Clifton CC

For me the long weekend was about rehabilitating my dodgy right knee (going well, back up to an hour's proper riding with a minimum of discomfort - much thanks to Colin Hawxby (musclemanagement.co.uk) for good advice) and helping out at the Clifton Road Race.

At least the knee was up to riding out to Sheriff Hutton for the race. Me and Mark (A?) were given the top of Bulmer Bank to marshal, which basically meant holding up all traffic to keep the bank completely clear for the race to ride through. Because there were motorcycle outriders well in advance of the bunch to secure the route, this was pretty easy - the only worry was that a tractor would appear and move so slowly that the bikes would catch it before it passed the narrow section, but thankfully that never happened. All the folk we held up were very friendly too.

It was a good spot to watch the action - basically the top of the hardest climb on the course, about a quarter of the way into the lap. As the race car appeared over the top of the rise, it seemed to be going comically slowly, but if you ride the bank yourself you'll know it's really not funny.

On lap 1, the whole group was together (no surprise), with a couple of guys already falling off the back, one who quit right there. On lap 2, someone had broken away by a few lengths and seemed to be hoping for company. A couple more abandoned in the village and pedalled back.

By lap 3, that tentative break had been swallowed, and Callum Sewell was on the attack, working very hard. A lap later, he had another rider with him and they led the bunch by 50s. I thought they might stay away, but on the last lap they had been caught, with a new break underway and Callum slipping back into the pack (and one more rider quitting - after 2hrs racing!). I can see from PhotoBen's pics that someone did escape to win, but I've no idea who... I'd left for home after the race passed us the last time, as the sky took a threatening turn.

It was a good day out, with very fair weather (and the wind pushing the riders up the worst of the hills). Next year, knee permitting, I hope to be racing not watching... credit to PaulM for keeping Clifton in the race (he was still looking pretty strong on that last lap.)
tom

I compleatly forgot about the race I was going to go watch it, I'd have liked to see how they get up bulmer bank, I went and did 47 miles, wondered what on earth was going on round Bramham but of course it's the Leeds Fest :p.

All I've done is one 47 mile ride, I'm not managing to get out much as my knee is bad too.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/12174648

I get in about 1 ride a week now when my knee is not hurting, was a good ride, bit windy, it was hillier than I thought, pretty chilly at first, I was lucky to avoid the rain on Sunday by about 1min

So, let me get this right, Will:- You've got a dodgy knee which is restricting you to only one ride a week, so you go out and do two and a half hours on your own at 19.4mph average. Am I missing something here...?

PhilBixby wrote:So, let me get this right, Will:- You've got a dodgy knee which is restricting you to only one ride a week, so you go out and do two and a half hours on your own at 19.4mph average. Am I missing something here...?

I was taking it steady, according to the physio I'm ok to ride even longer rided, but I'm not doing longer rides. I have to do some rides I don't want to get fat and I'm not keen on loosing fitness.

I guess it's not restricting me really, I could do more, but I don't. My knee does not hurt on the bike at all, only when I am sat down in a chair.

Firstly I'd just like to say thanks to everyone involved in Sundays road race esp. Andy & Phil. As always its up there with the best organised events. Thanks also to those giving me a shout - believe me I needed them all!

Victory went to Dave Shackleton in both stages and therefore the overall - a good points haul. I believe he had a top 10 in the premier calendar event at Richmond last week - thats the sort of preparation you need. I on the other hand hadn't seen the finish of a race in about 2 mths and in that time had trained almost excusively alone (Tan Hill last week the exception but not exactly training). I know I must have the world record for competitive laps of the Bulmer circuit but even so I wasn't going to kid myself I could get round on memories. I did manage to ride the circuit every week for the last month or so - an all out blast up Bulmer & Terrington and then ride the TT stretch as a TT. However the wind on Sunday was a real leveller and even though the pace wasn't too bad there was little shelter as the bunch thinned out. I found I was ok on all the climbs - it was the crosswind stretches causing me a problem. I was struggling with cramp from the second lap - a sure sign I wasn't quite up to this intensity. I was therefore pleasantly suprised to still be in the bunch on the last lap which was now down to less than 20 riders. On another day I would have had something up my sleeve and would have had a top10. Tom suggests I looked strong the last time up Bulmer - it must have ben a good disguise as I was dropped at Ganthorpe completely exhausted - like a switch had been flicked. Managed to get in a group and made it back. I believe the pace had picked up on the final lap? A shame but thats that - I have a few races left and will put the experience to good use.
I had a better day than Craig Gath. He was telling me before the start about all the DNF's he's had with punctures. I heard his tyre explode on the opening lap! I saw him riding back the following lap. If that was me I would have walked - the bike would have been folded round a telegraph pole!

Come on Muzzy, we're all waiting for a blow-by-blow account. (Edit - aha! We're typing simultaneously!)

We were away in S. Wales for the weekend, but I got 2.5 hours in on my brother's single speed, off road above Newport. Twch Trail and Cwm Cahn (or however you spell them). It's been a while since I was on nobblies and it took a while to relax, but it soon came flooding back. Nice to see it all changing year on year - although the stretch of trail called "Vertigo" isn't quite as stomach churning as it used to be, as the saplings are starting to grow....

If you're ever down that way its worth taking a bike (and map).

I did my first road ride on Sunday only 30 miles but it means I'm back and training. Followed by a 40 mile ride and double spin on Tuesday. legs might be ok for Ireland.

The Saturday 'H' group last w/e consisted of Howard, Virginie, Dave C and myself. In the absence of 'The Hub', John 'The Monster' Cocker, Chris 'The Power' Cuckson (and sundry other road warriors) we had a steady paced ride (route as previously posted). Conversations en-route were the order of the day!

The cafe at Thornton-le-Dale did us proud as usual, we had no p*****s, and all in all it was a grand day out.

Oh yes, I nearly forgot, Virginie reprised her 20+ mph on the front into a strong headwind on the final 10 miles back into York - I knew there was a reason why we usually go 'arder up them 'ills

I'm so jealous Dr Dave sounds like a really good ride despite the awfull wind.

Also, why do you censor the word punctures?

willhub wrote:I'm so jealous Dr Dave sounds like a really good ride despite the awfull wind.

Also, why do you censor the word punctures?

Why do actors say 'break a leg' and refer to Hamlet as 'The Scottish Play'

Superstition my dear boy is a powerful thing

I feel it is my duty to further our young Will's education by pointing out 'that Scottish play' is actually Macbeth!

In smiles
Claire

ClaireG wrote:I feel it is my duty to further our young Will's education by pointing out 'that Scottish play' is actually Macbeth!

In smiles
Claire

Durrrrrr!! Of course it is - that's what comes of trying to post on here whilst simultaneously doing other things - multi-tasking clearly isn't my strong point!

Don't worry Dave, there's always Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow.........