Clifton CC

Lots to hear about this week - plethora of Saturday rides, Chris Wilson Mem ride, Cyclo-cross...

Sunday Clubrun for me. Some experience assembled in The Square. AndyG's first full clubrun after fracturing his pelvis after the Hill Climb, Mussy, Birthday-boy IanK (it was a big one), Nigel, TonyG and self.

Mussy told me we had a couple of other aniversarries. 10years ago Mussy, IanK an me had three days hostelling in the Peaks. The atmosphere threw the kitchen-sink at us, the hills were relentless. As darkness fell we had a ford to cross. I let Paul go first (he's a great canary). The ford looked innocuous, but the sheer force of the water just took Paul's wheels out from under him. His first words: "Don't tell Kevin!"

20years ago to the weekend was my first official Clifton Clubrun. It remains the benchmark against which all clubruns are compared. There were about a dozen of us. At the top of White Horse Bank it started to snow. A few decided enough was enough and headed back. It left me, Mussy, Ted Hughes, Tony Mills, Dave Byworth and Karl Bentley to push on to Osmotherley. In the cafe the wet snow started to go horizontally past the window. We looked nervously at each other. The ride back turned into an epic. Snow clogged everything turning wheels into disc wheels and limitting gear selection to whatever we started in. Karl disappeared into the blizzard towards Thirsk Station. Byworth was on tubs (I ask you!) and punctured twice, inevitably. We were reduced to unstitching and fixing the tub in the snow. Will tell you the rest on a ride sometime.....

Anyway, Osmotherley it was again, only 10oC warmer than 20 years ago. Went clockwise for a change. No major mishaps. Roads a little slimey and requiring care. Some fantastic vistas. Lots of climbing. Open fire in the cafe. Great company. Back in York well before 4, about 90 miles, but my electronics had run out of battery by then.

Next week should be Scarborough for Xmas dinner, but will call the cafe to check not flooded out. Watch this space.

15 turned out for the MTB ride from Chop Gate yesterday, organised as a memorial to Chris Wilson. The plan was to ride the route of one of the rides Chris led over the Cleveland Hills to Kildale for a Cafe and return to the PH in Chop Gate to meet Chris's parents for a quick drink.

The car park was already fairly full when I arrived, slightly late having had the debate with myself, 'what should I wear?' In the Car Park we all commented how mild it was for this time of year...but I had one eye on the clouds whizzing past above our heads. Things would be different up top.

We set off up the hill but it soon became clear there was a large group of mixed ability and our plan might have to change. By the time we were at the top the wind was having a say too. We persevered a little before we called on Paul's local knowledge for an alternative with a bit more shelter. So we headed for the Moors to the NW and more tree cover.

Great ride, one of those that really makes you feel alive, but some bike washing was called for at the end.

The 8.45 ride at 9 went to Pannal and back. Usual crew again: , Tony G, Howard, Mike, Dave C Paul S and self.
I had special crystal cranks fitted this week after a gruelling turbo session 36 hrs earlier. Will I never learn?
56 miles at 17.6.

Gawd, reading Rob's post, have I really been around that long. I wonder if when Rob became a regular when I was having one of my periodic, I'm giving up cycling forever spells - never managed that and I've stopped trying now. I still think of Tony Mills as a newbie to Clifton, he started being a regular club rider along with a few others including Sam Streeton. Tony's still around, usually to be seen on the Scotton 100, seems just as quick as ever - good man. Dave's always been around, even back then he was telling us of his past heyday as a 2nd Cat. Ted was a hard road man, he'd sit at the front whatever the weather bashing out 20 mph all day long. I haven't seen him for a long time, I hope he's doing well. Then there's the legend himself Karl Bentley, I'll leave it to others to tell some of the stories you could tell your grandchildren. I still spot him occasionally on the cycle path alongside the A64 coming home from work.