Sunday 28th August

Short Steady Ride

On a beautiful morning for cycling, eight people chose to do the short ride. Brian, Paul, Justine, Richard, Karen, Chris, Jill and myself set off for Low Bridge. Just about to set off along Abbey Road when along came Paul B on his Ducati cycle so now a group of nine. Along Abbey Road, to Halfpenny Lane in two groups, Brian leading (or was he speeding??!!) a quick stop on Halfpenny Lane. Brian suggested going to Farnham, a couple of miles extra. All agreed so off to Farnham then to Scotton. Roads pretty quiet so we could all talk as we rode along. The only downside was the hawthorn hedges either side, had been cut leaving debris on the road. Luckily no-one got a puncture! On past Nidd Hall and down to Ripley. Paul & Jill left us there and rest of us went to cafe for take-out coffee in the lovely sunshine and put the world to right! Eventually set off down The Greenway (quite busy) At Bilton people separated to go home. Thanks to all for such good company and pleasant ride. Mike W.

 

Medium Ride

We were a happy chatty bunch today!  Starting as a ride of 11 we magically increased to 12 as Yvonne D caught us up trying out her new Pearson Gravel Bike.  Yvonne then stayed with us to the end causing much bike envy and taking, as usual lots of lovely photos.  After Beckwithshaw we went over the moor, past the Sun Inn and turned down Moorcock Lane for the best view in Nidderdale. Coffee was taken at Darley PO overlooking the cricket ground.  We finished a delightful ride by going homeward via Birstwith, Hollybank Lane and the Greenway. Well done to the non-e-powered riders who kept well on the pace. 28 miles in cracking weather. Martin W

 

Medium-plus Ride

It was another perfect cycling day, warm and sunny with light winds and little prospect of rain.  Today’s route was No 79, as modified by Keith, even though he did not actually attend today.  After a bit of confusion about the variant (caused by me!) two groups set off, ours comprising Me, Monica, Debbie, Gia, Colin, Jan from Redditch and John H with a plan to pick up Paul T and Malcolm in Beckwithshaw.  That made nine.

For a sunny Bank Holiday, the roads were surprisingly benign and our first stop was at Fewston for a comfort break.  The ice cream van was already doing a roaring trade but it was a bit early in the day for us!  After Timble and Blubberhouses the serious hills began to emerge and it was every man for himself all the way up to Thruscross to view another severely depleted reservoir. Round about this point, Gia, Malcolm, Paul and Debbie left us to take a different route home so that left five to battle on. At the Stone House Inn we turned left and after about 2km we took a right turn and continued the moorland crossing to Yorke’s Folly before descending into Pateley Bridge and the welcome sight of Wildings Café where the faster boys were finishing their lunch.  It wasn’t too busy and the service was friendly and efficient, although I did think £8.50 for a baked potatoe with beans and cheese was borderline overpriced, especially as they were a bit light handed with the beans – and the cheese.  Still, we will all soon have to get used to sitting on a grass verge,  eating our bread and dripping sandwiches, washed down with a swig of cold water.

We backtracked over the bridge and took the first right turn towards Wath and the joy of the gulley road.  Again, it was every man for himself with the electric boys and girls roaring up like wingèd beasts and Monica and I enjoying a refreshing little walk to stretch out our calves and hamstrings.  The increasingly glowering skies never threw out much rain to speak of and we continued undulating home via Fellbeck, Brimham Rocks, Stripe Lane and Birstwith before the final leg through Holly Bank Woods and the Greenway.

A grand, challenging day out in excellent company and the stats tell me that we did 44.6 miles. Helen T

 

After we left Helen’s group at the dam crossing four of us carried on and came out at Duck Street higher up, did a right and a left and joined the road towards Heyshaw Moor. We dropped down towards Thornthwaite and saw your group cycling off towards York’s Folly. We cycled to Dacre then back up to Menwith and down to Sophie’s for coffee. We met Peter Jackson and Steve Shearsby on the Greenway. A great ride, 41 miles in lovely sunshine, good company and amazing summer views. Gia M

Medium Plus Steady PCJ’s Group

With Helen’s group being over-subscribed it left four of us to make our own way on Route 79 . The route from West End around Thruscross reservoir has a surprising high number of steep climbs, followed by the long drag up to Duck Street. After negotiating the treacherous lower slops of Peat Lane we had some well deserved refreshments in Pateley Bridge. Helen’s cohort arrived just as we were more or less leaving. The climb out Wath was very testing, but was made easier due to considerate car drivers who gave to us. After the climb up Fell Beck yours truly decided that I had done enough climbing so opted for a speedy return home, via Warsill, Drovers and Ripley. PCJ