Clifton CC

As Tony has posted in the ride thread, a decent ride with the Intermediates on Saturday. Tony, James, Rich, Graham, Rob M, Ian, Joe, Stu, Jon G, George, Kev, Simon and self. Out via Haxby/Strensall (where Joe had a navigational blip ) then Snargate climb, R to Hovingham, then the steep climb to Nunnington and on to Welburn and the drag to Fadmoor. At this point Stu and I, being off the pace due to inactivity, turned round and repaired to Beadlam Grange for lunch whilst the rest manfully tacked 'the loop' to Helmsley before rejoining us (sans Jon and Ian who lunched in Helmsley) for a quick lunch before the return journey.
Straightforward run back via Slingsby and castle Howard. Pleased to not be running on fumes by the time I got in - definitely the right decision to skip the loop this time. Give it a few weeks and I might get to see the front of the bunch a bit more again

Apart from the impromptu split (Ian and I & the rest of the group ) it's was a good ride to that point. Ian punctured just before the last climb and been the last 2 riders there was no one to inform. Beadlam grange is the only cafe I did not know exactly where it was. In hindsight I should have kept going to get to the junction to ask where it was and could have waited for Ian. Not to worry though, we did suspect it was left at the junction but just didn't fancy wasting energy trying to find it so we stoppedin Helmsley and then headed back on the assigned route in the hope the group might pass us. After ian left me at flaxton I bumped into Simon, George and Kevin fixing a puncture and found out you were a few minutes ahead of us. I did look at a map to find out where the cafe was, I know now for future reference. I do think it was one of days where it is difficult to keep things together and as tony suggests on the other thread if numbers continue as the weather improves it would be sensible to split the group. As long as I know the destination whether you suggest it or myself I'm happy to lead a group of 'steadier' riders. Ive got routes to most places we've been. That's assuming I'm out on the weekend. See you on the next one.

Jon