Clifton CC

Well, how was it?

I joined the hard men of Clifton for the now annual Winter Solstice jaunt to Tan Hill. I'm told it was dry, mild and breezy in York - not quite like that in the high Pennines. I've prob ridden this route 15 times, including 5 times in December and yesterday's version has to be the hardest by 147 country miles! In the end it was just Dave C, Howard, Paul and me leaving the Square at 7-30. Plagued by 4 punctures and a troublesome head/cross wind we were soon well behind schedule. After food in Leyburn we were ready to fight the headwind up Wensleydale. I thought this stretch would be tough, but the gale force head wind brought us to a near standstill repeatedly and was soon lashing us with chilly rain for good measure. What a 17 miles stretch - fantastic to be out in the wild country! Over Buttertubs to Thwaite, now a full hour behind schedule, but all agreed to plough on. The wind was hammering across Tan Hill and when we turned right it pushed us on down the Valley and over Grinton at such a rate that we were back on schedule by Leyburn.

Nobody in a rush to leave the cafe in Leyburn, but at 5pm there could be no more excuses and we set about the dark 2-45 ride back to York, at a good pace.

Howard on fine form in the cafe - cooked breakfast and cheesecake with Baileys in the morning. In the afternoon - cooked breakfast and cheesecake with Baileys! Cafe patron very impressed.

Thanks for the company Guys.

Well done all the hard men, makes my ride look positively mild. No one else in the square so I decided to head into wind by taking a westerley passage to Wetherby, Sicklinghall & Kirby Overblow & didn't it blow on the ridge. Then via the back lane SharonEdge to Burn Bridge, Rossett & into Harrogate to look at SPA cycles before lunch in Knaresborough after 34 miles. South to Wetherby, Thorpe Arch village, Boston Spa, Clifford where I suffered a broken spoke - so my plan to ride to Aberford & then turn east to Barkston Ash changed to Bramham, Stutton, Tadcaster, Bolton Percy, Colton, Bilborough & Askham Bryan with 66 miles under the wheels; not the 70 plus that I had hoped to do. But still a little wind assistance in places, although usually from the side!
Merry Christmas to everyone - next plan is to be out on the 29th, any takers who want to ride off the pudding ?
Bernard

I failed to get out at all on Saturday. Didn't get to pick up the cat until noon. Hey ho. Hope everyone had a good ride without me

Always, whatever I’m doing, I like to have “a little in reserve”. Yesterday, I used all my reserve…

I must give a heartfelt thanks to both Rob and Paul; on the front into the gale force wind for approx. 95% of the time we had to endure it. These guys have serious cycling pedigree and class. I aspire to this but, as a relative cycling newbie, I ain’t there yet - but I intend to be one day!

Dave C put in an astounding performance on the final leg back from Leyburn – attacking every undulation and ripping the legs off me for one. He does this after he’s snorted (he says) High Five gels – amazing!

I was so glad to get back home – I felt like kissing my front door! Never has a post ride shower felt so good!

Here’s my Garmin’s log of the day:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/1582808

Sounds like a gruelling (but at the same time envigorating?) ride. Us lesser mortals can only aspire to similar prowess!

In Howard's absence the Saturday 'A' ride went as advertised. 7 riders - left York, with myself having been honoured by Kevin with the 'Order of the Route Map'.

Seems to me that Stockton Lane is just one long string of potholes these days. Unfortunately one of them punctured Ginny's front tyre. This then was extremely recalcitrant when we attempted to lever it back over the rim and provoked us to an ill-advised attempt to use a lever - with predictable results. Fortunately second-tube-round we used a bit more caution and were soon on our way.

Out as far as Leppington Iona set a good pace which I endeavoured to match whilst the rest of the group kept their powder dry. After Leppington Iona split off for some proper training and home whilst the remainder of us skirted the main hills to Malton, then headed across the 'back-route' westwards to Terrington, Dalby and Crakye. At the Dalby climb the men were sorted from the boys but we regrouped just above Brandsby for the plummet to the cafe in Crakye for lunch.

Not sure that the previous highish standards of this once-popular haunt have been matched by the new proprietors but we had a decent enough meal and chat before a good 'tempo' blast back to town with Ian H parting the waves for the rest of us. Thanks to all for a decent and reasonably swift gallop round.

P.S. I'm not here next Saturday but hopefuly Howard's ride will be restored to it's rightful owner