Long Ride
Four riders assembled for the long ride to Pocklington and set off in a westerly direction (to avoid busy roads) before looping round to Kirkby Overblow and east through Wetherby and Wighill to an early café stop at Askham Richard.
At Naburn Ian suffered a broken pedal and had to take the cycle track back to York to get a train home. Fortunately this is flat, so a bit of one-legged pedalling got him there without having to walk.
The remaining three, Peter L, Mike W and me, continued south east into a strengthening headwind on pancake-flat roads to our lunch stop at the lake in Allerthorpe. From there we had mostly a cross-tail wind on the way back via Pocklington, Elvington and York, where Peter provided a useful detour through the university and Fulford to avoid the worst of the traffic.
Peter left us after Tockwith to add on enough miles to get up to another century, while Mike and I settled for around 90, but didn’t quite make it home before running into a heavy shower. Considering the forecast, that was a small price to pay for a good day out.
RL
Medium Steady Ride
Bleak skies and an even bleaker forecast do not deter Wheel Easy riders, so 12 of us set off in 2 groups on the Medium Steady ride with the expectation of fine Nidderdale hills. One group followed the route through town to Knox Mill while the other group took the Woodfield way; interestingly, both arrived at Killinghall at the same time, so one concludes that the short cut doesn’t exist. Gia, James, Alison and Colin looked like they were keen to incorporate an early pause-café in Hampsthwaite but instead joined Steve B, Steve S, Steve K, John C, Rob, Richard B, Zilpha and I for group photos at Meg Gate. And then the climbing started: up to Stone House and the short descent to a pretty low Thruscross reservoir before we headed to the West End with the dramatic Duke’s Hill and the steady climb up Hoodstorth Lane. The hills were becoming shrouded in mist as we headed across to Padside, swooping down Nought Moor Road where the rain clouds caught up with us and jackets were donned. A slight déviation to the route took us over to Crake Lane and up lovely Sheepcote (fleece?!) Lane to avoid the worst bend on Hardgroves Hill. By now, we could smell the coffee so pushed hard against a growing blustery wind to Hampsthwaite to enjoy a good convivial lunch outside, though the call of home was louder for Zilpha, Alison and Steve B who carried on. The rest of us climbed Clint Bank up to Ripley and the Greenway home. Thanks to all for delightful company and jolly well done on about 2,900 ft of hills over 38 miles. Yvonne
Medium Plus Brisk Ride
With the threat of rain arriving at some point in our ride we decided to trim the route and head for coffee at Tate’s in Ripon. That was music to my ears having not cycled for 4 weeks! Seven of us followed the route until Kirby Malzeard, deciding to ‘cut and run’ along the Helen &Janet highway into Ripon. Today however the highway was owned by Helen & Andy- I just couldn’t keep up. Sadly Tate’s was ‘rammed’ plus it had just started raining so we headed to Spa Gardens. Unfortunately the tea cakes were burnt and Helen had the bonus of a wasp in her coffee. We took the quick way back home- Markington, Ripley and Greenway. Great ride-thanks for keeping me in. 46+ miles- perfect. Janet G
Sunday Short Ride
An autumnal day beckoned with an outside chance it was going to rain. I gathered my brave troops, Linda, Sarah, Jackie, Leyton, Russell, Paul, Jim and Mike W, who was my second in command and the sweeper upper. Leading a merry meander and it was I promised going to be a short ride. Off we set cycling down to Abbey Road and I regathered everyone to ensure none had gone AWOL. Now my meandering began up to Knaresborough, under the bridge and round the roundabout Water Lane (I think) lovely quiet lane through to the roundabout where we turned right for Farnham. All present and correct we cycled on to turn right for the Occaney down hill. Not first left but second meander to Burton Leonard. At the old well stopped for water break and a quick photo and checked Leyton was still with us, I need not have worried as reports were his little legs were going well as he raced round! Onwards another meander to Burton Leonard another pretty village, then the farm lane and on to Bishop Monkton and along the village stream we cycled and then stopped to admire the village houses. Weather still dry, Linda mentioned the sun had appeared, so still dry as we turned left for the climb out of the village and crossed the busy Ripon road to head for Markington. Short hill climb towards the turning for Scarah Bank. Mike W was doing his duty, keeping the troops together in the rear guard action. At Ripley we reached our cafe stop Jim and Russell went off the rest inside as a short shower appeared. Very fit Linda said she had done 100 miles this week and was really enjoying my short meander. All fed and watered, fun chatter and usual ‘What is the latest ailment’ comments we remounted our sturdy steeds for a last foray down the Greenway. At Bilton Cross I and Jackie went right and the rest of my troops went onwards to Harrogate. Amazingly it was still dry and everyone enjoyed my merry meander of 26 miles. Thanks to all for your company.
Liz F
