Clifton CC

Got this week off so thought I would start things off.

The 'A' ride on Saturday went to Bolton Abbey. This was not strictly true as we decided to by pass Bolton Abbey via a more minor road and head straight to Pateley Bridge. Still did the same route but avoided the crowds at the cafe which we thought would be there due to the amount of cyclists and walkers we saw out and about. Plus it was abonus to get the hills out of the way before the cafe stop . 7 headed out through Otley and Ilkley which became 6 just before Otley when Dave C headed back. The decision was made at the A59 to head towards Appletreewick and Greenhow, nearly 60 miles done by the time we stopped. Headed back through Summerbridge, Scotton, Ripley and over Aldwark Bridge. 95ish miles done in lovely sunshine and light winds. Thanks for the company guys and to Karl and Shaun for dropping back occasionally to check on those who were flagging towards the end.

Jon

Completed the Etape Alpine Challenge for Action Medical Research on Saturday 8 September. For those of you who are interested I did it complete with my brand new Clifton CC cap (now available online!)

Memorable weekend. Friday was a training ride out of Chambery taking in 56km of beautiful scenery and a mere 1,851m of climbing. Saturday was a 4.15am start to get to Mondane with the Etape taking in Telegraphe, Galibier and finally Alpe D'Huez. Hot, hot day with the ascent of Alpe D'Huez taken at 34 degrees centigrade. Pig of a ride up there but wouldn't have missed it for the world.

My target was 109km in 7 hours if I could keep an average of 200w going. I covered 114km in 7 hours 1 minute 16 seconds at bang on 200w. Strava tells me I climbed 4,671m and I am not going to argue. Big thanks to Kevin and everyone at Clifton CC for all the help in the preparation for this ride of a lifetime.

I've raised over £2,700 for Action Medical Research with this ride. I'd like to get it to £3,000. If you'd like to help please go to www.action.org.uk/sponsor/mjdhughes

I went along to the bike festival in Rowntree Park, to try out some of the weird and wonderful bikes they had on offer. The 'ape-hanger' cruiser was fantastic fun (and should be raced on the V718 pronto) but not quite as good as the Elliptigo, which is a sort of upright version of Graeme Obree's latest machine. The fat-wheel trike was marginally controllable - rather like a 38 tonne lorry on ice - but I never quite mastered the small-wheel recumbent or the tiny bike, and the mini penny farthings were a bit too mini for my legs There was then the eccentric bike, which was easy enough to ride but not very comfortable at speed!

Did anyone else succeed where I failed?