Clifton CC

Wow what a ride into the dales with 2 robs! When I met Rob and Rob in Helperby I thought this is going to be a long day.! 200km on a cold but clear morning turned out to be a really top ride with (to coin a phrase)views to die for
! 1rob left us at the other sideof the fleak to do strava segments! 2 remaining got to Easingwold nicely after 330nicely.tired but really enjoyed the ride and company. Thanks Timj

After a couple of impromptu splits in the square, six of us ventured out on the Inters/A-ride on Saturday. Led by Jon G., the group consisted of Graham, JohnG, Matt, Seb and myself.

Jon lit it up into a stiff headwind all the way through Haxby, Strensall, Flaxton and Thornton-le-Clay. The wind was particularly strong going over the exposed crest between Coneysthorpe and Amotherby.

After passing through Pickering and Stape, we took a right turn for a few miles of gravel/fire-road adventure, followed by some tricky hills around Levisham and Lockton, where I unfortunately pinch-flatted on a 1:5 descent

By the time the climbing was over it was great to finally have the sun on our faces, and assisted by a tailwind, we cruised into a well-deserved break at Thornton-le-Dale.

Post lunch was a quick ride back to Amotherby, up and over to Coneysthorpe and we opted to return via Terrington and Sheriff Hutton instead of retracing our outward-bound route.

It was a cool start to the day and the wind certainly made us work for our lunch, but the six of us had a great day out. Thanks guys!

After a 4 hour NYMBO Trailquest in the big hills around Malham Cove the weekend before (starting alongside the rather enthralling dry stone-walling competition at the Malham show, no less!), I continued the mud-bashing this weekend in the 100km Moors Marathon. Had a similar day to the Fleakers - sensational weather and superb views on the bright purple Moors. Route started at the Fox and Rabbit, then through Dalby to Hazelhead Moor, Saltergate Moor, across the endless permanent bogs west of Fylingdales to the A169, then along the trails and through the fords at Grosmont, Egton Bridge and then up Glaisdale. The slog up Glaisdale Rigg is never easy, but the heart rate settled down across to Bloworth Crossing, down the boneshaker to Gillamoor, across the river at Ravenswick, Hutton le Hole, Cropton and finally up the grassy ‘wall’ at Farwath Crossing. Legs completely shattered by the end, a placing of 4th out of 11 for the distance wasn’t too bad. Biggest highlight was the views on the Moors where all the moons seemed to align – purple heather, blue skies, benign conditions, 20 degree temps – forced me to stop for a couple of minutes to take some snaps because, in my experience, it’s very rare indeed to have all these elements come together at once!

Reminded me of this – sit back, turn the music up and roll with it -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ud5T5I4XcA



D.

Looking northwards up Fryupdale


Looking westwards across Farndale Moor


Looking muddy in all directions!