Short Ride
The short ride 23 miles, took 10 riders, from Harrogate to Darley, on a beautiful sunny day. The route involved climbing, descending and some flat sections. We went via Ripley, Hampsthwaite, Upper Birstwith and to Darley for coffee. Returning back down the valley to Birstwith and home via the Green Way. Thanks to Sarah for back marking. Bob S
Medium Steady Brisk Ride
Today, with no designated leader, there was some discussion about how we should proceed. It was agreed that we would leave en-masse and review the position at Little Alms Cliff. On these occasions the rider at the front automatically becomes the de-facto leader, and it assumes the “leader” is familiar with the prescribed route? All of us did eventually arrive at Little Alms Cliff where we decided to split up with myself leading a slightly quicker group of five. The ride was straight forward, even doing the right turn at Sheepcote Lane. Approaching Darley we were met a huge number of parked cars and a similar number of cyclist. Must have been a Father’s Day event. Having decided not to have refreshments at Darley we headed to Brimham Rocks and return to Harrogate. We stopped at Ripley for much deserved refreshments. The service was relatively quick and we managed to get a table. The ride ended with a rather quiet ride on Greenway. PCJ
Medium Ride (Slower)
We left the main group at the top of Norwood Lane as we were slower and didn’t want to hold the faster cyclists up. We followed the suggested route as far as Darley where we decided to do an alternative route as we had recently been up Stripe Lane and Brimham. We cycled along Low Lane through Thornthwaite then did a loop which took us up Harper Lane and then down Dacre Pasture Lane past the pack horse bridge and Saint Saviour’s Church then back to Darley. We continued along the valley to Hampsthwaite where we met Malcolm for coffee at Sophie’s. Thanks to Gia, James, Colin and Liz for your company.
Medium Plus Brisk Ride
Route 209 is a 61 mile ride going south east via the well-known & sun-kissed roads of Kirkby Overblow, Linton & then Bramham. It was warming up all the time and keeping moving was probably the best way of keeping cool. The other way is to cut the route short & that is what happened for Jan, Janet, Helen & Zoë who turned back towards Taddie after we crossed the A something or other. That left Richard, Bob, Geoff & two Tims to sweep on to Cawood for a stop at the Village Tea Room. Goodness, it was sweltering by now. Staff were good, food was good & it did feel cooler once we re-emerged & crossed the Cawood Bridge heading east for Riccall & then north to Bishopthorpe. Here Bob’s encyclopaedic knowledge helped us round York whilst avoiding the worst of the cycle paths. Out via Askham Bryan, Wighill and then a diverting deviation through the back of Wetherby Racecourse to North Deighton. There the group split for home. 64 miles. Tall Tim
Big Un
As my last Big Un ( 16 annual mammoth rides completed), this was not the hottest I remember (that was 2022 when Dave Murphy got heat exhaustion and Mike Wills helped cool him down pouring 2 litres of water over his head), but it was certainly the longest duration – I got home at 23:15 !!!!!!
Yvonne Davies and I set off at 8:00 with a beautiful sunny day in prospect. The headwind along Penny Pot Lane and Duck Street was slight and kept us cool, followed by speedy descents into Grassington where John Carey and Terry Smith joined us. By now the sun was really strong and we stopped for refreshments at the Kilnsey Trout Farm, along with many other cyclists enjoying the day. Soon after Hubberholme the serious climbing began along Langstrothdale and then over Fleet Moss. This is probably the hardest section of climbing on the route but at least comes early n the day and before the highest temperatures. We took plenty of opportunites for congratulations and photos and then sped down into Hawes to refill water bottles before the second big climb to Buttertubs.
This climb is not as long but is possibly steeper. Terry’s chain misaligned near the top and he and John had to spend time sorting it before we stopped to inspect the Buttertubs themselves, and then descend to Thwaite for the promised annual fuel up in the Country Hotel. Oh dear, a big chalk board informed us the Hotel was closed all weekend for a family event. Luckily, as experienced riders we all had food supplies to consume supplemented with free drinking water from the Hotel Tap and we were soon off to Tan Hill.
For once, we decided to go inside after the customary ‘look, we’re here’ photos. After a drink (shandy and a half pint), nachos (me) falafels(Terry), homemade sandwich (Yvonne) and a whole plate of Fish and Chips (John – although to be fair I ate some of it too) we were off again – and the second Terry Tragedy occured. Avoiding a pothole, he came to grief at the cattle grid and had to repair some bleeding wounds in legs and elbows. The easterly breeze in Arkengarthdale was almost unpleasant but we reached Reeth to find all cafes, unsurpisingly, closed. It was then that I Iealised how late in the day it was becoming.
The Grinton Moor climb to Leyburn is the last of the big efforts and on tired legs too, but at least the temperature was calming down. i think we were all so glad to complete it we didn’t even stop for photos but enjoyed the descent to Leyburn hoping to restock in the Co-op – CLOSED. At least the One Stop Shop was still open so we got more food and drink and agreed to head straight home. Despite tired legs we made good speeds through Middleham, East Witton etc. and then Terry’s chain misbehaved again near Brymor ice-cream (CLOSED) but was quickly sorted this time and on to Masham and Ripon. The road was a calm pleasure to ride with little traffic but with lots of wildlife coming out for the evening – owls, curlews, hare, rabbits (sorry for the one hit by a car right in front of us) and we re-grouped again in Ripon.
By now lights were definitely required , but Terrys rear light failed so we escorted him in the middle of the bunch to Ripley where he was met by his wife. John headed straight into Harrogate while Yvonne and I used the very dark Greenway – spooky.
The stark ride details – 118 miles ( not quite as long as Mike and I did last year) 9,625 ft of ascent (about average for the full round). 15.15 hours duration (DEFINTIELY the longest)
The soft details – absolutely stunning views one after another, poeple achieving personal goals again and again, wonderful wildlife spottied all day(I must mention the pair of Ring Ouzels I spotted on Buttertubs), great cameraderie between us encouraging and supporting each other all the way round.
Route 96 (The Big Un) is a great loop and I’ve enjoyed every one of the 16 I’ve ridden – even the one I completed on my own ! Would I ever do it again ? Possibly. – but the years roll on…… Peter Lawley
