Clifton CC

Sunday Clubrun:
Ten experienced riders in the Square: Heather, Steen, JohnS, RichardD, Muzzy, Nigel, DrDave, Jonathon and Eric. It was a fantatstic morning, so I wiggled us around in the lanes a bit, but eventually we hit the the classic climb of Boltby Bank. The strong tailwind was a big help and for once I actually felt on top of my 30x26 bottom gear... Fantastic descent into Hawnby. The cafe is like someone's front room - and I don't think they're used to big groups. We were there a while. Still, the scran was top and we had a good climb out of the valley to warm us up.
Opted for the simple route back through Harome and Hovingham into the strengthening cross-headwind. Back in York about 2-30 with 76 miles on the clock. Good ride, thanks for the company.
Thinking of going west next week....

First outing with the inters for a few weeks on Saturday to Bridlington. Probably the last long ride of the year with clocks going back next week. 8 out including myself, Graham, Jenny, fin, Matt, John b, tony, and karl. Pretty direct route there and back through Howsham, North grimston, burton Fleming and returning via langtoft sledmere and Thixendale, and kirby underdale. I was way over dressed in the mild temperatures and conditions were ok despite the cross wind. Some very muddy roads though to clod up the mudguards. Suppose we better get used to that for a few months. Some strong riding by fin, Jenny and Matt contesting the village sprint signs early on and trying to keep the group together which was ok for the most part.

Not sure about everybody else but I was feeling it by the end, 94 mile round trip from york which with the few stoppages we had meant a finish in the dark for me, we did not hit york until six. Good ride guys and thanks for the company.
Also thanks to John b for the help navigating in and out of Brid to get on the right road. I managed to follow a garmin route going the wrong round way all day

Jon

As Rob says, I made it out on Sunday. Unusual for me at this time of year and although I hadn't appreciated my diminished fitness beforehand  I certainly knew about it afterwards!
Definitely not on top of my 39:27 up Boltby
Thanks to all for the company and for the tow back to York.
83kgs is too much

Fantastic ride yesterday. Well pedalled roads for me but I never get tired of them. In fact in 25 years I dont think I've ever stopped in Hawnby - normaly its just a grunt up the main st on the way to somewhere else usually Osmothley. By the way is this the steepest main street in Yorkshire (except Robin Hoods Bay)? Talking of steep hills Boltby never seems to get any easier even on dry roads with a gale force tailwind its still just a question of getting your body weight behind every stroke of the pedal. Because I dont weigh very much I was struggling to keep up!
With the exception of the trotters and the oink I think a whole pig was consumed in the cafe. Unfortunately they were still out catching it when we arrived!
The ride was a triumph of group riding even on those roads. I must say I was pleased it wasnt any further. Left the group in Strensall and was was glad I could just ride in steady. Even so I was still back by two thirty. That sort of group size and distance would do me just fine.