Contrarians
Route 245 took us up Duck Street – where we said goodbye to Steve; leaving Paul, Emma, Iain, Tim & Grant to hustle along to Appletreewick, Burnsall & then up to Cracoe before dropping down to Gargrave. An 8:00 start made sense given the forecast for the hottest day of the year so far & meant there was some respite from the heat but not for too long – it was hot ….. as in high 27° or 28°. First café stop was meant to be at the Dalesman but they were too busy to serve us so we ended up at the Co-op watching all the Dave Myers bikers coming through the town – many with colourful & gaudy shirts on display. Then south to Broughton & onto Elsack for the main climb for all except Tall Tim who needed picking up due a broken rear derailleur. By now it was cloudy with some spots of rain. Round to Lothersdale, up to Skipton & then a proper stop at Tea on the Green at Bolton Abbey before coming home via Beamsley, Askwith & Armscliffe & well deserved ice-creams.
Medium Steady – Short
Four of us picked the start of the Scar House ride with a shortened variation which took in all the quiet lanes of Birstwith Darley Heyshaw and Thornthwaite. We approached the fairy bridge from the top and climbed Moorcock Lane. Several lanes which we often ride and put together made for a brilliant ride. 32 miles plenty of climbs we avoided the downpours and settled in at Sophie’s for a welcome cafe stop.
Thanks to Paul for leading us. Debby, Maris and Gia.
Medium Steady – Group 1
Thirteen of us for a very pleasant ride through Great Ouseburn. Yvonne and five capable gents formed a ‘brisker’ group whilst I led a steadier group of seven. Discussion on cafe stop agreed Tancred. Mmm. Two cars overtook us on Chain Lane on the wrong side of bollards. Tut tut. Bit of a tail wind and we were in Boroughbridge in no time where a BMW driver tried to overtake one of the Chris’s and myself after the Morrisons roundabout only to brake fairly sharply when he realised there was a road narrowing and bollards. Another tut tut. Down through the Dunsforths and Great Ouseburn where three brisk ladies and Tim 1 were just leaving the new cafe at the post office. They sailed past us at Thorpe Underwood . Yvonne’s group were well established at Tancred by the time we got there. Disappointed with the service considering they weren’t busy. However can’t fault my sausage sarnie. Head wind not too troublesome as we went via Whixley to the unmanned rail crossing. A very helpful railway worker assisted us through the gates. Homeward leg through Walshford and Little Ribston when I departed for Knaresborough. Good ride and avoided any rain. Thanks to Alison, Margaret, Diane and Chris’s x 3 plus Yvonne’s group. Home to home 38 miles. Colin B
Medium Steady Group 2
Colin’s route (R117) was so popular six riders, Mike W, Mike W/H, Yvonne, Rob, Steve and Tim2 formed a brisker group and departed first. I can’t say we encountered the traffic problems described by Colin except when climbing the hill after the Farnham junction a car driver seemingly forgot he was towing a caravan, passing and cutting in dangerous close. After a disorganised attempt at the Occaney challenge we were moving quickly but were caught by a shower as we approached Minskip and again on the way to Ouseburn. Soon after we were ensconced in Tancred’s vast cafe with room for one of the resident goats to wander in – chased away by the waitress in the nick of time. It didn’t seem long before the following group arrived. The main feature of the return leg was the strong head wind (17mph) but thanks to everyone and in particular Mike W/H pacing the way back to his Haggs Road turn off the effort was manageable. The ride ended when the remainder went their separate ways at the Showground. 44mi, av 14mph and 2290ft of climbing for me. Tim2
Short
Darley Dawdle was the ride today as I was not too sure of which route to go on as I had done a recce with hubby a month ago and knew where the route went or so I thought. Jill joined me and being used to keeping unruly kids on the straight and narrow knew she had no problem keeping me under control. Monica opted to join us also and Aneta and her 16 year old nephew Filip from Poland joined the group, how would he cope with us oldies! Off we set over the Stray, Dragon Bridge on to Knox. Dennis was waiting for us on the pack horse bridge and soon had the lead what a super hero he is! Over the busy Ripon Road to Lund Lane and down the hill to Hampswaithe. Now I had an idea where a turn was which was different to what was on the usual route and turned up the lane. Despite the odd rain drops and wind we cycled on towards Darley in a round about route but who was bothered not us the views were stunning. Down Stumps Lane at the bottom Dennis turned right for home and five of us turned left to the PO cafe. Usual good service from the girls in the cafe – teacakes excellent.
Filip was on holiday for 2 weeks before going home to Poland and told us he enjoyed mountain biking and when he left school he was going to set up a mountain bike repair shop in his Dads garage business. Very interesting young man and had a good grasp of English and Yorkshire. After a quick game of footie with me we all set off for home. Onto Birstwith, up Clint Bank, Hollybank Woods and Greenway. Monica, Filip and Aneta went on to Harrogate and Jill was tasked with taking me home and not getting lost! Thank you for your company and a great short cycle ride. 25 miles fun fun fun. Liz F
Medium Plus Steady
Only two riders for the Medium Plus Steady ride today, namely myself and Phil S. As were the only two, we felt that we had carte blanche to chose a route we both liked. The outbound route ended up as Knox Bridge, Hampsthwaite, Clint Bank, Brimham Rocks, Pateley, Wath Road, and How Stean. We had only one spell of rain at Smelt Houses, but by the time we could find somewhere safe to stop so had the rain.
As we were leaving the cafe at How Stean the Brisk riders appeared.
The climb up to Scar House Reservoir was a bit taxing, but the descent was well worth the effort. We now decided to return to Harrogate, via Bewerley, Glasshouses, Summerbridge, the Toll Road and Hampsthwaite. We arrived back in Harrogate in time to miss all the rain. PCJ
Medium Plus Brisk
Up to Scar House – always a delight. Some rain at Clapham & Nought Bank Moor but we were through it soon enough & pushing on past Wath to Lofthouse. Quite a tricky wind for the climb to the reservoir & that was looking decidedly low. Back down to How Stean café & then the taxing ride back (why is it always harder coming back than going out?) Andy, Richard, Peter, Vince & Tim finally crested at the Brimham Rocks crossroads and then sailed down to Ripley. 54.9 miles.
