w/e roundup 25 & 26 June
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w/e roundup 25 & 26 June
Did the Nigel Moore 3rd/4th Road Race over at Bradford this morning on the Rock & Heifer circuit I think it’s called because ...ahem.. there’s a pub called the Rock & Heifer on it. Only 2 and a bit miles per lap so 20 laps in total and, on paper, not normally the sort of race I would go for. It was actually a tough little circuit more undulating than hilly but quite technical really. Wind was blowing a bit which gave it a bit of extra spice. Not formally “traffic managed” (we’re spoilt in N.Yorks.) but felt nice and safe mainly because the hosting club had lots of people waving red flags at appropriate points...Proper old school! Only about 40 odd toed the line. It was an early start for 9.00 which may have put a few people off. It nearly put me off (!) but I was glad I turned up in the end. Not had good form really this season and the first few laps were pretty frantic. A month or two ago I would have probably got dropped early on but I stuck in there this time. Almost half the field had packed by the end so I sought some consolation from that. I was far from the strongest rider remaining but I actually fancied my chances of picking up something on the uphill finish but ruing a missed opportunity and should have been more aggressive before the final left hander to get myself in a better position . Finished strongly but way, way too far back and points were all up the road as I rolled to the finish in the early to mid teens. I’d actually done something I very rarely do and discarded my bottles a lap earlier (to save weight !?) in a proper pro- like flashy sort of way. If you ever decide to do this don’t throw them both into long grass like I did as you may never find them again...I did find one but gave up searching for the other. Enjoyed the morning and nice to feel fairly competitive in a bike race again. At least I felt like I had chance and the thought of crashing didn’t really my enter my head for change
Re: w/e roundup 25 & 26 June
LVRC crit at York for me today. I haven't ridden at the circuit for about a year and when they announced 1 hour 20 min + 5 laps I thought crikey that's a long crit.
In the end a decent run out. Was nowhere near competitive as a group of 3 went early and then finally a chasing group of 4 which meant the rest of us were just making up the numbers. Had a little go to try and see if I could do anything but after a couple of laps became clear I was not going to get away.
In the end happy to roll in with the bunch. Must have done some work as my legs are sore now!
Great to catch up with Nigel Tottie who looked strong at the head of the bunch for most of the race.
John
In the end a decent run out. Was nowhere near competitive as a group of 3 went early and then finally a chasing group of 4 which meant the rest of us were just making up the numbers. Had a little go to try and see if I could do anything but after a couple of laps became clear I was not going to get away.
In the end happy to roll in with the bunch. Must have done some work as my legs are sore now!
Great to catch up with Nigel Tottie who looked strong at the head of the bunch for most of the race.
John
Re: w/e roundup 25 & 26 June
Sunny Sunday Clubrun to Stokesley. Muzzy bust a spoke at Sutton and headed back (his bike not used to Sunday power outputs...). Andy J headed for home at Hawnbv, and Tim J decided you could have too much of a good thing at Osmotherley. That left just me, Steen, Jonny and Simon to push on to the Bistro in Stokesley.
Back via Carlton Bank which has been resurfaced (
) but the black tarmac really absorbed the afternoon heat and radiated it back at us. Bilsdale, Newgate Bank and home through Castle Howard. Simon and Jonny particularly strong at the moment, they ride like experienced pros though, and never made it too much of an ordeal for me.... thanks for keeping it together chaps.
I sold everyone short as the route was only 175k. You should all by now realise that I make these distances up beforehand!
Great day out though.
R
Back via Carlton Bank which has been resurfaced (
) but the black tarmac really absorbed the afternoon heat and radiated it back at us. Bilsdale, Newgate Bank and home through Castle Howard. Simon and Jonny particularly strong at the moment, they ride like experienced pros though, and never made it too much of an ordeal for me.... thanks for keeping it together chaps.I sold everyone short as the route was only 175k. You should all by now realise that I make these distances up beforehand!
Great day out though.
R
Re: w/e roundup 25 & 26 June
I had considered the Nigel Moore road race having ridden it a few years ago but 0900 is a bit early for me these days and it isnt the easiest place to get to. Like Cam I too had been seeing stars for the opening laps only to get stronger as more laps passed and more riders dropped out - maybe an age thing - a very entertaining circuit especially in the wet!
As things turned out its as well I didn't go - you know its going to be one of those years when you even dnf on a clubrun! Listen up because there maybe a lesson in this - swinging left into Sutton on Forest on the sunday ride I felt the annoying ping of a spoke going in my backwheel. Factory built Ultegra wheels. Just One of those things - swung off, waved the boys on - no problem I'll just turn for home - except that the rims so badly out of true it doesnt clear the back brake, No worries I'll undo the brake. Except that its not the brake its rubbing on but the rear stays of the frame. No worries I'll true the wheel enough with my expensive all singing and dancing multi tool. Except that this has every nipple size except the one I need. Tried laying the wheel on the path and standing on the rim but I just looked like something demented. Tried slotting it in a grate and bending it back but it didnt go in far enough. Tried the same between the slats in a bench but i nearly broke the bench. Finally resorted to sitting on the bench and phoning home only the second time I've done that in 30 years. Believe me in the 45 mins I sat on that bench not much happened in Sutton!
By 1100 I had pumped the tyres up on my winter bike and put in two hard hours - so not a complete loss. Tbh I'm very frustrated with the shit kit being knocked out these days and none of it is cheap. I thought I was on safe ground with those wheels - for racing and training their performance was as spectularly unspectacular as England playing football but I was hoping the trade off would be a reasonable life span. In the last 6 mths I've had a cracked frame replaced, a broken saddle replaced, Caths had a wheel replaced - all fairly new & through different local bike shops. I cant fault their service but I've reached the stage where I dont trust anything I buy. Every set of factory wheels I've had have caused me problems - I may go back to handbuilt wheels.
As things turned out its as well I didn't go - you know its going to be one of those years when you even dnf on a clubrun! Listen up because there maybe a lesson in this - swinging left into Sutton on Forest on the sunday ride I felt the annoying ping of a spoke going in my backwheel. Factory built Ultegra wheels. Just One of those things - swung off, waved the boys on - no problem I'll just turn for home - except that the rims so badly out of true it doesnt clear the back brake, No worries I'll undo the brake. Except that its not the brake its rubbing on but the rear stays of the frame. No worries I'll true the wheel enough with my expensive all singing and dancing multi tool. Except that this has every nipple size except the one I need. Tried laying the wheel on the path and standing on the rim but I just looked like something demented. Tried slotting it in a grate and bending it back but it didnt go in far enough. Tried the same between the slats in a bench but i nearly broke the bench. Finally resorted to sitting on the bench and phoning home only the second time I've done that in 30 years. Believe me in the 45 mins I sat on that bench not much happened in Sutton!
By 1100 I had pumped the tyres up on my winter bike and put in two hard hours - so not a complete loss. Tbh I'm very frustrated with the shit kit being knocked out these days and none of it is cheap. I thought I was on safe ground with those wheels - for racing and training their performance was as spectularly unspectacular as England playing football but I was hoping the trade off would be a reasonable life span. In the last 6 mths I've had a cracked frame replaced, a broken saddle replaced, Caths had a wheel replaced - all fairly new & through different local bike shops. I cant fault their service but I've reached the stage where I dont trust anything I buy. Every set of factory wheels I've had have caused me problems - I may go back to handbuilt wheels.
Re: w/e roundup 25 & 26 June
I joined the club run on Sunday to stokesley.Always going to turn round at osmotherly but severely tempted to carry on.(pass didn't continue that long)good ride out with eighty hilly miles in my legs I maybe made the right decision!!thanks
Re: w/e roundup 25 & 26 June
11 out on the inters ride to how steen gorge on Saturday, along with myself were Graham, John b, Kevin n, Tony, Rich, Pete s, James, Ian w, Ian h, and a guest appearance from Dave w, on a flying visit from Switzerland. Good to see you Dave and hope you are able to make it over again soon and have a safe trip back. obviously riding in Switzerland as improved your fitness as tackling the the climbs again in Yorkshire proved no problem. Pretty good conditions for riding, little wind, warmish when the sun came out and amazingly avoided the worst of the heavy showers that were forecast which meant for a brisk ride. I recorded 92 miles at 17.2 average so not too bad over the terrain. Must be doing something right 
. Incidentally I did get a soaking on my way back to Selby though which was annoying but it could have been worse. It only lasted about 5 mins and I was nearly home. Good banter throughout the day from everyone and good company as is usual every week. Hope to be out this Saturday so see you then
Jon
Ps
Note to paul m, I know what you mean about current cycling equipment. I just don't think they make things like they used too, not to last anyway, so far this year I've broken a front derailleur, numerous valves on inner tubes and worn out a free hub on a mavic kysirium wheel, which are usual bomb proof wheels. I do service the freehub as well a couple of time a year. Rant over.
obviously riding in Switzerland as improved your fitness as tackling the the climbs again in Yorkshire proved no problem. Pretty good conditions for riding, little wind, warmish when the sun came out and amazingly avoided the worst of the heavy showers that were forecast which meant for a brisk ride. I recorded 92 miles at 17.2 average so not too bad over the terrain. Must be doing something right . Incidentally I did get a soaking on my way back to Selby though which was annoying but it could have been worse. It only lasted about 5 mins and I was nearly home. Good banter throughout the day from everyone and good company as is usual every week. Hope to be out this Saturday so see you then Jon
Ps
Note to paul m, I know what you mean about current cycling equipment. I just don't think they make things like they used too, not to last anyway, so far this year I've broken a front derailleur, numerous valves on inner tubes and worn out a free hub on a mavic kysirium wheel, which are usual bomb proof wheels. I do service the freehub as well a couple of time a year. Rant over.