Clifton CC

Saturday was chaos! It didn’t start well, was soaked by freezing rain riding into the Square – made a major discovery when I found that the hand dryer in the Public Gents opposite the Square blows life-saving hot air!

Joined seven on the Inters ride – Ian H, Dave C, Dr Dave, Broomwagon, Jon G, new guy Jonny and the frozen one, ie. me. Rode west towards Wetherby, Dr Dave wasn’t happy for some reason and exited stage left. We continued on towards Otley in intermittent showers where the fun really started. After copping a sleeting on the way into town, Broomwagon heard a crack and discovered his seat post was wobbly at the frame – disaster! We received some directions from a pedestrian and somehow found Chevin Cycles. A quick check found the operation was going to be lengthy so Broomo waved us on. Hope you got back ok Broomo!

We then headed back into the middle of Otley town to access the quiet road to Askwith and Ilkley. On the main drag, we rode in between a line of stationary traffic and a line of parked cars inside us. As I led us through a clear gap towards the lights, a bloke in a parked mini-van suddenly threw open his car door. With nowhere to go, I cannoned into it, slicing open a finger on my left hand and almost breaking my left shoulder. I’d never been “doored” before. After a couple of seconds of deep breaths, my bike and legs still seemed to work so I limped away. I hadn’t taken off my glove to check the damage underneath but noticed on the way to Bolton Abbey that both my glove and left brake lever were turning a lovely shade of red. In the café, I spent some quality time taping my finger together and marvelling at the very large emu egg slowly rising from my shoulder and rendering it useless.

Our bad luck continued just outside of Bolton Abbey when Ian punctured on a cattle grid. After that however, the sun came out and we enjoyed some tremendous views over some chunky climbs through Appletreewick, Greenhow and Pateley Bridge. New boy Jonny was very spritely through these sections.

It was a good ride in the end. I’d put a 100 miles on the clock d2d, which I was glad to do in view of some big rides coming up. The blood flow oozing from my finger is happily starting to ease up today while the mean ‘tattoo’ on my shoulder is looking very impressive indeed. Good news is that I’ll definitely be available for selection next week. Special thanks to my fellow riders who kept everything under control throughout, particularly Dave C and Ian who were absolutely fantastic at looking after the group on the return leg. Fingers crossed that’s my bad luck out of the way for a while!

On Sunday, I took the family out for a walk and pub lunch – driving back, I yelled to Steen & Andrew outside Strensall, chugging back from what looked like a frolic on the Moors – Steen smiled to me so I’m assuming that was a ‘thumbs up’ for the Sunday club run’s day out.

D.

Me, Paul Scott and Jonathan Bynoe headed out on a big loop on Saturday. This went from York via South Newbald, Sledmere, Humanby, Scarborough and Langdale End and then finishing back in York. According to my cycle computer it was 139 miles. It was also my first ride with my new Carradice seatbag (13L) or should I say bag of many delights, which I rather overfilled!

I was really hoping for much better weather and we found the journey from the start to be both cold and rainy. I wore my boil in the bag raincoat from the start until 7pm, which was probably the warmest time of the day. It turned especially grim from South Newbald to just before Humanby with the rain, hail and the wind doing much to impede progress.

In Sledmere, we all shared my sandwiches whilst sheltering behind the wall from the hail next to the closed Sledmere house café. We then had a lovely cake and hot chocolate just off the B1249 and the followed this up with fish, chips and peas in Scarborough. The south bay was quite sunny by the time we got there and the cliff and castle held off the wind.

We hoped to make use of the wind on the way back but we were sheltered from it in Langdale End and then found it had died altogether when we got to Thornton le Dale. At least it was not against us!

The ride however back from Langdale End was stunning and and the blue sky made everything look wonderful.

Below is the link to the route plan:

http://connect.garmin.com/course/3400743

There were 6 in the square for the 8.45 ride. Unfortunately Karl wasn't feeling too good, but had turned up with route maps, so we all knew where we were going. Hope you're feeling better for the Pock Pedal.

Sunshine and showers was the forecast, and was exactly what we got. I particularly remember the sun shining up the Leavening Bank climb.


Paul joined us at Sand Hutton and decided to go home for a cup of tea as we rode into a wet Malton. Hail stones with a strong side wind were to follow on the drag up to Coneysthorpe.


Nice and steady average of 27Kmh (16.5 Mph), and 2 or 3 surprising Strava results

In short, great company, lots of weather, and a smashing route.

We had 10 out on the MTB club run. From the top of Sutton Bank we followed the Cleavland way took in 4 great decents, lunch at Osmotherly and headed back up Black Hambelton back to the cars. A great day out, well done to all.

Simon

Three of us for the Sunday ride Andrew formally known as Graham DanG
and myself. Shame more can not make it on a Sunday as rides like this one to Castleton are great preparation for more adventurous challenge rides of the summer.
We had a good tail wind with us most of the morning so we made great progress to Hutton le Hole. The Chimney Bank road at Rosedale was in better order than I remember it form last year which made going down it less dangerous. We took all the climbs at a comfortable pace and stuck together. However on the decent into Fryup Dale it was everyone for himself. This has to be one of the best bits of road you are ever likely to ride on on a Club Run. Stunning views and a quick safe long decent.
The Cafe at Castleton gave us quick service and we had the usual fight on our hands going up the hill for the right turn to Weasterdale.
When we go onto the ridge road the fight to stay on our bikes was extreme with a very strong cross wind which we had to lean into to make progress.
After that the head wind that faced on the way home after Kerbymoorside did not seem so bad. We had kept dry until Sheriff Hutton then a light rain developed into a bit more of a down poor by the time we were back in York for about 4 O' clock. 94 miles made for a great day out on our bikes.

Steen

Sutton bank visitors centre saw an invasion by the clifton riders on sunday morning namely Ian,Simon,Adam,Chris (Single speed MTN bike, ouch !!!),Jay(birthday boy !) & Sarah, Jez, Steve and paul scott (who had been out on his road bike the day before for a few miles)

Just a quick thanks to Simon for leading last sundays MTN ride and making sure everyone was cared for, in short it was spectacular. We did however cut it a few miles shorter than you had originally planned, and yes next time you say a full days ride we'll know it means just that !!

Never the less despite the showers, lack of sun and the headwind (which was always present regardless of which direction we rode) we all had an amazing time.

Note: i learnt (the hard way) that bar ends on a MTN are a BIG rookie mistake !!

Darren; sorry to hear about your injury, really impressed you soldiered on till the end( Hat tip ). it was nice bumping into you last saturday on my (back to the beginning) K ride just to ease my knee back into the swing of things; and who better to do it with than with Kevin

i have finally decided to go for the Pock Ped this weekend, i remember taking to Dr Dave about this on my very first ride late last november, i haven't been cycling through this last winter enduring all possible variations of the weather ( Not to mention all possible variations of falls & bruises ) just to give up now.

so hopefully i'll see you at the start line (don't bother waiting at the finish line )


joe

P.S Did i mention that paul scott had done 140 MILES the day before !! ( a Hat tip to you too sir )