Clifton CC

As expected I got a bit of gentle teasing about suggesting the Sunday club run did a few more miles than trailed. As it happened I got the prescribed 100 in by the time I got to my door, though, we were doing this sort of mileage in some horrible conditions over winter. Some of those rides had me utterly beaten up by the time I got home (Osmotherly being the one that really stands out), whereas today I still have plenty of energy to dispense fatherly responsibilities such as shouting at the kids to stop trying to put the cat in the toaster and stop hitting each other with the garden spade as you'll damage it.

It was a really good group today once the exuberance over Leavening brow had been dealt with - I don't know how you do it. Perhaps I should also have questioned the terms and conditions of Stean's climbing pact he mentioned on Leavening too, not that I was able to hold a conversation, but it seemed to be a pact that consisted of Steen riding a speed just below that necessary to bring about my immediate cardiac arrest and expecting me to keep up.

But it was a good group with the stronger riders never doing enough to blow the group to pieces and the weakest rider (yes me) always able to do enough to stick in - so we moved along at a brisk rate. I did have a crisis of confidence on the drag before Huggate, as the last drag of the day I had a feeling there would be a proper reckoning and I'd have been the first found wanting , but it never materialised.

Roll the credits - thanks to Nigel and Andy for staying on the front over the rises into that stiff breeze before Hunmanby - I'd have been straight out the back if I'd been on the front there, you did a very strong turn and likewise Steen and Rob for your turn up that long drag somewhere about Langtoft - it was just what I needed, and again to Rob for leading the ride - I'm always happy to follow.

In my quest to encourage the racing-snakes to post their diary entries on here (I think it shows the club's activity in the best possible light to put all the ride reports in one place) can I tell you about my first race of the year?

Thursday night I went for a ride around Kirkham Abbey with a couple of work colleagues. A fabulous evening and we were enjoying the cruise home up Stockton Lane when we spied a pony and trap in the distance. It was one of those light-weight afairs of aluminium tubing with the driver sat low with legs splayed. The horse was blinkered and I shouted a "good evening" as we approached from behind so as not to startle it. As we passed the drive asked "how fast can you go then?" "Well, just a little faster than you at the moment!" I replied. We all laughed and we pulled in front.

The clip clopping behind started to get faster and faster. We pedalled faster and faster. Soon we were all doing 30mph, horse in full gallop and snorting loudly and the driver doing a Ben Hur impersonation - very unsettling when that's behind you at that speed! The pony and trap were trying to get round us and we were taking up most the road, on-coming cars were pulling onto the pavement to clear the way and still we went faster.

We passed my road and I had the excuse to pull off. I was spent. The others pulled over further down the road and the horse and trap went on..... all very good natured fun, but a bit reckless!

Thanks Broomy for the write up above. Great day out, and proof it were needed that clubruns are very much a team sport.

5 in the Square for the 08:45: Simon, Tom, Toby, Mike and self. Glorious morning and some amazing views as we took in a range of the stately homes of North Yorkshire. First up was Castle Howard where Toby and Mike started to reveal how good they were at climbing - not flinching for a second on the ride up to the start of the drive from Foston leaving Tom behind with minor mechanical issues.

Simon and Tom turned back at Settrington, leaving three for the next of our sights: Settrington House before riding up Settrington Bank to the beautifully clear views across to the coast on the way to West Lutton. Final bit of architecture for the day was Sledmere. Thixendale "the wrong way", where Toby managed to bag the Strava KOM for this year, then back to York via Howsham.

65 miles door to door in glorious sunshine and back in York by 12:30. Toby and Mike definitely made me feel my age on the climbs - maybe I will drop the hills from the next ride....

Some of you may have heard that I had an accident on Saturday, descending the
Leavening hill from the Thixendale side, after completing the Spirograph. As usual I was
going a little too fast for the sharp right hander into the village and went flying off
into the trees and bushes on the side. Luckily Dr Joe was with us and sorted me out
along with John and a few others whose names escape me. I had loads of small
cuts to my face, pulled my calf muscle and broke a bone on the back of my left hand.
So you could say I was very lucky. I'm recovering well although I couldn't use my
left hand when I tried to change gears or to apply the rear bike. So I don't think I will
be out this weekend. Anyway thanks to everyone who helped especially Joe and John
and I will probably see you next weekend.
Arny

Sorry to hear of your accident Arnie, hope you recover well.

Ian H.

sorry to hear about you accident on Saturday ,hope your back out soon, you need to slow down a bit arnie stick to under 30 mph if possibie.

Hi Arnie

Get well soon.

Cheers

Dave

What Arny doesn't mention is that, having come off at over 30mph and sustained the injuries he did, he actually cycled the 15 miles or so back home to Fangfoss.

I'd just like to echo the fantastic job Dr. Joe did and offer our thanks to the pub and landlord in the village for the first-aid kit and to the nice couple who offered to give Arny a lift home.

Hope you're back out soon Arny and taking things a bit more cautiously.

Craig