Clifton CC

Overcome with the excitement of having something at the weekend to report for the first time in a while, I'll kick this off. I was part of a sizeable Clifton contingent at the Tom Simpson Memorial vets race at Tom's old stamping ground of Harworth today. It fair hammered down during the drive there, but the race itself was dry, with a brisk headwind on the finish straight. As usual, a big field - about 180 across all the age categories - and most of the north's big (and old) hitters there.

I was off in the C/D race along with Andy C, and proceeded to do a textbook demo of how to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I settled in near the front for the first lap, and was sat on the front when the first break of four jumped away. A bunch of us worked to pull that back, and had nearly done so when I decided the danger was over and took a break in mid-bunch, at which point another break of about a dozen cut clear, quickly joined the original four and started motoring off up the road. Back to the front to try to organise a rapid chase but with only about five people working it was futile, though it didn't stop us trying until half race distance when I took another trip backwards to berate the lazy, and another bunch of six cleared off. By this stage I was in a grade-one grumpy mood and was determined to vent my frustration in the final sprint, but fate unkindly dealt me massive cramps in both sets of quads on the final lap, meaning I limped up the final climb with the tail-enders. 53 miles at just a hint under 26mph, and 265W Normalized Power. Since I haven't done anything competitive for three weeks, it was was probably about where my expectations should have been!

Phil,

You do yourself an injustice.....good, solid riding until the last lap.....and I can say so as you were in my sights all the way until the last lap.....pity about the cramps.....hope you recover well for next week

Andy

Six in The Square for the Sunday Clubrun. AndyG, Dr Dave, TonyG, Nigel and Heather along with self. You'd have thought that an experienced group such as this could have kept it together wouldn't you? It started raining at Wighill and by Wetherby was persisting it down. Caped up and pushed on. Outside Wetherby Dr D called that 3 were off the back. So Andy and self on front soft pedalled. At Sicklinghall, with no sign of the rear 3, we stopped under a tree. After 15 mins, with still no sign, we retraced to Wetherby - they'd gone. Apparently Tony had turned back, but H & N didn't realise and waited for him. By the time the penny dropped, they had lost contact with us.

Underlines the importance of making sure someone knows if you are turning off.

Anyway, the hanging around in the rain had evidently dampened Dr D's arder as well, and so it was just me and Andy to push on for Bolton Abbey.

Soon brightened up and we took an early cafe at Otley after all the lost time. Then on up Warfedale. Masses of bikies out - all shapes and sizes.

The Strid was even more verdant than usual. Great climb to Greenhow with the wind now behind us and we powered down Duck Street and Pennypot Lane. Back in York at just after 4, with 105miles on the clock and an unlikely average speed.

Great day out - thanks to Andy, and my apologies to the others.

3 week absence for me too from some club activity for various reasons. Anyway joined the intermediate ride to Masham along with Shaun, Howard, Matt and Stuart on a day where the forecast wasn't good but turned out fine in the end. Stuart branched off after an hour or so to leave four of us to set a brisk pace which I only struggled with when the road had an incline which is quite frequent around Masham. Certainly not a hilly ride as such but best described as rolling. I definitely felt the lack of miles combined that with my winter bike (that's my excuse anyway) , so I was pleased to av. 17mph for 111 miles (d to d) on rolling terrain.

As always thanks for waiting guys to regroup hope I didn't slow you down too much. Hopefully should be out next for the Spurn head ride.

Jon

Five of us turned up at the square for the training ride, don't know any names apart from Shaun I'm afraid :p it was clear the constant drizzle led to the small group of which decided to head out on the familiar route towards malton and back via the 10 mile TT route
Reached malton to realise we were joining the route of the great Yorkshire bike ride (only the opposite way) and after 10riders I was bored of acknowledging each one and probably appear rude as I ignored the 100th rider that went past terrington bank not bieng a favourite to the many who walked up it, and glowered with jealousy as I flew past.
We cycled back around the TT route and I was pushed to my limit as we pursuited through.
88km door to door and 31kmh average (that's 53miles and 19mph).
Really enjoyed it, and unfortunately won't be able to next week as I'm looking at universities

Tobz

Tom Simpson Vets race for me as well. I set off in the A and Bs race with Darren and Tim. 10 laps for us. I think a breakaway of about 7 (?) or so got away early doors and stayed away. Darren instigated a breakaway with two others about 3 laps to go. Being on the front, and seeing Darren move up, l thought I would chance my arm and hopped across. We soon opened up a sizeable gap but the climb did for me and I lost the wheel in front. Kicking myself later for losing concentration at a critical point. As Darren said later - we had done the hard part by getting away! As Darren noted I tend to spin in lower gears when I should be shifting up a gear to bridge those little gaps.......My punishment was to remain in no man's land for a while. 3 riders came past me. I still harboured some hopes of staying away from the bunch but they caught me with about half a mile to go before the foot of the final climb up to the finish. No proper sprint in the bunch as everyone sat up.
I reflected that getting in breakway, even for a relatively brief period, did represent an improvement for me....just have to learn how to turn my self inside out in order to stay there! As penance I will be on the chaingang this week.....
Well done to Darren with another classy looking ride. Tim also looked like he had another solid ride

Another for the Tom Simpson with Cam and Tim in the 40/50 race, as mentioned by Phil a massive field of very nasty looking riders. Some big hitters making comebacks, some who never went away, and some who used to play golf on a weekend then caught some of the Tour on the TV and went out and bought a Cervelo.

Strange race, a break of 6 went on the first lap, I was having a chat mid bunch, and seeing most of the pre race favorites were still in the bunch I didn't worry too much about it. Big mistake..all the favorites then marked each other whilst the group got up the road and out of sight. I eventually got in a chasing group with 3 to go, we picked up one of the breakaway but by then it was too late to get anywere near the rest, and I finished a place out of the money.
Although a little frustrated I enjoyed the race, it felt great to be drilling it in the chasing group with a couple of guys I used to race with back in the old days.

Cam, the guys in that chase group were ex elite riders still getting right up there in BC 2/3/4 races so you are improving, when you got shelled I was seeing stars, but thats what happens when a break is getting established, it did settle down once we got out of sight of the bunch. Batter yourself in a massive gear for a few minutes now and then and You'll get stronger..sorry see Phil for the science.

What can I say...it was muddy, hilly, sleepless, sweaty and painfull weekend at 24hr Mountain Mayhem. But so so worth it! Clifton CC/ Big Bears Ladies reached the podium! We got 2nd place in Sports Category (only one lap behind the winners). If we decided to race in Open Category, we would have come 3rd!

Great effort from Big Bears team too - 2nd place for single speed team!

Check out the write up in Singletrack magazine!

http://www.singletrackworld.com/2011/06 ... m-results/

http://www.singletrackworld.com/2011/06 ... -pics-vid/

As Rob has said, I went for the Sunday Club run which was wet but OK as far as Wetherby and then Sicklinghall. Got cold waiting round and then noticed front tyre was 3/4 of the way down. I'd noticed some glass earlier in the ride and sure enough a shard was in the tyre. By this stage I'm not sure which was more deflated - me or the tyre so decided to quit enabling Rob and Andy to get going.

Trundled back to York OK in improving conditions - should probably have just swapped the tube and kept going but sometimes the spirit just drains away....

I also did the Tom Simpson RR. There was just me from Clifton in the EFG race with Keith from VC there aswell.

I tried to keep near the front and planned to try and cover any attacks. One or two times followed Keith to bridge the gaps. On the last lap, Keith and me were near the front but in the sprint up the hill to the finish I lost out and finished near the back.

It was a good fun race with some top class riders.

50 mile TT this coming weekend.

Well it was the Yorkshire Bike Ride for me on saturday. I have ridden this charity event a number of times in the past and have always enjoyed it. I had agreed earlier in the year to accompany my mate who was doing the ride for the tenth consecutive year and is his cycling highlight of the year.
A grand day out was had in very sociable company and we managed to stop for a pint as we neared the finish which fitted nicely with the relaxed atmosphere.
Sunday it was the Ferry hill Wheelers 20 mile TT up near Barnard Castle which promised to provide a contrast with the previous days fun and laughter.
Just myself and Jon Cocker to defend Cliftons reputation in this latest round of the open series. Anyway conditions were good and the course was a cracker! Approximately 8 miles going up, about 4 miles of rolling terrain followed by another 8 miles of glorious descending which supplied me with a smile thats hardly faded yet!
I've got a ten at Burton Fleming next saturday to look forward to but should really have entered the 50 that Dave c has entered on sunday as well. I seem to be getting a bit greedy as just one event at the weekend feels like I'm missing out now!

I was relying on DarrenN, (someone who can be relied upon to come up with something positive to say after any cycling experience), to come up with something positive to say about Sundays Nutcracker xc mudfest race near Bedale. Having said that he could be on the third rewrite? I've had 24 hrs to think up something positive to say about the experience and have failed. The day started badly - I nearly took the sump off the car whilst parking and it just got worse. The warm up was the best part of the day and if the organisers had just put some cones out on that grassy area and made us race round them, like many others I'd have made it to the finish and gone home satisfied. As it was I was on the deck by the second corner. As far as I was concerned I was there to get stuck in and race hard and for me that was race over. As myself, Darren, Alan, Broomy and JohnS were doing the vets event which was the last race of the day, the course was by then very cut up and muddy. I'm sure on another day it would have been very fast but for me there was too much very slippy single track which was frustrating. I was worried about going headfirst into a tree or being garrotted on the marker tape! As I said it was frustrating - I wasnt even going quick enough or hard enough to feel like I was in a race. Against my better judgement I started the second lap and actually got through a couple of technical bits without falling off or putting a foot down. But I fell off later on and was all over the place on the next stretch which was basically just a muddy path but so slippy. By this stage I was like some sort of maniac with turrets and finished up chucking the bike at a tree which was actually the most satisfying thing I did all day! Unfortunately it was ok so I carried on. At about this stage I was wondering why I'd brought the bike in the first place as I could have jogged round the course quicker and wouldnt have it to clean (I actually havent taken it out of the car yet and still have it to clean!). I pulled out at the end of the 2nd of 4 laps but I'd been lapped by then anyway. I'll take some convincing to try this again. Coming from a road background at least competing on the road means success or failure is in your own hands and no matter what you'll know you've done a race. And I'd passed up either a choice of road races or a trip to Bolton Abbey for this pleasure & I'm sure I would have enjoyed one or the other of these cheaper options!

I have to say, I laughed when I spoke to Muzzy after the race and I’m laughing even harder after his posting! Anyone else picturing Muzzy launching his bike into a tree!

As Muzzy said, it rained all morning while the curtain raisers, covered head to toe in mud, churned up the course. We warmed up on the grass...and should have stayed there!! When the gun went off for our race in the afternoon, we raced towards a big pile up in the mud at the 2nd corner. From that point on, any thoughts of effectively racing went out the window. We were sliding around in a v-shaped single-track ‘culvert’ filled with slimy, claggy bog. Every pedal stroke sent the bike snaking violently in a sideways direction, it was mad! It wasn’t until near the end of the 2nd lap that I remotely sussed out how to ride in the slime, that is, just let the bike surf its own course and don’t try to control it. I was comforted by the fact that even the pros were going over their handle bars in front of me. We were all completely caked in mud by the end and I’ve got some nasty deep gashes in my leg from being impaled in branches.

Anyway, I loved the concept of the race, the atmosphere, the team camaraderie and the laughs afterwards however I’m also a bit miffed I wasn’t able to compete properly. What happened to all the hard dirt tracks you see on You Tube!



D.

Welcome to the glamourous world of mountain bike racing!!

I also rode the 3rd round of the Nutcracker series on Sunday. As you will have seen from Muzzy and Darrens previous posts, it was a challenge. While the rain had stopped before the Vets race, it had rained pretty heavily during the previous race and this had just served to create a perfect layer of muddy slime on the tracks which made riding a challenge.

Managed to get a decent start and got to the first bend just at the back of the fast bunch, which I think served me well as it sounds like I missed the usual pile-up (certainly wasn't looking behind!). Had to stop to let some air out of my tyres a quarter into the first lap which was frustrating as half a dozen riders nipped past, but it least I got a little traction (should have listened to you at the start Allan ). After that it was just a case of riding as hard as I could while staying upright. At times it was just like riding on ice with the bike travelling sideways. The key was to keep your cadence high and try and ride as smooth as possible. Trying to push a big gear or to force it too much, just meant the bike wheel slid sideways. As Darren has said, the normal smoother outside line didn't work either as either one wheel(usually the front, with predictable consequences) or both wheels slid out from under you as they slid into the V of the track.

Felt okay for the first 2 laps but started to tire on lap 3 which led to mistakes and managed to come off 3 times with another half a dozen dabs. By lap 4 I was dead. Just kept focusing on getting out of the woods where the tracks were at least a little more rideable. 4 minutes a lap slower by the final lap.

I knew I had been in a race by the time I finished. 1hour 53 minutes for 4 laps with an average heartrate of 173 bpm.

16th in the Vets race. Just not fit or fast enough with a distinct lack of either miles or quality training over the last month. Still glad to compete and after I'd finished I could smile and say I enjoyed it

Guess I'll have to disagree with you Muzzy . Success or failure is entirely in your own hands, however there's a healthy dose of skill required as well as fitness. That's no different to road racing. If you can't ride hard in a bunch then road racing is tough as well.

The thing is, on a good day Camp Hill is a great course for a novice. Pretty flat, no technical or difficult climbs or descents, a fast flowing course with some modest technical sections (the maze through the woods with tight right angle corner after tight right angle corner is a nightmare however). Unfortunately the rain and mud increased the technical skill level by a significant margin. Having said that I've ridden Camp Hill 3 times now and the wet rides have outnumbered the dry .

All I would say is don't give in. It was great seeing some Clifton shirts out for a change. Oh well back to being Billy No Mates again.

Away this weekend so no training ride (again) but back to the mountain bike for the NYMBO event at Cropton. Much more civilised!!

Sunday the 19th was the date I had set for riding the C2C in a day.

Naturally I developed a horrendous cold which went to my chest on the preceding Tuesday! I know there is nothing scientifically proven to help, but I took the science hat off and went out and bought anything that had been rumoured to act as a cure! Mega-dose vitamin C, beetroot juice (utterly revolting by the way), albas oil, acupuncture - the lot. Of course nothing worked and by Thursday I was feeling awful. My wife was worried! Apparently my life insurance doesn't cover me for dropping dead whilst engaging in activities like bike riding!

I wasn't listening! I had decided to do it and so I was going to do it! Who says Yorkshiremen are pigheaded? I felt a little better on Friday and slightly better still on Saturday so that was it. We packed up and headed off for Whitehaven.

I had, of course, been keeping a regular eye on the weather forecast throughout the week so it came as no surprise when I woke at 0500h on Sunday morning in Whitehaven to be greeted by torrential rain! At least it would hide the constant stream of snot I was producing (-too much information?).

I got the bike out, pumped up the tyres, put nearly all the clothing I had on and pushed off at 0600h.

The expensive clothing and overshoes worked really well and I stayed dry right up to the end of the B&Bs drive!

I had chunked the ride into cafe stops! A trick I learned from Darren N and our attempted cake fest on the PG memorial last year. Greystoke was carrot cake with flapjack to finish, Hartside was soup and a sandwhich washed down with a full fat coke and Waskerley was toasted teacake. All finished off with fish and chips in Roker if I made it!

0930h - Greystoke - wonderful carrot cake, slightly stodgy flapjack, nice cup of tea.
1230h - Hartside - horrible lentil soup, nice ham sandwhich, wonderfull full fat coke.
1600h - Waskerley - amazing toasted tea cakes and a lovely pot of tea.
1900h - Roker - rather greasy but delicious fish and chips!

13 hours in total, 10.5 hours riding, 140 miles, 18,000 feet of climbing.

Hope to be out again with you all soon.

Mark L