Clifton CC

Keen to hear what everyone got up to on the long weekend. A bit of a crowd turned up to the Square on Saturday, but most day-trippers chose either Bernard’s ‘back by 3.00’ option or Kevin’s ‘Sledmere café’s open on a bank holiday Saturday’ option.

Only four of us: Tony G, John C, Neil and I, decided to set off on a terrific route – one that offered hills, miles, suitable wind direction & views. We amazingly stayed tightly together for the entire trip. Out via Crayke (where we rode past the Galtres Music Festival: www.galtresfestival.org.uk) and Oulston, before climbing Whitehorse Bank mostly as a group, so straight on to Hawnby. Then followed a trail across the south-western edge of the Cleveland Hills where we really started to soften each other up on the climbs into the breeze before enjoying a well-earned break at the Osmotherley Café. We then raced home at a pretty decent clip through Thimbleby, Borrowby and Thirsk, where we rode through an open TT event…saw two blokes on a tandem racing tricycle, something I hadn’t seen before…mad! Made the final run home along the straight rolling run between Cundall and Skelton for the second week in a row for me after Tan Hill last week.

Favourable winds on the way home made it the best route of the day. The only time a brief shower appeared was when we were snugly ensconced inside the café at Osmotherley - perfect timing! This was a fine route…just managed to edge over the 100-mile mark by the time I arrived home. Thanks guys for a great day.



D.

Sounds like a good ride Darren.

Had to miss this weeks rides because of work Owning a coach and bus company meant we provided the shuttle bus service for the Leeds Festival at Bramham Park over the weekend. Somethjing we have done for the last 6 years. The good thing is I have Tuesday off instead. Havent actually ridden a bike since Tan Hill though and have been nursing the bumps and bruises of my crash last week. But looking out of the window whilst writing this means I will probably head out this afternoon, the weather looks great

Jon

Me and Steph managed to do two Trailquests over the weekend.

The first was at Malham on Saturday. It was a four hour event and whilst a lovely area we seem to be cursed by terrible weather every time we go. The wind just got stronger and stronger and the rain got heavier and heavier. At one point we had horizontal hail in our face going down the hill back towards the tarn. My left eye just gave up being able to open about 1 hour before the end. Still we managed a decent 459 points (Still Andrew Windrum I think got just over 650). We finally sat in the car for the 90 mins return home with the heating and seat heaters on full blast.

Having survived Saturday we should have had a good ride near Helmsley on Monday. Unfortunately due to a number of late nights after returning from holiday, I seemed to be incapable of navigation. Steph also had a cold so was coughing her way round. We managed about 6 navigational errors and I kept on daydreaming past both checkpoints and junctions getting angrier and angrier with myself. To top it all we arrived 16 mins late at the end and lost 60 points. A ride I will happily forget!

Would have done the Sunday ride but when I turned up at the square the square was bare?
No matter. Plan B was a non stop 4 hr ride on me favourite roads - Strenny, Farlington, Snarzegate Farm, Yearsley, Ampleforth, Scawton, Old Byland, Caydale Mill, Hawnby, Laskill, up the Bilsdale climb then onto Helmsley, Harome, Slingsby, Foston and Home. Some horrible climbs in quick succession and very gusty winds. Workmanlike but not sparkling but I stayed dry - even me feet in the ford. Just about almost an 18mph average for the 75 miles. One puncture and must have used every gear on the bike so a value for money ride.

Been offline since Tan Hill weekend, so a quick reference to that 160ish mile (in my case anyway) epic: bit swift to Masham; hard work, mostly on my own to the bottom of buttertubs (except for nip and tuck with Darren, Jon G and Richards X 2 who kept me amused by their capacity not to go the right way), bit of a rest doing the uphills to Tan Hill (now there's a paradox) then high speed trip home with the aforementioned meandering quartet. Thanks to all, especially Marc and family. Jon - glad to hear you're not too damaged after the spill.

Most recent weekend got soaked and cold on saturday, which spoiled plans for Sunday and Monday. Oh dear had to resort to Mal's patent red wine recovery plan, which, when punctuated by good food and lots of rest, doesn't do much for getting the miles in but boy do you feel good!