Sunday 13th March

Quite a sight to behold in the lower Showground this overcast morning : the fields looked like they were on fire! In fact it was 350 tractors with headlights glowing, gathering for the annual Tractor rally to Pateley Bridge. Quick diversion decided upon took Tim R, Yvonne, Margaret and Alison – just delightful to have her join us again after her repair – through Starbeck and the Beryl Burton way to K’borough where we did watch a few tractors trundle through at Bond End. Onward to Farnham and Alison diverted to Burton Leonard just before Bishop Monkton, which was in its Sunday best with fine Spring flowers and happy puddleducks. Plenty in Boroughbridge ran out of teacakes! then scones! but we were delighted to see Mike P, Alan D and Roger roll in to town, having waited in vain for us earlier at Low Bridge. We all battled on together through the 19+ mph winds to Aldborough, Great Ouseburn where we met the Coffee Bike lady and Arkendale; the Knaresborough contingent left and the final 3 countered the winds back to Harrogate. Lovely company with a respectable 36 mile ride and climb of 1,821ft. Yvonne D.

A group of six (Janet, Helen, David, Vince, Jonathan & T3) followed Route 92 round to Kirkby Overblow, Wetherby, past the pealing bells of All Saints in Kirk Deighton & onto Tancred Farm. There we were joined by Tim No.1 who had not been at the start due to issues with his garage door (really). Food & service good as always at Tancred. Swift progress was made via the Dunsforths, Boroughbridge & Roecliffe – passing several other Wheel Easy groups along the way …. and then we turned south into the headwind which made life a little harder than it was. The route was amended to samba through Markington and on to Drovers which suited everyone except Big J for whom a Knaresborough finale would have been nice. 50 miles. Tall Tim