued and I was gaining. I almost forgot that I had to turn right to enter the finishing straight, I saw the turning braked hard, skidded overshot the turn and lost any chance I had.

Anyhow I was very happy with 4th, and I could not really have gone any harder my pulse was around 180 for the whole race

Yes lots of MTB stuff this weekend.

The night ride on Friday was a little quieter than normal by all accounts. Not sure if it was the weather or people saving themselves for Sat & Sun.

Saturday was the final round of the NYMBO Trailquest League at Cropton. A good Clifton turnout with some strong results. Steph & Bernard came in, a rare, 2nd in their category but, in true Lewis Hamilton style, it was enough to secure them the title for the season. Andy and Hazel put in a really strong ride on the Tandem and won their category. Gill had a good battle in the Vet Ladies section and came in 2nd, only beaten by the League winner Mandy Faint. Debs, Andy J and Jez (in his first attempt) all had good rides too. Results here http://www.eborienteers.org.uk/results/ ... esults.htm

Sunday, I missed Lightwater this year but it looks like Chris C, Andy J?, and Rich were all flying the Clifton colours. Results here http://www.rowelsrotary.co.uk/lightwate ... s_2008.asp

Me? I was practicing some foot navigation on a 'string course' in Riccal.

Saturday morning at the square and at least 2 eager groups on Club rides.

Steve and Ian H stepped in to fill Howard’s shoes for what they billed as “a good distance, but slightly steadier” than Howard’s usual group.

The words ‘slightly steadier’ obviously tempted Cath & I to stray from Kevin’s fold……..A smashing autumnal ride of 73 miles taking in Bossall; Acklam; Birdsall; Malton; Terrington; Scackleton & Coulton for a well-earned re-fuel at Coxwold Cafe.

We returned home via Crayke & Huby, the pace being ably controlled by Steve & Ian and with the weaker riders (ok, me!) tucking in, then the group got home at a far better pace than I could have limped alone into the tough headwind – thanks guys, it was appreciated!

I think the step up will do me good, though I commented in the evening that ‘everything was aching, even my knuckles!’

Up for more next w/e, Claire

Hi Claire. Glad you enjoyed Saturday; I'll endeavour to stay away more frequently!

Seriously, I am presently suffering from a bit of an iffy chest (apologies to Dr D for perhaps not quite grasping correct medical terminology here) and therefore although I intend to make it to the square next Saturday you may draw solace from the fact that my pace shall definitely be reduced by my incessant wheezing and coughing!