Medium Ride
Blessed with a lovely sunny and warm day the faster group lead the way not to be seen again until coffee and Gia, Kevin, Jill, Chris and Michelle and Andy joined me until Low Bridge where we swopped Michelle and Andy for Liz and Corinne. After wending our way through all the road works we joined Peter’s Short Ride group for a joint photo at Farnham, and then headed through Bishop Monkton and Roecliffe to Boroughbridge, where then faster group and the Short Ride were already ensconced at Hideaway. Employing a bit of subterfuge we usurped the Short Ride’s place in the queue for food and coffee, although even then the numbers seemed to overwhelm the staff and the drinks were slow in appearing and the food arrived piecemeal and for Jill, not at all till Gia went and collected it! However we were in no rush and a relaxed time was spent outside enjoying the sun and varied conversation, finishing with a photo of the full group. (Sorry Chris I lost you behind Gia) The homeward run was through the “silent” Dunsforths, and then Great Ouseburn and Arkendale and up Knaresborough Hill to the Golf Club where everyone went their separate ways and Gia showed Kevin and I the cycle path from Bogs Lane through to Granby. Thanks to everyone for coming and being well behaved and by my reckoning it was about 37 miles and 1500 feet of ascent depending on where you started and finished. James G
Medium Steady Brisk Ride
We set off as a 4, with Gordon, Rob, Tim and myself at a brisk pace, we were joined after the Farnham turning by Michelle and Andrew, out towards Bishop Monkton with a brief stop as we turned for Boroughbridge where we arrived with a respectable 15.8mph average speed.
The Hideaway was under pressure with two other WE groups there, but the owner did her best to get everything out to us asap.
The return leg was marginally less rapid, allowing us to chat and enjoy riding in the sunshine on the backroads past the vineyard and back through Arkendale, Ferrensby and quickly up Knarsborough hill as Gordon set a great pace to follow, we all separated at the top and went our various ways home. An enjoyable sunny ride in good company.
Mike W/H
Medium Plus Brisk Ride
Such was the popularity of route 219 today we split into two groups with the ‘I’m doing the Embsay climb’ group setting off first. Vince had an early issue with his saddle but it was soon sorted and we were off! Up Brackenthwaite Lane through North Rigton and onto Crag Lane- there was the view across the valley- gorgeous. Down through Stainburn and Leathley, up Farnley Lane and onto Weston Lane. As we approached Ilkley we saw Jan cycling back home. Coffee was at Tea on the Green where we met up with the ‘Embsay’ group. Apologies to Helen as I appear to have cut her out completely from my photo- I need longer arms clearly. We stayed on the main road until Barden Bridge, heading for Skyreholme. It’s always a tough climb but we all managed it and to be honest I find the slog up to Stump Cross Caverns worse. I was so looking forward to the ‘swoop’ down Duck Street and it didn’t disappoint. Vince and Tim did a great job on the front. At Menwith Hill we split, some going back via Knox, others following the published route. Great day out- 54 miles and over 4,000feet of climbing it was a hilly ride. Thank you all Janet G
Medium Plus Steady Ride 1
Delightful and challenging scenic ride on Route 219 with my first Embsay loop after we had detoured to visit the pretty village and seen the steam train pass by. I hope the photos do justice to illustrate a grand day’s cycling out to Barden Moor & Skyreholme on a glorious sunny day in pleasant company. 60.15 miles and 4,754 ft. Yvonne D, Richard B, & Pete.
Medium Plus Steady Ride
Last week’s medium plus ride was almost identical to this week’s and Monica and I had enjoyed it so much, we decided to do it again – under the watchful eye of Peter Jackson. The good forecast had enticed a keen group of “Steady” types and some of the more “Double Plusser” types so off we all went, enjoying the early warmup on Brackenthwaite Lane and playing catchup between the two groups. On the outskirts of Ilkley we forsook the opportunity of doing the Langbar Loop (which we did last week), knowing that we had the prospect of the Embsay loop after lunch.
We caught up with our speedier friends at The Abbey Tea Rooms, which is always an excellent stop and Peter convinced them of the wisdom of setting off first for a swifter second half of the ride. So, Peter J, John C, Monica and Me became Group 2 and, henceforth, relaxed the pace a bit! This part of the ride is absolutely beautiful and words and pictures really can’t do it justice – you will all just have to do it sometime. Similarly, words and pictures can’t truly explain how hard the climb out of Embsay is but we all got there and managed a quartet of cheerful smiles, courtesy of a lovely German lady, parked at the top. There then followed a rather thrilling descent and a pleasant meander over to Appletreewick and a further lung stretching hill before turning right on to the Stump Cross road – it was then “largely downhill” all the way home via Greenhow, Duck Street and Penny Pot Lane.
Summer rides don’t get much better than this and huge thanks to Peter J for looking after us and to John C for his unobtrusive and diligent back marking. They were unfailingly patient all day and never lost their sense humour once. The ride was just short of the 100k so we did spot John, heading home the long way round, to make sure he clocked the full 100! Helen T
Short Ride
What a glorious day for cycling. Route 84 to Boroughbridge attracted 10 riders. I’m hopeless with names but there were several Davids and Peters as well as the lesser-spotted Malcolm on his first WE ride of 2025. It was a 50/50 split between electric and neanderthal bikes, but the generally level route allowed us all to keep together pretty well.
I made some slight alterations to the route , for instance along Knaresborough Waterside before the crowds appeared, and on the return utilising the Bogs Lane cycle path to the Stray. The most useful was taking Limebar Lane in order to avoid cycling up the sharp hill to Marton cum Grafton.
We bumped into the Medium Rides at several points including, most annoyingly, at the only open watering hole in Boroughbridge (Hideaway Cafe). We respectfully followed staff instructions to be seated and staff would take our order. Not so the Medium Bandits ! They arrived after us Placed orders at the counter while we waited. Received their yummies before we had a sniff of ours and then had the cheek to pay and leave before us ! On the other hand, we had some great craic while we waited and I almost had to drag us back out on the road.
The sunshine held up without being too hot, even on the crawl up Knaresborough Hill. We split at Forest Lane Head to return home via different routes.
A great day out. Mysteriously the advertised 24 miles ended up nearer 29, but no-one minded. Thank you for your company, whatever your names !
Peter L
