Short Ride
The Short Gentle Adventure route from today, (because of road closures) it involved mountain bike trails, cycling on closed roads with Ironman tri bikes racing and travelling at 55mph past us, as well as the usual pleasant cycle paths and country lanes, a truly memorable and enjoyable Wheel Easy adventure ride! (32.2miles) but 24.99miles for the record, with 1943ft. MW
Another Short Ride report
The only thing that may be classed as short for this ride is the report!
5 intrepid explorers set off following me out of Harrogate with David having devised a route ‘on the wheel’ so to speak.
Navigation by pubs seemed the order of the day (and we only stopped in 1 for coffee). Approaching the outskirts of Bramham after our ascent of Jewitt Lane we were stopped in our tracks by the Leeds Ironman. Not to be defeated (and the prospect of retracing our pedal strokes not appealing) we set off on a detour which required all of our cyclocross and mountain bike skills.
Coffee in Boston Spa before a return via Wetherby and the Harland way with more pubs to navigate by. Thanks to Tony, Mike W, Robin, Paul and lead route deviser David for escorting me through our own Ironman of 32 miles. JJ
Medium Ride
This was a wonderful ride enjoyed by Corinne, Liz, James, Paul, Kevin, Tim, Debby and Gia. It was mostly quiet for the entire route and we had a good stop at Pateley before deciding on whether to cycle up Yorke’s Folly or not. Tim’s Garmin, as seen in the picture clearly said RIDE. So we did and king of the mountains Tim cruised up whilst the rest of us relied on our not quite so silent assists.
beautiful run down from the top where we were overtaken by a group of cycle tourers who turned out to be Colette and friends. They had been on an overnight to Kilnsey. Lovely to see them and have a photo together.
The distance sign is one we have never noticed before. We challenge you to tell us where it is.
38 miles round trip. Great Wheel Easy cycle ride. Gia
Medium Plus Steady
As there was no appointed leader for the medium plus steady ride today, Peter J kindly volunteered to lead a group of 3 misfits (Dan, Richard and me) who didn’t quite fit into either of the heavily subscribed faster groups. We were soon joined by Pete O who had been delayed by Garmin communication issues. An alteration to the route was suggested so we diverted from Hampsthwaite and Shaw Mills to take an easier route of Ripley and Scarah Bank. Just after Aldfield we were joined by Jim on his electric mountain bike. We enjoyed a pleasant ride to Masham where we lunched at Border Teas. It seems very little has changed in Masham since the early Wheel Easy rides making it seem an appropriate destination for a route called the anniversary ride. We carried on to Thornton Witless and returned home via Ripon and Knaresborough. Thanks to all for such a great ride. Phil S
Medium Plus Brisk
There was another good turn out (14) for the MBR, despite the chilly July weather. We immediately split into 2 groups with the first lot following the prescribed route via Knox, Hampsthwaite and Clint Bank . At Cut Throat Lane, we met the second group who had taken the Greenway and Holly bank Lane and were looking annoyingly fresh and relaxed.
Thankfully there were a few downhill bits to the back of Fountains Abbey and then an undulating route to Masham. The pace was pretty brisk again and Johny Baghdads provided a welcome break and much- needed fuel stop. We also bumped into Tim Ling who had been running late this morning so elected to ride solo to Masham to meet us there.
We sat outside – it is summer, although the sun failed to make any appearance all day. The ride home was even brisker, with an interesting little diversion to Thornton Watlass, and a return through Snape, Wath, Ripon etc. At Bishop Monkton , the group split into 2 to return via Markington and the Greenway, or via Knaresborough.
Cracking ride, 58miles, 3070 feet and an average speed of 15mph (phew!) JE
