Clifton CC

I'll kick this off since for a change I've done something which involves bike riding - Muzzy and I headed down to the wilds of South Yorkshire for the Richard Hoyland Memorial RR yesterday. Greyish skies and a stiff breeze (this circuit always has a stiff breeze, and it always blows across the one, exposed hill on the circuit, such that there's a "after you! No, after you!" session at the foot of it every time around. A break went away within the first lap, and built up a lead of just under a minute; at about half-distance various people (including Muzzy) had a go and the bunch split in three, but a lap later we were all back together and a couple of faster laps saw the break back in sight with two laps to go. About half a dozen of us started rolling through at the front, but everyone else just sat in, so by the start of the final lap they were out of reach. The inevitable mass sprint ensued for the remaining placings; self-preservation kept us out of the points.

53 miles (we were short-changed - the start sheet said 60) in 2hrs 11min, so 24mph average (36 in the sprint), normalised power 242W. And no cramp! Wooohooo!

The H ride was good fun untill some careless idiot (me) fell off his bike. I am a fairly sore but escaped with road rash and some bruised ribs. Over all i am pretty lucky as it could have been a lot worse.

thanks to all the "H Krew" for looking after me, not the most pleasent ride from pickering to malton, thanks to shaun who pushed me up one hill and also thanks to Mr H himself for getting the train back with me.

the bike needs new shifters again - 3 in 3 years!

to make my recovery more interesting i am having a mini race between different road rash areas. some have conventional plasters and some have Boots "fast healing" see through plasters, and some are getting the natural treatment. Who will win?

Glad to hear (read?) that you're OK Chris. How are the holiday plans - will the shifter be sorted before you go or are you going to hire?

My shifter cannot be fixed and so I need to buy a new one, may upgrade to Chorus as the internal components can be fixed if they break. They cost around £200 which is crazy.

I may rent a bike towards the end of next week but breathing deeply is a bit painfull as is getting out of bed so I dont think that i will get a ride in - so i will do some walks, read some books - generally get stronger, newer and more powerfull or fat.

I feel loads better than saturday and can move around more freely think i will be feeling more normal once i get back from holiday.

I guess i will just have to save up and go back to do some rides!

I see Ribble have them at £165 - not sure if they're the cheapest out there though.

Have a good trip - I hear beer is good for sore ribs

I hope you feel better Chris and it's not too painful.

Cheers


Dave

On another note I have just been out riding with a Clifton legend, Pete Smith('68 Olympics etc) and it was great to hear the stories he was sharing with Tony Abbott, re racing in the 60's/70's.

Out of (admittedly morbid) curiosity Chris, I've been examining my Garmin data in order to determine your "uncommanded dismount" speed -you may (or may not?) recall that you, me and Dave C were together at the time. I make it 31.4 mph whereas DaveC has you at a, ahem, thumping 32.2mph! Impressive! Would you like to make me an offer for my motorcycle leathers? They're very nice!

Ah the leathers are a good idea - also in the market for some stabilisers

Chris, pleased to hear no lasting damage.


For the Intermediate group ride, 11 of us headed out via Bishop Thornton & Burnt Yates to Darley Mill. Cafe rather posh, but fortunately for the other guests, they found a back room to tuck us all away in!

Climb stright after lunch of Darley Head, though the climb was not as severe as I remembered from the old Harrogate Nova TT event - I think I have forgotten the painful difference between racing and riding!

Bland Hill, Beckwithshaw, the successful navigation of Pannel and back via Spofforth. A very pleasant 80+ miler - Thanks to the team and a big well done to Ed for huge gritting of teeth in the last 15miles.

Claire

Gill and Mike H went to Lee Quarry to do the Brownbacks XC event. Mike had a mechanical (trying to keep up with Gill??). Gill won her Category but is far too modest to post. Looking at her times she could have probably stepped up a couple of classes and still come top. Must be all that training with Dr Dave.

http://www.brownbacksracing.co.uk/race_ ... esults.pdf

Think I better give my own report for the weekend!!
We went out with the Mountaineering Club on Saturday evening and had a nice time with a fab group of like minded people. I have see some great reports about Lee Quarry so thought that the Brownback race would be a great way to ride it. Sunday morning after very little sleep and not too sure what race to enter I bumped into Mike at the start and thought it would be a laugh to race him so entered his race and had a little side bet that the looser buys the coffee. Mike was miles infront but sadly had a mechanical.
It is a fantastic mtb venue- a really friendly low key race. I am definately going back for more but in the next class- where I will probably end up at the rear!
Thanks Mike for a good morning and the coffee