Clifton CC

Well what a contrast in the weather to last Sundays Runswick Bay ride. The forecast was less than promising but I thought what the hell and decided to turn up on a wet, cold Saturday Morning in the Sq. It turned out that only 6 braved the 10am start, not sure about Howards lot and the training ride regulars. Only one of Kevins regulars (Richard) turned up along with. Pete K, Tom, Darren and myself so we decide to go to Sledmere as one group. The weather wasnt that bad most of the day. We really did not get soaked until well into the ride home. A lumpy route out through Stockton, Bossal Howsham, Langton, up Settrington Bank to Sledmere back via Wetwang, Stamford Bridge. The group split just after Meltonby on the way back when Darren p*****ed but Kev and Richard stayed with him and Pete, Tom and myself soldiered on gettin ever wetter and colder. By the way Pete thanks for the tow back into York ny legs were grateful for the ride home. A decent ride just a shame a few more didint brave the elements.

Jon

Seven out for the training ride (as per thread in Training section) including Howard. Probably not a day for sitting in your own personal puddle at a cafe stop but not bad for a solid three hours non-stop...

It’s certainly been holiday camp weather lately…suntan lotion and beach towels one week, snorkels and flippers the next!

As Jon said, only 6 up for Saturday’s 10.00am rides. There was no singin’ in the rain goin’ on though as Kevin set out his basic plan: “We need to go like the clappers so that we don’t get cold!” Coach K whipped, urged, encouraged, cajoled us at the start of every climb in what was basically a ‘last one up’s a rotten egg’ approach. With the guys showing some impressive climbing skills, I was the clear winner of the coveted RE award on Settrington Bank. As Jon mentioned, the rain only really kicked in on the way home. My GC aspirations were killed off by a p******* late on – big thanks to Pete for offering to wait and Kevin and Richard for racing back to lend a very helpful hand. On the road back to York, we passed Willy’s Easy rider group heading in the opposite direction into the Big Wet; hope everyone was ok. I arrived home very soggy with legs pulverised, but feeling like we’d had a great hit out for next w/e’s Dales Grim Reaper

D.

Family weekend down in S Wales. Rode 3 hours off road with brother Phil including a lap of the twrch trial at Cwm Carn. Twrch is apparently welsh for "Wild Bore" and is more a more inspiring name than "red run" wouldn't you agree? I borrowed his single speed - it did take me a while to get into the right rythm but eventually flowed nicely with only the steepest short pitches defeating me. Fantastic day with the sun dappling through the trees and great views across the Severn estuary to Somerset. Used muscles I've not deployed for a while and I'm strangely sore this morning.

Looking forward to the Grimp on Saturday...

Another great Club weekend for the MTBers.

About 20 of us descended on Edale for a camping trip to take in the hills in the High Peak. Rain all day, as forecast, on Saturday but otherwise good weather and great riding on 3 big routes, which were a refreshing change from trail centres.

Highlight for me was Jacob's Ladder on Sunday. This climb is of almost mythical proportions for MTBers with (apparently) only 0.01% of riders capable of a clean run due to the combination of steepness, loose rocks and large steps. Steph didn't quite rise to the challenge this time but Lisa's friend Ian developed quite a crowd spectating him as he bunny hopped and track standed his way right to the top.

Thanks Lisa for organising and Jay for some good route planning and leading.

It was my birthday on Saturday which usually means a long ride before meeting up with the family for lunch, but looking at the weather... I skipped the ride and just did the lunch. Hangovers must be driven out like evil spirits, so it was a sprint interval session Sunday morning (seasoned with plenty of nausea). Monday had the best-looking weather so I set off for a jaunt into the wolds, out via Buttercrambe and up via Barthorpe to Acklam mast, down to Thixendale (resurfaced road is lovely, but shows up the rotten condition of the rest), over to Huggate, North Dalton and back via Warter and Millington. The sun came out half way up to the mast, and from then on it was blue skies all the way. I was slightly pink when I got home but definitely dry and warm!
tom

I must say that after hearing the weather forecast for Saturday I did wonder if I was doing the right thing in riding the Richmond 100

So with leg and arm warmers on I started as close to 8am as possible as it was not quite raining hoping to get round as much of the route while the roads were OK particularly the steep descents.

I set off on my own so I could go at a pace I could maintain comfortably, it was raining on and off but not as bad as expected in fact I got down some of the steep descents on dry roads I climbed all the hills at, The Stang, Tan Hill, Birkdale, Mallerstang, Fleet Moss and Park Rash at a steady pace so I could push myself on the level sections, the head wind from Nateby to Kettlewell was quite hard but managed to work well with an other guy where we could share the work until Hawes then I was on my own again for the remainder of the ride from Kettlewell back to Richmond where I felt quite strong and managed to even knock 8 minutes off my last years time to finish in 6 Hours 20 Mins to earn me a silver which considering the conditions I was pleased with.

Ian H

This weekend I had my first attempt at MTB, by diving in at the deep end with the red route at Dalby. I got a thorough workout and survived apart from a little bruised and bloodied after the occasional fall.

I have also just returned from the first Tockwith circuit race, my second road race. Great to have a few Clifton shirts on the starting line and nice for the rain to stop too. The pace was high but manageable, however I did spend most of the race at the back and I had a sprint at the end because it seemed rude not to.
Personally I'm over the moon to have finished with the pack but it was great to see Tim having a go off the front at various times of the race. Chapeau.