Clifton CC

I'll make a rare visit to the G&R discussion board to kick this off, having been out for one of my annual post-race-season K rides yesterday. The weather was pretty good for September, and when the sun came out over Bransdale it was really pretty magical. I always reckon on Kevin showing me roads I never knew existed, and this was no exception. A good lunch stop (great chat and toasted by halogen lighting!) and many thanks to Matt and Mally for company on the uphill bits. 83 miles and 4000-odd feet of climbing.

There was talk over lunch about power meters and numbers, and so (by special request by Kevin), the numbers were:- Average power 135W, Normalised Power (taking into account the variability) 190W, overall average speed 14.8mph. For anyone who wants to see how this compares with the race efforts of the big boys, then take a look at http://www.flammerouge.je/factsheets/doipower082.htm and for anyone else who just fancies a good steady Saturday café-stop ride on a great route then turn up and introduce yourself to Kevin!

Sunday saw 3 head to the coast, leaving 6 of us to ride the Dirty Clubrun. IanH, Cooky, Steen and self on cross bikes, AndyG and Eric on road bikes with 25mm slicks. It was the sort of ride when any choice of weapon would have been a compromise.

Out through Strensall and onto High Stittenham. Bridlepath to Terrington, then more tracks through Castle Hoaward, eventually bringing us out on the Northern Ridge. Spied Nick and Helen Scull running the other way, and Ian and Dave were soon off the bike for a spot of mud-wrestling. Headed east then, joining tarmac again at Easthorpe for the descent into Malton.

A leisurely refuel in the cafe, including the largest pile of toast you've ever seen. Then up Settrington Bank as the sun came out before picking up the centenary way to N Grimston and Birdsall. Vessey Pastures and a hairy descent into Thixendale. IanH somehow managed to beach himself on top of a thornbush, and Andy rescued him while I was too late with the camera.... Just left a final climb W out of Thixendale, "named Thixen Dale" on the map, before back onto tarmac for the ride home.

Lots of grins, too many punctures (though half of them were on the tarmac sections), fantastic vistas, much banter, and surprisingly tired legs to finish.

65 miles (I'll not charge you for the extra) at 13 mph, 1200m of climb and 191 normalised W (alright, I made that bit up). Thanks for the ride everyone. Mention in dispatches for the smooth pedaling of Eric and Andy enabling them to maintain traction, and to Erics recently healed collar-bone which apparently survived the vibration.

Late start of 0930 next Sunday for a ride out to the Hill Climb, from whence you have the choice of competing, spectating, marshaling or riding on somewhere else.

Usual service then resumes the following week.

What an enjoyable ride that was and many thanks to Rob who has covered the ride above, it was a great laugh rolling over onto soft grass was no problem the prickly bush was tricky as the narrow path took us so close I caught my right pedal on it and just stopped and slid over with the lower leg receiving a few thorn scratches but at least it took my mind off the earlier nettle stings.

A really good workout overall, looking forward to Scotton already.

Ian H.

Yes, thanks to Rob for a great adventure! It's good to be back out riding with Clifton.

I think all the work re-inflating tires with the mini-pump was harder on my shoulder than the riding. The shoulder isn't significantly more sore than the rest of me is today, so we'll chalk it up to getting back into shape.

I'll be out next Sunday for the hill climb (to help and possibly to ride).

I just took a look at the map of our route. By my count, it looks as though the Dirty Club Run involved 18 miles off road for 27% of the route by distance (and probably about 50% by time).

Well done to Eugene Cross for winning the junior event at the Bridlington hillclimb last weekend!
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