Clifton CC

Cockayne Loop ACW for the A-Riders this week. Slightly colder in the morning than expected but brightened nicely in the afternoon. 18 A’s in the square. The intention was to divide evenly into Double A and Triple A battery groups so we decided to let the law of natural selection take its course. There was an early traffic light split on the way out of York which could have stuck, but the front group decided it was way too far to go with mates of varying ability, so they waited.

The first split happened at Terrington Bank, where most said, “yep, there it goes, looks like that’s it for the day”, but nope, it soon came back again. Same at Caukleys Bank, and also the build through Fadmoor up onto the Moors. Every “yep, there it goes” call was soon followed by a “nope, it’s coming back” call. The natural splits had a strong tendency to, well, un-split. Matt was doing a sensational job of deploying his ‘teacher on a school excursion’ skills to count us off at regular intervals, so we were always kept in touch.

The wind was behind us going up Bransdale and so it was a manageable trip out to the back end of the loop, although we did cop a greater than usual level of abuse from the sheep. You underestimate the loop at your peril and so all I could think about on the way out was the fact that we’d have the headwind coming back up the steep bits. I wasn’t wrong either, with the steepest section virtually doubled in difficulty by the sudden exposure to a stonking big headwind. You had to dig deeper than a Chilean miner to get over the top.

After the café in Helmsley, we decided to head back through Coxwold, Husthwaite and Easingwold. We had a bit of luck with the headwind calming down as the afternoon sun came out. All in all, a typically challenging ride around the loop with a great crowd who, contrary to expectation, stuck together well and looked out for each other along the way. Lots of strong riding too, especially from Jay, Eric, Dr Dave, Sue, Alison, Jonny and Matt to name just a few. Thanks to all.

I can’t make it out next Saturday, then it’s the Fountains thingy the following weekend, seeya then.



D.

Thought I’d get our Sat ride post in too, before the Sunday riders, who’ll be all smug and jolly with having had the best cycling day of the year so far today!

Sat started chilly & grey for us, but undeterred 18 Inters and 9 ‘K’ riders congregated at the square. Our K group set off via SandHutton, Buttercrambe & Langton. I’m not sure why, but my engine is an old diesel these days and I was having to dig in just to hang on to the wheels ahead until the long drag of Gally Gap, when finally my temp gauge started to rise! TonyS, Bernard and one of the guys from the Inters group then took a left at N. Grimston for Malton, needing to get home for earlier engagements. Kevin led the 6 of us remaining off up the climb for Duggleby, K Grindlythe & Sledmere. Some sterling front riding by Kevin and MikeH gave us all a little shelter over the exposed tops as we slogged into the Wolds headwind.

I knew Kevin had planned 80+ miles this weekend and that mileage is a bit of a stretch for me these days. So I decided the Dave Brailsford approach of ‘marginal gains’ was required for me:
• I declined a 2nd glass of wine on Fri evening!
• I ditched the spare tyre (at least, the one I can leave behind) in favour of a tyre patch
• I left overshoes off (heavy and drag) and had plastic bags between my sox and shoes instead – worked a treat!
• Even ditched my winter wardrobe in favour of Spnng gloves, tights and top too!

Even with such meticulous preparation it was only with the joint efforts & wheels to follow from my team mates (Kevin; MikeH; Dave I’A; Jez & Ian) that the ride was completed so enjoyably and drama-free.
We arrived at Driffield Bell Mills café via that inspiring Cowlam-dale descent, ready for some warmth and calories! The wind dropped and the sun came out for the afternoon leg and a no-nonsense ride back via Hutton Cranswick, Tibthorpe, Huggate & Millington. Well done to Stillington-Ian, who rode into York & home for this ride – must have about hit the Century by the end of his day.

A cracking 82 miler, in great company.

Fantastic day for a classic Sunday route. Expected big crowds in the Square, but we got quality rather than quantity. Gill, Mussy, AndyG, Pete, Giles, Tony and self.

I wasn't alone in taking a decision at 0830 to (quite literally) dust off the summer bike. It felt great to be out in the sun, on a light bike heading out of York in tight formation. Tony turned back early, but not before telling me the great tale that the day before, he had ridden the Cockayne Loop a second time while the rest of the group were in the cafe - legendary stuff. Mussy headed for home at Cropton, and Gill, although rightly proud to have lasted longer than Muzzy, insisted you could have too much of a good thing and headed for Rosedale Tea Shop.

Giles managed to snap his chain on the climb out of Rosedale. We chopped a busted link out, and he was so impressed by the weight saving that he repeated the performance twice more in the afternoon. At least that put his big ring out of action.

Fryup Dale is one of my favourite roads (not least because of the name), but it was particularly spectacular today and I rode down with a permanent grin - it was like the air had been polished.

Saw a few Cliftonites heading out on our return including RichardD. Ashamed to say I barely had the strength left by then to raise hand from bar.

Great ride and my legs are suitably battered now.

Talk of Jordans next week. See you then.

R

Excellent ride as described by Claire with the K group on Saturday. Apologies to all for flying off after the turn for Murton but the light was fading and I didn't have any lights. Kevin as always did the right thing waiting but my apologies. Arrived home just at that point when the traffic lights are getting too bright against the darkening sky.

Sunday was an early start to get a few miles in with friends before having to do some work. Nothing serious but lovely cycling in the spring morning light. I even managed to call in 'Your Bike Shed' for a coffee on the way back into town and the bike rack was full. Great atmosphere in there on a Sunday morning. I still can't allow myself one of their breakfasts but they look very good.

Wales next weekend so see the YHA lot with tin pans and enamel mugs on 22nd