Clifton CC

Can't believe I'm starting this as other's have far more interesting things to report! How was the Giffer's road race at Barton. What about the Seacroft Wh RR? What about the Wiggy Audax?

I got 3 hours solo on Saturday around Malton-Wenby. Cold, wet and windy, and the weather wasn't much better...

R

Okay.. ..first races of the season for me. Still a few weeks off the ones I'm targeting but, well, would still be nice not to make an ar*e of them. So...

Saturday was the old bloke's Aussie Pursuit over at Barton on Humber. Forecast of 30-54mph winds and hail showers was not encouraging. Completely stuffed-up traffic around York meant Muzzy and I arrived late; I got to the start in time but with no warm-up, and Muzzy - well, I'm sure he'll report back! Set off at a brisk pace in the 50-54's, unwisely taking turns on the front, and at the end of lap one the shock to the system cut in and I got dropped. Jumping in with the remaining groups wasn't going to happen as they were skittering all over the road in the gusty wind. My group riding skills were in need of polishing up - I realised I hadn't ridden in company since the Xmas lunch ride-out! So, TT'd the remainder and then...

Sunday was Seacroft Wheelers 3rds/4ths. Rode out in calm but cold weather under blue skies. Lengthy warm-up. A few other locals there - Simon W, Colin Sinclair (and Colin Hawxby rode out to watch having had his entry sent back). Race turned into a bit of a caricature of a 3rds/4ths race - every lap a couple of riders got away, and half a lap later the bunch pulled them back. This, plus the dented confidence from the preceding day, and the thought that since I'd spent half the winter learning to sprint I may as well make the most of it, meant I sat happily in the front half of the bunch for the duration. However, half a lap from the finish the bunch went into full-road-width spasm, with much nervous jostling and cursing. I assumed sooner or later someone would stretch it out and a way through would appear, but I was wrong. The "sprint" was rather like trying to get to the bar in a packed pub, and so I crossed the line about 15th.

Anyway, hopefully 100+ miles over the w/end with sixty odd at race pace must have done some good. Personal good news was the legs felt absolutely fine by the end of Sunday's race, personal bad news was that - very distressingly - the older old blokes looked even faster than the younger old blokes...

I rode the Cheshire Cat sportive on Sunday, on what turned out to be a beautiful sunny day after a frosty and foggy start.

With 1600 riders spread over three different routes, there were generally plenty of groups to hook up with, and the flat first half of the course on the Cheshire Plain meant that some of these groups were really flying (too fast for me in a few cases, I was concentrating on keeping the heart rate under control for the second half!).

The hills pretty much started with Mow Cop, which is upto 25% at one point. There were lots of riders off and walking up here, but I was able to ride it, thanks to the granny gear on the triple!

From then on much of the course was just in the western edge of the Peak District, so there were plenty of sharp climbs (and plenty of people pushing!). Again, the triple came into it's own - at one stage I passed a couple of guys grimacing their way up a climb on their compacts only to hear one exclaim "triple!" as if I was cheating! I think my “keep it steady for the first half” approach paid off, with me passing a fair few riders on the hills – Mow Cop really seemed to have taken a lot out of a lot of riders, and this showed on the subsequent hills.

The last 15 or so miles were back on the flatlands, so it was time to tag along with a group and get the pace up - this ended abruptly when the route turned sharp left and went up a short but pretty steep cobbled rise (Swiss Hill). I'd say that 90% were walking up here - including me I'm afraid - I think my technique let me down as much as my legs...

I'd not set a target time, but I finished the 102 mile route in just under 7.5 hrs (around 7 hours riding time I think). I'd be lying if I didn't say I'd like to have got round a bit quicker, but I was pleased with my ride strategy and finished what was the hardest ride I've done with a great sense of satisfaction. All I’ve got to do now is double the amount of climbing and I might feel a little more prepared for the Maratona dles Dolomite in July…!

Jason.

I took part in the Harrogate Nova Time Trail on Saturday in hurricane like conditions but at least it was not raining.

I arrived quite late to the headquarters and consequently had to time trial to the start. I made my allocated time with literally 10 seconds to spare. Nicely warmed I proceeded to toil around the circuit. The headwind on the return leg was unbelievable at one point I was crawling along at 13mph, anyway to cut a long story short I went round in 1:09:46. A pretty modest time, but it was quicker than last years time when it was less windy.

I cant remember the other clifton rides times but Phil Graves was third.

I had my entry returned so I didn't race the Seacroft RR either. Looked at the forecast for the weekend and decided to give Saturday a miss. Sunday saw a big gathering of in-laws at Black Sheep in Masham so I cycled there; borrowed Howard's BikeToaster route (out via Rainton - a handy A1 crossing point which the roadsigns seem keen to hide) for the journey up and came back via Ripon, Boroughbridge and Cattal. Glorious sunshine all the way. Frustrating thing was the little bridge between Cattal and Tockwith being closed (without any early warning) which sent me off on a diversion via Wetherby(!) - decided that was no good and picked my way past the scaffolding on the bridge. May be useful to know that you can still use that road on a bike if you want to.
Hoping to race the Phil Russell RR this weekend, but still haven't heard from them so maybe that won't happen either...

"Hoping to race the Phil Russell RR this weekend, but still haven't heard from them so maybe that won't happen either..."

Tom - you're on the start sheet! They emailed the race details / start sheet out - your spam software may have grabbed it. Let me know if you want a copy emailed over.

What a morning i had Sunday

Set off in plenty of time to meet up in Wigginton and ended up walking home from just past Rowntrees - rear mech and half of hanger completely detached from bike, chain in road and rear mudguard bent up round frame! No idea what happened - either hanger broke or else cable snapped? And just after i had been singing praise of my cheap Ribble kit!

No way was i going to miss such a nice day so dug out fixed bike minus wheels. Scavenged old rear from tip pile - fortunately i hadn't chucked out tape, tyre and tube! Eventually pieced together something to ride and having disturbed a dozing Gerry managed to get going about 11:15.

Saw a few friends of Clifton out on the road including Vernon from Leeds who is now proud owner of Flying Gate. But no Cliftonites who were all too quick for me. Keith Benton reported a good turnout, 16 or more (?).

Also spoke with Nigel today (bike should be back on road soon!) who rode 74" fixed he said "to keep up with Shaun on way back" Fixed may be way forward for these rides.

Sounds like a great effort from Willys Easy Riders.

Hope everyone enjoyed it as much as i did in the end!

That last bit should probably read: 'Ex-EasyRiders'. Some did not stay in the nursery THAT long!

EasyRiders has not moved to summer times, no more Sat afternoons till autumn, except exceptionally when something special might be planned, holidays etc.

Normally EasyRider will be Mon eves, starting at 6 from the square, probably commencing April 20.

who rode 74" fixed he said "to keep up with Shaun on way back." Fixed may be way forward for these rides.

This would be same Nigel that kept asking for someone to sling him a 52 every time Nigel junior started doing 25+

Had a great ride in yesterday's audax. Finished in a group with Steve, Nigel and Shaun, who I have to thank for setting a great pace after Ripley Castle.
Also watching Nigel ride fixed, wiped out any doubt of being able to get through next winter riding fixed for the clubruns and training.

I decided to turn up for the Fountains Audax on Sunday. For the second consectitive w/e I picked the right day to go out under blue skies albeit a bit chilly. I underestimated the cold in fact when I set out but resisted going back for full fingers gloves but regeretted it afetr 20mins when I almost succumbed to frostbite. After an hour of cycling to Wigginton circulation returned.

There was a decent turnout with a number from Clifton which all set out en-masse with a few thinking it was a race. However after the first checkpoint at Boroughbridge the group started splitting around Ripon and I ended up in a group with Claire, Bernard ( he did say he would lead a ride around affterall), Willy, Andy, Elaine, Rachel and Cath. Arrived at the cafe at Ripley wondering whether we would get any food, thankfully we did, the thought of surviing on only energy gels for what was for me a forty mile ride home wasnt pleasant.

A decent but steady pace back to Wiggington earned the first point of the challenge series for me all I need to decide now is which 3 pointer I do to earn at least the bronze. Another century ride for me my fifth in as many weeks. Thanks to Bernard for leading the ride which meant I didnt have to look at the route every 2 mins, which is what happened at my first Ron Kitching ride which i did on my own.

The stats are below for anyone interested

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/2830735

Im not quite sure how I endedup below sea level at the finish but thats technology for you I guess.

Jon

Fountains audax for me too. It was my furthest and fastest outing since November, which, on a fine and sunny day, made an old grey donkey very happy.

I don't want anyone thinking I had a good time though - I coughed, spluttered and committed other antisocial expectorations for the first 15 miles or so, desperately followed wheels all day to keep up and my legs ache.

But, Yes Steve, I love it.

Yes Saturday Barton Whs vets race was a bit of a comedy of errors. We were a bit late getting there but I wasn't too fussed and set about getting ready in and around my car parked behind the hq emerging 5 mins before we were due to ride to the start en masse. It was then it dawned on me the we must have been due to meet at 13:50 not 14:00 as there was nobody about. Worse was that I hadn't ridden there since 1993 and had no idea where the start was. I was in the scratch group (based on age not ability or beughty) so could still easily get there in time. After consulting the refreshment ladies I was still no wiser, took the wrong road, retraced and reached the circuit in time to witness Phil complete his first lap alone. I jumped in with the last group on the road, immediately steamed to the front and feeling strong started doing turns (Yes I know I'd missed one three and a half mile lap lap but was confident nobody really cared). It only really occured to me after a couple of miles that, not only did I not know the start time but I didn't know the circuit, as pulling hard at the front across a crossroads manned by two seated oaps who seemed to be watching traffic rather than directing riders!!! when, from behind, I heard someone call "its left".
Thankfully I managed to recatch the group. Colin Hawxby was riding well but then punctured. We had quality in the group but no quantity, we caught the 45-50 age group and plenty of individual but were still a couple of minutes behind the leaders with 2 laps remaining. And so it stayed. I had the consolation of taking second in the group sprint behind a guy who'd sat in most of the way round but personally I would have preferred another 20 miles and an 11:00 start. Afternoon races just waste the day. However I was pleased with my ride as it was cool and windy which was perfect.