Clifton CC

Tan Hill Back Entry. The most important news is that Ian H had a wipeout on the Tan Hill descent. Only about 2 km below the summit - very strong tailwind. Ian was enjoying himself and although I was humming along at 70 kph, Ian was rapidly disappearing into the distance. Ian misjudged a rise/bend, left the road, went over the bars and found a rare soft bit.

Lessons (Ian's wife, Barbara asked me to share them):
1. That's the 4th Clifton wipeout on that road that I'm aware of - take it steady!
2. The three of us behind Ian never saw him. It was last man in the group who spied a raised arm 3m from the road and called us back. Had we missed him, we would probably have gone all the way to Reeth before realising, and from there goodness knows how we'd have found him. Stay together.
3. Within a few minutes Ian had struggled to his feet. The notion that if you can move your hands and feet then your back is alright is a myth. He's broken two vertebrae and will be off the bike for 3 months. We should have kept him still and called an ambulance - it'd have been quite a wait.

Ian is having a brace fitted and may be home tomorrow. Could have been much worse.

Otherwise a good ride. No Darren, so responsibility to wax lyrical falls to me I guess. Will struggle with that given the crash. But thanks go to my comrades on the day (other Ian, Andy, Steen and Nigel). 175 miles door to door in a smidge over 10 hours riding time. 3 contrasting mountains, 2 pleasant cafe's, loads of banter, lots of new roads. Very hard day, am rather delicate today.

All the best to Ian.

My weekend consisted of completing the 1 day C2C from Seascale to Whitby. Riding time was a shade over 10 hours with 151 miles completed and 13,500 ft of climbing.

Andy

Very sorry to hear about Ian but still, glad to hear he's still with us. Life does throw him some knocks, doesn't it?

I finally got the results for the ECCA 100. It turns out I won on handicap with a margin of 3 seconds, which ain't a lot over 100 miles!

Results are here. I was also the slowest male senior, but we shan't talk about that

Remember everyone, the Three Bridges and the Bridges and Beaches are open for entires, and will be for another week. They start from Stamford Bridge, they're a flat 100 miles and a slightly less flat 140 miles (225km), they start at 9am and 8:30 respectively from Stamford Bridge. What's more, they're very reasonably priced! You can enter online here for the next week, after which it's entries to me on the day in SB. See you there.

Sorry to hear about the incident on the Tan Hill ride. Hope you get back in the saddle as soon as possible Ian.

I didn't actually manage to do any cycling over the weekend but did assist with marshalling duties at the Veterans Race, part of The Clifton Road Race Day, on Sunday morning. This followed on from my marshalling debut at the North Yorkshire Road Race League meeting on Thursday evening.

Until Thursday, I hadn’t even attended a Club race, never mind marshall at one, and so I was slightly apprehensive when I arrived at the venue. However, I was quickly put at ease by the efficiency and calmness of the other volunteers and I was paired with a member of the traffic management team who explained exactly what was required. Big thanks to Rich and John for keeping me right.

Both occasions were a great experience and it was quite thrilling to witness these guys racing at first hand. In the Vets Race on Sunday, some riders from other Clubs actually took the time, while racing past on the final lap, to say thanks for looking after us and keeping the road safe. A gesture which made it even more worthwhile.

Can I just reiterate what has been said in other posts. It is absolutely fantastic that our Club can organise these events and we are the envy of many other Clubs in being able to do so. However, even my (so far) minor involvement has highlighted that it is predominantly the same people who volunteer and help out every time.

Honestly, if I can do it then anyone can and I encourage everyone who has a spare few hours to put their name forward and assist with running a Club event. You’ll find it a rewarding experience and it'll also ease the pressure, just a little bit, on the people who do it regularly.

Craig

Really sorry to hear about bad crash on Tan Hill ride. Get well soon.

8:45am ride was well attended again with 13 in the square and we picked up another 2 on the road. Pace was "brisk" but the group stayed together most of the time which was great. We even managed an extra 5 miles or so over the planned route by diverting via the A168. 62 miles in total which wasn't too shabby before noon for a social ride.

A couple of new faces at the square which was great and we looked after them but after around Easingwold they decided to make their own way home at a more genteel pace. I don't think this is the ideal ride for newer riders as the pace is probably a bit too quick but it's great to see new faces interested in the club and I encourage them anyway.

Only had a couple of hours on Saturday so joined the 8.45 Social ride for the first hour before branching off and hammering home. Nice to catch up with some familiar faces!

Referring to Reuben's post and comments made last week may I make an observation? I'm not sure this ride is optimally named. The term 'social' carries connotations of conversation and moderate pace that might appeal to new members or relatively inexperienced riders. The reality is December training ride pace with the likes of Shaun, Tony G, John S, Paul S pulling on the front at 20mph. Perhaps 'brisk' or 'spirited' might reflect the nature of the ride more closely?

I agree Dr Dave.

This ride started off a couple of months ago as a relatively social 16-18mph and is now a 19mph brisk ride. I'm trying to hold back the increase in pace to stop this just turning into a slightly slower training ride but it is also dictated a bit by the riders that attend regularly and most seem up for, and capable of, a faster ride.

But then we are also scaring off those that want a morning ride and are quite capable riders but would really like a more social pace. Several of them are turning up because they can't commit all day to one of the other rides that would better suit and they like the idea of being back before noon. So I suspect there is significant appetite out there for a genuinely social pace Saturday morning ride and this will only grow over the next year with TdF in Yorkshire, Giro in Ireland etc.

Anyway, I agree with your labelling of this ride as brisk/spirited. I think the recent changes to the website are great and make it pretty clear that this ride is reasonably quick and suited to experienced riders.

Dr Dave wrote: I'm not sure this ride is optimally named.... Perhaps 'brisk' or 'spirited' might reflect the nature of the ride more closely?

Couldn't agree more Dave and this is why we put up the new page on the website last week to try to describe the various rides more accurately. The words 'brisk' and 'suitable for experienced riders' should hopefully quantify.

I also stress that this is a social ride. I suppose everyone has their own definition of what social is but mine is to have a ride and a good chat on the way round and there was was plenty of that going on Saturday. Nice weather too and well led by Reuben which made for a top mornings' ride.

8:45 ride for me as a "first timer" big thanks to Rueben, and a few guys that did'nt get their names, for making me feel welcome, giving me a few tips.
The ride was on the faster side of "BRISK", looked like a few of the guys did a bit of racing?
About 18/19 miles in I new that I was out of my depth, the group did wait a couple of times, and thanks to one of the stronger riders (in black) that came back and tried to tow me back to the group.
Just before Easingwold I decided the ride was to fast and told Rueben I would make my own way back. Had the good company of Nick, another newbie to that ride, who also found the pace a bit to quick aswell, we rode back together 16.6 mph, 54 miles, back to Woodthorpe for about 12:15 ish.
Its a pity that the pace was that "brisk or spirited" as the first 20 miles took there toll on me.
Anyway just have to shed a few pounds and get some more miles in !
Cheers Bri.