Clifton CC

Sunday Clubrun. The Studley Stomp. 9 riders in The Square and we picked up John as planned en route making this the biggest group on a Sunday for a while. Partly due to the extra fire-power but also coupled with the first hints of spring in the air we made fairly rapid progress out through the lanes to Borobridge.

Half expected standing water between Roecliffe and Bishop Monkton. Despite self and Steen playing the part of flood-canaries the others decided their blouses were already wet enough... So the refusal at the water necessitated a long retrace back to BB and round through Skelton to Ripon.

Studley Royal and a few small hills round Fountains brought us to a very busy cafe in Ripley. Took a while and those who selected the outside seating must have got a bit cold. Then very quick tailwind ride home via the Knaresborough riverside. Pete's brother Mark riding very well on his first Sunday. Good to see Nigel out again and another cameo from AndyM, up from Sheffield, towing the group along.

Thanks for the company chaps. 70 odd miles and back in York for 2-30 despite a couple of punctures and a longish cafe stop.

Finally remembered to book Awards Evening ticket when I got home.
And renewed membership

Somewhere in The Wolds next week. Alliterative suggestions welcome.

Some of the youth section were racing the British SchoolsYorkshire Region cyclocross championships yesterday over at Liversedge West Yorks, Cavan and Kayleigh winning the under13 Boys and Kayleigh the under 11 Girls.

Well done to the two of you

The Intermediates “A” group this week consisted of: newcomers Alison and Eric (a couple from the US), Graeme, Darren N, John B, Kevin N, Dr. Dave and Tony G.
With the “K” ride moved to Sunday, we met our team coach Kevin S at the square and he handed us our training programme for the day. We had to pedal to Darley west of Harrogate for a café stop, share the usual one banana between all of us and then pedal back.

Sure enough we flogged ourselves against the driving headwinds and climbs up to ‘Brimham Rocks.’ These are several rock formations sticking out from a hilltop, carved into shape by thousands of years of wind, ice and rain… looking down at us cyclists carved into shape by years of wind, ice and rain.

After 3 hours we arrived at the café with mud and shiny streaks across our cheeks. Darley Mill is in the top quarter of cafes visited in terms of quality, so we definitely lowered the tone when entering that place. Need to bring an ironed shirt next time. Unfortunately we didn’t have a banana to share so instead had to eat baguettes, chips and cake. These rides are playing havoc with the waist line.
Feeling happily bloated, we then pootled home in such strong tailwinds, we even tested out the 11T cog for the first time this year.

74 miles with great company as usual.
(P.S. Check your rear brake pads with all of this wet weather- some of ours were very worn).