Clifton CC

I guess everyone's still trying to unfreeze their fingers from the bars, so I'd better start.

I've got a nasty hacking cough (thanks to my youngest son I suspect) so I was almost out of action. But that didn't stop me collecting my shiny new bike :: (Planet-X superlight alloy frame, Centaur group, Look carbon forks, Campag Khamsin wheels) on Saturday and riding it home. It's fantastic, light, comfortable, feels fast - and it's sitting in the garage .

So on Sunday I was sort of relieved to be off duty when the sunshine turned to high winds, then blizzard, then sun, then freezing wind again. But some of you were out there eating up the snow - what happened?

I got out before the rain (note to regular readers:- "out"! Not in the basement! Woooo!) for yet more sprint repeats and a couple of hours steady. Except it wasn't really steady at all, it was about 10mph out and 30mph back. And I'd forgotten what fun crosswinds were with deep-section wheels...

...a Clifton rider passed me out past Acaster Malbis when I was in no position to stop but they were grinding into the biting headwind and had retreated so far into their clothing that I couldn't make out who it was - best guess Andy Smith? Or was it?

I didn't see much weather this weekend, spent most of Sunday inside Manchester Velodrome. Had two hours track time, split into two sessions, at the end of which I got my 'blue slip' from the coach, which means I can attend the Improver Skills sessions and work towards my accreditation.

I joined Group ‘H’. There were 6 of us: Howard, Chris C, Ian, Shaun and James. The destination was Osmotherley via Ampleforth, Helmsley, Hawnby, and then once at Osmotherley back down to Thirsk where we got cheered by some teenage girls (twice!) and stopped at the lovely cafe with the French patron. On the way back, a cyclist from Thirsk tagged himself to our group until Easingwold; we went through Kilburn, Easingwold and Tollerton. The ride was enjoyable although quite hilly and I was feeling like my legs couldn't take any more of them after missing 2 weeks of Saturday 'H' ride! The best bit was when we got to Osmotherley and enjoying the view across the moors despite the rain and wind!

Well the intermediate group on Saturday consisted of, I think, 16, corect me if thats wrong anyone, however cant remember eevrybodys name who attended sorry.

Anyway abley led by Bernard and with back up from Clare we headed to Millington via Krby Underdale, Fimber, Wetwang and Warter. The group split when Steph p******d so it was decided to continue with 2 groups which staggered the cafe stop. no bad thing really as Millington cafe is quite small. The route back was quite direct through Stamford Bridge as a few needed to back earlyish.

Another good ride on what was quite a nice day weatherwise and personally clocking another 100 miler, well nearly according to the stats. I couldnt quite summon the energy to ride up and down the road a couple of times to achieve the tonne.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/2413720

Intermediates for me as well. Half a ton in my case (and I couldn't have managed up and down the road even if it had been a bit short), two hills (kirby underdale and out of thixendale to huggate) - one more than last week, one gentle caress of the tarmac and a jolly good time.

Intermediates for me as I had to be back early. Nice not to be 'on the rivet' all the way for a change (apart from Kirkby Underdale where young Arthur kicked my butt and demonstrated his climbing forte once again). It was good to ride with a few 'old friends' from last year when we only had one group on Saturdays before numbers soared.

Grp H Garmin log:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/2487099

Went with Howards group again and sorry for the two p*******s but I at least get a bit of a rest.

Now fitted two new tyres so hope it won't let me down again in a hurry.

Ian H

Sunday Ride - just 5 of us - Nigel, Sean, Helen, Phil and self. Set off W into rising headwind. Initial plan for Pateley quickly revised to Summerbridge. This revised again to Ripley Castle when the first icey shower danced across us. Helen made me promise not to tell that she stopped in a cafe after only 35 miles, so I won't.

The ride back was somewhat quicker with the strong wind on our shoulder - but at times it was a rather wet shoulder. Still, back in York before 2 with 65 miles, much of which qualified for a "double word score". All in all, infinitely more pleasant experience than the alternative turbo-hell.

See you on Sunday. Cockayne beckons....