Medium Plus Steady Ride
I posted this longish ride to help those training for the 100. Whatever their motivation 7 cyclists followed me on a circuitous route out of town to Great Ouseburn where we paused for photos at the Village Green Stone and Shelter. Our cafe stop was to be Sutton-on-the-Forest at 39 miles so it was also banana and bar time. We were following Route 279 taking in Linton, Shipton, and Wigginton, a “Flat” ride and with the wind behind we were averaging a brisk pace. Arriving at Miss Daisy’s cafe after a long stint in the saddle we settled down for lunch following a round of table wrestling to provide maximum shade. It was inevitable that our return would be testing but Peter set the pace and inserted a couple of route deviations to mitigate the increasingly strong headwind. We progressed steadily through Tollerton, Aldwark Bridge, Arkendale and on to Knaresborough Hill from where we went our separate ways. A bright and breezy day riding through open countryside. Thank you to Peter, Martin, Rachel, Sarah, Dan, John and Yvonne(photos) for your company. 68 miles, av 13mph and 2500ft of climbing for me Tim2.
Father’s Day Treat
If a hill’s worth climbing, it’s worth climbing twice.
Having climbed the hard side of Trapping Hill, none of the group joined me for the easier ascent as an alernative return journey. The headwind was quite strong but you do get great views of Nidderdale. Safely home after 72 miles and a repaired lunch stop puncture
Peter L
Medium Steady Ride
On a Sunny mid-June morning the medium steady had just 4 takers then quickly 9 with another 4 taking a different way to Ripley.
We made our way out en-route past Asda and picked up Corinne at Bilton Ln, so with the 14 of us making our way to Ripley along the dappled greenway.
Stopping briefly at the tree in the car park at Ripley, Tony quickly spotted that Chris had accidentally joined Tim’s departing group and quickly brought him back.
On up through the woods and Hollybank, then Clint bank, to the short decent into Shaw Mills where fearless Margret flew past me yet again as I feathered my brakes before the climb to the bench at the top that Sally and Jill took full advantage of.
The weather and views at the top were stunning, as we watched Gia burn James, Paul and Kevin off to the top of the Shaw Mills climb, we said our goodbyes to these 4 as they were peeling off at the Drovers for a shorter ride, the remaining 10 pushed on to turn down Watergate and on towards the top of Gypsy hill, and over the top for the fast descent where Margret sped past Corinne and I yet again as we enjoyed freewheeling towards the tight Fountains bridge bend before the short climb on the hairpin to the top.
Re-grouping at the top before Tony kindly got the gate again before we descended through the deer park and onto our coffee stop at Tates.
We were served quickly given that they told us there was a wait on food, it was nice to sit out in the sunshine on one big table, covering many subjects as usual as we re-fuelled.
Refreshed we made our way back out of Ripon through Littlethorpe and Bishop Monkton before turning right on a different route for Burton Leonard then left towards the valley bottom ford, where some cycled across the ford, risking the fast currents and surging rapids, the rest of us crossed on the bridge after avoiding having to get the heavier e-assist bikes over the stile by going around the tree.
Up the concrete lane and back on the very quiet lanes through Brearton and Nidd and quickly doing the short busy section on the A61 into a sleepy Ripley.
We were quickly back along the Greenway to Bilton Ln, where we said goodbye to everyone and Margret and I made our way back to the stray, it had been a fabulous cycling day with warm sunny weather and a good-sized group on a lovely different last section to normal route.
A big thank you to Colin, who back-marked brilliantly and made my job easier. And to the whole group who helped us all to have a very enjoyable ride.
I had 40.5 miles and 2165ft of climbing but realised I hadn’t switched my Garmin off at the show-ground, when I saw on the summary and my top speed was 60mph, as it was in the back of the car!
So, really 36 miles and a bit less climbing.
Mike W
Medium Plus Brisk Ride
Alternative Route
As some of us didn’t fancy the full ‘Trapping’ experience a group of us chose the Greygarth alternative. In Sawley Michelle decided that she couldn’t get any rear gears on her Di2 machine. After a swapping of batteries she decided to complete the ride on her little front cog- good job it was a hilly ride and well done Michelle. At this point we said cheerio to David as he returned home. The views on the moor were fabulous and the ‘Pillsbury dough’ girls were looking particularly lovely today! Onward to Kirby Malzeard where Helen had heard of a new cafe- Ivy Bank Staycation. Very reasonable prices and worth considering. Rachel had a ‘hot date’ with a leg of lamb so we pushed on home via Watergate Lane rather than the Markington loop. All in all an excellent day out- 40+ miles and over 3,000 feet of climbing. Janet G
Medium Plus Brisk
A surprising six riders for the climb up Trapping Hill – although we were already down to 5 before leaving the Showground as Peter hurried off to get a water bottle. Luckily we all seemed to rendezvous easily in Bilton before another diversion off the route as Andy A took us past his house as his water bottle was also missing. I don’t know – amateurs! We took it easy along from Pateley to Lofthouse with quite a wind coming straight at us at times. Bright sunshine as we began the climb of the day. Marvellous views from the top & a rapid descent (with tailwind) into Masham. Against all the odds we nabbed a table at Johny Baghdad’s and received good service. It was getting rather chilly & 100% cloud by the time we moved on. Peter L announced that he would like to go back & climb Trapping t’other way. We thought he was joking to start with but he was committed which left 5 to come back to Harrogate via “the hilly way” involving Grewelthorpe & Kirkby Malzeard – just what we needed to warm up again. 57 miles. Young Tim.
