Medium Plus Ride
On the most dismal of Shortest Days, it was just Gordon and I on this loop of the low country east of Harrogate. At one point the sky lightened from deep battleship- to bright steel- grey but we never saw a glimpse of sun and you could hardly call it daylight either.
Still it didn’t actually rain either and there was no breeze. We noticed few other cyclists, apart from glimpses of the faster group and hardly any cars once we’d left Knaresborough.
The roads were uniformly wet and slushy, but no major flooding, although standing water was visible in most fields as we reached Boroughbridge via Farham, Bishop Monkton and Roecliffe. It was too early for coffee so we took the Aldborough road to the Dunsforths, Ouseburns and Hammertons. We joined the faster group at the very homely cafe in Kirk Hammerton Violge Hall then off home via Cattal, Little Ribaton, Spofforth and Follifoot.
42 miles, very little elevation and no views
Peter L
Medium Plus Brisk Ride
We rolled out this morning on route 207, heading through Knaresborough, Bishop Monkton, Boroughbridge and Great Ouseburn before aiming for well-earned refreshments at Kirk Hammerton Village Hall, then looping back via Cowthorpe and Spofforth
Conditions were, frankly, dank. A fine drizzle hung in the air most of the ride and with it being the shortest day, everything felt a bit grey and gloomy. Still, spirits stayed high – apart from a few grumbles from riders behind me who were getting a liberal coating of road muck. It turned out my rear mudguard flap had quietly departed at some point so I was promptly banished to the back of the peloton for everyone’s safety!
The café stop at Kirk Hammerton Village Hall more than made up for the soggy miles. Excellent quality food at very reasonable prices: toast with avocado and smoked salmon for me while Bob went for toast, avocado and bacon. Classy choices all round. Zoe and Jan even found time to create festive origami decorations from their Christmas serviettes, which raised a few smiles.
We stuck closely to the published route covering just over 43 miles at an average speed of 14.6 mph. Despite the drizzle, road spray and short daylight, it was a thoroughly enjoyable ride and a great way to spend a winter morning on the bike.
Tim R
Medium Steady Ride
It wasn’t a bad morning for the time of year but it didn’t get any better. Seven of us James, Charlie, Paul, Chris, Alison, Margaret and myself set of with the best intentions. It wasn’t long before mist and drizzle prevailed. It was just nasty. Paul and Charlie swung of at Kirby Overpriced. The wetting continued. Mist cleared up as we dropped into Linton then descended again unsurprisingly as we climbed Jewitt Lane. Across to Bramham and the cycle path down the side of A1 into Wetherby. Margaret and Alison decided to push on as James, Chris and myself aimed for a coffee stop. Breeze was quiet . Quick service. Suitably refreshed we headed for Little Ribston. Still drizzly. James left us in Knaresborough as Chris and I swung into Abbey Road. Very busy. Up Bland Hill and home for me on Forest Moor as Chris pushed on for home. Good ride even if a bit unpleasant. Made up by good company. No photo. Forgot. 32 miles home to home. Colin B
