Clifton CC

A big turn out once again for the 'A' ride on a cold but largely sunny March morning. Myself, Dr Dave, Dr Joe, new guy Paul, Simon, Tony, Rich, Graham, Kev N, Ian H, Ian W and, making a very welcome return to the ranks John B following a couple of outings with the 'K' ride.

New guy Paul set a brisk pace at the front from the off and indeed stayed there for much of the day doing the hard work for the rest of us. Chapeau to you sir!

We headed out via Sand Hutton and Bossall before regrouping at Gally Gap and carrying on through Leavening to Langton and then the climb up Settrington Bank. Conscious of the fact that we had 60 miles to cover before the café stop we pressed on leaving just Dr Joe to follow the route at his own pace. Not surprisingly after his long lay off John B decided that he had gone far enough and made his own way back along with Kev N from the junction at Rillington. Well done and let's hope you can get even further into the ride next time, John.

The rest of us headed onwards into a strengthening head wind up to Yedingham where Dr Dave took his leave and turned off towards Marishes to make his own way home. The climb from Snainton up to Troutsdale was a real test of fitness going in to the wind and we were all glad to see the top and start having some fun on the undulating roads heading to the Dalby Forest drive. Once the climb is over at the start of the drive the Dalby road is always a joy to cycle on and, with the wind now at our backs, it was a fast and exhilarating ride down to the café stop in Thornton Dale.

Dr Joe re-joined us at the café and so we were back up to 9 for the wind-assisted ride back home. With only a brief stop to re-group at Easthorpe following the climb from Amotherby we carried on through Terrington where fatigue was starting to set in for some riders and the group fragmented a little for the final ride back to York.

It was a joy to have a tail wind to blow us back home at 20mph plus at the end of the day and to get home in daylight at around 5.30 with just over 90 miles on the clock.

There were some strong rides with everyone working well together. Particular credit goes to Ian W who was not having his best day but dug deep and hung on till the end. Many thanks to Rich for marshalling the troops and making sure everyone was ok and to Tony, as ever, for keeping us heading in the right direction.

Yes, I bailed at Yedingham and lunched at Thornton-le-Dale where I met Dave C for a convivial lunch and cycle home - he having done the Troutsdale-Dalby loop on his own earlier in the day. Was flagging a bit on the run into York but pleased to get 75 mile in the legs. Hopefully I'll soon get back some form over the next few weeks so I can stay with the group all the way.

One of those mornings where you’re not quite sure what to wear for the Saturday ride. Between getting up and setting off for the Square I must’ve changed my mind about 5 times with regard to the number of layers and the degree of wind-cheating/waterproofing required. The forecast was for predominantly dry conditions, with the odd shower, but I witnessed all four seasons while eating my breakfast.

Ten of us (Claire, MarkF, Jacqui, Alison, JohnC, PeteS, Nick, Kevin, myself and a lad whose name I didn’t catch) set off for the fantastic destination of Impromptu (Kevin’s equivalent of Shangri La?) which must lie at the end of some rainbow somewhere but I’ve never actually reached.

By Monk Bar, one of those odd showers did occur, so some people caped-up while others decided to brave it out. After Stockton, the lad whose name I didn’t quite catch decided that he needed to be riding at a bit faster pace and so set off on his own. The rest of us continued on through Claxton and Howsham and turning left at Leavening.

We had a fair cross-section of riders in the group and sometimes that can be an advantage, with other people’s strengths supplementing your weaknesses, and sometimes it can make the ride a bit disjointed. Kevin wasn’t feeling at his best, a bit fatigued and having to nurse his bike round with a dodgy chain link, and I was getting increasingly frustrated that my bike wouldn’t go into the lower gears. When we almost missed a turn-off and my chain came off for a second time, I have to own up to a bit of a tantrum. Initially deciding to turn around and head back on my own, I then wondered how I'd feel if we actually reached Impromptu this time and so I rather sheepishly set off after the group. The descent into Thixendale brightens any mood and by the time we’d climbed out again I was back to my “cheery” self.

Onto Huggate and down through Millington pastures, we didn't reach Impromptu but the Ramblers Rest is a more than adequate substitute, with a roaring fire, scrambled egg on toast, damned fine cake and the only other shower of the day occurring while we were ensconced inside. During conversation, the retired element of our group mockingly asked what time it currently gets light in the morning, turns out there’s only one 6:30 in Pete and John's day these days.

The ride back was much more cohesive, and largely uneventful, until Kevin’s chain finally gave up the ghost while riding across the university campus. Prepared for every eventuality, he conjured up a repair in no time and we continued on our way and back home before 4pm and with 62 miles on the clock.

I recall that there was another fellow on the 'A' ride. He seemed to hang at the back and I neglected to introduce myself (my bad). However, he was wearing a red jacket, riding a blue Ribble bike and turned back with JohnB and KevN at Rillington.

Certainly a challenging ride for the time of year, and as Rich said, What are we going to do in the Summer? Good times and thanks for the excellent company, guys.

Sunday clubrun. Steen, Jonny, Andrew, Austin, Ian and good to see PhilB for the first hour or so.
We made a steady start on a day that, for the morning at least, looked like spring but felt like winter. Cold nagging headwind. Roads full of mums being taken for drives. Hard to complain though, there's some terrific scenery up there. Out via the mountain road, quick refuel and back via the Siltons. Snow flakes in the air all afternoon added to the atmosphere. A couple of puncture stops with complications which pushed our return time back to 4-30. In AndyG's absence, Steen took up the "cover the last 10 miles quickly and efficiently" duty at the front. Got to work on jutting those elbows out a bit more though mate.

Howe Stein (sp?) Gorge next week, then Thixendale Spirograph the week after. Fill yer boots

Sunday ride with Rob & co for me

Thanks for the help with the punctu** just after the café stop & the wheels to follow on the way back.

I did think it was strange that I'd been riding solidly in the weeks upto last Sunday, then seemed to struggle after the café stop & resulting incident...When I got home, I went to push my bike past my car and realised that I'd not put the rear wheel in correctly and it was rubbing like hell against the brake rotor, so much in fact that it wouldn't spin a full revolution on it's own steam

That explains that, although great resistance training.....

Andy