Clifton CC

Having dusted the summer bike off and enjoyed a 60 mile solo jaunt in nothing more than bib-shorts and a couple of light tops on Friday, it was back to the reality of British “summertime” and the Thixendale Spirograph ride - to climb the six road routes out of Thixendale - on Saturday.

Eight of us mingled in the Square, an hour earlier than usual, with the 9am Training group, or Madison team as it appeared to be this weekend.

So Rob and Siobhan (on the tandem), ClaireG, Dawn, DaveB, DaveI and myself set off, in strengthening winds, with SteveS in charge of getting us round one of the more bizarre Clifton rides. At Monk Bar, we met MarkB and so numbered nine as we continued out via Stockton and Buttercrambe.

It was great to see DaveB out again, he’s not being doing a lot of cycling recently but has been keeping himself fit with plenty of Northern Soul dancing sessions and looked very well on it. He stayed with us until after the climb out of Kirby Underdale and I hope we see you out regularly this year Dave.

To be honest, what occurred after that is a bit of a dizzying blur. Even looking at the Garmin today, I'm still not exactly sure whether I was coming or going with regard to Thixendale. But it does make for a rather pretty picture. After the first climb, Siobhan and Rob left us for the sanity and sanctuary of Milington, and the rest of us passed through Fridaythorpe for the first time that day. Sadly, this wasn't the cafe stop loop.

The strong southerly wind meant that each climb/descent was a bit of a lottery. Sometimes a pleasant surprise to be blown uphill by a tailwind and other times having to keep pedalling all the way to the bottom. DaveI and MarkB departed after a couple of climbs and that left the four of us to complete the job. When the cafe stop at Fridaythorpe did arrive, it was certainly very welcome as the first real drizzle of the day was just blowing through and I was definitely in need of some food.

The climbing and descending continued after lunch, with my fellow riders determining the best route while I tried not to listen too intently as to how many climbs we'd actually done. And then it was over and we were riding out of Thixendale for the final time and a great sense of achievement in testing conditions.

Having largely avoided any serious rain all day, we arrived back in York just as a proper rainstorm occurred. I don't think I've ever seen so much rain deposited in such a short space of time, certainly not while out on a bike.

Big thanks to Dawn, Claire and Steve for keeping track of the route and getting us round the 90-odd miles in one piece. As you all know you now, I'm not the chattiest person on a bike but I do always appreciate the encouragement and effort everyone puts into these rides.

Well done to the Spiros, hard day for a ride like that! There's been, I think, a lot going on this weekend. Racing, Audax and clubrides - would be good to hear.

5 of us for the truncated Sunday ride, Jonny, Andy, Pete, IanH and me. Quite windy, so I plotted a big circular rather than an out and back, to avoid long stretches of headwind. Added bonus of lots of roads that we just rattle across on a normal Sunday on the way out to the N York Moors playgrounds, so this week seen in a new light. Menethorpe, Malton, Coneysthorpe, Terrington, Scackleton, Snaresgate, Farlington. 95k in 3 and a half hours, rarely more than a metre between wheels and a distinct absence of cobwebs by the time we got back. Thanks chaps.

Am not out next week, but the regulars will no doubt plan something appropriate.

Good to hear a few more had a run round the Thrixendale Spiro If your doing that in March hope to see you on the later challenge rides

My main event of the weekend was a 200km Audax on Saturday. Start was just west of Darlington at Aldbrough St John controls at Thirsk - Malton- York - Ripon back to Aldbrough St John. With a strong Northerly and heavy rain forecast my plan was to keep in a group all morning to York and take advantage of a tailwind in the afternoon.
It all went to cock when the group I was with wanted to stop for coffee in Thirsk. Thinking I would catch someone or more likely someone would catch me I pushed on alone. The next 100 miles was a solo effort I had some company at Malton while in a cafe. However eating pasta is not exactly a team event. Very hard into the wind past Malton however fantastic tail wind from Ripon reaching speeds of 25mph on the flat with plenty of miles done was a great feeling. Had 1/2 an hour of cold driving rain at the end from Catterick. Was fourth back seems three guys from Condor Road Club in Halifax were a little up the road all day. After a cup of tea and the normal Audax supper I drove back home seeing my fellow riders who had stopped in Thirsk still peddling and soaked after a couple of hours in the rain.

Monday I did a few of the Hambleton Hills and Banks so I will know my way around a Challenge later in April.

I should be out on Sunday AndyG will have an easy day planned for us while the boss is tied up.

Steen