Sunday 2nd April
Short Ride
Sarah, Dennis, Paul and Dave joined me on a short but not so gentle ride today. A ride to Jack Hill had been planned but I’m sure we took a wrong turn and went up Jack’s mountain! Dennis got to the top of Top Lane first with the remainder managing it one way or the other, but with a cheerful smile. From here on the ridge we enjoyed spectacular views of Swinsty and Fewston to the north and Lindley Wood to the south on what was a perfect day for cycling. Dennis returned to Harrogate and we headed for Fewston Farm Shop cafe where the service was very good. Then a cruise along Penny Pot and farewells at Duchy Road. 26 miles at an average 9.4mph and 2100ft of climbing. Tim(T2).
Medium Ride
A sunny morning in April means it time to get up into the hills and moors! We split into two groups and made our way to Timble, Blubberhouses, Thrushcross, Thornthwaite and Darley. The countryside looked wonderful ! There were so many signs of Spring. We all met at Darley Post Office and were able to soak up the warmth of the sun. All in all, a great ride with cheerful company. Many thanks to all, particularly to Yvonne and Gia for leading a group and Colin to back marking our group .33hilly miles and just under 3,000 ft of climbing. Alison N
Medium-plus Ride
On what turned out to be a lovely spring day there were surprisingly few takers for the Medium Plus today and maybe Chris B’s Birthday ride was a greater attraction. In the end five of us: Steve B, Steve W. Dave S, Mike W and myself left for High Bridge and on to Farnham were we were joined by Jim ? as far as Aldborough where he peeled off and the original five opted for an early coffee sitting in the sun. Pushing on through the Dunsforths we said a temporary farewell to Aldwark Bridge, took photos in Myton and arrived in Brafferton where we said to goodbye to Steve W.
Dave and Steve B then put the hammer down to get us to Boroughbridge and being so close to home Dave left us and Steve, Mike and I had another pleasant stop sitting outside at the Courtyard for further calorie laden cake and coffee. It was then the bridleway to Copgrove and into Knaresborough via Lingerfield and home. Slightly over the advertised distance at 50 miles plus, particularly for those that had ridden in to the start and a very enjoyable day out in good company and decent weather. James G
Medium-plus Brisk
A ride out to celebrate the “Chris Bee milestone” in what turned out to be wall to wall sunshine – perhaps Chris has a connection with the Big Man upstairs? The first group including Chris went off leaving another large group to (more or less) follow the route up to Menwith & then Darley & Stripe Lane. Although it was chilly in the wind & shade, a few uphill sections were all that was needed to keep warm.
No sign of the 1st group enroute or at the café as it seemed they were scuppered by a tricky wheel incident – by the time they did arrive, the 2nd group were moving on – c’est la vie. T1 & T3 went off to do some additional miles & ended up bumping into Les Wheel Easy Femmes at Markington before swooping down into Harrogate. Various mileages around 40 to 55 depending on the routes taken. Tall Tim
