Clifton CC

I've got a nice chain splitter in my toolbox. I used to carry it around with me quite religiously, but after a while I thought, well I've never broken a chain in how many years of cycling and besides it must weight at least 25g, all that weight slowing me down , so now it stays in my toolbox. A nice new chain arrived for my bike this week. I shall put that on right after the Pocklington Peddle I thought......you know where this is going don't you. Mixing it with a group of some keen boys on the Pock Peddle along came a short sharp climb and bang snapped chain. Apologies but the air turned blue for a while whilst said group disappeared up the hill. Feel rather grumpy and pondering what to do, I soon realised that actually this wasn't so bad. A very scenic spot on a quiet road in the sunshine out of the wind. I could just sit right down, catch a few rays, watch the cyclists pass by and sooner or later my club mates would arrive and they'd have a chain splitter.

No sooner had I sat down and made myself comfy (in a patch of nettles ) when Alan came belting around the corner who of course had a chain splitter (this was before Alan had decided 100 undulating miles into a stiff head wind just wasn't taxing enough and took a lot of detours to add 10 or 20 miles to the ride). Surprisingly little messing about and I was on the road again. Just shows that being a member of a club that seems to have a plethora of well sorted club mates is always a good idea.

A good day out (thanks to all the organisers) despite broken chain but I'm left with a feeling that I'd underestimated the toughness of this ride - thought it would be a doddle as the climbs in the Wolds rarely get steep enough to really play utter havoc with me - but with the stiff wind and having not done any long distance stuff this year the last 10 miles were pretty tough.

Me, Howard and another guy can't remember his name set off from the square at 10am for a ride into the moors, the other guy pulled off shortly due to not feeling up to it, so it was just me and Howard from Pickering onwards.

The wind was horrible and where we wanted a tailwind we still had abit of headwind, it was abit scary on the top of the moors descending and was a tough upper body workout just to keep the bike on the road! It seemed that there was alot of *** head drivers on the roads today, I've certainly never encountered so many on one ride, lots of near misses, one driver nearly turned right in front of me, I must have being cloaked or something.

The vast majority of the mileage I was towing on the front, and combined with the headwind made for one of the hardest rides I've done from the square, it taxed me more than the PG Welcome to the Dales where I did 180 miles at over 19mph average and we only did 17.1 today.

Like alot of people, I caught a bug though and for about 8-10 weeks my power just went down and I don't think I'm fully recovered from it even now, although more recovered than some though.

My coach in Manchester describes the bug that I had and lots of people had/have as "a power cut", so I've had a power cut for about 8 weeks, but I think the light have come back on now, abit dim, but they're on at least.

I'm really knackered now but I think I'll recover quickly, was a really nice ride, on a really nice day (not taking the wind into account) and a good cafe stop.

My lights went out on the last 8 miles home and I got overtook by lady on a road bike, she was polite when overtaking with a nice "hi" on the way, so I used her as a pacer for the rest of the mileage up to Cawood.

All in all, a good ride and a pretty tough workout and one of the harder rides I've done from the square and now I'm gonna sleep well!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/82554335

127 miles

I was 'the other guy'. Living up to my 'a bit crippled' comment yesterday, I really wasn't feeling up to it so I pulled off at Pickering. That's worrying sine I'm meant to be riding twice across Wales in two weeks! Back at a slow pace via the Thirsk area and some friends who were doing a pub ride, which took me to 75-80 miles for the day.

Greg

Not sure how to start this reply .... perhaps ... "It's not the winning it's the taking part that counts!"... would set the tone?!

Well take part I certainly did and - most importantly - I too finished 'The Pock Pedal'. Apart from feeling like an extra in the film "Twister" at times it really was a great day - albeit a long one. It would have been my hardest ride to date for sure (even without the wind) - so getting to the finish with no disaster stories will do for me.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/82532634 (Don't laugh at the times!)

Great weather, really stunning route and great organisation. Many thanks to Andy and the Go Ride marshals for all their hard work. I have idea how long it took to put out all the sign-age (and then collect again afterwards) but I'm sure it took a significant amount of time and effort. Much appreciated!

Regards to all.....

Pete

After the emotional highs of the Royal Wedding, the theme continued in the inaugural Royal Pocklington Pedal Challenge around The Wolds. I gained a Royal Invitation to the 100-mile celebration, there were many on the shorter 60 mile party as well.

Many Cliftonite dignitaries attended this Royal event, in fact far too many to mention. I decided to join Lord Broomwagon of Broomshire, Sir Allan, Queen Virginie of France and her swashbuckling man servant Phil, Princess Stephanie – Supreme Commander of all MTB lands, and King Jon G of Selby Castle. It was also great to see Sir Peter T in full colours of the Welsh Guards throwing himself into the fray. Although the sun was out, the blustery Easterly made it a tough day for big wedding hats.

After Lord Like-My-Bike delivered the Royal Decrees in the pre-ride address, we were led to the starting line by the official Town Crier in full regalia, no less!…seriously! The pace was on from the start and I tracked Sir Allan in pursuit of Lord Broomy who was on some sort of secret Royal mission. After about 5 miles, including a big long climb at full pace, I was still 100 metres off His Broomship and there was no-one behind me. I quickly decided I did not want a tongues out, frantic sort of day, so I parked up and waited for Princess Stephanie’s carriages to come thundering through. I then spent the rest of a hugely enjoyable day at a fast but manageable pace with the Princess, Queen Virginie, manservant Phil and King Jon G.

Commemorative notes to log for the Royal Souvenir Supplement included:

· I falsely built Princess Stephanie’s expectations early on by stating that there’d be pieces of Royal Wedding Cake at the first feed station…there was much disappointment when the Royal Platter only contained sports bars, gels and fig roles (We made up for it later by stopping at the Royal Cakery in Stamford Bridge before the feed station )

· The signage around the course was fantastic! We had a minor blip after emerging from Thixendale the second time and arrived at a T-intersection where there was no arrow. Much deliberation by 10-15 riders eventually had us going the wrong way, turning right to the top of Acklam to descend into the valley rather than going via Kirby Underdale and Bugthorpe. Reviewing the route again this morning, the map on the website still conflicts with the map distributed on the day at this point. Not to worry, we only did a couple of extra miles. We’re convinced that Lord Broomy was the culprit in terms of the missing sign, trying to put us off the trail after his chain incident

· At the point of becoming navigationally bewildered above, we ran into the Grand Duke of Stamford Bridge, ie. Mal! I’ve been navigationally challenged twice in the past year on Audaxes and both times I’ve run into the Grand Duke! I don’t think he’ll be putting me in charge of leading his armies across Europe to expand his empire any time soon

· It was a fantastic route taking in the best parts of The Wolds. Some of the flying descents in big blustery winds made things ‘interesting’ I’m not convinced that visiting the same place twice from two directions is a good thing, such as Thixendale and Millington. On a tough windy day, having ‘ground hog day’ moments can be traumatising Maybe the route can be tweaked a bit for future years. BTW, after passing a ‘2 miles from Pock’ sign near the end, the diversion up the hill into a headwind through Kilnwick Percy and Millington was just cruel Generally though, it was superb!

· I agree with Lord Broomwagon of Broomshire when he said it was a tough day in the Royal Grounds. The combination of hills and block headwinds really took it out of everyone. His Broomship and Sir Allan deservedly won the invitations to Buckingham Palace for afternoon tea with the Queen after superb rides. Oh, and Princess Stephanie won the blind date with Prince Harry! Queen Virginie and her swashbuckling manservant Phil won the souvenir coffee mugs for the toughest rider awards.

Huge thanks to Lord Like-My-Bike, Grand Poobah Tullio and all their families and friends who helped out on the day. It was very well organised and I’ll certainly be back.

As for me, no awards. I’ll just have to watch the highlights of the Royal event on TV.



D.

Just four of us turned up at the square for the training ride yesterday. Numbers depleted by the Pock Challenge and the LVRC Race today. Sean, John S, Michael and I set off for the "Westerley ride" thru Appleton Roebuck, Tadcaster, etc., finishing off with a lap of the Bishopwood circuit. A brisk wind in the second half of the ride made things a little tricky but we managed some thru and off on the the Bishopwood circuit. Michael turned off about halfway in the ride to get to work. We did spot Phil B early on - no doubt doing a "loosener" for his race today!
Good ride - ave. about 19 mph for 50 odd miles.

Five of us on the unofficial K ride. Fab ride out to Masham, been there many times by car; never cycled it before
Many thanks to all K riders for the help and support I've received since I started riding with you about 2 months ago; special thanks for yesterday and your help when I had a blow out - never had one of those before

"We did spot Phil B early on.."

Indeed, I was just looping round between sprints on my favourite "sprint alley" south of Bishopthorpe - training group looked very tidy as they shot past.

Legs suitably loosened, it was off to just past Bawtry for Minty's Memorial vets race today - for me, Darren, Dave Cook, Tim J, Andy and road race first-timer Dr Dave. Gloriously sunny and just the right temperature for racing - minor issue with the wind which seemed to pick up as the morning went on and led to some pretty determined positioning at times.

Will let the others tell their stories; Andy and I set off in the C/D group. Half a lap into it Steve Marrows (the bloke who'd towed the C group round at Barton a few weeks back) shot off down the road with another fella stuck to his wheel, one other bloke gave chase and I decided "it's now or never" and set off like the clappers. I got across but Marrows and pal were just starting to really wind up the pace with a following wind and the remaining two of us exchanged "oh well" looks and by the end of lap one were back in the bunch. Which is where I stayed, missing one further break of about four, and having sufficient in the tank to be near but not at the front in the sprint for the minor placings. Good fun though; a proper, hard road race and yet more tan. And cake this afternoon!

Thanks for all the positive comments about Pock Pedal, despite the wind the wolds looked fantastic!

Photos 160km

http://www.cyclesportphotos.com/section ... id=7726864

Photos 100km

http://www.cyclesportphotos.com/section ... 18048.html

See you all in 2012

Super ride for me on saturday. Hung on to Broomwagen (on a mission or what!!) for the first 25 miles but decided to ease off as this was my very first century ride. I found the Stamford Bridge to Bishop Wilton section really tough going as the headwind was full on. I too got caught out taking a right turn the second time out of Thixendale and this added around 4 miles extra.
Great day out and thanks to all those who took the time to organize the event.

Anybody know where you can find out the times?

Sounds like Broomwagon should've been racing.

First race of the year for me today, and it went ok. I've had good legs for the last few weeks, problem with racing is 45 or so other guys have wintered well, and have good legs too.
The circuit was too flat for my liking, it means you have to try make the selection rather than let the hills do it, but the elastic did eventually break and I got in the race winning break and got a placing.

Thanks to Phil for talking me into staying for the prize presentation, it was worth it. Well done to Tim, who I thought rode well today, and Dr Dave who did well in his first race (it does get easier, might take another winter in the legs though). Thanks to Dave C for the coffee, if you'd waited till I got my prize money I could have bought you one.

See you again soon guys, get the miles in.

I always look forward to your posts Darren and this week I wasnot disappointed. Superb writeup. As stated joined Darren, Steph, Phil & Ginny for the Pock Challenge. Great day out always better with company than on your own. By the ways guys thanks for slowing down at the summits to allow me to regroup.

A tough challenge in that wind and it was déjà vu for me after last week visiting Thixendale again for the second time in two weeks and those climbs again.

A well organised event and thanks to everybody who helped out to make it a success.

Jon

Aswell as been a member of Clifton CC I'm also a member of the Rapha Condor Sharp Club and today's was one of the regional rides. We met this morning in Pickhill just outside Thirsk for a ride around the Dales.

We had a swift morning with the strong tailwind to Masham then to Middleham to Leyburn to Hawes and then to Kettlewell for lunch. The afternoon was a different story with a rather punishing headwind from Kettlewell to Grassington to Pateley Bridge to Ripon and finally back to Pickhill. A total of 91 miles with 8100ft of climbing.

The 18 of us were also joined by Dean Downing for the day. What a top man he is with no attitude or showing off except doing Fleet Moss twice to give the straddlers a motivational boost! Had a chat to him about been a member of Clifton CC and he said he's heard of us. I then chatted about the York City Centre Crit that he did in August last year and he said he's looking forward to this year. (He might of just been polite though!)

An excellent day out with an enjoyable but challenging route.

Well on Saturday I caught a tailwind over to Tockwith for the 'Yorkshire day at the races' and, wait for it - my first proper BC women's race. Yep, you heard - women's race

I was kind of expecting that it might just be me and one or two others. Turns out that was wishful thinking! 18 or so of us on the start line and some very strong looking riders (I always worry when they have their names on their skinsuits) from quite far afield too

So, all lumped in together, 4th cats, first timers, 3rd and 2nd cats and some very talented under 23s. This made for a pretty interesting ride.
The wind added another dimension - meaning half the course was ridden at a pretty feisty pace with everyone trying to move up the bunch & then bam, round the corner & suddenly no-one wants to be on the front and it all slows down that is 'til one of the front riders puts on a sprint round the final corner and the group give chase flat out.

We lost a few quite early on. The strongest girls were working together at the front & it took me a little while to get their tactics, but I managed to stick well in the bunch for the most part. Although I did lose touch with them on a couple of occasions when I got on the wrong person's wheel on the corners. Unfortunately this happened on the penultimate lap & I had to work really hard in the wind to catch the group. As a result the inevitable happened & I had nothing in the tank for that final sprint.
So not in the running, but actually a very good experience in tactics, positioning in the bunch and general racing skills. Plus I enjoyed myself!

Managed to catch the end of Nathan Veal's very strong ride (think he was in the money) & Toby looked pretty good in the 4th Cat race, so was good to see a Clifton presence there.

Tadcaster Triathlon for me tomorrow - hope the sun holds out and the wind doesn't!

Dan wrote:Aswell as been a member of Clifton CC I'm also a member of the Rapha Condor Sharp Club and today's was one of the regional rides. We met this morning in Pickhill just outside Thirsk for a ride around the Dales.

We had a swift morning with the strong tailwind to Masham then to Middleham to Leyburn to Hawes and then to Kettlewell for lunch. The afternoon was a different story with a rather punishing headwind from Kettlewell to Grassington to Pateley Bridge to Ripon and finally back to Pickhill. A total of 91 miles with 8100ft of climbing.

The 18 of us were also joined by Dean Downing for the day. What a top man he is with no attitude or showing off except doing Fleet Moss twice to give the straddlers a motivational boost! Had a chat to him about been a member of Clifton CC and he said he's heard of us. I then chatted about the York City Centre Crit that he did in August last year and he said he's looking forward to this year. (He might of just been polite though!)

An excellent day out with an enjoyable but challenging route.

Are you Dan Craven?