Clifton CC

GPS Stats: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/11248712 114.69 miles @ 18.6mph Avg.

I was intending to take it steady to the square this morning but I see 2 cyclists going fast so I thought I'd catch them up, I managed to and sat about 50-100meteres behind them, ended up averaging near 24mph until I hit the lights in york with the mental wind we had, that first bit certainly never was the cause of my crappy end performance today.

It was quite a quick ride to the cafe stop, only 4 riders, Howard, Dave C, Shaun and me, one bit there was nearly a collision due to a retarded impatient driver not waiting on a wide S bend causing 2 cars to break hard and you could hear the tyres screech of the 2 cars, then it appears as if he quickly swerved at the front

Big hill near Lofthouse, I think?, was very tough, the first bit it was peeing it down and headwind, I kept a good pace and was fairly ahead on that bit of uphill, around 5-10% I reckon, made sure I was not pushing too hard, got to the big hill they cached up but I pulled away again, Howard was having a bad day but I'm sure he got plenty of energy back despite what he said on the quite a hard climb that was harder than the big climb, Howard was in front of me and I was struggling, my pace I could sustain just happened to be his back wheel but he did not like that, I had to back off which I guess gave abit of energy then on the last bend zoom off, was still fun.

Was a tailwind/crosswind for the ride back and was flying along at 25-30mph quite abit of the time, some even on the flat hitting 30ish, I decided to drop myself off the back of the group at the end when I managed to get back on but I did not want to sustain that effort when I was in the process of bonking of decided to take it at my own pace.

Was a good ride but disappointed that I started the process of bonking at around 80 miles, I'll be ordering gels and energy bars for the ride next week can’t have any bonking process starting until 120 miles!!


I'm thinking the reason I started struggling is down to food as near Stillingfleet I had a mars bar, then I set off, near Stillingfleet I had another mars bar, I sprinted up that bit of a steep drag at 23, then turned right into a hard wind, got to Cawood and I had quite abit of energy left so I was able to do 23-30 home, stopped the timer near home then cycled around at like 5mph for 10mins to get my heart rate down, it actually helped and I don't feel dead today, I'm still awake, left not aching as much so they permitted me walking up the stairs which was a surprise too, and then managing to actually turn the PC on and type was also a surprise I'd normally end up laying on bed asleep and waking up in a pool of saliva due to engaging zombie mode after a long ride.


Looking forward to the Tan Hill challenge, unsure what group I should go with, Howard I hope you plan on tkaing it steady?? If it's not too windy something around 17mph avg is the sort of pace I'd be wanting to go at, the PG W2TD was 16.8 for 175 miles.

Back after a couple of weeks away (no bike, just one ride - staying with friends who've just moved to Switzerland, borrowed a 15 year old MTB and rode up the mountain in their back garden. 40minutes at around 10% grade, no computer, no clips, no helmet, great views, terrifying descent stopping every couple of minutes to pour water on the smoking rims...) I still hadn't decided whether I'd be up for the Clifton RR so I thought I'd check my hill-climbing by riding out to Bishop Wilton and doing 3 Worsendales. Went pretty well, managed a PB on the first one (ably assisted by a stiff tail-breeze) and didn't die on the next two.

Battled home into the headwind, logged on - and found the road race has been full for a while. Ho hum! But today the pain in my right knee which had pretty much disappeared before I went away is back worse than before. So it's not looking good for Tan Hill either.

I have been a bit lazy recently and cant get up in time for even the saturday ride.

I managed to go out for a ride on sunday. I was cycling along when a bee clearly not looking where it was going, flew into my forehead. It fell and was momentarily dazed until it hit my cheek, by which point it recovered sufficiently to sting me in the face.

I got the sting out quickly but this has not prevented me from looking as though I have been punched. At least the bee did not sting me in the eye – that would have been rubbish.

Only 2 of us for our ride- Cath & myself; headed out via Wetherby, Kirby Overblow, Burn Bridge & then Penny Pot Lane towards Norwood, when the wind started to increase in velocity & then the rain. Fortunately I had planned to turn north at the end of Penny Pot Lane, so we had a side wind plus rain over Darley & Dacre before the climb of Hartwith Bank from Summerbridge. The rain seeemed to decrease around Brimham & we had more of a tail wind back via Willsal to Markington with 50 miles on the clock for the cafe stop- which was excellant - unfortunately it is closing for the season Sept 6th. From where we had a route home via Bishop Monkton & Knaresbor' to pick up the tail wind back via Tockwith with 80 miles logged.
Bernard

A ride with a difference this weekend for me. Noticing that Kev had simply stated 'impromptu' for his group, I arrived at the square along with my 11yr son Douglas. Our thoughts were to tag along with Kev's group and see how we got on - prepared to break off if a substantial number were going on a 'proper ride' As it was there was only five of us - Kev, myself, Dougie, a 16yr old lad called Ash and one other whose name I forget (sorry). Kevin set a pace that was comfortable and we wound our way at 14-15mph average to the cafe at Raskelf via Helperby.

After a brief meal we headed back via Whixley over Aldwark Bridge. Unfortunately by this time the Sou'Westerly headwind had got it's act together and Dougie found that he was having to dig in a bit to prevent our pace falling too low but everyone was patient and kind.

After saying farewell to Ash at Whixley (the other chap had turned for York before the bridge crossing) Kev lead back via Cattall and we made 16s/17s in from there with a tail wind and a couple of 5 minute breathers. Overall we managed around 55 miles at a 14.5ish average which I thought was OK for the lad on his first 'proper' ride out.

I really must say a heartfelt thanks to Kev for his patience and expertise - again! I know I speak for many when I say that the Clifton is really lucky to have him!!

There are not enough emoticons available on this forum to answer Mr Hubs latest missive.....

Sunday clubrun for me this week. Planned professionally by Helen, executed efficiently by a team of 6. Thanks guys.

Only got back from 2 weeks in France on Saturday morning. It wasn't really a cycling holiday, but we both took our bikes and grabbed an hour or so when it fitted in. We camped in the northern alps at the foot of the Joux Plaine - oh Lordy, what a climb; an intricate, fractal, vertical kilometer of tarmac in 12 km, with a stunning view of Mt Blanc near the top. Looped in a few other notable ascents and one day got 2000m of climbing in... before breakfast.

Has anyone noticed the rucksack thing going on with the, usually style conscious, french roadies? What's that all about?

On the Col de Pierre Carree, there was a challenge TT going on all summer (to be ridden at your own convenience). My french vocab failed me after that, but I think you got a transponder from tourist info, time logged and displayed on web site for humiliation. Sounds good. Anybody ever tried one of these? Just below the summit there were roadworks and temporary traffic lights. Facing the descending traffic was a permanent sign: ATTENTION. COURSE CYCLISTE. VOITURE RALENTIEZ.

Dr Dave wrote:and one other whose name I forget (sorry).

That was me Dave!

Damn good effort from young Douglas I thought.

It was my first time out with the club - so hello everyone! Couple of other newbies out. Ashley and Ian who's just moved up from Gloucester. Ian - did you know what you were letting yourself in for with the group you set off with - I heard Boltby Bank mentioned?

DOH! And I still didn't tell you my name!


Pete K.

Like a few others we've just got back from our jollies.

A 'back to basics' agenda this year with a trip to the West Country to do a mixture of B&B, Hostelling and Camping.

While there we did a 4 day mini cycle tour with the kids around the Quantocks & Exmoor. Nothing too ambitious but it was good to rediscover the joys of touring by bike; no car to pack, no GPS, HRM, training plan etc, just a destination for the day, a weather forecast and a map.

The weather was kind but the hills a little tough when you're riding a 20 year old MTB with slicks on, panniers, bar bag, a trailer bike and 7 year old on it (c.140lbs + my weight). Little bit heavier than I'm used to! I also explored the limits of rim brakes with such weight on some of the long descents.

Full marks to Gill who, mocking me after a glass of wine or two one evening, said I was making hard work of it and she could easily ride it up Porlock Hill. Guess what I made her do the next day?