Medium Steady
This was the first ride of 2025 for one or two of us and so four electric ladies and me wobbled off into the early morning chill, namely Alison, Maris, Liz F and Corinne. Corinne was doing a pretty convincing impression of someone who knew where they were going so we settled in behind her and said nothing!
As is often the case, the day turned out better than forecast with no wind, brilliant sunshine and blue skies. We just couldn’t stop smiling at the sun and marvelling at the views. A casual observer would have thought we had, just that minute, been released into the wild.
After the nasty shock of realising that Sophie’s was closed until the end of the month we devised a loose plan to meander round to the Post Office and Café at Darley. Our luck remained with us as two tables were free inside and I had a double egg sandwich and a large latté for £6.80 – a cheap day out!
A unanimous decision was taken to head back via Birstwith, Holly Bank Woods and the Greenway which was bursting at the seams with happy dogs, children on bikes – and old people (or was that us?). We were all glad finally to have got some miles into our legs just as Spring is about to spring upon us. There were a lot of very pregnant looking sheep about too, so lambs can’t be far off either. A rather wonderful day out. Helen T
Medium Plus Brisk
Eight riders for route 42 this morning, including Jonathan and Fred – lovely to see you both, although I was slightly concerned- when Jonathan and Fred get their long legs turning the speed jumps up a notch. However, both him and Fred offer wonderful ‘drafting’ opportunities. It was a cold start but it soon warmed up a bit and it was interesting cycling a favourite route in the opposite direction. There was a bit for group ‘dithering’ in Tadcaster – which cafe?? At this point Denis defected to the smaller group. We had coffee at ‘Walkers’ which was perfectly acceptable even though the coffee was a bit weak. My legs gave up the ghost out of Kirby Overcoat and we decided not to follow the route through Pannal. So, on the bypass to Rudding and the Showground. My garmin was being obstinate and recorded my drive home but I cycled 41 miles. Thank you all. Janet Glynn
Short Ride
On a crisp, but sunny morning, nine hardy souls joined me for a slightly undulating trip to Boroughbridge. Unusually the first part of the route took us through Starbeck where the level crossing and some road works delayed us a little but once through Bond End we made good progress to Farnham and then Arkendale, Marton and Aldborough. We were in luck at The Hideaway cafe in Boroughbridge and secured the large table on the mezzanine where the welcome and the service was as good as ever. Suitably refreshed and in warmer temperatures we headed back via Minskip, Staveley and Occaney, saying our goodbyes and heading in different directions for home at the top of Sandy Bank. A good 24+ mile run out in good company and thanks to everyone who came. James G
Medium Plus Steady
After a cold start, we enjoyed a warm(er) and sunny day. There were initially 3 riders, Glynn and 2 (of our 3) Mike W’s, and later joined by Dennis, for our ride via Spofforth to Wetherby and on to Tadcaster. Given there were no cafe seats left in the town, we took a long-cut via Thorp Arch for coffee, before returning via Boston Spa, Bramham and Collingham. An enjoyable and ‘not so steady’ ride, giving a 47 mile outing – the first ride of the year for at least one of us. Mike W
Medium Brisk
Medium Steady/Brisk (Route 165)
Four of us set off on the ride (Nava, Andy, Richard and Gordon). Despite Andy and Navah saying that they had not cycled for a while they set off at a brisk space. Andy made all the climbs look easy.
After Little Arncliffe Navah realised that she had the incorrect route set on her Garmin. That explained why she did not take a right turn. It was not an issue as the roads met up eventually.
At Hampsthwaite Navah went back to Harrogate to check that Mark had completed all the jobs she had left him to do. The rest of us headed up Clint Bank Lane towards Ripley.
After a coffee stop at Ripley we headed back through Killinghall where we re-joined the route through Knox then up Claro road.
I took a selfie of the 3 of us, but due to my short arms I only got myself! This was actually taken when I got back to the show ground so was just me! No ride report would be complete without at least 1 photo.
26.56 Miles with an average speed of 12.2 mph in 2:10:44. Total ascent 597m/1959ft.
Total Pedal Strokes: 6,930. Front Gear Shifts: 49. Rear Gear shifts: 211
Gordon T
