Clifton CC

Some 15 or so in the square for a not so prompt 8.47 set off. I am sure Reuben will ensure a more timely departure next week.
We picked up another four or five en route to Overton Lane end, including our esteemed club president, where a p******e stopped the group for 10 minutes or so. Swift progress followed, another joiner at Tollerton, and the next thing we knew we were at Flaxton at around 11oclock for what looked like an early bath. A quick re-route decision for the ride back in added a few precious miles and saw us head to Claxton, Warthill and back in by Stoggy Lane. 50 miles on the clock and home for noon.
This looks like it could become a regular ride if we can encourage a few more route choice volunteers. So step forward! It is not about actually leading the ride - its more about suggesting and posting a route on the forum.
And finally, I would like to extend an invitation to join us to Darren N. A proper post ride write up would surely add even more kudos to the ride.

set off from Malton to head out to meet the 8.45 ride. steady ride out. was good to see so many riders on the ride. pace seemed to be upped from the 1st 8.45 ride but was comfortable.nice to be able to stretch the chain on the climbs again.split from the group at stittenham to head home.67 miles in the bag for me.

Allan wrote: And finally, I would like to extend an invitation to join us to Darren N. A proper post ride write up would surely add even more kudos to the ride.

Oy! Hands off Darren. We intermediates have first dabs on him. Indeed we would welcome any 8.45 riders who have the time for a proper day out

Thanks very much for the kind invitation Allan. While I have always enjoyed my rides with you and am a big supporter of the Saturday Twenty20 ride, the short distance is as useless as a Dr Joe chocolate knee in terms of my preparation for the Wiggy 300, Robin Hoods Bay and other big rides. I reckon your designated leader of the day should do the reporting honours.
BTW, we cunningly stole Reuben from you today!

We had a sensational, punctureless, sunny day in Thixendale today. My Garmin now contains a perfect imprint of a Spirograph. We did have a fantastic day, although probably a bit too much déjà vu for me – thought I was in a re-take of “Groundhog Day” – in fact I’m sure I saw Bill Murray in the café! Quote of the day came from Reuben – “I used to like Thixendale!”

We left the Square at 9.30 with Bernard’s group and split up as we entered Thixendale. Bernard’s group cut right while our group containing Dr Dave, Paul S, Karl, Reuben, Antony, Steve and I headed out towards Burdale. We tried to entice Steph to ride with us too but she said she preferred to ride with the ‘nicer guys’ in Bernard’s group! – probably true too Today was not only about the 6 official climbs, there were also non-qualifying climbs in the lead up, or ‘teasers’, as we called them – one particular 14 percenter was simply indecent!

Just before lunch, we did the steepest climbs: Up Martinholme to Uncleby, then down Beckenholme, where we rode past millions of Cliftonites on the K-Ride coming the other way, including Dr Joe! We then almost immediately high-fived Bernard’s group as they also rode past. Next climb on the list was Gill’s, probably the steepest, before again finding Bernard’s group lunching in the café in Fridaythorpe with the motorbikers. Most of lunch was spent pouring over Google maps, Garmins & GPS’s to work out the order of the climbs we still had to do.

The last climb up Beckenholme to Painsthorpe almost ranked as the hardest, just because it was the last climb. The trip back to York into the headwind was tough as we tried to keep the group together. Huge thanks to my fellow Thixendalers who gave me a great ride today! Hope everyone else enjoyed it too!

D.

With so many Cliftonites taking part in the Spirograph this weekend, I thought I'd better step up and do a lumpy route too. So, under glorious sunshine I set out into the Peak District yesterday with two others, destination: Holme Moss. I made a promise to Rob last summer that I'd take a ride across Strines Moor sometime soon, and today was that day. The roads didn't disappoint, with some seriously steep lumps to battle against, but the stunning views across the reservoirs gave a welcome distraction to the gradient. We also stumbled across a small, single track black ribbon of tarmac that had, for some peculiar reason, been completely resurfaced, providing a fantastic smooth, undulating road - a stark contrast to the quality of the rest of the roads over the moor.

Over the other side, we joined the main road by Langsett Reservoir, and followed it over to Holmfirth, turning left to join the 2013 Tour stage route up to the mast on Holme Moss. We had a headwind all the way up, so I was overgeared and struggled my way up, so a hard but fantastic climb.

40 miles in we stopped at a nice little cafe for a quick stop before heading over to Glossop and up the harder side of Snake Pass. Tailwind up there, so we rode up it pretty quick, and flew down the other side.

At Ladybower we turned right to add on a few extra miles, over to Bradwell, Eyam and back up Froggatt Edge followed by the descent back into Sheffield. 83miles, 16.5mph average, and 2700m/8900ft of climbing. A great day out, and a lovely route - but I do wish I'd added on some more miles to crack that 3000m barrier! Next time...

Results of the Otley CC 25, incorporating the club 25 mile championship, are here.

Michael Scholfield 1:00:52
Jessica Bacon 1:01:17
John Cocker 1:01:23
Greg Melia 1:02:43 (including 30s late start penalty)
William Kaye 1:03:28
Mark Antrobus 1:06:44
Gill Crane 1:09:52 (or does it say 1:04:52? Gill, can you enlighten us?)
Gavin Williams DNS


Congratulations to Michael Scholfield, our new 25 mile champion! Also, congratulations to Jess on a fantastic ride! Are you sure you didn't fill your new disc wheel with rocket fuel?

That wasn't a great weekend for me, to be honest. I was meant to be riding the BUCS 10 yesterday until BUCS got their knickers in a twist, which was a pity as it would have been my last event for the uni. I didn't really have my head screwed on right today and the late start didn't help. I suppose I'd better find another one to enter, and practise my shouts of "shut up legs"

EDIT: I've put a few photos up here

Jess won the overall on handicap by a mile - a fantastic ride!! If there's a better performance by a Clifton lady all year I'll take my hat off to the lady concerned.

Well done Allan for guiding the 8:45am group. 20 riders already for this ride is incredible!

I had a very rare full day leave pass so I headed out with the intermediates on the Thixendale Spirograph. The company and weather were great - 94 miles and 6,000 feet of climbing certainly made for a full days riding!

Quite a busy weekend looking at this and the Racing Forum. Well done Jess. What a result!

As Allan said, I tagged along with the 8.45 Express yesterday. Quite a turnout at 19 riders so obviously striking a chord with quite a few. I think the ride is just about right too. Sociable enough for a chat in the group, some gentle through and off but not quite as quick as the Training ride, although I had 19.1 ave door to door and 52 miles so not a bad workout. And home for lunch Well done Allan for managing such a large group.

"Just" 13 set out on the original Thix Spiro ride on Sunday. It is a good job we have so many groups going out at the moment - my nerves couldn't cope with many more than this... Lots of wardrobe dilemmas this morning with IanH resplendent in shorts, Nigel cautiously sporting thermal tights and overshoes....

Highlights
Destocking the Thix Church Hall coffee morning of their cake supply. Note to self - ring ahead in future and ask them to bake something containing *complex* carbohydrate.
The amount of resurfaced road in the Thixendale area! There have been a few cubic metres of tarmac spread out on those lanes. I do worry about prioritisation, but it was good news for us.
9 less punctures that last year, hurrah!

The idea for this ride came a few years ago from Heather. She said that she/Nigel/Shaun had done a training ride where they climbed all the hills out of Thixendale. She said that the narrow roads made the U-turns hard at the top of each hill! There was a solution to that....

Last time I saw her she was laughing about a Pateley Bridge Spirograph......

Thanks for the company

Rob

Dr Dave wrote:Jess won the overall on handicap by a mile - a fantastic ride!! If there's a better performance by a Clifton lady all year I'll take my hat off to the lady concerned.

Needless to point out that she was also fastest lady ...

Excellent impromptu ride out with Bernard on the Spirograph on Saturday. I didn't even think I would be in York on Saturday but I was very glad I was. Great leadership from Bernard keeping us all together and excellent preparation by organising the weather. Not a single puncture, although no one dared to utter such a possibility, even as we approached our return to the City walls.
I don't know where the Intermediates went but I only clocked 82 miles door to door and 4775 feet of climbing!
Great ride, great company. Many thanks guys.

Was one of Robs merrymen on my third attempt of the Thix spiro. Even though i new what to expect still found it a struggle at times on some of the steeper sections. and as for those bonus hils no comment , bl***y birdsall brow. . Depsite that great day with some very strong riders showing how it should be done. Road surfaces atrocious at times at least there was some new tarmac on some of the worst sections . Did regret however not bringing ht summer bike, the forecast was for rain in the afernoon, and it mangaed to stay dry all day exceot for a few insignificant drops when i arrived home. And even though there are some conflict miliages for the last 3 years mine as been consistently York back to YOrk 91 miles with about 1800m accent . Obviously I add abut more with my extra ride in and out from York.

Thanks for the ride guys aand will be back in 2014 if there is 4th edition.

Jon

Had my entry back from Liege Bastogne Liege (again!) but luckily Dan Martin managed to do ok without me. Entered on the Line in Robs equivalent which I believe probably has more hills for miles cycled and the roads are probably narrower. You know its going to be big day when Kirby Underdale and Birdsall dont even count for the King of the Mountain! A few wardrobe dilemmas Sunday morning but the rain held off so we only had the climbs to worry about! I think if everyone had turned up just for the Sunday event they would have had a meltdown in the village hall or worse still the cakes would have had to be rationed! I had a leaflet thrust into my hand on the way out with a request to book ahead next year 01377 288401 (www.thixendale.org.uk). A great ride on Sunday - thanks for the company. We just need to work on getting Hanging Grimston included into the "intermediate" climbs for next year!