Clifton CC

Ten of us left the square for the Inters/A-Ride: Dr Joe, IanH, IanM (?), Pete, JohnB, Craig, JonG, James, Graham and myself.

There was some residual water and muck on the roads, presumably from overnight rains, so it was evident that a few designated "winter" bikes ventured out this week.

Having been promised mild temperatures and a grey, occasionally blustery day, we were pleasantly surprised bathing in sunshine as we thundered through Howsham en-route to Leavening. Turning left in the village, the wind made its presence felt as we headed over to Langton, enjoying the sunshine and panoramic views.

After huffing and puffing our way up Settrington Bank it was a pleasant cruise to Thorpe Basset with the sun occasionally peeking out from the clouds. We took some strong headwinds after crossing the A64 heading to Yedingham and enjoyed the shield from the trees as we climbed out of Ebberston, but Mother Nature saved her best for last, hammering us with headwinds as we climbed onto the open plains.

After a typically brisk ride down Dalby Forest Drive, Dr. Joe took honours in the cafe sprint to Thornton le Dale, with JohnB, IanH and myself in tow.

Suitably refreshed, we made the most of the predominantly tailwinds, quickly cruising to Amotherby, over the climb to Coneysthorpe, through Castle Howard and back home via Foston, Strensall and Haxby.

All in all, another excellent day out with pleasant weather, some sunshine, fall colours and no mechanicals. Thanks guys!

The High Road. What a weekend, and an absolute privilege to ride with such a professional bunch of rouleurs. We climbed some very big hills, and the six of us rode in twos, never more than 20cm apart, carefully watching and judging the pace so crested the summits as one and were able to continue without a foot down. I can't over-state how good that feels.

Now, there were occasions when riding like that just wasn't possible, even for the Clifton. Take Great Dunn Fell for instance. This is a narrow (2m max) lane that winds its way up-to a radar station on the summit and stops. The gradient reaches 25%, and with the lane starting at just 150m above sea level, that's a 700m pitch to the highest tarmac in England. If the Vuelta came this way, they'd be sure to organise a stage finish up there. If that wasn't enough, the NE wind was picking up at altitude and was being funneled down a little V-shaped valley into our faces. Some geeky research by Richard since shows that it was gusting at 76kph at the summit or Beufort 8. Muzzy declared that it was the hardest climb he'd ever done, while my handlebar electronics couldn't believe how slow I was going and switched to standby in disgust! But wouldn't have missed it for the world - what a view!

Sunday took us over a somewhat less breezy Hartside, then Yapp Moss, then up-to the summit above St Johns Chapel, shrouded in cloud, and the highest "through road" at 627m. Job done. Apart from the 150k ride home.

Not sure I should share the weekend stats as it might put anybody off riding with us ever again. Instead I'll concentrate on the many laughs, constant inane grins, and the excellent beer in The Stag Inn (the open fire was nice too.)

Please Clifton, be up-standing, and applaud Steen, AndyG, Andrew(notGraham), Muzzy and RichardD, conquerors of N Yorks (and Cumbria, and Co Durham).

As mentioned previously - High Roads for me. Been too long since I've done anything like this. In fact I've never done anything quite like this at least not back to back hostelling days of quite this distance. Met the others in the square at 8 on Saturday morning with a feeling of great anticipation. Was travelling light but still seemed to be carrying more than everyone else put together. Leaving the square Rich slid off before even making the road - things could only get better and so it proved! In short the weekend included long steady climbs. short steep climbs, long steep climbs and even a steep cobbled climb. The climb up Great Dunn Fell was probably not the hardest climb I've ever been up but what made it seem so hard was it just went on and on, got steeper and steeper into a block headwind and this after 95 miles. I really had to strain every sinue to get up that one! This was a perfectly timetabled weekend. We summited Great Dunn Fell at 16:30. We were showered and in the pub by 18:15!
Great hostel at Dufton. I think this is the 3rd time I've stayed there. The first was in 1985 - touring the same roads with a school friend and we succeeded in covering about the same distance in two weeks that we did last weekend. I remember on that occasion a chap who looked and sounded like John Noakes had cycled up from Halifax or somewhere after work. He was a member of West Pennine and lost no time in telling us it was the same club as womens world champ Mandy Jones. This guy had a race bike and small saddle bag (whereas we were lugging round heavy panniers) and was heading up to Scotland the following day. He managed to off load a load of advice in a short space of time - the sort of chance encounter that made a lasting impression as this was well before I was club riding.
I had been following the weather forecasts last week for the Alston area which was suggesting about 10 deg. Fairly glad I took a few precautions. At the top of St Johns chapel I was wearing 5 tops! Now this is a summit I have been over in both directions but had no recollection of the climb but I am aware the area has its own weather system. The climb up from the other side has been used as the National hill climb and is a real stinker - ask Kevin about that one! As already mentioned the weekend was a triumph of teamwork. Special thanks to Rob for organising everything and reading the map so all we had to do was turn the pedals for 230 miles.