I'll kick this off, as I was part of Team Clifton's presence - albeit slimmed down by the race organiser in response to far too many entries - at Seacroft Wheelers 3rd/4th cat RR today.
In fact my part started off shakier than I'd thought it would; Clifton were allotted four riders in the event and on top of that I was sixth reserve. "Ah, reserves always get a ride" I thought. Wrong! As the close of signing-on approached there were five no-shows and race numbers were handed out, leaving me empty handed and madly fluttering my eyelashes at race commissaire Pam Clay. Fortunately for me, though unfortunately for young Toby... ...well, I'll let Toby tell his story. Suffice it to say I was the last reserve to get a ride.
Bishopwood is usually a windy circuit, which can help split things up. Today it was chilly but almost calm, meaning anyone who wanted to get off the front had to do so on sheer speed. I settled in near the front for the first few laps, with the aim of jumping into any break that looked big enough to stand a chance. Various ones and twos had a crack, including both Muzzy and Tim, but nothing was allowed to stay away by the fast moving bunch until three blokes shot off down the road and started pulling clear at about the halfway stage. They were well out of my league, and there was no hint of organisation at the front of the bunch, so I slipped back into the masses to keep the effort levels down on the remaining laps.
The final lap was fast and nervous as usual, with plenty of barging and occasional riders who'd reached their own personal ends coming rapidly back through the bunch. I lack Tim's forthright elbow technique and as a result at the final bend he was in the front half-dozen and I was about 2/3 the way back. The sprint was fast enough to catch the three escapees before the line, but messy enough for me to only be able to pick my way through half of it, crossing the line around 20th. Just under 50 miles in just under 2hrs, so 25mph average and 231W Normalised Power.
Edit:- Photos of the race now at http://martin.photium.com/portfolio165116.html
Weekend round-up - 26th/27th
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Weekend round-up - 26th/27th
Last edited by PhilBixby on Mon Mar 28, 2011 11:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Tobzlerone
- Posts: 160
- Joined: Thu Jun 17, 2010 8:48 pm
well...having took part in many drama's and perfoming at gigs with the band i have dealt with many nerves.. these experiences however did nothing for my nerves this morning.. meaning i found it difficult to eat..with a degree of excitment i also found myself rearing to get going. and pursuaded my parents to go in our new campervan in the knowledge of a shower and a cooked lunch...mmm....
we arrived and my nerves had subsided.. everything ready and feeling goood. this was until i realised i had left my shoes on the kitchen floor at home..doh! obviously not learning my lesson from my first timetrial with the club. so the first race of the day began and my parents raced home (in a campervan) and i crossed my fingers.... i left early to the start line to hopefully meet them..i got there (after taking wrong turns) at the same time as them only to realise the group had passed me (obviously the wrong turns were very wrong)..i cycled around and waited for them to catch me up...
thought i would stay on to gain a racing experience.
speeds on the straights were fine, but its the sprinting round each corner which killed me off. after little food and a very hectic morning i decided to pull over with 3 laps to go
looking forward to the next one mind you
tobz
we arrived and my nerves had subsided.. everything ready and feeling goood. this was until i realised i had left my shoes on the kitchen floor at home..doh! obviously not learning my lesson from my first timetrial with the club. so the first race of the day began and my parents raced home (in a campervan) and i crossed my fingers.... i left early to the start line to hopefully meet them..i got there (after taking wrong turns) at the same time as them only to realise the group had passed me (obviously the wrong turns were very wrong)..i cycled around and waited for them to catch me up...
thought i would stay on to gain a racing experience.
speeds on the straights were fine, but its the sprinting round each corner which killed me off. after little food and a very hectic morning i decided to pull over with 3 laps to go
looking forward to the next one mind you
tobz
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Broom Wagon
- Posts: 435
- Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:15 pm
Don't worry Toby, I turned up last year at Tockwith Autodrome, absolutely everything sorted, bike, race kit, licence, all the associated parphernalia but no.......shoes.
Audax ride for me with the mighty Clifton, plenty of keen legs rarely letting the pace drop below 20mph. Nice to chat to friends old and new - nice to see Ian H again having not seen you for a while, looking well and going well. My poor old brain though, all the rides seem to be getting mixed together and I remember telling a nice young lady Dawn from our club that I knew the way but if we passed fountains abbey we were doing the wrong ride
Door to door it was 92 miles for me, the longest ride this year and not bad though I say so myself as it was done on one banana and one small scone (and coffee).
Audax ride for me with the mighty Clifton, plenty of keen legs rarely letting the pace drop below 20mph. Nice to chat to friends old and new - nice to see Ian H again having not seen you for a while, looking well and going well. My poor old brain though, all the rides seem to be getting mixed together and I remember telling a nice young lady Dawn from our club that I knew the way but if we passed fountains abbey we were doing the wrong ride
Door to door it was 92 miles for me, the longest ride this year and not bad though I say so myself as it was done on one banana and one small scone (and coffee).
Over 100 riders did the Fountains Audax today! - the route had us riding out of Wigginton to Boroughbridge, Ripon and Ripley Castle, before returning to Wiggy. It truly was a great day.
We were one of the last groups to leave Wiggy which meant we were sweeping up other big groups ahead of us all the way to Boroughbridge. Each group we passed seemed to adopt the “Let’s hang on the back until Morrisons” strategy so that at one point on the front I wondered aloud to Broomy whether we had everyone with us. I glanced over my shoulder to see the proverbial Aussie outback mile-long ore train tucked in behind us – all very disciplined too!
The poor girl at the Morrisons’ checkout virtually freaked out when the peloton wandered in with cards for stamping!
Meritorious mentions, as I saw it (no doubt there were many), go to the following:
· There were a lot of riders out there today and Clifton was heavily outnumbered, but there was hardly ever an occasion where I didn’t see a Cliftonite pounding it out at the front of proceedings hauling everyone around.
· Virginie was on ‘hot’ form! On the hills outside Ripley, Allan and I were trying to haul back Shaun and B.Dubbyer who were within spitting distance up the road, when Virginie strolled alongside us and threw some extra muscle at the effort, impressive stuff! She had regular turns on the front and ‘is certainly back with a vengeance’!
· As Allan, Virginie and I stood in Ripley wondering where the tea rooms were, out of the blue not far behind us rode Ian H, again very impressive given his illness.
· After dragging another group through the afternoon, we went under the 5 miles to go flag and secretly radio’d Dan to come to the front and play his lead-out tricks. With him and Shaun two-teaming the other lot in the final miles, it was an absolute pleasure to see the strain on the faces of the others as they tried to hang on.
Anyway, a sensational day!…great to see everyone enjoying themselves.
D.
We were one of the last groups to leave Wiggy which meant we were sweeping up other big groups ahead of us all the way to Boroughbridge. Each group we passed seemed to adopt the “Let’s hang on the back until Morrisons” strategy so that at one point on the front I wondered aloud to Broomy whether we had everyone with us. I glanced over my shoulder to see the proverbial Aussie outback mile-long ore train tucked in behind us – all very disciplined too!
The poor girl at the Morrisons’ checkout virtually freaked out when the peloton wandered in with cards for stamping!Meritorious mentions, as I saw it (no doubt there were many), go to the following:
· There were a lot of riders out there today and Clifton was heavily outnumbered, but there was hardly ever an occasion where I didn’t see a Cliftonite pounding it out at the front of proceedings hauling everyone around.
· Virginie was on ‘hot’ form! On the hills outside Ripley, Allan and I were trying to haul back Shaun and B.Dubbyer who were within spitting distance up the road, when Virginie strolled alongside us and threw some extra muscle at the effort, impressive stuff! She had regular turns on the front and ‘is certainly back with a vengeance’!
· As Allan, Virginie and I stood in Ripley wondering where the tea rooms were, out of the blue not far behind us rode Ian H, again very impressive given his illness.
· After dragging another group through the afternoon, we went under the 5 miles to go flag and secretly radio’d Dan to come to the front and play his lead-out tricks. With him and Shaun two-teaming the other lot in the final miles, it was an absolute pleasure to see the strain on the faces of the others as they tried to hang on.
Anyway, a sensational day!…great to see everyone enjoying themselves.
D.
Last edited by Darren N on Sun Mar 27, 2011 8:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
As mentioned above I did the Fountains 100k today intending to just get round and enjoy it, there were a lot of riders and the ride started off in groups and I think I was in the second, as they were several riders in the distance I pushed on a bit to see if it was the Clifton group only to catch them all up and no team Clifton although it was not long before they started to speed past with Broomwagon on the front.
It was at this point that my original plan was aborted as I instinctivley went with them to see how long I could hang on to the group which surprisingly I did all the way to the second control at Ripley Castle needless to say after we all had the cafe stop there that was the last I saw of them and rode the last 20 odd miles to the finish on my own feeling tired to say the least.
Having a very welcome cup of tea and a cake at the HQ then a very steady ride home feeling quite pleased with myself.
Ian H
It was at this point that my original plan was aborted as I instinctivley went with them to see how long I could hang on to the group which surprisingly I did all the way to the second control at Ripley Castle needless to say after we all had the cafe stop there that was the last I saw of them and rode the last 20 odd miles to the finish on my own feeling tired to say the least.
Having a very welcome cup of tea and a cake at the HQ then a very steady ride home feeling quite pleased with myself.
Ian H
Are we there yet
Great day out on the fountains for me, although probably should not have gone with such a nasty chest. Really struggled on the section from ripley to wigginton every breath felt like I had sucked in razor blades. Anyway was worth it, a lovely day out and great company.
Allan
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Sounds like a great weekend for most - well done to the Audax riders & the road racers, some great reports here. Hope the MTB rides went well too? Bad luck Toby, but we've all done it (or similar).
I opted for a change from the training ride & went out with the intermediate Saturday group to get some hills in round Thornton-le-Dale
Well - I was hoping for a nice ride round some lovely sunny countryside, a cafe stop & a chat. What I actually got was a bit of a kicking...
Some VERY strong (and indeed entertaining) company, 80 odd miles - felt a bit like a training ride in some parts, but longer, and most definitely lumpier. Great stuff. Small issue with my brakes in Dalby that held us up, but quickly sorted by Howard (and my wrists duly slapped for shoddy maintenance...)
All in all thoroughly enjoyable day (well, maybe apart from that last 15 miles) - thanks to the guys (shaun & tony in particular) for the much needed tow home.
Lesson learned? Should have had the fish and chips.
I opted for a change from the training ride & went out with the intermediate Saturday group to get some hills in round Thornton-le-Dale
Well - I was hoping for a nice ride round some lovely sunny countryside, a cafe stop & a chat. What I actually got was a bit of a kicking...
Some VERY strong (and indeed entertaining) company, 80 odd miles - felt a bit like a training ride in some parts, but longer, and most definitely lumpier. Great stuff. Small issue with my brakes in Dalby that held us up, but quickly sorted by Howard (and my wrists duly slapped for shoddy maintenance...)
All in all thoroughly enjoyable day (well, maybe apart from that last 15 miles) - thanks to the guys (shaun & tony in particular) for the much needed tow home.
Lesson learned? Should have had the fish and chips.
Last edited by Jess on Sun Mar 27, 2011 10:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Saturday came and I was still feeling weaker than a very weak thing after last week's 'lurgy' so decided to give the riding a miss.
Finally got around to fitting a new stem to my summer bike - it now finally fits me after almost 2 yrs.......
Sounds like there were some good times had - hope to be getting back on 2 wheels this week.
Finally got around to fitting a new stem to my summer bike - it now finally fits me after almost 2 yrs.......
Sounds like there were some good times had - hope to be getting back on 2 wheels this week.
I was out on Sunday riding the Audax. I had a very enjoyable day feeling quite good from the off. Was a cold start but got brighter as the day went on. Very good company with a strong Clifton presence. My stats for the day, 73 miles door to door at an average speed of nearly 18.5mph.
I heard a few grumbles about our speed been too fast but it didn't stop alot of people jumping in the back of our group and getting towed around. Was a good final few miles back into Wigginton sharing the work with Shaun.
I heard a few grumbles about our speed been too fast but it didn't stop alot of people jumping in the back of our group and getting towed around. Was a good final few miles back into Wigginton sharing the work with Shaun.
Saturday - I did the intermediate ride also, there were lots of strong legs out and as Jess said we got a kicking, I clocked 84 miles. I had no takers for a short cut on the Dalby red route this time!
Sunday - MTB club run, a fantastic day and a great big group, I took 13, we did 31 miles and some monster hills. Lunch at Osmotherly and back to the cars by 4.15pm. Thanks to Ros and Chris W for the ginger snaps.
Simon
Sunday - MTB club run, a fantastic day and a great big group, I took 13, we did 31 miles and some monster hills. Lunch at Osmotherly and back to the cars by 4.15pm. Thanks to Ros and Chris W for the ginger snaps.
Simon
A big thank you to Simon and Ian for leading the Club Run yesterday. It was well attended, despite the clash with the Audax (sorry about that - I didn't realise when organising dates) two groups, approx 13 people in each, went out for a very sunny and dusty ride from Sutton Bank. Not many regulars turned out, but luckily there were lots of new faces, so that was most excellent. Simon W provided tea and homemade biscuits / flapjack were made by a variety of people! Which was lovely on arrival to get fed and a cup of tea The faster group were all pretty much evenly paced, in that nobody was trailing behind, some were pretty quick up the hills though (e.g. super fast youngster Richard!)
Photos Here:
Gill is totally outcycling the boys on the climb!
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l150/ ... 270020.jpg
Speedy Richard first to the top again!
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l150/ ... 270032.jpg
MTB is hard work..
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l150/ ... 270025.jpg
Colour co-ordination at its finest
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l150/ ... 270017.jpg
We all liked Rich's shades
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l150/ ... 270037.jpg
The faster group were all pretty much evenly paced, in that nobody was trailing behind, some were pretty quick up the hills though (e.g. super fast youngster Richard!)Photos Here:
Gill is totally outcycling the boys on the climb!
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l150/ ... 270020.jpg
Speedy Richard first to the top again!
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l150/ ... 270032.jpg
MTB is hard work..
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l150/ ... 270025.jpg
Colour co-ordination at its finest
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l150/ ... 270017.jpg
We all liked Rich's shades
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l150/ ... 270037.jpg
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bernard turgoose
- Posts: 231
- Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:21 pm
The Audax was a bit different for me as I agreed to help Willy with his Easy riders, who all managed to finish after just one cafe stop in Spa gardens Ripon.
Whilst the pace was by no means fast, they still managed a creditable 12.5 mph average, which given their level of experience plus the equipment & clothing some were wearing, was an achievement in itself.
They all managed the hilly bit from Fountains well - no getting off - even the pace dropped off a bit.
I think we will start to see some turning out this summer on Kevin's rides, so good luck to Anna, Silka, Ena, Richard, John, & Ji; and not forgetting Willy for taking on this challenge.
Whilst the pace was by no means fast, they still managed a creditable 12.5 mph average, which given their level of experience plus the equipment & clothing some were wearing, was an achievement in itself.
They all managed the hilly bit from Fountains well - no getting off - even the pace dropped off a bit.
I think we will start to see some turning out this summer on Kevin's rides, so good luck to Anna, Silka, Ena, Richard, John, & Ji; and not forgetting Willy for taking on this challenge.
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At the back as usual
- Posts: 118
- Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2009 2:39 pm
- Location: Wherever I lay my bike!
Just a couple of long hilly routes for me in the Dublin / Wicklow mountains on Saturday & Sunday which nearly came to an abrupt end on day 2 when I was coming down one of the fast descents - at approx 40+mph - I rounded a sweeping left hander to find the local population of sheep moving from one side of the road to the other, I had visions of getting some serious road rash but luckily I managed somehow to weave myself through them, think I closed my eyes at one point as I was certain that I was going to collide. Amazing to find that nearly all of the bad road surfaces that I had been on in February had been re-tarmacked making the roads super smooth.
All in all a couple of great rides in great weather.
All in all a couple of great rides in great weather.
Fountains audax for me this weekend. Got rather carried away at the start with the speed of the peleton so decided to call it quits at Borobridge and joined Steve S, Dawn, John O'D and Mark L to form a sensibly paced group to enjoy the sunshine which was by now breaking through. We lost John at Ripley Castle who needed to get back early to leave the rest of us to enjoy the tea-rooms which was by the time of our arrival emptying. It was good to have a seat indoors out of the chilly breeze. A brisk pace followed on the route back ably led by Mark and Steve to get back to Wiggington for about 3ish . Another tonne for me door to door and good to finish in sunshine albeit with a cold wind.
It was also good to see Phil B and Paul M heading for Seacroft wheelers RR at Bishopwood early on in the morning at Naburn on my way from home to the start.
Jon
It was also good to see Phil B and Paul M heading for Seacroft wheelers RR at Bishopwood early on in the morning at Naburn on my way from home to the start.
Jon