Medium Steady Ride

Hoping this dreich first day of September didn’t presage the first day of autumn, 9 riders set off in good spirits heading for the hills.  By the time we reached Low Bridge, we had somehow lost David, but gained Mike P. so after I waited a good while in vain, on we advanced to Ripon where Sophie’s coffee siren call saw Paul T & Kevin D turn left whilst the rest of us, Yvonne, Tim2, James, Andy, Rachel, Kevin, Mike P turned right, up to Galphay.  There we sheltered under the magnificent oak tree on the village green for a passing shower before carrying on to Winksley.  Grantley provided the usual highs and lows and our new discovery of an overgrown narrow lane from Low Grantley (« not suitable for motor vehicles ») which involved a lot of ducking overhanging branches and a few close encounters of the stinging kind with nettles… And before you knew it we’d climbed up to Risplith and G&Ts for our pause-café – super display of sunflowers at the entrance.  We chased the clouds through Sawley and up Hebden Bank, where Mike continued down to Ripley and the remaining 6 turned right again for the rare descent into Shaw Mills and on up to Clint, followed by the wonderful whoosh into Hampsthwaite – pretty sure I saw Paul & Kevin D’s bikes still there…. Rachel & I were busy discussing skiing in Scotland all the way up Hollins & Lund Lane which was a welcome distraction from the gradient.  Andy split for Pennypot and the rest of us headed home in different directions from Bilton.  Grand day out in lovely company.  Just over 40 miles and 2,854 ft back to Low Harrogate. Yvonne D

Short Ride

September 1st and it felt as though autumn had arrived on a damp morning! Undeterred, seven of us set off to explore the Knaresborough hinterland. It was good to see Linda from Skipton again. Once on the way to Farnham, we were on relatively quiet roads as we skirted around Knaresborough via Arkendale, Staveley, Farnham, Lingerfield and Knaresborough. We’d hope to have our coffee at the ‘ Ugly Duckling’ but they were expecting a large group so we decamped to Marigolds. It was fun to watch all the activity on the river, particularly the paddle boarders. One paddle boarder even had his dog as a passenger! After a convivial coffee break, we all agreed to take on the Knaresborough hill challenge followed by a meander along Bogs Lane. Paul left us part way along while the rest of us continued to the Stray and Oakland’s Drive where we parted ways. A pleasant ride of 22 miles in chatty company. Many thanks to all. Today’s photographer was Sally. Alison N.

Medium Plus Steady Ride

There were three takers for medium plus steady on an overcast and drizzly morning, the weather seemingly in sync with the calendar as we moved into autumn. Glyn had cycled in from Leeds; Alastair and I preferring to drive to the showground. However, the light rain soon abated as we set off and the long drag along Penny Pot Lane soon warmed us up. By the time we got to Duck Street we were pretty much in the clouds and were glad we had some lights between us. In some ways on such a long straight road it was quite nice not to be able to see too far ahead. By the time we got to Greenhow the clouds were very heavy and it was quickly agreed that a stop at Stump Cross was in order. Despite appearing crowded we were served pretty quickly and coffee and cakes enjoyed. This proved a good call; as we emerged the cloud had lifted considerably and we could see the road ahead once more and enjoyed the views on the long descent (mostly) down to Bolton Abbey and on to Ilkley. At Askwith Glyn headed off in the general direction of Leeds via Otley whilst us remaining two headed up Askwith Bank just as a heavy shower hit us. We soon dried out on the descent through Timble and after a well deserved Snickers bar at Fewston had only a couple more climbs before another good run down Norwood Lane and back to the showground. An enjoyable day out, despite the forecast and some tough climbs, and in good company. 53 miles and about 4000ft for me; probably a bit more if you had started from Leeds.
Doug H

Touring Day Ride

It was a bit of a gloomy start and my automatic headlights turned themselves on as I rolled off the drive.  Undeterred the five takers for this Touring Day turned up bright and early and we set off promptly at 08:14:59.  The intrepid five were Monica and Me, John C, Steve B and Eric W.  There was a touch of drizzle in the air but we were optimistic that the weather would be dull but dry. Monica lead us on an imaginative route out of Harrogate to pick up John on Penny Pot Lane and onwards to Duck Street.  Our optimism was slightly misplaced and by the time we reached the top of Duck Street it was in fact proper rain and we were getting a bit chilled (in the wet sense, nothing to do with chillaxing) and you could hardly see your hand in front of your face. There were a few mutinous suggestions about turning around and fleeing for home or maybe descending into Pateley Bridge but we compromised on breakfast at Stump Cross Caverns Cafe for a thorough review of “options”.  Steve B was keen to complete the route, as was John C who had celebrated his 71st birthday this week and really wanted to do 71 miles at 71 to mark the moment.  Heaven help him when he’s 90! Monica, Eric and I had to admit we didn’t want to flog up Littondale to see nothing but rain so we opted to head back into Wharfedale and then home via Appletreewick and Bolton Abbey.  So, off we all went in our opposite directions – more from Steve and John later. As soon as we dropped down a bit, it dried up and felt warmer, so we were a great deal happier! We almost had views and risked removal of the waterproofs.  On the way to Bolton Abbey we were overtaken by Vince, Richard L, some Tims and the fast girls who were instantly a distant blur on the horizon.

As we were full of sausages and bacon we only paused briefly in Ilkley to check out Eric’s suggested cafe (the name of which escapes me but it’s on the left as you go up the hill to the traffic lights) and indulged in some rather nice cake, purely in the interests of research.  A bit more of a breeze had sprung up so we made good use of Eric by popping him at the front so we could practice our illegal drafting skills all the way to the bottom of Asquith Bank.  We enjoyed a few moments of sluicing rain which lasted just long enough for us to get from the bottom to the top when it promptly stopped, allowing us a pleasant swift run down to Fewston and ever onwards via Little Almscliffe back to Harrogate.

Meanwhile, our stalwart chums had completed the full route of 80 miles, with no more fog and they claim the sun even came out at one point but I would need photographic evidence of this to be certain they had not imagined it! John got his 71 miles done, with some to spare, so chapeau to them both.  We too had a surprisingly enjoyable 54 miles with 3,050 ft of climb and particular thanks to Eric for looking after us two damp, tired ladies and the nice long leisurely chat in Ilkley.  Monica W and Helen T

Medium Plus Brisk Ride

I was questioning my decision to turn out for the ride today as I rode in from Bramhope in the gloomy drizzle. However my spirits lifted as I saw a decent group of cyclists ready to ride. 6 of us set off on route 87 with the intention of avoiding the Skipton loop. There was absolutely nothing visible as we rode up Duck Street. We had a bit of an anxious moment as we cycled down the steep hill past Stump Cross caverns. Richard had a puncture but fortunately he had tubeless tyres so a bit of air later he was ‘good to go’! We met up with Monica and Helen at the top of Old Oak- they had decided to vary their route. Coffee was at Tea on the Green’. The weather had definitely improved and we made good progress on the back road to Otley- mainly due to Vince and Tim(tall) on the front. I peeled off at Pool, leaving the rest to cycle back to Harrogate. I clocked 60 miles – so glad I made the effort. Janet G