w/e roundup 12 & 13 Sep

[Cam B]

Did the Knottingley Velo 2/3/4 race at Pollington this morning with Martin. Pretty flat circuit and pleasant sunny morning. Day spoilt by a rather sickening crash for 2 unfortunates who hit a car that - I think was just slowing down – as it came round a blind bend. One rider and bike went flying. I gather there was a Marshall on the bend but driver drove past then stopped on the bend. This rather took the wind out of the sails of the bunch. There were already 2 pairs of riders up the road and group of about 8 with about 20-30 sec. There was some hesitancy in the bunch as I think we all wondered whether to ride on. There was a fair amount of groaning from the 2 guys on the deck but plenty of help was at hand. Ride on we did though. A half-baked attempt at thru and off was started in the bunch but came to nowt with only about 6 of us riding. With 13 up the road decided to have a go on the run in. I was a tad disappointed as was Martin not to be alert to getting in the break of 8. Unfortunately there was a “touching of wheels” in front of me at high speed and Martin and I both came down with at least one or two others. For me it was case of “Oh s**t I’m going to crash...then hooray !!! I’’ll be ok as I’m going to hit the grass verge!” So not too bad...a bit winded and sore ribs and no real damage to the bike. Martin fared worse unfortunately and got lots of cuts and grazes and bruises no doubt and some damage to his shifters. Oh well...that’s bike racing . Don’t know how the other 2 guys that hit the car fared. Ambulance finally appeared when I managed to get going and ride back to HQ.

[PhilBixby]

Rather glad I decided against doing that Knottingley race....

...instead of which I was sole Clifton representative (apart from post-back-op Andy C in spectating capacity) at the traditional season-ending East Coast vets race at Burton Flemming. Part of the national Stallard series there are good riders from all over - this year featured a car-load from Luton on matching team-issue blue Treks, amongst others. I took advantage of a big bunch in the C's and D's to follow wheels on the hard bits and hence stuck in the bunch until half-distance, when it all kicked off on the drag through the finish line and a whole lot of us got shelled out; some scrambling back on but six of us forming up to work together behind the bunch. Nil points - but I didn't get the Lanterne Rouge fiver so I wasn't last - a better day out than in some recent years. And no crashes. And it was warm and sunny!

It was organiser Jim Morrisson's last race - he's run the last sixteen of this event - prior to handing it on to someone else, so there were speeches, general bonhomie and of course Jim's legendary quantities of food after the race. A good day out.

[Tony]

After waiting for James to return home and switch bikes (due to a seized rear shifter), six of us braved the prevailing blustery, wet conditions as the Inters/A group set off for Bridlington; JohnB, Graham, Rich, James, Jai and myself.

The outbound route took us through Upper Helmsley, Bossall, Leavening, North Grimston, West Lutton and Burton Fleming, whereabouts James turned back due to a prior commitment. Venturing on coastward-bound, the group welcomed drying roads and a few rays of sunshine in the last hour as we dropped into the north end of Bridlington.

After a quick bite and waiting for Rich to finish his Gammon Steak feast , the group took an alternate route back. Noting the wind had shifted against us, it remained pleasantly dry as we passed through Kilham, Langtoft, Sledmere, Wetwang, Huggate, Millinton and back into York via Stamford Bridge.

All in all, we had another excellent day out.

[mart66]

With Cam at the Knottingly Velo race. Have done a couple of 2/3/4s at the end of the season after avoiding them for a couple of years. I was actually thinking to myself that they feel much safer as people aren't grabbing the breaks every two minutes...

The first crash looked and sounded horrendous. I hope the two guys are ok.

I saw the last break of 8 forming, hesitated too long and it had gone. As Cam says, only about 6 of us wanted to ride after that with everyone else sitting in - so that didn't last long. Then the sprint started and the next thing I saw was a bike bouncing across the road taking out, first Cam and then me. Landed and skidded across road - ouch. Then someone landed on top of me - ouch again.

Plenty of road rash but no broken bones fortunately. Bike is pretty bashed but should be covered by insurance. Bit of rapha and clifton kit lost along with expensive kask helmet. Oh well - we're changing kit next year anyway aren't we?

Cheers

Martin

[timj]

Sorry to hear about you re off boys.At least no broken bones.

[Darren N]

A Dirty Club Run:

A grand day out in the muddy trails in the Wolds for the latest Challenge Series Event - Please see here for the article: http://www.cliftoncc.org/news/adirtypointwellmade



D.

[Rob]

Eek. While occasional touching of wheels and road rash are part of racing, not sure collisions with cars are!

Thanks Darren for an unusually pithy write up!

And while we're on the thankyous - well done to those involved with getting the club profile in the comic. 4 pages no less!

R