This weekend was a change of scene. Up in sunny Yorkshire, I was also down to ride two ‘sporting courses’. A sporting course is generally defined as one which has a few hills and not on a flat dual carriageway with loads of cars going past.
Clifton CC 13 Mile TT.
I finished 1st out of 40 in 29.30. It was a lovely rolling course on quite roads. Though a little local knowledge of course would have helped to know how to take the frequent bends in the road. I think it was my first ever race where at no point was I overtaken by a car. Either I was going as fast as cars travel around there – or the roads were unusually quiet. I think it was the later. Great event by Clifton CC. They seemed to field half the riders plus all the marshalls. Entering the village hall made me think I was in a 1960s timewarp straight out of Heartbeat. cue newspaper clippings of local Girl Guides saving up 5p coins for local charity e.t.c. Great stuff, and nice change from riding up and down dual carriageways.
Otley CC 25 Mile TT
Sunday morning was a more traditional course and distance on the old A1. It is actually quite testing as there is minimal traffic and rarely flat. I finished in first place around 54.52. (around 2 mins quicker than when I did this course 2 years ago). My joy at first place and winning £50 (thanks to sponsorship of race by Zeta Plastic Components) was slightly diminished by losing my car key. Knowing car companies, it will probably cost me £50 to get a new key. At least I wasn’t down on the day and it was nice to win .
I usually always keep key around a piece of string, but for some reason didn’t. After race, I decided to retrace the whole course to see if it had fallen out. Anyway, it was a nice warm day for cycling.
One thing about Yorkshire – they really like there cycling, loads of people were out on their bikes.
photo at top is two wheels good photography
Comparison with Time Trial Position
just in case your interested. This pic was taken a couple of years ago.
It’s hard to spot much difference, but I think one at top is more aerodynamic.
Related
Thanks for you kind comments about the Clifton event Sat. I shared your link on our discussion board. I was sorry to have missed you after the event as would quite like to have had a chat. Maybe next time you are in Yorkshire! You may already be aware of another course v similar to Whenby out at Wolds Newton? The events put on there are just as friendly as ours and village hall just as quaint. Best wishes and safe riding. MA.