Clifton CC

Since I clearly have a talent for setting off carnage on the weekend round-up threads, I'll kick it off again this week!

Another cracking, blue skies day and another few happy, sociable hours out enjoying unhurried riding with Kevin & Co. As per the very sensible suggestions on the previous incendiary thread, two groups headed out with Broomwagon taking on route-finding duties for the quicker group (in truth, he seemed to be the only one with eyesight adequate for map-reading, but his volunteering was much appreciated). I set off out with this lot, but got a puncture about an hour into the ride. By the time Melly had helped me fix it, Kev, Bernard and the rest were approaching, so we jumped into the slipstream. As per Darren's previous post, Melly's tyre-wrangling skills came in handy when he and Kevin dealt with another puncture just a few miles down the road. Millington for the cafe stop (Bernard:- "You're obviously waiting a while for something if you're having to eat your cake first". Me:- "This is my something!") and a wiggly route home.

It all seemed to stick together in an unstressful way - Kevin issued forthright pre-start advice very much along the lines of Rob's comments, and if anyone romped off the front it certainly wasn't the "resting racers". I don't reckon any of us haven't accidentally pushed a touch too hard on the front sometime, but the trick is listening, learning and not making a habit of it. The same applies, incidentally, to the training rides....

Another good crowd at the Square on Saturday and the split of groups seems to have become a mix of organic growth and scientific preparation by Prof Kev.

I started with one group, spent the major partof the day by myself,met everyone at the Cafe and finished with another group. This was initiated by a puncture before we got onto Stockton Lane. The result however was 16 gongs on Strava as I tried to get back with the main group. Managed to get back in touch at Huggate!

It was more a solitary rather than a social ride for the most part for me. Excellent ride on the way back however. Unfortunately, and opposed to previous posts, everyone seemed to get on and the speed of the group appeared to be comfortable for everyone.

Having missed the forum for a day or two and hence being unaware of any incendiary postings, I turned up for the K ride. Still, even though I have racing pretensions, perhaps I can legitimately ride the K as calling me a racer stretches the bounds of credulity.

And besides if Kevin wanted to tell me to go forth, it didn’t show as he pushed a map into my hands and sent me off with what I soon realised must be the A group as it contained (gulp) The Legendary Arnie, Shaun the Engine and The Bix. Though why he put me in the brisk group I wasn’t sure: my athletic muscular physique perhaps, my country wide reputation as someone who can really shift? As I actually have neither of those perhaps he reasoned that I’ve been riding long enough by now to know how to ride quickly – it just shows that even Kevin can be wrong sometimes.

The ride: sunshine, good company, nice countryside (though muddy lanes), some fast bits, some slower bits and a few punctures (me included – though only the second this year).

Clubs rides are open the everyone – but if you’re Bradley Wiggins’s faster big brother just come along with a view that it’s a nice steady day out with like minded people – not a lung bursting training session – though having said that, the training ride, the Saturday ride, the Sunday ride – they all seem hard to me…..

PS Phil, you know I was joking at the top of that climb don’t you .

Before recording the business end of the day, can I thank the team of marshals (Bernard, Malcolm, Siobhan, my Dad, Robert, Steen & Dave C), to whom I owe the DOUBLE delight of not only their support, but volunteering without me asking, well-before the event….it’s fab to organise an event that way!

The results are shown below & a few highlights picked out. Sorry if I’ve not mentioned you, but my thanks & well done to all riders for making the event so successful and enjoyable:

• Congratulations to the overall event winner, Richard Douthwaite, who took the honours for the 2nd year running
• Heather took Women’s title, a week after finishing 6th in the 3-Peaks Cyclocross
• More at home on his MTB, Michael Hudson took to his road bike and recorded an excellent 6m44s, which bodes well for the next round of the Club’s ‘Ultimate Challenge’: the Dalby Forest red route in 2 weeks time – great stuff Michael
• Arnie’s results at 72yrs, always put everyone’s efforts into perspective! And my records show that although Arnie has been racing Club events again since recovering from his broken neck, this was his 1st outing again on the Hill Climb – Bravo!
• Fastest rider on MTB was Jack Harrison, who told me he was about 10secs slower than last year. I was trying to analyse this for him in terms of there being no tail-wind this year, until it finally clicked that last year he rode a road bike! WOW!
• Jack also wins the prize of 1st Junior, so he’s going to need a big swag bag at the Club Dinner!
• Toby showed us that he’s made of stern stuff, only the 3rd time on his bike after his unfortunate Road Race crash earlier this year put him in full leg cast and laid up for several months. Well done for stretching the legs & lungs again Toby and good luck for the road back to full fitness
• Dan G rode a notable 6m36s to finish in an impressive second place. If he continues on his phenomenal improvement curve from last year, then where will he get to?
• How many MAMILs? Only joking! But it’s good to see the youngsters re-addressing the balance & occupying 2nd to 6th place. Notable is that the whole field shows great cross-representation from the various Cycling disciplines within the Club
• New to V50 (wink), I'm pleased to see Nigel taking 1st in this category
• Thanks to Robert for timekeeping duties at the top of the hill and managing the excitement of ‘Mr Tractor’ needing access to his field, moving the timing car whilst the event was running and still keeping times!
• Finally, I’m told by Robert, that the atmosphere amongst the finished and finishing riders at the summit was as jovial as ever – a real end of season feeling amongst the prostrate bodies on the verge

1. Richard Douthwaite 6-19 (V40)
2. Daniel Gray 6-36
3. Martin Seaman 6-37
4. Michael Hudson 6-44
5. Heather Tuffs 7-06 1st Female
6. Jack Harrison 7-11 1st on MTB; 1st Junior (age 15yr)
7. Tom Flemming 7-15 (V40)
8. Mark Antrobus 7-18 (V40)
9. Jeff Barber 7-27 (V40)
10. Karl Midhage 7-29
11. Paul Scott 7-33 MTB (V40)
12. Philip Harrison 7-34
13. Nigel Lawson 7-51 (V50)
14. Steven Ariss 8-02 (V40)
15. Ed Hinton 8-07
16. Matt Marsden 8-22
17. Arnie Pearson 9-00 (V70)
18. Michael Hughes 9-09 (V40)
19. Toby Everett 9-37
20. Adam Bates 10-00 (MTB)

Local Guest Ride: Lee Hellewell (‘Poppleton Pedallers’) 8-10
(any corrections, please let me know, Ta Claire )

Well done everyone! (That Richard D is a whole 2 seconds slower than last year, do you reckon it's old age?)

My extreme hillclimb training plan, a 2000km tour over the Alps, backfired spectacularly: I caught a cold while rushing for the ferry in the rain, and spent this morning coughing up interestingly coloured bits of phlegm. Oh well, there's always next year. In the meantime, I'm putting a few of my tour photos up on my Flickr if anyone's interested.

Got out this aft after a morning of swimming etc so no chance of making HC.Well done all .Started with the course of Tan hill til Tanfield then over to Well Crakehall Scotton Hipswell Richmond these being new roads to me so that was nice !GRT Langton back to Northallerton so knew where i was going !Thirsk Carlton Husthwaite home.80 odd miles @18.5mph a bit quicker than i thought but only rolling roads with no big climbs but knew i had done it when got home.When sun got low it felt like someone had turned the heating off.Glad had my wind jacket and arm warmers on or could have been a bit uncomfy.cheers

Thanks a lot Claire for the hill climb event and to Rob for a good ol’ club ride.

Well done to first timers Steve A, Adam B, Phil H and Michael H- our little PB's plummet the second time round.
Guess it gets trickier in the third year...

As for Dan G, he’s been dancing up hills like Alberto Contador all spring and summer with the Intermediates. Surely under 6 minutes is within his capability with some training.

Karl, couldn't agree more. Great day. Big thanks to Claire and everyone who helped with the HC. Tremendous day. Point of order however. Bernard mentioned that I was the only person who had ridden out on Saturday that did the HC. Whilst basking in my glory I realized I wasn't! Arnie was out on Saturday and he beat me by 9 seconds! Beware, I shall be removing my dust caps a la Dan and shall be back with a vengeance in 2013

Great ride with Rob after the hillclimb but following my second puncture of the weekend (then everyone else getting in on the act!) I had to make my apologies and head home. Very full weekend on the bike. but punctures on the Saturday ride and the Sunday ride!

Round 5 of the Yorkshire Cyclo Cross series for me. Having said that it was the first event for me in the series and having tried every excuse in my head not to ride, eventually found myself on the start line for the vets race.

Perverse I know, but throughly enjoyed it!! Great little course on edge of Temple Newsham park in Leeds, which used the side of the hill to great effect. After the usual mad cavalry charge across the field we were into the course proper. Some good single track in the woods made tricky by some pretty heavy mud in sections. Back out on to the top of the playing field and then a couple of good tight descents. The main tricky bit was a large puddle half way down the first descent which was fine, it was the wet grass on the other side! Felt my front wheel go a couple of times but managed to stay upright, but this did catch a number of people out with some heavy falls! After descending it was then back to climbing with only a very tricky dog leg section on wet grass banking to break the climb and back up to the start. Rinse and repeat for 45 minutes.

No idea of where I came but felt relatively (!!) comfortable throughout. Having said that average heart rate was 172 bpm for the race so I must have been trying!

Hopefully I'll get a few races in the series done!

Saw one other Clifton jersey with a lad in the junior race. Seemed to be holding his own and I was pretty impressed as it must have been intimidating lining up with the likes of Jamie Sharp et al.

John

...and passing on a Social Ride report from our esteemed Kevin:-

The 10-00am , Social Rides Split at the Sq, & K1 ably led by Mr Broomwagon, took the Initiative/ Map & swept the Majority of Riders away before 10-10am.

This Split allowed the "k" regulars , of Bernard, Elaine, Tony S, Neil B, Mark B, with Youngsters Jai & Naomi, a Pleasant Meander in the Wolds.

The Climb of Uncleby saw Jai take the Prime, & on the descent to Milllington Messrs Bixby & Simon Melton joined our Gang, Jai had a rear Blow out in his tube, at Thix, due to a mis aligned Rim Tape.

From Fimber to Wetwang the wind at our Backs, onto Huggate, which saw the majority head direct to the cafe at Millington.

Myself, Mike H (who had chased form Stockton Lane) & Simon M, headed left at Huggate for Warter & the "Secret Kingdom" Nunburnholme - Kilnwick Percy & Millington.

Arrival at the Cafe, & "k"1 riders were sat outside in the Sun, "k" regulars were sat inside chattering away, with Red Faces!!.

Dave Byworth swopped Groups, for the return miles & Simon M, was introduced to the Railway Cycle Path at Stamford Bridge.

Home for 4-00pm, 68 Miles on the clock.

This weeks Split at the Sq, worked very well, everybody got the Ride/Pace they wanted, & slotted into the respective group.
- Allez & Chapeau to Mr Broomwagon for seizing the Initiative & LEADING, in your own backyard,which should be your Training Roads.
All Club members are welcome to have Access & join any Club Rides , they Choose.
BUT in the Interests of Group number Safety on the Roads,the Spectrum range of Individuals Fitness levels at 10-00am on a Saturday & for My Sanity, it's Logical to Split at the Sq.
With the advent of Satellites etc, Routes can now be downloaded & transmitted direct to your handlebars, or alternatively please consult a Map, prior to Arrival.

Cyan Skymoos, we'll be Rolling the Red Carpet out for yourself, when you Arrive at the Sq on Saturdays at 10-00am.!!!!

Kevin .

JohnS wrote:average heart rate was 172 bpm for the race
John

Really enjoyed it yesterday guys and girls thank you for all who helped out!

I my lungs are still burning today (Dalby Red route in the afternoon may have contributed to that)!

At least I have something to work on for next year, to not come last.....

Adam

Thanks to Claire any everyone who helped at the hill climb.

The feeling of disappointment at missing out on second place soon vanished when I was described as a 'youngster' in the post above!


Cheers

Martin

Saturday saw what must have been only my third ride in the past 2 weeks - some hill reps up Curbar in the Peak, to familiarise myself for the BUCS hill climb at the end of the month. It's amazing how unfit/slow you feel after only a short time off the bike.

Wish I could've been at Bishop Wilton - I'm still yet to have a go at my first hill climb - but once again my birthday shenanigans took priority. I had friends over to Sheffield for the weekend and so I thought it was maybe not such a good idea to disappear early Sunday morning on a York bound train (although I did consider it )

Well done Rich D and everyone else on the great results! Great to see you had a crack, Toby.. very impressive, and fantastic to hear you didn't have any knee pain

Another thankyou to Claire and the team for organising an excellent hillclimb. The weather was of course fantastic (if a bit chilly for labouring lungs). 2008 was the first (only other) time I rode this one and looking back at the results I can see not much has changed - I was three seconds quicker this year (but on a bike costing about three times as much as my '08 version) and once again, narrowly beaten by a young'n on a mountain bike. Congratulations to Richard for flying the V40 flag!
tom