Short Ride
It was a lovely day for a bike ride and clearly a lot of people thought the same 12 takers including me for the short ride and husband agreed to lead group 2 rather than the discussion we had of him being the back marker. We picked up a couple of people on the route one briefly as he then decided to do his own thing .
A lovely hilly ride was had a frisky horse was safely negotiated and most delivered to Horticap where my duties were discharged. Having rung ahead they served us with a smile good company and conversation welcome to Christina who was new and returning member Richard.
Thanks for your company Rachel
Medium Ride
A very calm and sunny morning saw six of us set off from the showground, soon to become seven when Andy joined us on Leadhall Lane. Good progress up to Kirby Overpriced and then Sicklinghall and Linton. After the climb out of Collingham I decided to ignore my Garmin and we did an extra loop to Thorner but nobody complained too much. Up the cycle path from Brahman to Wetherby and we managed to get a table in the North Street Deli, Peter J decided to forego the cafe and headed for home. Not a spare seat in the cafe but the service was very swift and after refuelling we came home via the cycle path to Rudding. Apologies to Peter for not getting a group photo before he left us. 36 miles for me door to door. Thanks to all for a great ride. Steve B.
Medium Plus Ride
Easy as 123, this route had all the climbing in the second half, so of the 9 who started , 3 shortened the route early on. As a whole group we battled with a northerly wind out through Knaresborough, Ripon and Wath, took the group photo by the Zen Wellness centre and then 6 of us continued north to Snape and decided to detour slightly and lunch at Thorpe Perrow. Good decision – my sausage and bacon butty could have fed 2 – and in some cafes it would have done ! The questions are who is Harriet Smith, how much is that bike worth – and why didn’t she lock it up ? She must be a Yorkshire lass who knows how trustworthy her countryfolk are.
The climbing then began with a long haul up to High Burton, then swoop down to Masham and climbing again through Wathersmarske and Nutwith Lane. From there it was a great downhill to Grewelthorpe and back into Ripon past the barracks along Kirby Lane. The section from Masham was very quiet and not often ridden in that direction and allowed for a lot of chat at some considerable speeds.
After a convoluted route through Ripon to confuse the Garmins, I gave the option of the official 123 route home via Knaresborough (essentially the outward route in reverse) or an alternative through Studley Deer Park and How Hill Road to Scarah Bank and the Greenway. This was unanimously adopted even though it meant more hills – but different ones at least. Still nothing is too hard when you’re fortified with John’s jellies !
Riders peeled off as home approached. I did 60 miles to my door and really enjoyed it . A dry day, mostly sunny and warm out of the wind. Beautiful spring foliage appearing. thanks Steve, Steve, Tim, John and Phil. Peter L
Medium Plus Ride (with a variation)
Helen, Debby and I decided to vary our route having enjoyed the outward leg with Peter leading us through Littlethorpe, Ripon and the road through Hutton Conyers. it was like a trip down memory lane as I cannot remember the last time I rode this route. At the Wath triangle with an idea in my head on a route back to Ripon via West Tanfield and confirmation of the correct route from Phil we ambled along by the River Ure to West Tanfield. A right turn towards Mickley and Kirby Malzeard, a brief stop to get our bearings outside the Lord Lieutenant’s house, led us along quiet lanes and then a road none of us had ever travelled. We joined the road to Ripon past the barracks and through the Bishopton Estate to Tates where after 30 miles we were ready for coffee and food.
Glorious ride through the deer park and back in to Harrogate a mere 50 miles from door to door. A great ride. Gia
