Short Ride
It were a bit parky as 9 shorties set off on a lumpy Route 316 to Fewston via Burn Bridge and Brackenthwaite. Magically, as often happens on rides, we spawned another rider so 10 turned down Otley Road heading for Norwood Lane and our first photo shoot at Little Alms Cliffe. We resumed the ride heading for Fewston and our café stop at the Parochial Hall, our second photo shoot opportunity. Service was quick and friendly, and the fayre was excellent as was the chat. By now the weather was absolutely glorious, and perfect for cycling so we headed homeward back up to Little Alms Cliffe enjoying the final swoop down to Beckwithshaw for a final re-group at the Smiths Arms (no, we didn’t go in). Everyone agreed it had been a fabulous route and ride and split up to head for various homes. Big thanks from me to John H for his exemplary back-marking. 23.3 miles and 1,876 ft elevation for me John C
Medium Steady
On a cloudy Sunday morning and a little cold on my cycle in, with Rachel and I having to dodge the show ground traffic on our way to the old start point of Hornbeam station.
We had a perfect group of 7 regulars for our medium steady hilly scenic ride today, consisting of Steve, Steve B, James, Phil, Paul, Colin and myself.
Many good memories of this old meeting point discussed by Phil and myself but both of us still needed to go around the car park to get into the right gear for the two slow bends of the starting ramps up to the road.
Swiftly up Leadhall and cutting through to the cycle path past Ashville, out towards Beckwithshaw on lovely quiet country lanes before our steady crawl up to little Almscliffe, where we had a photo stop before the fast descent towards Fewston and onto the second car park for a toilet stop for Steve. Then helping a lost driver with instructions to the first car park by myself, with (I’m told one “undulating” too many) in my instructions!
A steady climb saw us all getting into our own pace for the long ride up, following Phil and Steve I felt guilty watching their effort and guilt made me switch off my one bar assist and also struggle with my companions In solidarity.
On reaching the top at our regrouping water stop, the sun had broken through and the views were spectacular in every direction, we pressed on for Low Snowdon and again climbed at our own pace before enjoying on a fast decent into a busy Otley to the Milk Bar, where we surprisingly found ourselves two tables next to each other. The service was quick and the food was perfect fuel for our climbs ahead. Conversation was lots of reminiscing based and the banter flowed in the usual enjoyable way.
Back up and over to Leathley and climb up through delightful country lanes and pretty Stainburn village, again I dropped in behind Colin and Phil and again I felt guilty of my 1 bar use, so turned it off and reluctantly endured what Phil was feeling ahead of me.
Paul peeled off for Killinghall and Steve had to be back early so shot off ahead, the remaining 5 of us headed for North Rigton, after temporarily lights I descended slowly on the awful tarmac surface with respect for Phil who came shooting past me, showing me up for being a careful whimp!
Descending on, I managed to carry my speed into the long climb and fell in behind Steve B, for the climb, deciding again that I could stay with Steve B without assist, which as James passed me and Steve moved ahead proved wrong.
A fast decent down Brathwaite with the Triathalon riders, and then passed by a girl with only one shoe and a bare foot, with James suggesting “we should give her one”, “not one of my size 12, I replied”
Then I peeled off at the Black Swan for Pannal, saying our goodbyes, and knowing they would make it home ok from here :-)?
Thank you to my 6 cycling buddies today, what a wonderful scenic route with spectacular views in every direction, a successful coffee stop and 36.8miles for me with 3068 ft of climbing.
A special mention to Colin for tricking me into writing the ride report “because I took the photo”! M W/H.
Medium Plus Steady
Chilly start as we gathered at Hornbeam Station this morning, questioning my decision to wear shorts and carry no outerwear… but we knew it was Spring as the Harrogate Flower Show was in full bloom. So if we moved fast enough, we’d keep warm right? We were sailing down Prospect Rd when we were suddenly confronted with a Road Making vehicle – very rare breed in these parts but it had commandeered the entire road so we had to walk through a couple of ginnels to regain Starbeck High St and head up to Bond End. Debbie joined Steve K and I for the Coxwold run, and much as she loves coffee, we agreed Great Ouseburn was too early to stop then Easingwold was really too close to Coxwold to stop. Having climbed a few hills on the Oulston Road and taken a peek at Newburgh Priory, we were all ready to sit on a sunny bench outside the Coxwold Tearooms and enjoy the homemade scones and Debbie took on at least 5 shots of coffee. We bid farewell to the brisk group who were mostly settled inside and headed off to Carlton Husthwaite and on to the Sessays. At Thornton Bridge, I persuaded my fellow travellers to join me on a short déviation: the breezy road to Cundall and Norton-le-Clay as it’s prettier and less noisy than the usual road to Milby. Then we got back on track to Boroughbridge and busy Knaresborough, before splitting up on the pristine cycleway between Bogs Lane & Claro Road. Nice company; each of us shared the lead and took the breeze over about 57 miles and 2,500 ft. Yvonne.
Contrarian’s 5yrs in Pink
It was five years ago our group became the Pink Contrarians and it was this route we first went out in the Pink kit. See photos below of then and now. Saturdays ride was out to Easingwold around 53 miles. Four met at Hornbeam with legs and arms out as the weather man said warm. Route went out Forest Lane for a change to meet two at golf club, then onto Sandy Bank for final three meeting. Fast pace out as flat route so we had a 17 mph average at Easingwold. Refreshments were had outside the Olive Branch. Mike and Darcy had a shorter stop due to time and went home as a pair. Return was into a slight head wind with changes on the front until the group split at Staveley due to traffic lights. Re group at Sandy Bank. Emma and Jonathan left in Knaresborough. Rest of group back via Golf Club – Claro Road home by 13.00 with 16 plus average. Grant.
