Clifton CC

Thought I'd open up a new topic on this. Can we all put our thinking caps on and think of at least one alternative route to the A168 that we think is likely to be gritted and be suitable for a training ride? We will have frost quite a lot over the next few months and we can't spend all our lives on the turbo or on the A168!

I've mapped out a suggestion here: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1975746. In words this is York - Stockton-on-the-Forest - Buttercrambe - Malton (road to Helmsley) - Hovingham - Oswaldkirk - Brandsby - Stillington - Sutton-on-the-Forest - York. 53 miles, bit of a lump around Brandsby.

I know all these roads have a bit more traffic than would be ideal but I think they should be gritted as a result.

Comments? Or other suggestions?

Reuben

The roads around Upper Helmsley, point 8 on your route, don't seem to get gritted. Had to push my bike around there last Sunday afternoon as the road was a full sheet of ice!

This is a favourite autumn/winter route of mine, but in the opposite direction. I've never had too much trouble with icy roads but the Hovingham - Malton section of road seems to be one where fast-moving traffic and just not-quite-enough-room-to-pass makes for bad tempers. But maybe okay by singling out.

If it ain't broke why fix it?

I'm in agreement with Dr Dave.

I'm just happy to get out for 3 hours and if we need to play it safe for that to happen then fine.

I ride the roads around Upper Helmsley & Sand Hutton a lot at the moment in the dark. I too wouldnt recommend them in icy conditions in a group as they are never gritted. A better option is to skip this section altogether and just head down Hull road to Grimston bar and down to Stammy Bridge and take the left before the bridge. The road down to Buttercrambe may need a bit of care but after that always seems to be gritted. I've gone out this route a few times with Rob in really bad conditions and its always seemed ok but probably would need to keep the group size down. The rest of Reubens route would be ok although would suit smaller groups as it would be necessary to single out here and there. But its a more challenging route which might keep the numbers down anyway especially in bad weather!