What a fantastic weekend! Lots of people out riding and would be good to hear what you've all been upto?!
Sunday clubrun for me. 12 in The Square. Lots of regulars from the last couple of months - all know what they are doing, are battle hardened and strong riders. Classic route out through Aldwark Bridge, Staveley, Markington, Brimham to Pateley. The lanes were heaving with cyclists, many of them evidently caught in a dilema over what to wear! Have to say that it was a bit warm for overshoes and wooly hats, but a bit cool for shorts...
Huge views through crystal clear air. All felt we'd earnt it after last weeks cold soaking.
Civilised lunch then on up to Lofthouse and a "proper climb" to Jordons. Regroup at the top where even through the smoke from the moorland fires we could see the industry on Teeside. Magic descent to Masham and then back in down Helperby Lane. And we were certainly "tramming" - the speed was around 35kph whenever I looked down.
Thanks for the company chaps (and chapess). The Wolds next week me thinks.
Weekend Roundup, 10th/11th
Moderator: Moderators
A great turnout of a dozen for the Intermediate All Star Mixed-Baggers ride on Saturday for a clockwise loop around the Wolds. Of the 12, probably 2 could be said to be battle-hardened, 3 or 4 straight out of Boot Camp, a couple more from Dad’s Army and maybe a few others, like me, more at the ‘battle weary’ end of the scale.
We decided to head out via the Kirkham climb on the way to North Grimston and Settrington Bank (a minor detour from the K-Map to take in the climb). Kiwi Matt did hugely well to stick with us to this point before deciding to call it a day. It was Matt’s first ride back after a sickening broken shin and ankle in a mountain bike accident 6 months ago – so it was great to see him out there again.
The remaining cricketers’ eleven were riding alarmingly strongly after ‘the Bank’ as most took advantage of the roller coaster plunge down into West Lutton before wheeling round into the wind towards Sledmere and Wetwang. It was at this point that Tony G seemed to hit a land mine and his back tyre literally blew up in a massive explosion, leaving a scar about a foot long in his tyre. We considered simply shooting Tony to put him out of his misery because it looked like a fatal blow however it was decided to take the more humane option of shoving the tyre full of litter, pumping it with half the normal tyre pressure and setting him on his way again. This fix lasted all the way home, thankfully.
After the frantic climbing, the big headwind on the way to Millington took its toll. I was on the end of a couple of accidental skirmishes at the back of the group as fatigue started to set in to the pack. I was very glad to be the recipient of a Tony G and Shaun W wind-plough exhibition into the breeze along the valley floor between Huggate and Millington to get me into the Ramblers Rest for the luncheon adjournment. We had just over 50 miles on the scoreboard.
The ride home was executed in a very tight bunch all the way back to York. Thanks to all those who shared the sight-screen duties on the front into the breeze. It was a very nice day, fantastic route and sensational company - really enjoyed it. I still have a bit to do on the fitness front - sounds like I need to stay away from the Sunday Clubbers for a while
- but days like these are great for slotting into the bank.
D.
We decided to head out via the Kirkham climb on the way to North Grimston and Settrington Bank (a minor detour from the K-Map to take in the climb). Kiwi Matt did hugely well to stick with us to this point before deciding to call it a day. It was Matt’s first ride back after a sickening broken shin and ankle in a mountain bike accident 6 months ago – so it was great to see him out there again.
The remaining cricketers’ eleven were riding alarmingly strongly after ‘the Bank’ as most took advantage of the roller coaster plunge down into West Lutton before wheeling round into the wind towards Sledmere and Wetwang. It was at this point that Tony G seemed to hit a land mine and his back tyre literally blew up in a massive explosion, leaving a scar about a foot long in his tyre. We considered simply shooting Tony to put him out of his misery because it looked like a fatal blow however it was decided to take the more humane option of shoving the tyre full of litter, pumping it with half the normal tyre pressure and setting him on his way again. This fix lasted all the way home, thankfully.
After the frantic climbing, the big headwind on the way to Millington took its toll. I was on the end of a couple of accidental skirmishes at the back of the group as fatigue started to set in to the pack. I was very glad to be the recipient of a Tony G and Shaun W wind-plough exhibition into the breeze along the valley floor between Huggate and Millington to get me into the Ramblers Rest for the luncheon adjournment. We had just over 50 miles on the scoreboard.
The ride home was executed in a very tight bunch all the way back to York. Thanks to all those who shared the sight-screen duties on the front into the breeze. It was a very nice day, fantastic route and sensational company - really enjoyed it. I still have a bit to do on the fitness front - sounds like I need to stay away from the Sunday Clubbers for a while
- but days like these are great for slotting into the bank.D.
5 of us lead by Simon Weston did a 37 mile offroad adventure from Sutton Bank with a lunch at Osmotherley at about 3pm. Lovely day riding in shorts and shirt with very good views and company. As always with Simon you get some vertically challenging bits going down. It was also nice to go up Boltby Bank, one of my favourite road climbs.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/156989574
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/156989574
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Cyan Skymoos
- Posts: 525
- Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2010 1:46 pm
Greg, I saw you flying down to the turn, then you were never seen again, someone said you'd taken a left and gone to Wetwang for fish and chips. I remember you asking me if there was a shop in the village before the start as you were hungry, so I wasn't sure if they were joking...If it was true I thought it would've been the coolest thing to ever happen in a time trial.
No fish and chips, sadly. What happened was that I got confuzzled at the turn to the HQ on the return leg: there was a marshal on the turn, so my brain told me that it must be a turn! Obviously it was no such thing, we were meant to ignore it and carry straight on. Anyway, I turned past the HQ and about four miles up the ensuing hill, until I'd been riding for 30 or 31 minutes and decided I couldn't have taken that long to do 10 miles. My computer revealed 20km since the start - oops! I crawled back to the HQ and discreetly pencilled in a DNF next to my name.Cyan Skymoos wrote:Greg, I saw you flying down to the turn, then you were never seen again, someone said you'd taken a left and gone to Wetwang for fish and chips. I remember you asking me if there was a shop in the village before the start as you were hungry, so I wasn't sure if they were joking...If it was true I thought it would've been the coolest thing to ever happen in a time trial.
A friend once labelled me "the Frank Spencer of cycling". That friend is currently cycling through India on his way to Australia, whereas I'm still here. I think we probably both made the right decisions!
Last edited by G. on Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Was one of the 5 riding Simon W’s MTB version of the “A”/ Intermediates/ Elite group, as Jeff B mentions.
On the quiet, every rider put in a stellar performance:
# Simon W “did an Ian H” by fitting two long rides in a weekend in March,
# Jay rode the hilly route on a single speed bike… in March (20% inclines in one gear!),
# Sarah tolerated Jay’s subsequent grumbles magnificently, as well as riding strongly herself,
# Jeff B was flying like Marco Pantani up anything remotely uphill looking and
# I avoided falling off the bike, by fearlessly inching down anything slightly downhilly.
The moors were alive with people following their various passions: gliders and paragliders suspended on the horizon, fell walkers waving their titanium walking sticks, rock climbers basking like lizards on the sunny cliffs … each group thinking the other ones are a little nutty.
At the end, we had enough scenic views to fill a “North Yorkshire Moors 2012 Calendar” and 5hrs 40mins in very good company.
On the quiet, every rider put in a stellar performance:
# Simon W “did an Ian H” by fitting two long rides in a weekend in March,
# Jay rode the hilly route on a single speed bike… in March (20% inclines in one gear!),
# Sarah tolerated Jay’s subsequent grumbles magnificently, as well as riding strongly herself,
# Jeff B was flying like Marco Pantani up anything remotely uphill looking and
# I avoided falling off the bike, by fearlessly inching down anything slightly downhilly.
The moors were alive with people following their various passions: gliders and paragliders suspended on the horizon, fell walkers waving their titanium walking sticks, rock climbers basking like lizards on the sunny cliffs … each group thinking the other ones are a little nutty.
At the end, we had enough scenic views to fill a “North Yorkshire Moors 2012 Calendar” and 5hrs 40mins in very good company.
As I'm at uni in Sheffield at the moment my weekend started with a lovely 4 hours solo on friday in the Peak District on an average March clear afternoon. Half way round the ride I saw a lovely looking bridleway and thought to myself "I wonder where that goes", when I heard the bleap from my Garmin telling me that's the route I had mapped.. oops! I didn't fancy riding it on my road bike so the ride turned into a bit of an out-and-back one.
On Saturday, I joined Sheffield's Rutland CC for their 'teacake run'. It was a lovely quick 2 and a half hours under overcast skies. More wonderful hills and new roads for me, again in the lovely Peak Disctrict. I had never seen a club run like it; the group, or rather peleton, was between 30 and 40 riders strong! Even my Clifton jersey was recognised and became topic of conversation!
Sunday, after watching Bradley Wiggin's fantastic ride in the nail-biting finale of the Paris-Nice, I couldn't resist the beautiful sunshine and was back out again. Apparently everyone else in Sheffield couldn't resist the clear blue skies, as the Peaks were heaving with families, walkers, cyclists, motorcyclists, ice cream vans etc. This ride was a 3 hour ride solo ride on the roadie, this time planning an out-and-back route via Edale to the top of Mam Tor hill and back. Fantastic ride, in knee warmers and short sleeve jersey and gilet.
Heard great things about Rob's Sunday Club Run in the sun, and can't wait to join my next Clifton ride! Sounds like everyone had a great weekend
On Saturday, I joined Sheffield's Rutland CC for their 'teacake run'. It was a lovely quick 2 and a half hours under overcast skies. More wonderful hills and new roads for me, again in the lovely Peak Disctrict. I had never seen a club run like it; the group, or rather peleton, was between 30 and 40 riders strong! Even my Clifton jersey was recognised and became topic of conversation!
Sunday, after watching Bradley Wiggin's fantastic ride in the nail-biting finale of the Paris-Nice, I couldn't resist the beautiful sunshine and was back out again. Apparently everyone else in Sheffield couldn't resist the clear blue skies, as the Peaks were heaving with families, walkers, cyclists, motorcyclists, ice cream vans etc. This ride was a 3 hour ride solo ride on the roadie, this time planning an out-and-back route via Edale to the top of Mam Tor hill and back. Fantastic ride, in knee warmers and short sleeve jersey and gilet.
Heard great things about Rob's Sunday Club Run in the sun, and can't wait to join my next Clifton ride! Sounds like everyone had a great weekend
A ride of two halves for me on Saturday as I joined the A group heading out to Millington. I had a good morning but think I pushed it too hard on the hills as started to feel like I was begining to bonk a few miles from the lunch stop. Ate a banana and an energy bar which picked me up enough.
Didn't have a great ride back to York, think I had too much to eat for lunch and just felt like I was lacking energy. Made it home with 77 miles covered at a smidgen over 17 mph average.
Thanks to all, hope to be out next Saturday if I can avoid having to work
Didn't have a great ride back to York, think I had too much to eat for lunch and just felt like I was lacking energy. Made it home with 77 miles covered at a smidgen over 17 mph average.
Thanks to all, hope to be out next Saturday if I can avoid having to work
I was at the Sledmere 'Monuments' 10 with Greg, Skymoos, Timr, Toby and others. Such an unexpectedly sunny afternoon, just being out on a bike was a joy, and after the TT I didn't really want to head back to a gloomy hall so I decided to take a long warm-down up the Bridlington road, with my number still pinned on. I was kind of surprised to meet Greg coming through Cowlam the other way, but guessed he'd had the same idea...or maybe not.
As for the race itself, I was 'monumentally' slow but enjoyed every minute (all 29 1/2 of them). For practical reasons (race bike still a twisted wreck, other option a creaky winter commuter with guards and chunky tires) I was riding fixed, so a stiff headwind on the mostly downhill section through Sledmere to the Fimber roundabout was actually a help, as it stopped me spinning out in 48*17, and helped me back up the hills on the return leg. At the roundabout, I was relieved that nobody had passed me, although my immediate pursuer was only a few seconds behind - gliding in as I accelerated out. I attacked the climbs and held him off, only for no. 20, from four places back, to come flying past, disc wheel throbbing, soon followed by no. 19, who probably noticed my lack of rear mech as he came by muttering 'you must be f*ing mad' on the steepest part of the course. After that it was fixed grin, and cling on to the tailwind for all it was worth over the last couple of miles.
Back at the start as I collected my water bottle, the timekeeper told me he'd set a course record of 56mins on a 25m circuit in Manchester riding a fixed gear back in 1961. He felt that technically it still stood as all the records since had been set on geared bikes...
Congratulations to Matt and Malton Wheelers for a great tt and epic cakestorm at the end. One for next year, a bit leaner and faster I hope!
Tom
As for the race itself, I was 'monumentally' slow but enjoyed every minute (all 29 1/2 of them). For practical reasons (race bike still a twisted wreck, other option a creaky winter commuter with guards and chunky tires) I was riding fixed, so a stiff headwind on the mostly downhill section through Sledmere to the Fimber roundabout was actually a help, as it stopped me spinning out in 48*17, and helped me back up the hills on the return leg. At the roundabout, I was relieved that nobody had passed me, although my immediate pursuer was only a few seconds behind - gliding in as I accelerated out. I attacked the climbs and held him off, only for no. 20, from four places back, to come flying past, disc wheel throbbing, soon followed by no. 19, who probably noticed my lack of rear mech as he came by muttering 'you must be f*ing mad' on the steepest part of the course. After that it was fixed grin, and cling on to the tailwind for all it was worth over the last couple of miles.
Back at the start as I collected my water bottle, the timekeeper told me he'd set a course record of 56mins on a 25m circuit in Manchester riding a fixed gear back in 1961. He felt that technically it still stood as all the records since had been set on geared bikes...
Congratulations to Matt and Malton Wheelers for a great tt and epic cakestorm at the end. One for next year, a bit leaner and faster I hope!
Tom
"Heard great things about Rob's Sunday Club Run in the sun"
I bet it was all lies if Rob sold them the story - you should start reading a decent paper Andy!
I'm still a month away from my first race and continuing a theme of seeing how far away from York I can get and back in 4 hours. I thought I'd dressed light ......... but not light enough - it really wasnt a 3 tops day! North via Castle Howard to Slingsby, Welburn, up Farndale and Blakey Bank. Just about snapped myself in two on 39 x 26. Was considering going round Rosedale but I was a broken man by the time I'd sweated to the top so straight back down to Hutton Le Hole. Back via Amotherby & Castle Howard. To save the monotony of Flaxton Common again I went right and left and up the bridleway to the level crossing - every ride should have a bit of rough stuff! Never felt like I was going that well and never seemed to have the wind in my favour but it was just over 4 hours so not too bad.
Yeah I know its not real training but the day was too good to miss & if I can ride hard for four hours I can race hard for three and I'll lock away Sundays experience and bring it out for one of those mind over matter moments that come along from time to time! I'll get the race bike out next week.
And yes a great ride by Brad - a faultless race and superb final time trial in Paris - Nice - rides like that shouldnt be underestimated - first Brit winner since Tom Simpson!
I bet it was all lies if Rob sold them the story - you should start reading a decent paper Andy!
I'm still a month away from my first race and continuing a theme of seeing how far away from York I can get and back in 4 hours. I thought I'd dressed light ......... but not light enough - it really wasnt a 3 tops day! North via Castle Howard to Slingsby, Welburn, up Farndale and Blakey Bank. Just about snapped myself in two on 39 x 26. Was considering going round Rosedale but I was a broken man by the time I'd sweated to the top so straight back down to Hutton Le Hole. Back via Amotherby & Castle Howard. To save the monotony of Flaxton Common again I went right and left and up the bridleway to the level crossing - every ride should have a bit of rough stuff! Never felt like I was going that well and never seemed to have the wind in my favour but it was just over 4 hours so not too bad.
Yeah I know its not real training but the day was too good to miss & if I can ride hard for four hours I can race hard for three and I'll lock away Sundays experience and bring it out for one of those mind over matter moments that come along from time to time! I'll get the race bike out next week.
And yes a great ride by Brad - a faultless race and superb final time trial in Paris - Nice - rides like that shouldnt be underestimated - first Brit winner since Tom Simpson!
I haen't done much cycling over the last few months due to other commitments but will be doing more from now on, so belated base miles.
I did Rob's Sunday ride to Pately Bridge and Jordans. Fantastic day and company. Thanks to everyone who helped me up the hills and towing me back on (mainly Rob and Heather).
I hope you will be soon back out on your bike Ian.
Dave
I did Rob's Sunday ride to Pately Bridge and Jordans. Fantastic day and company. Thanks to everyone who helped me up the hills and towing me back on (mainly Rob and Heather).
I hope you will be soon back out on your bike Ian.
Dave
Was a bit gutted to miss the weekend club rides due to working on Sat/Sun but i wasn't going to let that put me off getting some miles in on such ae good weekend of weather. So I decided to ride the 40ish mile round trip to Leeds and back on both days. Granted it isn't the most pleasant of rides for at least half of the journey and it is rather like running the gauntlet on some interesting road junctions. I have done it before as a commute during the summer in busier traffic, at least this time it was the weekend. I enjoyed it nonetheless and decided to commute yesterday and today. So in 4 days have got around 160 miles in 
Think I might catch the train in for the remainder of the week to rest my legs for couple of days with the intention to be out again on Saturday
Think I might catch the train in for the remainder of the week to rest my legs for couple of days with the intention to be out again on Saturday