Clifton CC

Another Saturday with favourable weather conditions and 9 riders (Dave B, Graham, Jai S, John B, John C, Jon G, Nigel, Stu and myself) electing for the “A” Group ride. Despite Claire G mocking that it was “So two weeks ago!“, the “K” Group having ridden it a fortnight earlier, the proposed route was Cockayne Clockwise and a cafe stop at Hutton Le Hole.

We set off at a tidy pace and were quickly through Haxby and Strensall. Graham picked up a puncture close to Sutton on the Forest and as I chatted to Dave B it was clear he wasn’t quite 100%, recovering from a throat infection. Puncture fixed, we got going again but had lost Dave B before Brandsby. Stu and I retraced the last part of the route but Dave was nowhere to be seen. We were pretty certain he’d simply chosen a more direct route to Hutton Le Hole but it’s always a bit of a concern.

The Ice Cream parlour in Helmsley was quite tempting but I kept that thought to myself and we began the long, steady climb up to Cockayne. Stu and Jai quickly disappeared into the distance, leaving the rest of us strung out over the climb. Conditions were almost perfect and we regrouped at the first gate before tackling the second section, round to Gillamoor and onto the cafe at Hutton Le Hole. As suspected, it was confirmed that Dave B had made it to the cafe but we’d missed him by around 30 minutes.

We chose the easiest route out of Hutton Le Hole but my legs were still beginning to hurt as we passed through Slingsby and turned onto Castle Howard Drive. Fortunately, Stu decided to change a tube and the enforced break was just enough to recoup some energy for the last effort back to York.

Bizarrely, we overtook Dave B, on a bit of a cool-down , as we headed into York and it was good to see he’d got back safely.

Another 90-miler in lovely weather conditions averaging 16.6mph. A quick mention for Jai, on his first ride with the “A” Group. I’d love to tell you exactly how he got on but the closest I got to him all day was to share a table at the cafe. Joking aside, a strong and disciplined ride by Jai and welcome company for Stu on the climbs, despite his best efforts to shake him off.

Thanks to the other guys on Saturday as it was quite a tough ride and I was hanging on a bit at times and well done to everyone who gave the Hill-climb a go on Sunday.

It was a 4am call for L'eroica in Gaiole in Chianti on Sunday morning. Despite the car being stuck in the mud following a day of torrential rain on Saturday I got to the start, received my first of 9 checkpoint stamps and was off...in complete darkness! Utter bonkers madness then followed for nearly 15 hours of cycling on 205km on what are laughingly accepted as roads, up 3,500m of climbing on a 59 year old bike.

L'eroica is a classic ride. It also feels as if there is a disregard for life, limb, and machine. With the number of riders completing the long course falling as I neared the end I am very glad I finished it. Enough said.

Just to let those who witnessed my debacle of a fall, following the hillclimb on Sunday, that I'm alright if somehat incapcitated. After the obligatory 5 hours wait in A&E (never ever fall off on a weekend) the verdict was that I hadn't broken anything, which was a relief. I'm on crutches as I can't put any weight on my right hip and I'm under strict instructions from my better half to stay in bed. Thanks to everyone for accompanying me back to York, and in particular to RichardD, for shepherding me home and lending me his shoulder at the traffic lights so I didn't have to put a foot down. It was the longest 25 miles of my life! It's certainly one way to improve left leg strength but not one to be recommended. I hope I can start moving about soon and get back on my bike before the weather reverts to the normal autumnal greyness.

Went with the 845ride on Sat on a nice morning.Heading to Brimham rocks with about 14 in the group.Again a few from the race side turned out with a lot i don't know . Once again the route was spot on prepared by Tony.Lot of back roads that were new to me and a few I'd riden lot so a nice mix.Really enjoyed my morning cheers.

Flippin’ heck, Andy G having a fall, Stu leading the A’s over the climbs (equivalent to Cav leading them over Alpe D’Huez), a 15 year old winning the Hill Climb, - the world’s gone crazy!

My weekend started on Saturday with a 4 hour MTB NYMBO orienteering event out of Pocklington in a big loop around the Wolds. The event went east beyond Huggate and as far north as Thixendale. I pushed it hard around the hills and PB’d my points haul which gave me a creditable 5th in the old blokes category. I later realised that most of the category winners had chosen the opposite direction to me, going ACW rather than my route of CW, which probably cost me a bit. A sensational day though!

I backed up again next day for the Hill Climb, the most difficult climb of the day involving climbing out of bed. When I arrived at Bishop Wilton, I thought I’d turned up to my son’s school sports day - kids everywhere! As Richard said on the other thread, it’s the adults that should feel intimidated by the youngsters in the Hill Climb now, I think they’ve found their niche event. Big congratulations go to Eugene and Jen for storming victories. Also big congratulations to Craig for winning the tractor pulling contest on the MTB. I PB’d my time on the Massey Ferguson by 15 seconds which I’m attributing entirely to Andy G for his expert pusher-off skills on debut and his ability (or not! ) to get me ‘into the zone’ on the start line. I came back down the hill a bit after my run to take some photos for the mag and stood with some Mums who said they were witnessing “more puffing and panting than a busy day on the York Hospital maternity ward!” The organisers deliver a fantastic hill climb event every single year and this year was no exception. Again huge thanks go to Claire, Rob, Siobhan and friends for making it an amazingly enjoyable and social event.

D.

After marshalling on the 3 Peaks race last weekend, Sunday at Temple Newsam I had a bash at my 1st ever cyclocross race. Baptism by fire resulted in a crash on the recce lap with some nasty tree roots, but unlike the black stuff, no injuries, no road rash and actually quite funny!! On to the race, a disaster with a broken chain before the end of the 1st lap, back to the pits and links removed and chain sort of fastened together I rejoined and sort of finished the race. Great fun, great atmosphere and really made welcome by everyone, made even better by an almost summers day. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a no pressure go at racing their bike