Clifton CC

Four Sunday Clubbers in the Square, Rob, Mike, myself, - and it was great to see Mal out as well – even though he said he would probably split off early in the ride. The cool breeze kept the temp down but it was a great day to be out. As we headed west towards Wetherby, Mal was true to his word and turned off. Then came Wetherby, Netherby, Kirkby Overblow & Beckwithshaw, stayed above Fewston Reservoir before dropping down to the café at Darley Mill. Nice little spot too! There’s been a few very odd but amusing highlights for me this year (such as the electrified bike incident) and today Rob having to squeeze a strategically placed old car horn on the wall next to the front cake counter to get the attention of the waitress so that they would come out to greet us is now right up there in the top 5 special moments of 2013!

After lunch, we had the traditional Clifton post-lunch hill to grapple with at Summerbridge, my first time up Harwith Bank. Somewhere after Brimham Rocks, Mike strayed a bit too far to the left to let a car pass, edged off the tarmac, and went A over T. He did very well to gather himself, mend his bike and get back on the road with multi-blood gushers from fingers and knee. Until that point, Mike had been flying around the hills and was impressive up Harwith Bank. We then took a nice route with the wind on our backs through Warsill to Markington and on to Burton Leonard. Rob took Mike home via Aldwark Bridge while I split off to return via Tockwith. 80 miles D2D for me and nicely home by 2.30pm. Mike’s mishap was a bummer but he did very well to recover – although I reckon he's in for an unpleasant night’s sleep! Big thanks to both Rob and Mike for a very nice day in the sun.

D.

Another weekend on the dark side for me riding The Halifax Sailing Club MTB challenge, a thirty mile timed ride in the moors to the West of Haworth. I know the organiser quite well through work and he's got good MTB skills, so when he talked about it being technical in places I worried we'd be riding off cliffs and other silly things like that. I needn't have worried, the route was well designed and in my view being the technical equivalent of the red run at Dalby. Actually, it reminded me, because of the amount of track and a bit of road riding a lot of our Scotton. I'd say a good rider could have done it on a cross bike though none did. However, (and I'd have to ride both back to back to really judge) even though half the distance, I'd say physically it's quite a lot harder than the Scotton. Our back yard: The North York Moors is like The Shire, the Pennines: the Mountains of Mordor, made more demanding still, by a strong cold wind on the hill tops today. There was a lot of climbing, some road but many long drags on rocky tracks, their rocky surface adding another level of physicality over the smooth tarmac I'm more used to riding up.

Sitting here with the inevitable glass or two of red recovery drink I feel I want to ride the route again quite soon at a more leisurely pace, I missed some gorgeous views whilst focussed on riding the trail as quick as I could.

I've already lightly pencilled this ride in for next year, but what it really needs is a presence of the illustrious red and black. There'll be two spaces in my car for next year if anyone wants to give it go anyway.

Broom Wagon, ill have a go, wanting to get into some mountain bike/trail riding this year anyway.

Good oh, I'll post nearer the time.

Here's the web address for today's event BTW.


http://www.halifaxsailingclub.org.uk/pa ... llenge.htm

A trip to the seaside was the order of the day for 'A' group on Saturday. Filey was the destination. I will try a roll call but apologies if any names are wrong. Dave C, Ian H, dr Dave, matt, Neil, Pete, Karl, paul, John c, along with myself set off in weather that was a bit disappointing despite the forecast, rather cool we even had some light drizzle. Headed out through Stockton, up the climb to Acklam mast, Birdsall, Settrington, west lutton, hummanby, muston, and back via flixton wold, thwing, sledmere, milling ton and back through Stockton.

As is normal for me most weeks I must thank everybody for waiting to regroup. After a couple of weeks off my legs certainly feel it today. But thanks for the ride guys. Another long day for me with the additional miles to and from York but hope o to be out again soon

Jon

14 riders out for the 8:45 am Saturday ride. I p*&%£$ed a mile after riding over some broken glass in the A19/Ring Road underpass which was a frustrating start - thanks everyone for waiting - and we then wound our way up to Helperby, Yearsley Bank, Hovingham.

I left the group at Terrington for a solo ride to Stokesley via Chimney Bank and my first attempt at getting up it. Having announced this to the 8:45 ride, I then had every man and his dog proceed to psych me out about the terror of Rosedale Chimney!

I took their warnings though and soft-pedalled all the way to Rosedale and then said a little prayer to the biking gods before setting off. I followed their advice - go round the outside of the hairpins and take it easy until after the second hairpin because it gets worse - and it did! I was very, very pleased to get to the top of that monster in one piece! I can see why it ranks so highly in UK climbs.

Anyway, I rewarded myself with a well-earned pint of Black Sheep in the Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge. And then discovered a fantastic spot near Westerdale which we went back to the following day with kids for picnic, rope swinging and exploring the stream. Great weekend all round.

reubenbarrett wrote: And then discovered a fantastic spot near Westerdale which we went back to the following day with kids for picnic, rope swinging and exploring the stream. Great weekend all round.

I believe that spot is known as Hob Hole.....

Ian Hallett and I did our 600km Audax 613km if your that interested.
The route was over the hills and far away York (7.15am) , Thirsk Barnard Castle Brampton Langholm (Scotland at this point) back to Longtown via Gretna
Haltwhistle. Staying the night on a floor in a village hall at a place called Snods Edge. I say night we got in at 2.45am second back and were last out of the door at 8.30 the next day. One guy got in at 6.30am had 30 mins cat nap and was out again just after 7am.

Back up to Haltwistle down to Alston Barnard Castle Kerby Fleetham Leaming Bar York.

This was a hard ride for us with a head wind all Saturday which would have taken at least and hour off our time and much energy. Lots did not make it over 5 DNF. After finishing I would have said never again. Now I am coming round to the idea that this could make a great 3 day tour as the countryside is beautiful in the hills to the north. Or a interesting 2 day challenge ride cutting out some of the km and ditching the A69. With a nice hotel with a bar. Will put it to the challenge council for next year.
Next weekend something local very local.

Steen

Ha! Well done. The guy who got 30 minutes sleep was the last to finish. I don't blame him: he only took up distance cycling after retirement and he's one of the organising committee of London-Edinburgh-London - so I don't think he's had much time for bike riding this year! I heard that only half of the starters successfully finished, so double chapeau to both of you.

There's the 3 Coasts 600 running from Mytholmroyd next week if you fancy