Short Ride
Thanks to twelve members who joined my short ride today which was a Sicklinghall circular ride taking in the new cafe at the Cricket Club in Sicklinghall called Cow Corner. Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
We ambled through quiet lanes behind Nearby, Barrowby and Kearby with views of the Wharfe below us. Up near Clapgate great views across to Almscliffe Crag and then Paddock House Lane to Wood Hall, Trip Lane, Northgate lane and Sicklinghall. We were made very welcome by the owners and staff and after a leisurely stop most of returned through Stockeld Park, Spofforth and Follifoot. about 26 miles. Gia
Medium Steady Ride
The ride for the group was Route 206 (a pleasant anticlockwise loop around Wetherby taking in picturesque villages with a few “kickers” thrown in for good measure).
The conditions were “as dull as dishwater” compared to earlier in the week but with the promise of sunny weather later in the morning we had nine riders signed up for the tour with a good mix of youth, experience and… even more experience.
The crew consisted of Peter (the navigator), Steve (C2C MTB guru), Tim (trick cyclist), Zilpha, James, Tony, Rachel (welcome to WE), Rob and Steve K.
Thanks to Peter for leading us over the rolling countryside and suggesting the coffee stop at Thorpe Arch. For those who do not know the café at Thorpe Arch, it is not Betty’s but has its own unique character. It is the only café in Yorkshire where you can only buy a cup of tea in large or extra-large (bucket sized, see pictures) and the food portions are “industrial.” I went for an extra-large tea (it seemed the polite thing to do). I cannot believe Tony asked for more tea in his bucket!
The ride back seemed a bit uneventful, so Tim offered to show us one of his cycling tricks where he rides along juggling his bananas whilst simultaneously fiddling with his computer. Unfortunately, mid-performance, he hit a pothole, the banana slipped from his grasp, and he ended up in a ditch. For a moment, I reached for my phone camera but then I realised he was not moving so I quickly switched to “first aid mode.” Fortunately, Tim was fine (albeit a bit prickly!) and completed the ride. If you would like to see more of Tim performing other cycling tricks, then please subscribe to his YouTube channel.
Thanks to the team today for the great company and I hope to see you on future rides. Stats: On my bike computer, I made it (38m/62.32km, 2526ft/770m). The ride speed average was a respectable 13mph/21.7Km/h. – Steve K
Medium Plus Brisk
Only 5 riders today for the Masham ride. Vince was our substitute Tim as the other three Tim’s were on their cycling tour- well you have to have at least one Tim in the group. Zoe was channelling her inner ABBA. We made good progress to Masham and came out of the cafe to a sharp shower. Jackets on we set off up the hill towards Snape- jackets off, sun’s out. We missed out the Thornton Watlass loop and with Helen’s ‘home legs’ on the front together with Vince we soon hit Ripon. No Knaresborough Hill for us today, favouring Markington, Ripley and home. It was definitely blustery and we did get wet but all safely home. 59 miles and 3,700feet of climbing- a good day out. Janet G
Long Ride
Three of us surprised Richard by turning up at 8.30 for this ride on a forecasted very windy day with the possibility of rain ( what even is that ? ) – Yvonne, Mike and me. By Fewston we were 6 with Andy and Martin joining along Penny Pot Lane. The headwind was significant all the way out to the Bolton Abbey coffee stop via Timble, Askwith and the ‘cyclists road’ north of the Wharfe through Ilkley and Beamsley but we had the only shower of the day – and that was brief.
Out into the wind again to Embsay where I almost missed the right turn as I was so enjoying the free riding downhill past the Train Station. At Rylstone Richard suggested turning out of the wind and possible rain and all apart from Yvonne and I agreed. I hope they had as enjoyable a day as we did.
The headwind wasn’t too bothersome as the road through Hetton to Airton is quite well hedged. We decided we didn’t need lunch yet so proceeded to Malham which wasn’t too busy, although again I missed the routed turning up to Malham Tarn by trying to go straight through the village following a sign to Malham Tarn !! In fact, the right turn onto Tarn Road took us up Malham Rakes which I’ve never ascended before ad might not again as it was quite steep and busy at the bottom. We emerged above Malham Cove at Street Gate. I pointed out to Yvonne that the quickest way back to Wharfedale was a right turn onto Mastiles Lane but we would need our Mountain Bikes ! Instead we turned right into the teeth of the ferocious wind. Pausing only to round up 3 lambs who may have belonged to the dead sheep we passed earlier, we fought the wind until the right turn to Arncliffe past Malham Tarn to the the east. This road is a delight in either direction but especially now the wind somewhat helped us – the geology and the views were spectacular, but who would want to live year round up here ? I recalled that years ago Dave Preston or Martin Weekes led us up this road in the opposite direction and the ascent from Arncliffe was steep !
From Arncliffe onwards all roads were wind assisted and we veritably sailed along through Grassington, Burnsall ( where the now-closed parking field by the river looked remarkably like the farmland it is), Appletreewick, the tiring ascent at Skyreholme, Stump Cross, Duck Street, Menwith, Hampsthwaite and home via the temporarily closed road to the A61 and Knox Bridge ( re-opened and oh so safe now ). The wind assisted speeds got us home by 18.00. 88 miles , 7,000 ft ascent.
The BBC forecast of rain turned out wrong but the wind was as considerable as predicted. It was a great ride in unfamiliar places past Embsay. Thanks to Yvonne for the great photographs. Peter L
Another Long Ride Report
Four riders set off at 8:30 before collecting two more on Penny Pot Lane. Progress was not helped by a fresh westerly wind as we headed out via Timble, Askwith and Ilkley to Tea on the Green at Bolton Abbey where an impressive collection of cakes was on offer.
Onwards into the wind via Halton East and Embsay had some of us questioning the wisdom of completing the full intended ride to Malham. At Rylstone I decided to wimp out and was joined by three more, while the hard core duo of Yvonne and Peter carried on to Malham and successfully completed the full ride.
Three of the soft core group re-routed via Cracoe and Thorpe to re-join the intended route up to Stump Cross and Duck Street, which provided long stretches of 30+mph free-wheeling. Martin chose to go via Grassington and Grimwith, with maximum tailwind.
88 miles for the hard core with over 7000 feet of ascent. 65-70 for the wimps, but still around 5000 feet of ascent. RL
