Clifton CC

I did the Philip Russell 2nds/3rds/4ths race up at Stokesley today. This was round the circuit condemned as unsafe for the season opener - kind of fitting on the same day as Paris-Roubaix. No bikes or wheels demolished, but my arms do feel as though they've been repeatedly hit by a baseball bat.

Gorgeous day for racing, with a blue sky and the lightest of breeze. The knees were out in anger for the first time this year. A field of 75 riders set off for the eight lap race, but not all of 'em finished. The pre-race briefing - delivered over the safety car tannoy and hence sounding like the disembodied voice of some higher power - warned anyone dropped to get themselves off the roads, and I'd reckon a third of the starters took this advice, with a big crash on the penultimate lap removing a few more.

It was over seventy miles in about 2hrs-50-something on a lumpy circuit, so it wasn't hanging about. Normalised Power 250W. I was knackered by the fifth lap, but noticed everyone else looked it too, and got cramp towards the end but managed to sort it out. By the run-in to the last corner there was still a very big and unruly bunch chasing placings from fourth downwards. When the bloke next to me whimpered "I don't want to die" it confirmed my judgement that it looked like an accident waiting to happen, so I started the sprint from the middle of the bunch and finished it just a few places further forward.

No glory, no envelope with a fiver; only a brief stint on the front and no daring escapes - staying with the race was as much as I could manage, and I can barely walk now. Strangely satisfying though. Next!

Despite losing my focus for what I want to do this year with Boro'bridge TLIs going down the tubes, this weekend turned out quite good cycling wise. Selfishly leaving my better half all weekend, with the weather forecast I opted for the Saturday training ride and the Scotton 100. Six of us went on the training ride and I suggested doing the old Clifton training route - Gally Gap, Malton, Coneysthorpe, Terrington, Sheriff Hutton, York. I've been making an effort to shed a few pounds and it seemed to be working Saturday in that on the rises (well most of them) I could find a wheel to follow rather than shooting straight out the back. But you never get something for nothing and I seem to have lost a bit of power on the flat stuff, or maybe the pace made by Jon C and Edd? was just a bit too hot for me on the run back to York.

I intended to have a bit of a steady ride in the Scotton but as usual that went out the window once there were wheels to chase. The Scotton was one of the highlights of the year for me last year, but this year the off road stuff just seemed to batter me and I'd had enough with ten miles to go. I've been toying with the idea of having a crack at XC MTB racing as road racing seems stuffed this year but the way John S floated away on the off road sections makes me think I'm being a bit niave. Cyclists I could easily ride with on the on road sections would disappear off on the off road downhills.

Thanks to everyone that made the Scotton possible.

Club hard rider this weekend has to be Shaun who rode to How Stean Gorge with the H ride on the Saturday and then towed a bunch of expert looking MTBers around the Scotton on his Audax bike on the Sunday.

Well after years or pestering from Kit and having been shamed by Rich 'having a go' at Croft last year, I took the plunge this year and sorted a racing licence. I had good intentions of getting fit over winter and spring, but due to baby stuff and illness (and loads of other excuses) finally found myself on the start line for Brid CC's Spring RR, hopelessly under-prepared! Rich had been told that this race was tough and certainly not suitable to start on, but having entered ages ago, we thought we may as well turn out.

The presence of seasoned 2nd cat prem calendar riders (incl Jamie Sharp of Cycleworks) and up and coming juniors in the car park before the race left us in no illusions about finishing! The circuit starts and finishes at the top of a hill, but it was 30+mph almost from the off and a combination of not being fit enough, being too inexperienced to get into the right position and not being able to sprint flat out for 10mins in gears from 53x15 - 53x12 (I've never spun out those gears before on the flat), both Rich and I got dropped! We both completed a lap for forms sake but after another half-lap, we decided to spectate for a while. Hopefully we didn't bring too much disgrace to the red and black!

Despite probably not even covering 20 miles in the day, my legs still felt like lead afterwards! However, I'm not disheartened - I did nearly get back on - I'm just going to try and train harder (and maybe only enter 3/4 races in the future). See you next week for the training ride and the chaingangs from the week after - I now have permission from the better half.

Cheers Broom Wagon but as much as I'd like to take credit for moving the pace along on the Sat training ride I was in fact the one hanging on for dear life at the back. Think credit goes to Richard along with Jon C for doing more than their fair share of work on the front.

Cracking ride and great to still be able to feel my fingers and toes when I got back.

Nice ride out to Lofthouse with the H group.

Was a lovely day and I burnt my arms, awesome, summer is here. It felt like 25 degrees out there. Some tough climbs, Yorks Folly I think it's called was mega hard with the heat, but it was all fun. Can't remember the names of the other guys, Howard, Me, Shaun?, someone else and someone else?

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/29564747

Nice and quick ride it was, we where flying back into York at like 22mph.

"Despite probably not even covering 20 miles in the day, my legs still felt like lead afterwards! However, I'm not disheartened - I did nearly get back on - I'm just going to try and train harder (and maybe only enter 3/4 races in the future). See you next week for the training ride and the chaingangs from the week after - I now have permission from the better half"

Noooooo! Keep entering the 2/3 races, Chris - you've done the hard part - you've let go of that envelope at the post box once already and turned up to the race. Now you know what you are letting yourself in for just keep turning up till you are taking part - the only way is up. You mention Jamie Sharpe - well he's got 2 little kids and probably not much time to train. Its not about talent & training its about hard work and bloody mindedness.


I forsook a choice of road races this week to ride the Scotton 100. As I've a few races coming up and the ones on offer I've ridden plenty of times before, it was no loss. I'm not normally one for Sportives but I've always fancied doing this just to see what it is about. But I needed some hard training out of it and thats what I got. I've no mountain bike, no cross bike and preparation simply involved taking mudguards off my winter bike which I've been flogging myself on in training rides. I used kevlar belted tyres with self adhesive puncture prevention strips inside each. No punctures, no mechanical problems, no falls just one of the best laughs I've had on a bike for a while and one of the most satisfying.
I'd gone off in the front group and by Brimham Rocks the group was down to about 10 on cross bikes plus myself. The off road stretches were so hard and each one was taking a bit more out of me. The Sandy Lane stretch at Aldwark was my undoing - I just couldn't hold the wheels on the lose surface and rode the last 10 miles pretty much alone. An enjoyable and sunny day. Thanks to Dave and everyone involved with the event.

Chris, well done for getting out and racing. I had an entry at Bridlington but had to miss it because of family commitments down south, which feels particularly galling given the sparse calendar we're looking at now.
Never mind, managed some nasty interval training instead when I got back and am now looking forward to Wetwang (if my entry sticks) in two weeks time. And it's fantastic to be able to train in evening sunshine during the week...
tom

I enjoyed my first Scotton 100 immensely. Many thanks to the organisers. I look forward to doing it again next year, with hopefully the same weather, a bit more fitness, and possibly a puncture protection layer (or two: my dry weather 'cross tyres were ideal for the conditions, but even pumped up fully they aren't designed to stop pinch flats.)

On Saturday I did CTT 10 mile TT down at South Cave on the A63. It was my first time on this course and in perfect weather did 23:18 which I was happy with.

Then on Sunday I did my 1st Scotton 100. I used my winter bike with cyclocross tyres. I set off with the first group and when we got to the 1st rough bit I got dropped, but after a while I got used to battering my bike on the rough tracks and felt more confident. I picked up another group until the water station and then did the 2 nd half more or less on my own. I really enjoyed it and as Ian H and me agreed at the finish, 'a good workout'.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/29695114
Next weekend it's the Newbald BC RR.

Just got the news that the LVRC Clifton RR on 30th May has been cancelled. Sorry to hear that Phil as you have put alot of energy into that event.

Dave

What a great roundup this week! Loads of different stuff being tackled. Serious RRs, off road sportif, training rides, clubruns.....

We've been on holiday in the Peaks for a week, then visiting in Manchester. With grandparents on babysitting duty we got a full day to ride on Saturday. Made the most of it by driving out to the edge of the city at Adlington near Bollington. Then a classic route over the west side of the Peak National Park taking in the Goyte Valley, Axe Edge, Manifold Valley, the best ford in the country at Butterton then back via the Roaches, Dane Valley and a savage little road through Teg's Nose country park. Pretty battered by the finish and Hubstats nothing to be shouted about, but what a day! Real spring weather and we could see for miles.

Looking forward to getting back out on the Sunday clubruns for the next couple of weeks.

Hi all
Did the Lakeland loop sportive on sunday for the third time it was an exellent day if anyone fancies it next year and at 15 quid exellent value.4hours 26 for 70 hilly miles not bad as i was on my own most of the time.Only one other Cliftonite there Will Kaye.It is a tough route with at least one car killer in there!On tuesday went too croft for some racing.Worked hard and did some attacking but too many sit on but if i wanted a easy ride i would do that.25miles in thescratch group caught us and flew by and i was dropped.Havent trained all winter to give up so started reeling them in but the bunch rode away in the end.
good fun and definately a good workout for other races.Will probably go next week if anyone fancies it
cheers Tim