Short Ride
And Dennis made 12. The lad joined us at Bilton Lane, full of the joys of celebrating his and Dorothy’s PLATINUM!!! wedding anniversary. That and welcoming two more great grandchildren, with the 13th to come, ‘tis wonder he’s got time for cycling. And welcome Ann, not new to cycling but not cycled recently – hope you’ll be back.
Anyway, off to Ripley, Nidd, a diversion to Brearton, then Scotton before coffee at the Ugly Duckling in Knaresborough, where Caroline and Jen were already settled.
As usual at this point the ride began to disintegrate, with the “official” party returning via the Beryl Burton. Nigh on 20 miles. Paul B
Medium Ride
A mixed bunch of cyclists gathered this morning not as many as usual due to being Bank Holiday and the weather dull and chilly. I was not enthusiastic about going to Pateley and those dreaded hills or doing Boroughbridge again. Chris was of the same opinion and after a discussion with me decided we would follow the medium plus to Padside and then go to Darley PO cafe and back via Birstwith. Helen joined us plus Monica and Rob who was fairly new and did not know my reputation for not having a clue most of the time, nevertheless the brave lad joined us four mad lasses!! After talking between us which route where and which way plus adjusting various devices we set off following the Med Plus group or so we thought as we turned right and then retraced our route back. Monica led us on a meander through Harrogate to Beckwithshaw and another reroute as now we were not sure where to head for and turned right to go up Pot Bank to Penny Pot. Then we turned down via the army camp to the Skipton Road and crossed over to Hampswaithe. After more discussions headed towards Kettlesing and turned right down Stumps Lane to Darley PO. After the usual good food, drinks and interesting conversations we all agreed to go to Birstwith and Greenway home. Up Clint Bank then to Holly Bank Woods were we stopped to admire the beautiful bluebells and took our democratic photo shot. Weaving our way through dogs and people in Ripley and the Greenway we arrived at Bilton Lane where each of us headed off indifferent directions home. Glorious Yorkshire views on our democratic ride we could solve all the world issues if they worked together like us. I hope we did not traumatised Rob and that he will be welcome to come back out cycling with us again. Liz F
Medium Plus Steady
By the time I was halfway to the showground this morning I realised I was one layer short and should probably have worn full finger gloves, the temperature was decidedly cool and with a strong breeze it didn’t help matters! However the route was hilly and I thought that would warm everyone up. Nine of us elected for the full route and two other groups organised by Liz and Helen, and another by Gia and Paul decided to go their own way after Padside and before the descent of Yorkes folly. So we worked our way to Hampsthwaite and then the climbing began and we started to work a bit harder, by the time we reached the top of Yorkes folly I felt almost warm but the descent into Pateley Bridge was very cold. We elected for Wildings for lunch and managed to get two tables before the rush started, probably because the rain drove everyone inside. By the time we left it was dry again and we were all looking forward to Silver hill (not), Peter left us here for a route back via Smelthouses. The rest of us made it up the hill and Wath lane at various speeds and levels of discomfort, after that the ride through Galphay and Studley was a breeze, literally, Tim noted that whichever way we turned we had a headwind! Peter J left us before Markington and I have to admit that when the route took us off to Bishop Monkton I was surprised ( note to self:- read the whole route description before leading a ride! ). Back to Knaresborough via Lingerfield and then the final climb up to the golf club, where we went our separate ways. Thanks to the two Mikes, the two Peters, John, Martin, Tim (nice ) and Glynn for your company and sharing the wind. 54 miles and 4450 feet for me and tired legs. Steve B.
Medium Plus Brisk
Nine riders set off on route 260 towards Pateley Bridge. Had I been seduced by the the early morning sunshine? – I was the only one in shorts! It was definitely colder than of late- maybe the hills would warm me up? Through Hampsthwaite and up towards Kettlesing Bottom we had a minor mechanical when Zoe dropped her chain going down a steep hill. We deviated the route at the end of Pennypot Lane and went straight across the Skipton Road using Menwith Hill Road instead of the published dog leg. It was a hilly route to Pateley Bridge and we still had Silver Hill to contend with. That is one brute of a hill- not to be repeated in a hurry. After devils elbow the weather turned nasty- hailstones at one point! The swoop through Laverton annd Galphay into Ripon was wonderful. Coffee at Tate’s but who had eaten all the scones. We deviated again and headed home through Markington and the Greenway. Thankyou for a ‘punchy’ ride ( for me anyway) 53/56 miles and 4,200 feet of climbing. Janet G
