Clifton CC

Saturday Intermediate ride set off from the square with a large group of around 18 riders. The faster ones were patient, meaning we kept together well on the flat and regrouped at the top of the climbs.

Glorious route provided by Kevin, helped by the sunny autumnal day. At the top of Settrington Bank we split with John Clarke taking 10 riders off for a final fling and an extra few miles further to Thornton le Dale and I took 8 of us the descent to Thorpe Bassett (my favourite view of the day) then only a short stretch through Rillington to the cycle path at the end of the village, until the left turn to take you across the Vale to Yedingham (no, we didn't choose to ride on the A64).

The only hazard on the cycle path was a group of riders coming the other way, who neglected to slow down and as we cautiously slowed and hugged the LHS they came steaming past with the inevitable consequence of one of them losing control and coming down - fortunately no damage, only his pride.

Good food in the cafe, can recommend the Apple & Blackberry crumble & custard! Route home via Pickering, Risebrough, Great Baraugh, Amotherby & Castle Howard. Nearly saw my crumble again as I attempted to race Ben, Arthur & Rich up the climb there! I humbly accepted defeat, but it was fun all the same! A regroup and we turned out the last 15miles back to York.

Thanks to all for a great ride, how did John's group fare?
Claire

ClaireG wrote:
Thanks to all for a great ride, how did John's group fare?
Claire

...

... teeth gritted and grimacing when our pathes crossed just at the start of their drag into a headwind up and away from West Lutton (wishful thinking on my part - they were actually a compact goup looking good, but I was knac****d at that stage even though I was going downhill)

I took the clockwise vesion of the published route to Thornton, after an early start, then through Dalby, Troutsdale and Stainton on the off chance of linking up for a ride back with you all. By Lutton, however, home without a detour was a preferable option, especially after that evil climb at West Heslerton. And is it just me lacking fitness or is the run through Dalby and Troutsdale a bit challenging - I found it really hard work.

Nice autumnal colours in the trees, some good scenery and deceptively sunny - I've got sunburn on the back of my neck to prove it.

A mammoth weekend for the MTBers.

A club trip to Scotland for 26 (+ a few day trippers) to an Independent Hostel that, appropriately, used to be an Old People's Home.

In 3 days of riding we took in 6 different Trail Centres including 1 night ride. Saturday was the best weather and we rode non-stop all day and into the evening with lots of sunshine, miles of quiet trails to choose from and temperatures more like Summer. Ginnie made it all the way round a Black Route! In the evening some went off for a night ride around the whole of Mabie Forest Red Route then we had a big group feast courtesy of Tom, Gill and their Sous Chef's.

Sunday was cooler and a little damp but we headed off to 2 more locations before tired legs took us home.

The casualty list was quite short considering with only a few bumps, grazes, gashed tyres and snapped bits.

Thanks to Rachel for organising.

Meanwhile Gully and Jen Shaw were XC racing in the last round of the Brownbacks series at Lee Quarry. Not sure of their results but they should be posted here by Wednesday http://www.brownbacksracing.co.uk/race_ ... sults.html

In the absence (through illness) of our beloved leader, Dave C lead 6 riders on the 'H' ride to Brid - Shaun, John, Chris C (good to see back on the roads after his spill) myself and a new-comer called Ross. A modification of Kevin's route saw us also take in Settrington bank on the way to the sea.

We took turns well in Howard's absence - a shared sense of responsibility rather than deferring to his leadership I guess - until Settrington where Ross and Chris C showed the rest of us how it was supposed to be climbed! Then a stirring pace to Brid with a northerly crosswind seeming to neither help or hinder.

After a short search we located the Georgian Tea Rooms - a delightful albeit sl quirky cafe - where a quickish lunch was taken. Ross - as befits a proper cyclist - only taking on water and flapjack whilst the rest of us put away the usual 3/4 course feast!

The route back started out fine and John lead nicely for the first few miles until we started up a long drag which was signed for Sledmere. I was just about to take my turn on the front when Shaun jumped the bunch and set about blowing the race apart as if he was 'Spartacus' Cancellara himself - whoops, I mean moved to the front of the group and increased the pace somewhat Gradually the bunch became strung out as we chewed our way through first the tape, then the bars themselves. After what seemed like ages but could only have been 3 miles or so Dave C suggested that we moderate the pace somewhat and sanity was restored for a time before Shaun again found the rest of us to be slacking and upped the pace. Ross meanwhile was a prefect gentleman and stayed in the wheels with an effortless high cadence souplesse, deigning to ride with us middle aged old farts instead of showing what he could do if he put his mind to it!

The route meandered along 'backwards' towards Thixendale, then up the valley to the crossroads on Birdsall bank before descending to Leavening and home for with 102 miles on the clock.

Thanks to Dave for guiding us round and chapeau to Shaun for some impressive 'strongman' riding - watch out Spoco's next year!!

Sunday Ride Report.

Nigel, Andy, Andy, Mark, Muzzy, Lee and self headed through the lanes via Pock, Market Weighton, up onto the tops around Etton, Chery Burton, Little Weighton, Brantingham and down to Giberdyke. New starter Lee was flagging a bit, but Coke and sandwiches resuscitated him sufficiently to tackle the flat lands home.

Eastrington then Howden, dead-end road to Barnby then along the Sustrans path by the Ouse to Hemmingbrough (decided against making the political statement and asserting our rights to be on the A63...). Then S. Duffield, Skipwith, Weldrake, Elvington and home. 88 miles door to door. Highlights definitely Brantingham Dale and Skipwith, both a riot of autumnal colours. And the rolling chalk landscape around Kiplingcotes with the smell of ploughed fields.

Thanks for the company and see you next week.

Edit: low point was definitely the Xmas decorations in Gilberdyke garden centre - including Santa's grotto - 18th Oct............. ba humbug.

I was unable to go on a regular Saturday ride this weekend as I was away with some friends doing The Hadrians Wall Cycleway from Ravenglass to Tynemouth. It was a superb weekend with great weather and company. 175 miles in 3 days at a leisurely pace shall we say. Used the mountain bike but wished id put some slicker tyres on as i was expecting abit more rough stuff but it can largley be cycled on a road bike but there are sections where an ATB is useful. Ther vas one lad with us on a road bike who amazingly didnt have a p*****e. I would thoroughly recommend tthis ride if you havent done it before. I did it with a organistaion called charity adventure

www.charityadventure.org.uk

who ive ridden before with for the last 2 years dong the C2C from Whitehaven to Sunderland.

They are supported rides so no need to carry luggage aprt form waht you need during the day and on this tour they used Rock Tour Sleeper Buses for the overnight accomodation whilst using a combination of campsite and hostels for the shower facilities etc. And of course the local pubs for meals, drinking etc

Jon

I took part in the Yorkshire cyclo cross event at Huddersfield, I did this as my first ever cyclo cross at the same venue last year intending to do 3 or 4 but did not get round to any more so I hope to do about 4 this year.

About 70 riders took part in my group the Vets and Women's race.

Looking at the course it was obvious that a fast start was the best tactic as after about 200 metres it took a sharp left turn and narrowed significantly then a bit furthur down to only room for one or two abreast for the section through the trees, so I managed to get off to a good start ahead of a lot of the field and seemed to be going well on the first two or three laps but as the race went on I was getting very tired and was slowly dropping further back and was glad when the race finished.

Still it was a good workout and having recovered I am looking forward to the next one in a few weeks time.

Ian H

A cracking ride on Saturday, ably led and directed by Claire, who is selling herself short with "humbly accepted defeat" on Castle Howard Rd as I remember it, it took all I had in my legs to bridge the gap only to see Rich and Arthur jump past as soon as I did.

I'm in full agreement with Ben - a cracking ride on Saturday. Thanks Claire! I'd like to be able to say I joined in with the sprint on Castle Howard Road but by then I was resigned to just ensuring I made it home.

Rob wrote:Sunday Ride Report.

Nigel, Andy, Andy, Mark, Muzzy, Lee and self headed through the lanes via Pock, Market Weighton, up onto the tops around Etton, Chery Burton, Little Weighton, Brantingham and down to Giberdyke. New starter Lee was flagging a bit, but Coke and sandwiches resuscitated him sufficiently to tackle the flat lands home.

Eastrington then Howden, dead-end road to Barnby then along the Sustrans path by the Ouse to Hemmingbrough (decided against making the political statement and asserting our rights to be on the A63...). Then S. Duffield, Skipwith, Weldrake, Elvington and home. 88 miles door to door. Highlights definitely Brantingham Dale and Skipwith, both a riot of autumnal colours. And the rolling chalk landscape around Kiplingcotes with the smell of ploughed fields.

Thanks for the company and see you next week.

Edit: low point was definitely the Xmas decorations in Gilberdyke garden centre - including Santa's grotto - 18th Oct............. ba humbug.

Great ride out sunday for the 1st time with Rob big step up from kevins group. thanks to Muzzy, Rob, Nigel, Andy, Mark,Andy. for waiting on top of hills and push alittle on way back, maybe shouldn't have done both saturday and sunday, made some good friends see ya saturday or sunday? not both im not that fit yet. thanks guys Lee

Great autumnal jaunt on Sunday, definitely a ride of 2 halves.... the rolling and the flat, sublime map reading by leader Rob. The rather alternative stretch on the riverside Sustrans path must have been the reason for the somewhat silenced group on the tow back up to York... perhaps. Amazing effort from Lee, good work! I must have the treacle sponge next time.

Andrew

Hi Ed

Presume that means after we all split in town you got home without puncturing...?

What did the damage look like when you took out that thorn then?

Reminded me to dig out our spare folding tyre for the winter rides....


And still no post from anyone who went with John at the top of Settrington Bank - hope you're not still out there.........

See you Saturday,
Claire