Clifton CC

The Sunday ride consisted of a no-fuss jaunt to Rosedale. The west wind was a bit breezier than I would have liked but it was dry, mild and sunny. Heather, Ian K, Jon G and Tim R were company for the day. At least a west wind meant we were never really in it for long but never out of it for long either! Strensall, Farlington, Snarzgate Farm, Coulton, Hovingham, Nunnington, Welburn. Confirmation that winter is yet to arrive - no water in the ford - boring! Fadmoor, Gillamoor. Had considered going up Farndale but we carried on to Hutton Le Hole instead which was a wise option. Then up to the top of Chimney Bank which was a bit of a grind. The descent is sporting a smart new surface except for the last bit which doesnt have any surface at the moment! Grreat cafe in Rosedale and they were happy to see us. I was sure it was 5 deg cooler when we came out and it took me to the top of Cropton Bank to get warmed up. We considered further warming in the Cropton brewery but decided to press on - Wrelton, Aislaby, Risborough, Amotherby and straight back along the Castle Howard road. 80ish miles for me. Thanks for the ride guys.

Just two takers for the intermediate ride on Saturday morning, Tony G and myself. I was handed a map to Summerbridge by Kevin and in that direction we headed via Newton-on-Ouse and Aldwark Bridge. On the road after Aldwark Bridge we headed directly into the strong west wind and with only two of us decided to change our route and do a non stop loop via Boroughbridge, Raskelf, Easingwold, Crayke, Brandsby, Farlington then back to York. 55 miles covered at 17.8mph average. Thanks to Tony for the wheel along the B1363 into York, I was starting to feel the effects of the wind by then! An enjoyable ride out but my legs certainly felt the effort by the time I got home.

This Sunday the MTB ride was in Nidderdale (Ian C, Chris H, Emila, James P, James ‘MG’, Paul S, Heidi, Debs, Steph and self).

If it was windy in the vale of York, imagine how much fun it was in the Dales.
Cycling over rocky terrain on a hill top with 40+mph side winds certainly tested our balance. Blown uphill felt surreal. And Gouthwaite reservoir looked wild with near 3 foot high waves crashing into the dam wall, creating partial rainbows as the low autumn sun shone through the spray.

Inner tubes reliably led to two incidents.
As the only one to crash, I managed to convince everyone that wrapping bits of inner tube around a headset and calling it “a bicycle steering device that minimises crashes” was a really dumb idea!
And with a mile to go, Ian suddenly thought that the ride hadn’t been challenging enough. So he decided to practice puncture repairs on a rocky descent. We've all been there before.

All in, we did roughly 18 miles. That’s not mph- the emphasis here is on ‘rough’ miles.
So if any of our road cyclists would like a change of scenery over winter, the next one’s on 18th December. Hopefully we’ll have another pub stop afterwards.

Thanks to James P for organising.
(Reminder to all- ask Santa for thermal socks).

As stated Sunday Club run for me. Thanks Paul for picking a good route and everybody else for sitting up at the top of every incline Have only ever descended Chimney Bank a couple of times before and it never gets any easier for me despite the new surface. The lack of surface at the bottom though caught me out and I nearly came a cropper on one of raised manholes, am just glad it was dry The only real issue for me was fatique around Strensall on the homeward leg. Not sure what it is about the stretch from Flaxton to Stensall but always lose the wheel at that point , probably the wind but again thanks guys for waiting. But once on my 10th wind of the day the ride home was not too bad the wind finally eased. D to D 110 miles and nearly home before proper darkness. Let's just hope this mild weather lasts until Xmas

Jon