Short Ride
Six of us plus back marker Sarah set off on this scorchio day on Route 4 (but craftily reversed to avoid a hill climb out of Knaresborough at the end), out to Beryl Burton, Scriven, Scotton and Nidd ( inc. a check on Brearton), to a caff stop in Ripley, encountering Sally and Mr Sally in Ripley and Mr and Mrs Graham ( remember them?), on the way back, racking up about 20 miles in the process.
Paul B
Medium Steady
Only five riders were tempted to take part in the Medium Steady Ride today, namely John, Mike, Gordon and Helen. We were approaching Ashville School when John’s electronic gear changers stopped gear changing. Subsequently John abandoned the ride and returned home.
After lots of upping and downing in the vicinity of Norwood and Lindley we headed to Otley for some refreshments. The unanimous decision was to go to The Milk Bar Cafe, which surprisingly was not that busy.
By this time we were feeling the effects of the heat, so instead of retracing our steps back towards Farnley, we went through the “housing estate” to join the Pool Road. We were then back on the advertised route by the time we reached Castley. After more ups and downs we returned, incident free, to Harrogate. PCJ
Medium Plus Steady Group 1
Route 65 (59 miles) is a strenuous ride on any day – but on the hottest and sunniest day of the year so far it was a glorious but tiring achievement – just a shame no-one completed it !! Hows that for a dramatic opening to a short story ?
I had volunteered to lead the ride but was surprised that 8 others joined me, although it turned out some riders had alterior motives – again a classic short story trope.
In clear warm conditions we negotiated the early walkers on the Greenway, then sweated up Scarah Bank and a succession of climbs and descents past Fountain abbey , Aldfield and Winksley to Kirby Malzeard where Gia, Debs, James and Charlie decided to try the cafe at Grewelthorpe and meander home. Phil, Steve, Richard. John and I ascennded furhter to Ilton (big descent) and joined the Masham to Lofthouse road at Healey. Phil almost missed out on the route by overshooting a left turn but we shouted him back for which he was duly grateful. Now began the main challenge of the day – 900 feet of ascent to Trapping Hill on the horizo between Malhamdale and Nidderdale. By now the sun was hot but with a headwind cooling us, we all laboured to the top of the several steep climbs with rewarding views over a sweltering Vale of York behind us and verdant Nidderdale in front. The descent was, we agreed, less enjoyable as it is SO steep, not helped by encountering vehicles always on tight bends, it seemed.
Plenty of room for us in How Stean Gorge cafe – as long as we didn’t want hot food before 2 o’clock – no chance. The explanation was the presence of hordes of members and relatives of the Royal Bermuda Regiment (350 strong it is responsible for Bermuda’s home defence) We hoped no-one told Trump that they were mostly on holiday exploring caves, or he’d have their island as an amouse bouche.
With time pressing, Steve and Richard headed back to Harrogate by whichever quickest route they could devise. Phil, John and I loitered and then enjoyed the ride back to Pateley and Bewerley where we too decided that climbing Yorke’s Folly today would indeed be ultimate folly so we re-routed to Hmpsthwaite via Glasshoues, Burnt Yates and Clint Bank. Here we parted – John and Phil home via Oak Beck and me through Bilton, arriving home just after 4.30 to recieve an invite to my daughter’s barbecue – dinner sorted, yippee.
I just topped 60 miles and 4831 ft of climb – higher than advertised even without a Folly. Very nice day and a challenging route. Not a Short Day or a Short Story, but a real WheelEasy classic
Peter L
Medium Plus Steady Group 2
James, Charlie, Debby and I cycled with Peter’s group as far as Kirkby Malzeard, then carried on to Grewelthorpe to the Hackfall cafe. Excellent home made cakes, scones etc. and nice to sit out in the sun. We cycled through the very pretty village and pond towards Ripon and then back via Bishop Monkton and Knaresborough where we met Gordon and Alison.
As the temperature continued rising we were glad to be home but a lovely route much done in reverse which we had not done for a long time. 44 miles. Gia
