Clifton well represented again at the latest round of the NYERRL at Kirby Misperton. Me, Phil, John, Richard and Ed. Fractured my clavicle and gashed my knee on this circuit 6 weeks ago. Was pleased to see that the road surface with loose chippings had bedded in now so less chance of a shredded knee should I fall of....which I didn’t Shoulders not too bad now....a bit wonky but I like to think it’s made me a bit more aero in that it has reduced the size of my frontal area....so to speak . More concerned about my levels of fitness which sort of makes you think a lot more about how much energy you expend in a race. Bit of everything in the circuit with a few little lumps and some tight corners but it’s still fast. Didn’t clock the average speed but it felt fast but probably not as quick as last time (no Sharpey on this occasion ). Just about everyone in a Clifton jersey had a few digs off the front. I made a 2-3 forays off the front and hoped that a few would join me. Quickly sat up when it became apparent that this was not going to happen. I’m never going to TT to a glorious solo victory as I would need to ave 25-26 mph to hold the bunch off. There were 2 decent attempts to get away – one guy on his own for ¾ of a lap and then a pair for about a lap but it all came back together in the end. Everyone seemed to fancy their chances on the run-in. Tricky sprint to get right as it goes up hill slightly but levels off round a bend. Had my nose in the wind for quite a while on the run in to make sure of a decent position but then got badly knocked and felt like I lost about 10 places. Managed to come thru for 7th in the end as many mistimed their efforts.....Ed getting 4th and Richard 9th. Did the 3rd cat circuit race at the Cycle circuit on Tue and got 8th so not a bad week’s racing for me. This season - if I score points - I can be relied upon to get some where between 6th and 8th but no higher
As Cam said, I was part of Team Clifton at Kirby Misperton. It's a great circuit - lumpy and varied and with some fast, twisty bits that are quite exciting with other riders just inches away in all directions. The atmosphere's great too - quite a few of the locals camp out in their front gardens or on the verge and cheer the race as we go through - bit of a contrast to the "tacks on the road" approach elsewhere and really makes it more fun. Full marks to Maffers for organising the event, leafleting the circuit, etc.
Last time around here I got shelled out the back on the first lap (I'm naming no names as to why this happened) but this time I really enjoyed it - it was quick but do-able. A bit over 25mph so not hanging around, and 250W NP for me which was about the best I could manage having spent much of the preceding fortnight pootling up French hills at 8mph. Max heart rate three beats above anything I've seen this year - was pretty much seeing stars a couple of time - joys of old age, I guess. Just dropped off the back of the bunch up the final dash to the line - have seen it go badly wrong there too many times. Full marks to Cam and the others for sticking in there!
PhilBixby wrote:As Cam said, I was part of Team Clifton at Kirby Misperton. It's a great circuit - lumpy and varied and with some fast, twisty bits that are quite exciting with other riders just inches away in all directions. The atmosphere's great too - quite a few of the locals camp out in their front gardens or on the verge and cheer the race as we go through - bit of a contrast to the "tacks on the road" approach elsewhere and really makes it more fun. Full marks to Maffers for organising the event, leafleting the circuit, etc.
Last time around here I got shelled out the back on the first lap (I'm naming no names as to why this happened) but this time I really enjoyed it - it was quick but do-able. A bit over 25mph so not hanging around, and 250W NP for me which was about the best I could manage having spent much of the preceding fortnight pootling up French hills at 8mph. Max heart rate three beats above anything I've seen this year - was pretty much seeing stars a couple of time - joys of old age, I guess. Just dropped off the back of the bunch up the final dash to the line - have seen it go badly wrong there too many times. Full marks to Cam and the others for sticking in there!
Sorry.
That said I am missing the road racing, but speaking with some folk over the weekend that I bumped into in Thornton-le-Dale you are not alone, there are others that didnt like my first lap tactics.
I'm no expert but not sure towing the bunch round at 30mph counts as tactics; as probably the strongest rider there you should be cleaning up with race wins, but this didn't seem to be happening. Have a chat with some of the club's old hands (but not me) and see what wisdom can be passed on.
I'm well aware that my inability to cope in some races is a simple numbers/age thing, but most people who can do that sort of damage quickly progress to 2nd Cat and beyond and hence out of my territory!
Shoulders not too bad now....a bit wonky but I like to think it’s made me a bit more aero in that it has reduced the size of my frontal area....so to speak 
. More concerned about my levels of fitness which sort of makes you think a lot more about how much energy you expend in a race. Bit of everything in the circuit with a few little lumps and some tight corners but it’s still fast. Didn’t clock the average speed but it felt fast but probably not as quick as last time (no Sharpey on this occasion 
). Just about everyone in a Clifton jersey had a few digs off the front. I made a 2-3 forays off the front and hoped that a few would join me. Quickly sat up when it became apparent that this was not going to happen. I’m never going to TT to a glorious solo victory as I would need to ave 25-26 mph to hold the bunch off. There were 2 decent attempts to get away – one guy on his own for ¾ of a lap and then a pair for about a lap but it all came back together in the end. Everyone seemed to fancy their chances on the run-in. Tricky sprint to get right as it goes up hill slightly but levels off round a bend. Had my nose in the wind for quite a while on the run in to make sure of a decent position but then got badly knocked and felt like I lost about 10 places. Managed to come thru for 7th in the end as many mistimed their efforts.....Ed getting 4th and Richard 9th. Did the 3rd cat circuit race at the Cycle circuit on Tue and got 8th so not a bad week’s racing for me. This season - if I score points - I can be relied upon to get some where between 6th and 8th but no higher 
