Clifton CC

10 Intermediates headed out to Leyburn on Saturday under blue skies: Darren, Karl, Kevin W, Rich, Dr Joe, Nigel, Matt, Stu, Ian H and self. I think we were all ticking along nicely but of course Stu was out and that means......Sprinting! Not having Stu with us for several weeks we had all rather forgotten the Saturday contests for the Maillot Vert but as we approached Helperby there was a surge from behind as Stu got the jump on us and took the first points of the day unopposed.
Unfortunately about a mile after Helperby we noticed that Darren had disappeared. No one had heard a shout so Matt vounteered to return in case he'd stopped for a mechanical or p*****re but returned a few minutes later with no news of the missing rider. Hope nothing grim befell you Darren?
Thereafter we made steady progress via Asenby and Masham to Leyburn with the hills and sprints being tackled with enthusiasm in varying measure and Leyburn soon hove into view. the Posthorn did us proud as usual and we were soon heading home.
Our route took us to Jervaux, then deviated right up the climb taken by the Dales Grimpeur towards Healey and Leighton reservoir before trending back towards Grewelthorpe. A few of the lanes were gravel-strewn everyone took care and no adverse consequences occurred along here, we rejoined the main road before Grewelthorpe before passing back via Markington.
All was going well as we crossed the A168 nr Marton until a sudden series of shouts was accompanied by the sound of carbon on tarmac. Poor Dr Joe had clipped a wheel and taken a tumble. Fortunately nothing was broken but he had sustained road rash to his R shin from which blood was oozing. A passing motorist offered some paper towels which were used to stem the flow and after a few minutes we were off again with Joe bravely nursing himself back to town.
All in all a good day out apart from Joe's unfortunate tumble. Hopefully this won't detract too much from his holiday cycing in the Alps this week.
I'm not out next Saturday - I'll start a separate thread for a discussion on plans for the Tour weekend...

Trying to make sure we get some traditional Sunday rides in between the misc epic rides that litter the calendar in the summer months. Hence the planned 85 mile jaunt along the southern edge of the Moors. Just 4 of us in The Square (Alison, Eric and Steen). Perfect riding conditions and quiet lanes. Bulmer - Terrington - Caulkley's - Wombleton - Gilamoor - H-le-H - Cropton - Newton - RS descent to Levisham Station then onto T-le-D for much needed refuel.

Alison and Eric have done a few miles between them - ask them about Boston to Seatle ride next time you see them....

Pleasant coffee in the sun, then standard route home. Much traffic in CH, presumably the A64 was bunged up. Back in York at 3-30. Classic ride. Thanks for the company guys.

Next week's "Tour Avec Clifton", c'est tres dur! Details to follow.....

It really was a great weather w/e to be out on the bike.

Without wishing to start an advice session on egg sucking, I thought I’d share a couple of tips that quite randomly drifted into my head on Saturday:

1. Back riders: If you’re riding at the rear end of the group, it’s amazingly easy to turn off, put the feet up and start dreaming about sipping pina coladas by the pool. Please don’t do this. You need to have the radar fully engaged and on the lookout for mad drivers zooming up our backside, riders dropping off the back for whatever reason, velociraptors picking riders off, etc. You need to have chameleon eyes, one looking forwards and another looking backwards, as well as a trigger finger ready to fire on the megaphone.

2. Danger calls: As most already know, it’s also great practice for riders on the front to call out potential dangers: eg. Hole!...Horse!…Shark!!, etc. At the same time, it’s all about quality rather than quantity – too much jabber on the call lines makes riders jumpy & jittery. Most road obstacles can be dodged with a hand gesture, and if done early, the group will stay relaxed and safe. On the previous weekend’s 170 mile Lincoln ride, I heard half a dozen calls all day. So, some free tips: There’s no need for every single rider in the group to repeat a call made on the front. There’s no need to yell ‘sheep’ when you see one grazing. When you reach a stretch of rough stuff on the road surface, a single call from the front is normally enough. Most of the seasoned campaigners don’t call out much at all, but when they do yell, you listen, and you react. Imagine trying to be heard over the top of a bunch of squawking galahs - literally an exercise in futility.

I apologise to the majority who already know all this; even my eyes are starting to glaze over But it’s important to air stuff like this so that we’re all on the same wavelength and can enjoy a relaxed and fun day out together.

Hope Dr Joe’s OK.

See you on the next one!



D.

Agree with this - without wanting to be critical of peoples understandable desire to warn other riders of significant hazards there can sometimes be excessive calling out. Then the 'cry wolf' scenario kicks in and a call for a real hazard can be mistakenly dismissed with negative consequences.
Whilst we're in 'holier than thou' mode can I also put in a plea for riders on the front to avoid freewheeling. This leads to chaos behind as riders in the slipstream have to brake to avoid hitting the freewheeing front rider. This then causes gaps to close and it's all to easy for wheels to touch with crashes the result. Please can we keep modest pressure on pedals when on the front.
Sorry to lecture (and I know I am far from perfect) but if being a whinging nag means less crashes then I reckon it's justified