Clifton CC

Loads going on and I look forward to hearing tales from those grimping on Saturday.

Sunday clubrun for me. 6 of us in the Square (Cookie, Ian, Rob (new recruit), Neil, AndyT). Fantastic conditions for a ride. With all the long rides at the moment, thought it important to keep things the sensible side of 80 miles. Classic route up through Markington to Brimham. Café in Summerbridge, then back through Birstwithe, Beckwithshaw and Kirby Overblow. This a route we more commonly do in winter and it felt strange under blue skies. To be honest at times the verdant hedgerows looked so different that I was a little hesitant with route directions....

A jaunt to the seaside next week
Lincoln the week after - a long one
Then Lockton - Leversham
Then Le Tour avec Clifton

Fill yer boots!

Ideal conditions for the Grimpeur - broken cloud for the most part with moderate temperatures. I had previously only completed the shorter version, omitting the Wensley - Reeth - Middleham section a few years back and had memories of pushing the bike over Jordan's in a world of fatigue and cramp, so it was with an almost Broomy sense of trepidation ( ) that I set off.
Steen, Andy, John B and self formed a Clifton quartet with Gill C doing her own version of the ride popping up at various locations along the way. Dawn and Steve were also spotted a few times.
This is a tough ride with the climbs knawing their way through your legs until there's nowt left by the end. Knowing this we proceeded at a sensible pace ably lead by Andy. Time flew by and it was 1pm before we arrived at Hawes for lunch with the easier part of the ride behind us and the realisation that it would be 8pm before we finished.
The drag over Fleet Moss and then Park Rash took its toll and I for one was beginning to flag as we ascended North towards Grinton. John B was starting to feel the impact of the gradients as well but as a relative newcomer to the longer, faster, steeper school of club rides he did fantastically well and pedalled the whole way round with good humour.
By the time we crested Jordan's my legs were about to expire, my Garmin battery did and it was with relief that I coasted to the bottom where Andy was waiting, still looking comparatively fresh. John and Steen had given the OK for us to continue as it was getting late and so Andy set off down Nidderdale like a scalded cat with me and another Grimpeur pedalling furiously to remain in his wake.
This is the hardest ride in terms of combined distance and climbing I have done but I can heartily recommend it to anyone and would advise anyone to make a note in the diary to give it a go next year.

Sunday ride for me as Rob's post. Great route in nice weather with a good group of 5, perfect day out. Rob's knowledge of the road network is amazing, like a human os map!

Did the Thursday evening SPOCO tt. It would be great if more people had a go, they are great fun and any Clifton member can do them. It's also a good idea to have a rear light so car drivers can see us better.

Cheers

Dave

Thank you for the rite up Dave.
It was a long day, Big on hills & amazing views.
Big thanks to Andy, Dave & Steen for the ride & for the support over Jordans from Steen.

Cheers

John.

Well done to those completing the grimpeur. Bl***y tough ride

Filey for the inters this week. 12 started including myself, Karl, Graham, Kevin, Matt , fin, jenny, joe, Dave W, Richard, Nigel, and Eric, this sadly became 10 when Jenny had a bad tumble off the bike on the climb near upper hemsley. Fin and Jenny decide not to risk getting any further and turned back. I hope your ok jenny. Would be good to hear any news. The rest of us continued via the climb upto Acklam and duggleby through wold Newton and hummanby to Filey. Shortish cafe stop at the country park cafe on the cliff top and back through lebberston, cayton, twing, slemere and milling ton. Quite a few stops for minor mechanical issues with bikes, mostly chains jamming and coming off. I think one of these May have caused Jenny's fall. Even Graham tumbled Into the grass verge when changing down when the chain jammed. Thankfully no damage done. Richard had abad jam when the chain was thrown off and jamming badly between the cassette and spokes. This caused the wheel to lock and the skid mark on the road was impressive. Sadly I didn't witness it sprinkled in between these I p******d. Thanks for the co2 canister Karl I owe you one Eric joked we should all go on a bike maintenance course. Nota a bad suggestion

Rather along day with all the stops despite the decent pace set by some strong riding.

Apologies to Richard and Graham who turn off at Stamford bridge as Graham needed to be back. The rest of us had a short break for chocolate

Back home with just over 130 miles for me at 16.9av

Now looking forward to the etape de Yorkshire on Sunday. Should be good

See those doing it at the start hopefully

Jon