Weekend Roundup 9th & 10th June

[Darren N]

A strong Intermediate group turned up to the Square on Saturday to do some Cockayne looping ACW. Names on the start sheet included Shaun W, John C, Dave C, Ian H, Tony G, Dr Dave, Karl M, Andrew T, Allan H & myself.

Weather forecast was dodgy but sunshine prevailed early. We lost Allan at the foot of Terrington Bank with a broken rear derailleur, which forced him to turn back. The pace was then brisk through Hovingham, Caulkleys Bank & Welburn. Once on the loop past Fadmoor, the northward slog up the drag into the breeze was typically tough and a passing rain squall at the top end didn’t help. Nevertheless, we were all back in the ice cream parlour at Helmsley before we knew it.

We dined well and headed out on the homeward leg under bright skies, the plan being to head back through Ampleforth, Yearsley and Brandsby. At the top of the hill before Ampleforth, we suddenly saw a bubbling, black wall of cloud ahead of us with a serious amount of thunder erupting from it. We decided the sensible option was to stop and cape up. The rain started at Ampleforth and became steadily heavier as we climbed up to the top of Yearsley Moor and down into Brandsby.

From that point on, conditions became atrocious. It should be said that it wasn’t cold or blowing a gale, however I think it’s the closest we will ever come to drowning on a bike! The rains turned monsoonal and the lanes through Farlington to Wigginton became rivers and lakes. Rain was pelting down and we were having to drive hard to get through torrents of water 6-8 inches deep. The Wiggy Road was almost completely submerged as we completed the final miles. I’ll never forget stopping at the Wiggy Road traffic lights and looking back to see our sorry group standing in a heaving lake with rain pelting down as if from a fire hose.

There were plenty of articles in the Press about it today. Reading about the epicentre of this monsoon between Oswaldkirk, Sutton on the Forest and Flaxton, we couldn’t have got any closer to the middle of this deluge had we tried. The strange thing is that by the time I got out the other side of York to head home, the roads were dry as a bone! Another vivid memory created from time on the bike.

D.

[G.]

I broke the hour! Woohoo!

Jess and I were due to ride the Nat. 25 this week. I took my bike to that well known bike shop, Pextons, on Saturday morning and got a new circlip to replace my bit of bent spoke from last week, caught the train to Yarm. When I got there I found that Jess had DNS'd and was nowhere to be seen. Sorry about that Jess, what happened?

I was 8th off, which turned out to be a blessing. The course (south to near Northallerton and back again) was a bit windy but that was the worst of it - I raced in the dry. Later on, Hutch et al would race in what sounds like the same deluge that dumped on the Inters - the reports sound pretty biblical anyway.

Four or five miles from the end there was an ambulance by the side of the road. Later I discovered that this was for Jane Kilmartin, a rider in the women's event who'd been wing mirrored by a car turning left. She was taken to Teeside South Hospital with five cracked vertebrae - not good at all.

Anyway, I came home in 0.58.43 which is the first time I've gone under the hour! The downside of this is that I'm once again faster over 25 than over 10 miles, so I've got more work to do to set that straight Hutch won in 47.01, beating Alex Dowsett by all of 7 seconds. Julia Shaw won the women's event and Ryan Mullen won the juniors in a blistering 48.48.

Life outside cycling now calls, so though I reckon I could go faster as I had something left to give at the end, I don't think I'll be able to do any more 25s in a while so my PB should stand for some time.

[Rob]

Claire had got back from her Saturday ride looking like a drowned rat, and I expected similar on Sunday - so got the old fixed wheel out of mothballs. The morning was bright and warm though and 6 met up in the Square - a stella group of Neil, IanH, AndyG, SeanW and RichardD.

There were some miles in those legs - Ian and Sean had ridden Cockayne the previous day (Ian claimed to have dried his bike in front of the fire), Ian himself had completed the End to End this week, Andy was just back from 3 weeks and 2000km solo cycle camping in the French Alps. Richard has had more road race placings this season than most of us could aspire to in a career....

The result of the above was an even, but brisk pace up the East edge of the Moors, then across the Vale to Thorpe Perrow. Much to talk of in the cafe with all the sport at the moment (Dauphine, Roland Garos, Footie.... never got round to the Rugby or F1....)

Anyway, back via Grewelthorpe and Borobridge. Loads of riders out - good to see. Very quiet lanes, but very busy main roads whenever we crossed one... Kept the pace up and beat the rain by a couple of hours. Great 92 miles door to door - thanks.

Jordan's next week - think I'll be back on gears! Cleethorpes the week after (Andy said he was looking forward to that as he was just back from the French Riviera and would be good to compare!)

[Jess]

I was indeed down to ride the National 25. However - when we went up & drove the course, quite frankly it looked awful. It was on the dual carriageway of the A19, which was pretty busy (just before lunchtime). There were slip roads & service stations to pass and probably less than a foot of hard shoulder. There were also absolutely NO signs on the A19 to warn motorists. With traffic going past at 80mph - we decided it just wasn't worth the risk - so I withdrew.

It is a fast course and I'm not a nervous rider - I would love to have got near to the hour on a 25 BUT whilst I enjoy riding fast & racing, I do not own a bike so that I can ride it up and down a dual carriageway, putting myself (and other road users) at risk.
Needless to say we were saddened but not surprised to hear that Jane (an experienced TT rider) had been knocked off - the extent of her injuries show that this wasn't a simple 'clip' of a wing mirror.

I know there is a tradition to TT on the fast roads but am actually amazed that they got this course passed by the police. There were some 300 riders- including a couple of 14 yr olds and it just seems totally irresponsible. Add in the horrific weather and it shouldn't have started at all, really.

But that's my bit said - well done to Greg for a good ride, but I'm certainly not sorry I withdrew!

Once home I decided to risk the big black impending cloud & go out for a ride on my own. By the time I got to Strensall I pretty much needed a snorkel. Think I saw a rather soggy Dave C riding back into town, but it was hard to tell through the driving rain. Somewhat ironic really having pulled out of a race due to safety, I then nearly fell off due to floods. Must have wrung about 5 pints of water out of my kit when I got home...

[dave c]

Did the A ride as detailed above by Darren N. It's one of my favourite rides up to Cockayne, especially ACW. Yes it was me Jess, splashing through the floods. At some points on the way back through Farlington and the roads back to Strensall my shoes were submerged completely as I was pedalling to keep momentum. In a funny way really enjoyed it!

I had just fitted a new bottom bracket and it seams to have kept the water out of the bearings, had some water in the back wheel though!

Dave C

[Dr Dave]

Another Inter ride 'sailor' here. Never ridden through quite so much water, and - as Darren - was amazed to find dry roads on the western edges of York. Clothing full of silt when I got changed - I'm glad my decision to go with the winter bike was vindicated but I still dread to think what the BB and hubs must be full of. I really should strip them down but they seem to run OK so not sure I can be a***d!

[Cyan Skymoos]

Jess, I agree. You wouldn't go cycling up and down a dual carriageway for pleasure, why anyone wants to race on one is beyond me...and in those conditions, Bonkers!

[Rob]

Jess, chapeau for a sensible and brave decision. What must the passing motorists thought of our sport?

[G.]

Not having driven up, I hadn't recce'd the course and so didn't know about the lack of signage! I think the traffic, like the weather, must have been quite variable, as I didn't think the level of traffic was anything to worry about when I rode. That was nearly two hours after Jess's allotted start time, so it must have died down in the interim.

[ClaireG]

I second your decision Jess. 1stly from a safety perspective it doesn't carry the best personal risk assessment & 2ndly in despair of the archaic CTT who will not move forward and promote head to head TTing on safer, more sporting courses, & instead continue to applaud the pursuit of 'false' 'fast' times.......great example to set youngsters and newcomers to the Sport!

Anyway, before I get started... (those who remember will recall it was this A19 course that got us into trouble with the CTT (banned no less!)when I was the Club Secretary, so if you start me off...............)

What was I going to say about the w/e.......
Oh yes, we had a splendid morning K ride, up via Crayke, Coxwold, Kilburn, Felixkirk, Upsall & Thirsk. Great quiet lanes route by Kevin and short-sleeved weather. Refreshments in the cafe whilst the black clouds gathered before we plunged into the afternoon adventures. It was relentless rain, thunder, lightening and long 'lakes' to pedal(o) through on our flat route back via Sowerby, Helperby, Tollerton.

Not surprisingly with the roads running with c**p, we had 4 punctures on this return leg, adding to our drenched and cold muscles condition.

So last 2 items worthy of mention: Dave 'man of steel' I'Anson does not use tyre levers to remove his tyres! - I did think perhaps it was his party-piece and he had specially-made tyres for the performance, but no, he repeated his Herculean efforts with Bernard's tyre!
And then also the 1st ever occassion that I have heard B swear when after changing his 1st puncture under torrents of rain, he removed the pump and promptly took off the valve with it! oops

Thanks for the company guys,
ClaireG

[paulM]

Agree with all already said and well done Jess on making a brave decision. There will be a few in the club of a certain age muttering under their breath "don't get me started" after reading Jess' piece. Clifton has always traditionally been a time trialling club and 15 or more years ago we were all racing up and down dual carriageways without really questioning it as much as we should. But things move on and this type of racing just isnt the future, but the CTT and its ageing followers are the only ones who dont see it!
You've spent all winter training & matching guys now successfully road racing, Jess. Danger & crashes in road racing is generally only perceived - they are ones you generally walk away from. You don't walk away from being hit by a truck at 60mph! You too could have had a divisional champs medal and a place in the National road race champs on safe, closed roads with world class riders - surely thats got to be better than anything time trialling can offer?

As for me after the monsoon on Saturday I headed on Sunday morning due west for a change - Aldwark Bridge, Borobridge, Ripon, back way to Masham, Nosterfield, Rainton, Helperby & home. The stretch back from Rainton included the worst floods but otherwise it stayed dry. I think I had the best of the weekend as it chucked it down again in the afternoon. 73 miles over a few lumps and bumps but big ring all the way and a tad over 20mph door to door. I dont know why I said all the stuff above - I could have a future in 100mile time trials although I've plenty of time trial experiences at that distance already - most of them bad!

[MarkA]

I think this has all got out of hand.

Quite why Greg should feel the need to defend himself on here is beyond me and some of the comments are completely out of order.

We should always show respect to fellow club members and cyclists in general.

In my opinion Greg should be congratulated on taking the step up to riding a national event, and also well done on a good ride.

Some facts on the 25 may assist:

• Jess decided traffic conditions were such that she did not want to ride. Respect for that decision.
  Our heartfelt wishes from all at Clifton to Jane Kilmartin for full and speedy recovery.
  The womens event was a separate event with an hour gap between. So there is absolutely no question of anyone in the mens event "riding past" a stricken fellow competitor.
  Greg weighed up conditions when it was his turn to start and took the decision to ride. By all accounts traffic levels had dropped. Respect for that decision too.
  The weather then deteriorated to point where some senior figures in tt community decided not to start or else dnf. Respect to them.
  The eventual winnner / second place did battle through some awful conditions to finish. Respect to them.

There are big questions over the way CTT run National events and this event in particular but lets get the real issue out into the open.

Is there an "official" "Clifton" attitude to time trials on non sporting courses?

If so is the "club", by which i mean the committee, prepared to come out and take disciplinary action against members who ride on non sporting courses?

If not then i suggest it is inappropriate that members who choose to ride on other than sporting courses are made to feel like they are doing something wrong or else treated like villains.

I should like to see an official statement from the committee.

And the committee should also reflect on whether some of the comments above show adequate respect to other club members.

A few more facts:

• I have not ridden on the T courses but i know several Cliftonites have
  I did ride on the V718 twice last year and really enjoyed it
  Have ridden on it once this year and plan to do so again
  At a rough guess at least 7 other Clifton members also rode on the V718 last year
  And i may add in the company of several Cycleworks, Malton riders

Are we all "bonkers" or "of a certain age"?

If so and the club wants us to leave then please say. But i would point out it is these same members who are first to put their hands up to organize not just tts but also audax events etc.

And as it stands at least half the spoco events would not be in position to go ahead if the club chose to go down this route as the organizers would no longer be "welcome".

[Rob]

Mark mate, I've read and re-read the above thread and I still can't understand why you're so exercised. There's no need for Greg to defend himself. It's not about Greg, it's not about you. The issue is with the event. In order to "take a step up and ride a National event" the very many riders had to decide whether ride up and down the A19 dual carriageway over a Saturday Lunch/afternoon period. Nobody should have to make that decision.

Safety/image of the sport/sporting ethos - take your pick - the event is bonkers.

[craigdabrown]

Haven't been out with the Club for a few weeks, due to one thing or another, but did a Charity bike ride last Thurs, Fri & Sat. We cycled from our London Office to Portsmouth, caught the ferry across to the Isle of Wight, completed a lap of the Isle of Wight and then made the return trip back to London. Total of about 250 miles or so in somewhat testing conditons. Torrential rain and a strong headwind on Thursday, 85mph winds on Friday but glorious condtions on Saturday. People laugh when I tell them there are a number of decent climbs on the Isle of Wight, especially into such winds. Think we had 8 punctures, two wrecked tyres, a buckled wheel and two riders who were physically blown off their bikes by the wind. But all worthwhile for two great charities.

[G.]

Mark mate, I've read and re-read the above thread and I still can't understand why you're so exercised. There's no need for Greg to defend himself. It's not about Greg, it's not about you. The issue is with the event. In order to "take a step up and ride a National event" the very many riders had to decide whether ride up and down the A19 dual carriageway over a Saturday Lunch/afternoon period. Nobody should have to make that decision.

Safety/image of the sport/sporting ethos - take your pick - the event is bonkers.

I admit to being a bit mystified when I got home after the 25. I rode a normal event where the traffic didn't trouble me at all, then came home to find lots of people (not just on here) complaining about the conditions. Had I not looked on the internet I'd have been totally unaware that there was anything amiss, apart from the rain that was falling on Hutch & co while I was taking the train home.

I know I'm hardly traffic averse - I think growing up riding round Sheffield helped - and I'm far from being an experienced tester, but I've felt more vulnerable on sporting courses like the recent Tyneside Vagabonds event than on the A19 on Saturday. You know where the traffic is when it's a constant, whereas it only takes one car coming round the wrong side of a corner on a quiet country road to cause disaster. Heck, even if the car's on the right side of the road, who can put their hand on their heart and say that they've never seen a spoco/race/sportive cyclist use the right lane to take the racing line round a corner? The risks are different but they're still there, and they're hopefully reduced by being obvious to everyone on a dual carriageway.

When I broke my wrist in 2010, it was on a minor road that was still icy in the early morning. That day, I really wished that we'd been routed down a big A road for the first couple of hours of the route!

This Sunday, it does sound like the women and juniors should have been started later in the day when the traffic had calmed down a bit. However, as 7th man off I only had one problem all ride, and that was that I wished I was fitter and faster!