Sunday 5th February

Short Ride

We revised the route, nine of us on short ride today – as folk didn’t want to do off road bits . So today we did a circular 23 miles with leisurely stop at Ripley . The ride wasn’t without incident, David’s electric battery didn’t work, Hannah had a puncture on her maiden outing, and Dennis was in difficulty when crossing the busy ring road . But the sun shone and it turned into a beautiful ride out . Diane Scott-Dickinson

Medium Steady Ride

A group of nine of us set off from the showground, but that dropped down to eight before we reached the main road as David suffered a technical problem with the electrics on his bike. David said he would probably head home, but we arranged that if he could get it going we would organise for him to catch us up on route. While we regrouped at the bottom of Walton Head Lane Paul tried to contact David but getting his answerphone assumed David was driving back home.

Steady progress was made through Wetherby and down towards the A1 roundabout, after following the cycle path towards Bramham the group chose not to turn right down the gravel track but carry straight on towards Clifford and then Newton Kyme to reach the cafe at Thorp Arch.

Refreshed we set off back to Wetherby, two riders left as we crossed Walton Road, so they could get back to watch the rugby, Then Paul left us in Wetherby to do an errand, leaving Diane, Mike, Fred, Chris and me to continue, we opted for the cycle track up the A168 and across to Little Ribston rather than Kirk Deighton and North Deighton. Spofforth and Follifoot were soon under our belts as we headed into the showground were we parted company.

A lovely ride on fresh sunny day, thanks for your company, 35 miles door to door for me.  Chris

 

Medium Plus- Brisk.

There was a good turnout at the Showground this morning despite the temperature feeling ‘fresh’. The bonus was that there was no wind! There were twelve takers for route 118 so two groups were formed. Each group chose a different route out of Harrogate but we all came together on our way down to Hampsthwaite. Clapham Green, Birstwith and across the toll bridge- I have never seen as many cars. Stripe Lane didn’t seem too bad today. Two of the front group decided to put a few extra miles in and departed. Sawley Moor Lane is a delight and the swoop down towards Fountains Abbey is lovely. The church in the deer park also looked fantastic in the sunshine although there were no deer to be seen. The groups came together at Tate’s and the journey back was a ‘free for all’. A few decided to add on an extra 8 miles, a few went through Littlethorpe and Helen and I went straight on to Bishop Monkton and Markington, Ripley and home. Lovely ride, thank you everyone -39 miles for me. Janet G

 Medium Plus Group 1

What a great day for a bike ride. Cold and sunny with no wind.

Around nine of us did a modified version of route 118 riding the Greenway to Birstwith rather than going through Knox. I’m not sure of the numbers because people joined and left the ride – I hope we didn’t lose anyone! 

I always enjoy Stripe Lane up Brimham Rocks. It was so clear you could see Drax power station from the top. Then through Sawley to G&Ts for a bacon and egg sandwich. There we met Gia’s group who were doing the same ride. Low Gate Lane from Sawley to Fountains was glorious with the snowdrops in full bloom. The ride through the deer park was as great as always. Then we did the route through Littlethorpe, Bishop Monkton, Farnham and Lingerfield. Perfect!

Thanks to everyone who joined the ride and to Yvonne for photos. And, it goes without saying, thank you for the banter. 

40.6 miles and a climb of 2910 ft. Steve W

 

Medium Plus Group 2

Six of us followed Steve’s group out on today’s route, ignoring the Knox route out of Harrogate and using the Greenway.
it was much colder than we anticipated but clear views and sunshine and a great route more than compensated. Sally joined us briefly on her catch up mission with the group ahead and we all met up at GT’s. Excellent cafe stop.
Home via Sawley, Fountains and the Drovers, getting home in good time and 35 miles. Gia