Clifton CC

Happy New Year everyone! A reasonable number of riders in the Square yesterday. I decided to join the Inters for a fat-burner to Thirsk. I’m sure we were the first official Club run for 2013 – we certainly beat the K-Ride out of the Square, it just depends on whether G found a loophole in his 9.00am Training Ride by sneaking in a toasted tea cake on his way home to qualify as a club run! Nine new year revellers joined the Inters, including Dr Dave, Ian H, John C, Tony G, Finlay, Jenny, Paul S (AKA AnotherPaul), Karl M and myself. The pace was sufficiently challenging for me to burn off the mince pies by Crayke, the Christmas pud by Kilburn and the Christmas Cake somewhere in the hills around Kirby Knowle. We thought we’d lost Finlay near Kirby Knowle too, with searches by Tony and John coming up with nothing, but all was well again when we rode a couple of miles into Thirsk to see Finlay magically pop out of a waitress’s pocket in the café. It was nice for me to meet the Croatian explorers, Finlay & Jenny, for the first time. On the return leg, it was a bit of a pot hole-fest on the flood-damaged Helperby Road. In fact, in the morning on the way out to Crayke, Tony pointed out one very long and deep, rectangular pot hole where he swims lengths each morning, with room enough for flip turns! All in all, a sensational start to the cycling year - a superb Winter Club run ridden in mild temperatures, at a challenging but manageable pace, with plenty of lively banter, some questionable company (my presence obviously lowering the tone) and back before dark – perfect!

D.

Well a Happy New Year to all and yes I think Darren your group probably ahd the first club run start of the New Year,
The K ride started out with 17 and then split into 2 more managable groups at the top of Yearsley, when our group headed for Hemsley via Gilling Ampleforth College, Golden square hill ( as a warm up for the Reliability!!), before the descent and final climb of Sproxston and then Hemsley. Where I found that having started this section with 7 which included 3 new comers, that we had lost one; only to be asked in the cafe if we had planned to meet up with one of our members, who had left 2 or 3 minutes before our arrival - sorry that we missed you.
Our return was via the Harome, Slingsby, Castle Howard, Flaxton route; 65 miles in total for me at 14 mph- a good start to 2013.
PS bookings still being accepted for the dinner, please see the other thread!!

My first time out with the Sunday gang, 4 people in the square(Andrew, Andrew (not a typo !) Sam and Paul who i can't thank enough for all the support.

A great day for what probably was the one of the hardest rides i have ever done ... interesting mechanical problem with my free hub (it appeared as if we were taking turns with the others having punctures instead !)

The Route; Haxby, Strensal, farlington, Gilling east followed by an early Cafe Stop in Helmsley (probably my fault ) then Hornby to thirsk then helperby and dropped into shipton then passed the York sign (best sign ive seen all day !!) all i all about 81 miles...... what a day !

Dr Joe wrote:My first time out with the Sunday gang, 4 people in the square(Andrew, Andrew (not a typo !) Sam and Paul who i can't thank enough for all the support.

A great day for what probably was the one of the hardest rides i have ever done ... interesting mechanical problem with my free hub (it appeared as if we were taking turns with the others having punctures instead !)

The Route; Haxby, Strensal, farlington, Gilling east followed by an early Cafe Stop in Helmsley (probably my fault ) then Hornby to thirsk then helperby and dropped into shipton then passed the York sign (best sign ive seen all day !!) all i all about 81 miles...... what a day !

Ah, so you've defected to the Dark Side (aka THE club run) Joe. They have proper dyed-in-the-wool Hard Men on that ride.....

We missed you on Saturday. You're welcome to return to the fold if the opportunity arises....

Hi Dave, sorry i missed the saturday ride (two reasons; (1) Bike was having the wheels trued in cycle works and (2) i worked friday night )

i admit i was apprehensive joining the sunday riders, especially knowing how good i am with hill climbing, but Paul was superb. i am working next weekend too so i'll see you all on the 18th( i hope your coming)

I have to say though .... the force is strong with the dark side

and just incase your reading this ...

Hi Kevin, i am sorry; i just couldn't say it ....... !!



See you on the 18th

Once you've stepped up from the K ride to the sunday ride there is no going back so hands off Dr Dave!

Hope you enjoyed the day Dr Joe. Although we didnt quite reach Osmotherly I dont think anyone would have felt short changed with that! Actually the early cafe was more due to some early mechanicals with a single pothole on the outskirts of Farlington causing a puncture & slipped handlebars for Sam and what is probably a terminal flat spot on the rim of my rear wheel. Andy G then punctured at Snarzegate farm. So we were already behind schedule. But Andy W hatched a plan to skirt the South West of the Moors which just meant the drag out of Helmsley on the Stokesely road and we then took the Laiskill road which is probably marginally easier from this direction but still involves a long climb and a short steep climb before the left into Hawnby. So we were only about 6 miles from Osmotherly at that point. Climbed out on the Boltby road before descending Boltby Bank. We promised Joe that was the last climb so spared him the trip rouind Kilburn and headed for Thirsk instead and back up the Helperby road. With nearly 80 miles in after a fairly slack few weeks for all concerned we were all pretty tired coming back into York. I'm not sure if I'm out this Sunday yet but Dr Rob will be back and I'm sure he will be planning some fairly steady rides for the next few weeks. If you cannot make this Sunday Joe please make an effort to get out over the next few weeks. As mentioned on Sunday maybe have a look at your position or even see if the good people in Cycleworks will do you a bikefit?

Already on the case with the bike fit paul, getting over the handle bars(though made a little difficult with them being high) really made a difference especially on the climbs( my Achilles !)

Am afraid am going to be working nights all this weekend; so the riding i'll be doing is going to be back from scarborough (i'll vary the route a little)

Once again Paul, i can't thank you enough and look forward to more rides in the future.