Short Ride
Nine people for the short ride and a beautiful day for doing a loop to Sophie’s in Hampsthwaite.
All was going well until we approached the A59 crossing when we realised that we had lost Paul who had mistakenly turned down Penny Pot following the wrong group of cyclists! One of the Kevin’s kindly volunteered to go after him. Meanwhile the crossing at the A59 was full of police cars following an incident. It wasn’t long before the police stopped the traffic to wave us safely across.
I then decided to lead from the back in the hope that we wouldn’t lose anyone else – and the second Kevin kindly volunteered to lead at the front. However, it wasn’t long before I could see the front riders turning the wrong way! Luckily they realised their mistake and we regrouped before swooping down to Sophie’s where we were reunited with Kevin and Paul.
Big thank you to the two Kevins for their help and to everyone else for looking out for each other. 22 sunny miles. Colette
Medium Steady
A bit of drizzle in the air did not deter a sizeable cohort of Medium Steady riders today and Alison kindly undertook to keep control of a second group whilst I set off with (from left to right in the picture), Steve B, Anthea, Nick, Phil S, Peter J and another Peter, plus Me of course. This was Anthea’s first ride with Wheel Easy on the recommendation of Nick, who happens to be one of her pianoforte students – who knew! She coped admirably and maintained her sense of humour all day long. Hope you feel the same way in the cold light of dawn Anthea!
It made a nice change to head east today on flatter roads and after bouncing around a bit on the cycle track into and out of Wetherby we fair flew along, taking particular care to process quietly and decorously through the Dunsforths before alighting at the Hideaway Café in Boroughbridge. Much to our chagrin, “our” table at the top of the cafe was taken but it was just as nice in the spacious middle, particularly when we were joined shortly afterwards by Alison’s group. We might have been a bit noisy and boisterous but nobody complained (that we know of).
Always hard to move on ………… and a stiffish breeze had sprung up whilst we were munching. This was a bit of a strain on the old café legs but Peter J and Phil did the gentlemanly thing, installed themselves at the front of the peloton and towed us via Minskip and Staveley pretty well all the way back to Knaresborough. It was one of those occasions when you find yourself saying, stuff equality, when the going gets tough, put a man at the front. It was lovely!
Thanks to all for a delightful, relaxing day out, covering 39 miles and nearly as many topics of conversation. Helen T
Having had a week of summer, this morning was grey and drizzling as we met at Hornbeam. However, there were quite a lot of takers for the Medium ride. So 8 of us saw Helen whizz off with a fast group. We then set off at our more sedate pace. After all, it allows plenty of time for chat and banter. Fortunately, the drizzle had encouraged Margaret to don her fetching pink helmet cover. It made it so much easier to spot her when she thought she knew the way. It was good to meet up with Paul Blackham on his new Spa non- electric bike near Follifoot. We used the cycle path to get to Wetherby- the first time for about a year for many of us. From there, it was a pleasant rural ride to Cattal, Thorpe Underwood, the Dunsfords, where some of us were tempted to see what the vineyard offered. Sadly, the gates were closed! So, onwards to Boroughbridge and the Hideaway. Helen’s group were comfortably ensconced, tucking into breakfast delights. The service was friendly and efficient and the food as good as ever. The final lap took us to Minskip and Knaresborough. At one point, we had a stop while Corinne returned a wayward caterpillar to the nettles. At the top of Knaresborough hill, we all went our separate ways. Thanks to Colin for ‘sweeping’, to Gill for the photo and to everyone for their cheerful company. A thoroughly enjoyable ride of 40 miles. Alison N
Medium Plus Steady
Forecast was mixed and overnight rain had me rushing to pump up the winter bike tyres and throw a rain jacket on for an early August ride. I was down to lead Route 80 to White Horse Bank which was a new challenge for me but 5 able chaps (James, Tim2, John C, Richard, Steve S) were ready to throw a chapeau into the ring too. Setting off along Hookstone Rd, a lurcher lurched out at me from the path and ‘twas plain to see why it was muzzled ! Then swiftly over Starbeck level crossing just as the lights started to flash and on up Bond End. The group was going well and jackets were off as Farnham, Boroughbridge and Thornton Bridge blurred past; first photo stop was Little Sessay church where Debbie S pleasantly came into view, sadly declining to join us as she was heading back to Bedale. After admiring the church’s superb Hollyhocks, we carried on to Coxwold and Kilburn, stopping at the foot of the rather feared (I admit it!) White Horse Bank where Richard advised starting off in the lowest gear available “spare your legs, not the gears”. Duly noted, up we climbed though a stop to catch my post-Covid breath at the car park meant my climb was rather slow but sure. After a quick detour to check that the chaps weren’t sitting in the Glider’s Nest at the top, I found them further along the road enjoying the cloudy views. Then the joy of a speedy descent of Sutton Bank and the prospect of a pause-café at the Old Barn in Bagby. Unfortunately a paucity of staff meant a paucity of choice with no hot food available and scones that sadly seemed to have been baked the week before ! How we laughed as we cleared away the dishes…. Moving swiftly on past Topcliffe, Cundall & Boroughbridge, we bid James farewell as he headed directly to Knaresborough while the remaining 5 followed the route to Roecliffe and home, feeling pretty chuffed to have tackled that hill. Thanks for your good company and some fine wind shielding too. 67 miles and 2,943 ft for me. Yvonne D.
