Short Gentle Ride
Ten of us opted for the short ride this morning and I picked a route where everyone would recognise the destinations but that included a few roads that are not so familiar to everyone and also had a couple of decent climbing challenges. We picked our way through town to join the Greenway at Dragon road, it was very slow progress all the way to Ripley this morning, picking our way around dogs and oblivious owners in many cases! Dennis joined us at Bilton lane and left us at the end of Hollybank lane to return via Hampsthwaite. The rest of us carried on to Darley via Birstwith and we stopped at the post office for refreshments which turned out to be a good move as we sat out the heaviest shower of the day and filled the cafe. Very good service from the two members of staff on this morning, a very leisurely stop with conversation ranging from Q-rings to drug trafficking. Eventually we left to return to the Stumps lane climb up to Cote hill then through the quiet back lanes to Clapham green and the swoop down into Hampsthwaite and then Hollins lane and West lane for a change which was a first for some. Paul left us here and we all returned via Pennypot lane and Cornwall road, the group started to break up as we got closer to home. I caught a quick shower near home but overall we were lucky for most of the ride. Thanks to everyone for the excellent company and especially Paul and the two Mikes for their assistance throughout the ride. 26 miles and 1985 feet for me. Steve B.
Medium Steady Ride
It’s a long time since I have done this Yeadon Tarn and Eccup route and I think the same went for my six companions as we all headed out through Burn Bridge and up Brackenthwaite Lane. Today’s Most Optimistic Cyclist Award goes to Richard and Paul (The Postman), neither of whom had brought a waterproof! However, they were lucky because we met no rain as we made our way up hill and down dale to Lindley Bridge, Farnley and our coffee stop at the delightful Milk Bar Cafe in the middle of Otley. It did rain quite heavily at that point but, cunningly, we were inside. Paul T bade farewell to us in Otley, to return a different way.
Thereafter, my in depth knowledge of the route greyed out a bit and I was relying rather heavily on my Wahoo that took grave exception to the “out and return” bit to Yeadon Tarn. Where’s Pete Lawley when you need him? As it happens, he was right next to me and managed to snatch disaster from the jaws of victory on a couple of occasions and also lead us on a better route from Yeadon Tarn to Bramhope. We also bumped into Angela out walking with a rather bouncy looking young puppy. I have to admit that the Otley/Bramhope stretch is not my favourite with busy, narrow, fractious roads but we did enjoy a wander down to the tarn, watching the regular take-offs from Leeds Bradford Airport.
We met no significant rain on the way to Eccup but did experience a short refreshing downpour on Weardley Bank which we were going DOWN for a change, weirdly! The sun then came out again to dry us all out before we got to Kirkby Overblow and finally home. Thanks to all of you for a bit of audience participation on the route finding and for being cheerful company all the way round. I am now off to the Orkney Islands so see you all again in July. My, slightly recalcitrant, Wahoo logged 37 miles. Helen T
Medium Plus Brisk Pace
I could have been persuaded to stay in bed today- rain & wind forcast. Anyway I joined eight other riders on route 140. At Bishop Monkton Michelle had a puncture and whilst we were sorting it the other group passed. At this point Andy decided to jump groups as we had decided not to go to Thorpe Perrow. On the road from Wath we encountered a fallen weeping willow tree.( see photo) Everyone had a reason to be back early and Rachel was desperate for food so in Snape we headed for Thorpe Perrow- sorry Andy. Homeward bound back the way we came- the tree had already been moved. In Ripon we had a bit of rain and we had a split at BM – some going to Knaresborough with others through Markington. As I put my bike in the car I discovered a front puncture and I dropped my garmin out of my car. 57 miles and I should have stayed in bed. Janet G
Medium Plus Steady Pace
At the outset I was thinking this might be an easy day as ride leader, expecting no takers for the medium plus ride to Thorp Perrow given the forecast of strong winds and heavy showers (obviously fully intending to do it on my own). As it turned out there were 10 of us willing to give it a go, and I needn’t have worried; this was an easy group to lead as everyone had a good idea of where they were going (even if not necessarily corresponding to the route) plus some great back-marking work. To be fair, any deviation was probably down to mis-information on my part. The route took us via Low Bridge round Knaresborough and out past Bishop Monkton where we picked up number 11 as we cruised past the brisk group (they had stopped to repair a puncture, but I’m sure we were catching them anyway). We pushed on through Ripon and out on the road to Wath where a fallen willow blocking the road didn’t hold us up for long but provided a good photo opportunity. Despite the wind and occasional buffeting from side-gusts we were making good progress, the first half of this route being pretty flat, hoping to reach the cafe at Thorp Perrow Arboretum before the rain which was looking very imminent at that point. The rain however did hold off even as we sat outside for a well earned break (incidentally, the brisk group had obviously recovered from their mechanical and beaten us to the cafe). The second half of the route was definitely more undulating starting with the climb from Snape and a nice decent to Masham. Unfortunately, turning on to the bridge into Masham Peter’s chain snapped rather spectacularly but he managed to maintain his poise and pull over safely. Luckily Dan had the required tools plus the skill and know-how to pretty quickly effect a good repair. A breakaway of 3 had carried on to the long climb out of Masham but then waited patiently at Grewelthorpe where we eventually re-grouped. From there it was rather uneventful (a couple of showers didn’t bother us) as we headed back via Fountains, Ripley and onto the Greenway. From Bilton Lane the group slowly dispersed most heading homeward (or to Waitrose for a bit of shopping, for example); 2 of us finally arriving back at the showground. Thanks to all for an enjoyable day out and to Dan for some textbook back-marking. I recorded nearly 56 miles and over 3000ft. Doug H
