Clifton CC

Inters/A-Ride

Another great turnout today, despite the prevailing wind and guarantee of afternoon rain. I had the pleasure of the company of Rich, Graham, James, IanH, IanW, Dr Joe, JonG, KevN and a surprise appearance from KevM.

Our westerly route was plain-sailing through Overton, Beningbrough, the Aldwark bridge, over to Arkendale, Ferrensby and Scotton. Though damp in places, it was great to see the roads cleared of the flooding we encountered last week. Scooting over to Ripley we met throngs of traffic and fields of parked cars, presumably attending some seasonal festivities.

After only a small delay at the roundabout, we made a brief trip south on the A61 (in the opposite direction of the traffic) before turning onto the Otley Rd at Killinghall. As expected, this put us directly into the wind, and we met the first signs of the anticipated rain.

The conditions further soured as we traveled Penny Pot Lane, thus we stopped to cape up just outside Fewston, before the lumpy, blustery and wet crusade into Otley. The Manor Coffee House cafe was a most welcome stop, and while most of us were dry on the inside, we must have appeared as a group of disheveled, soaking rats.

After a tasty respite, we set off back to York and immediately welcomed the tailwind as we passed through alternating pockets of rain and dry patches. Joe took a detour to Harrogate to collect his (hopefully repaired) bike, while the rest of us pushed on, taking the designated route home.

The rain became more persistent as we approached Wetherby, turning into a torrent as we pressed on through Wighill, Akham Bryan and back into York.

Though I remained dry on the inside, this was a day in which I positively relished my hot shower when I got home.

Despite the sometimes ugly conditions, it was another great day out in the company of a great bunch of guys. And what a classy bunch of guys they were; no complaints and only smiles, laughter and friendly banter throughout the day.

It was 120 Km and a hair under 1,100 metres of climbing for me, arriving home at 16:20. Since we're on the wrong side of the winter solstice, I suggest that we dial it back to ~112Km = 70 miles next week.

Today's Combativity Award goes to IanW, for digging deep and hanging with the group when the pace and/or the roads went upward.

Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't give a special thanks to Rich for shepherding the group throughout the day when we had gaps opening up.

K group took in 6 riders this week, Kevin, Jackie, Claire, Mark Briggs, Dave Ianson & myself, given the forecast we did well to stick to the original route to Malton via Crake, Yearsley top, Dalby, Terrington, Coneysthorpe along which we had a brisk side wind, before the fast run into Malton just as the rain started, but with 34 miles done including some climbing.
The route home took in the suspension bridge at Huttons Ambo, then Kirkham Abbey where we kept up the climbing bug started in the morning session, but fortunately the wind wasn't as fierce as forecast and we got back into York just as the torrential rain started - avoiding the pedestrians near the Minster etc was a bit difficult and there where several close shaves as they seemed to have a kamikaze approach to walking around in the rain.
But we had 64 miles on the clock which added another good batch to my attempt at hitting 1000 miles before the 11th December - just 125 now to do - so if anyone wishes to support me with sponsorship, which is to help meet the travel costs of some Swedish children that are coming over from Stockholm to take part in The Swedish Festival of Light ( Sankta Lucia), on the night of the 11th. Please let me know - regards in advance - Bernard

Sunday Clubrun for me. 5 regulars in the Square. AndyG, Austin (who's getting stronger by the week), Steen, Muzzy and me.

Took a very similar route the K ride the day before. Weather never got as apocalyptic as forecast, though it did feel like riding in a dishwasher on occasions. Open fire in the Yorkshire Tea rooms was welcome, though we never managed to scare the occupants off the table closest to it.

Back via the Menethorpe footbridge for a change. Only downside to the day really was Andy's rear mech going on an expedition into his rear wheel - 6 spokes sheered! Only 18 spokes left to hold the rim which resembled a Pringle. Andy reluctantly, but inevitably, phoned for rescue. Have heard since he got home OK.

Thanks for the ride though chaps. Only 65 miles, but they are invested in a special high interest bank account for drawing in the Spring.

Mudguard discussion in cafe:
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... ksamudr225 Best design for winter bike with clearance. Get this one with front mudflap, and the narrowest you can get away with. Can fashion yourself a rear flap also. Other vendors are available.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/crud-roadracer- ... guard-set/ For bikes with no clearance. I've never had to resort to these, but others appear to use them effectively - I've followed IanH's for many miles. Again, other vendors are available.

Careful though - there're lot of rubbish mudguards for sale - be suspicious of anything that looks a bit strange!

The mudguard post got me reminiscing. Back in the 90's Claire and I rode for a couple of years in Chesterfield with the Spire RC. There was a lad called Warren who was, shall we say, cautious with his money.

He'd crashed a couple of time quite heavily and cracked his frame. He'd welded it back together himself, and it looked like he'd done it with toothpaste... He'd regularly turn up on a rainy clubrun wearing a bin liner with three holes (for head + 2 arms). The there was the time a few of us were sharing a lift to an event. There was a funny smell. Warren eventually admitted to not wanting to buy embrocation, and had massaged his legs with cooking oil.

But his ultimate masterpiece, a project he was to work on for weeks, were his home made mudguards fashioned from PET milk cartons.... I kid you not. They were a sight to behold.

Good ride on Saturday Tony. Nice route for time of year. Conditions pretty grim but probably not as bad as forecast . I think people just wanted to get back at the end and have a hot shower with the splits at the end. But thanks Rich for dropping back at the end. But I don't blame the rest of the you I would have done the same, it was pretty cold and getting wet just makes it worse. It did actually stop raining for my ride back home thankfully . Good to be out though. It's was a Christmas fayre at Ripley castle incidentally which caused the busy traffic. Definitely a ride that felt harder than it does in summer but a probably more gratifying to make the effort to get out

Jon