Clifton CC

I got great two rides in this weekend. Late Friday afternoon I met up with Rob part way round the Cockayne loop. We cycled up the Rudland Rigg to the Bloworth Crossing on our cross bikes. Then onto a disused railway line taking us round the top of Farndale across the road at the top of Blakey Bank. Onto another disused railway track which spits you out at the top of Rosedale Chimney. About 1/2 a mile of tarmac then onto a bridleway into Hutton le hole. Tarmac to Low Mill. Onto another bridleway. A bit of pushing and a bit of ridding our bikes and we were back up onto the Rudland Rigg. Plenty of blue sky, purple heather and green dales which would have been wasted on the colour-blind. A great 26 miles to start a bank holiday.

Sunday was the Tan Hill Ride. My worry with this one before arriving in the Sq was how I was going to split the different groups up. Not a problem just James, Dr Joe, Dr Dave and myself departed the sq at 7.35. We picked up Timj and JohnS before Helperby. We had a coffee and a bite to eat in Leyburn. Continued to cycle as a unit until Buttertubs. We regrouped at Tan Hill at Dr Dave's suggestion which worked well. From Reeth we split again regrouping at the Post Horn Cafe in Leyburn before cycling back to York for just after 6pm as a unit with 141miles done. The weather was perfect no wind no rain fantastic. Thanks lads you made it another great day out.

Along the narrow busy roads of the Dales we managed to induce some aggressive driving a couple of times. I don't think we provoked them to drive in this way. How should we react to it ? As we will all come across it at some time. We have some wise advise on this site on the Road Riding section. Click on "How to Ride in a Group". The last three or four paragraphs should be re-read by us all no mater how experienced we think we are. It should help to keep us all safer.

Steen

Well done Steen - it's not easy to lead a mixed group over such diverse terrain. And to Steen's last point - it's very easy to go out and find an argument on public roads, no matter what your mode of transport. The trick is to avoid them. At the end of the day, if you can't see eye to eye, ride away and look after your own blood pressure.

While the Tan Hillers were tackling Buttertubs, Claire and I were riding off road around Millington investigating possible routes for the Dirty Clubrun coming up. There are loads of dry valleys in the Wolds with no roads, so I can promise you all some new vistas

Joined Kevin's merry band on Saturday for their stretch ride to Castleton. Chapeau to Suzie, Claire, Craig and Kevin for some impressive riding. 101 miles door to door, with the Moors looking as splendid as they had done the evening before......