Sunday 6th. March

Medium Steady Pace Ride

A good turn-out at Hookstone Woods, 10 riders set off for Ripon in 2 groups of 5. Joe looked after second group. Lovely ride to Ripon on dry roads. Photo session at Canal Bridge, on to Boroughbridge via Skelton, coffee stop at Morrisons. Lots of talk about Ukraine. Very slow getting coffee, only 1 person serving. Tim left us to go home, we cycled to Roecliffe, then across cycle-path. Nice chance to talk. Back home to Harrogate as route. Lovely ride with lovely people. Thankyou all and special thanks to Joe for great back-marking to the very end. 10 out of 10. Regards, Mike W

 

Medium Plus Steady Pace Ride

With a chill in the air and the prospect of a sunny day, Keith and I found ourselves with a group of 14 so employed the tried and trusted method of dividing into two loose formations of seven, leapfrogging our way to Farnham, Arkendale, Great Ouseburn Aldwark Bridge and Aldwark Manor where we paused for photographs.  The race was then on for Easingwold to bags a place in a café.  We were in the presence of long fast boy Peter J, who protested that he was no longer fast – but I am not so sure.  Anyway, he recommended that we try The Olive Branch, which proved to be an excellent choice.

After a very relaxing break it was difficult to get moving again but those bikes weren’t going to ride themselves back to Harrogate, so off we went.  Meanwhile, Keith’s group had landed on the Curious Table and, as if by magic, we caught them up again on the way out of Easingwold.  Their group had reduced by two as the brothers Alistair and Justin, who were training for a sportive, had to go home the long way round.

There really wasn’t much of a headwind on the way back through Raskelf,  Helperby and Thornton Bridge for a regroup in Boroughbridge before taking the Minskip, Staveley route back home via Knaresborough.  We began to say a few farewells at this point, starting with James then a new Paul.  I had not cycled with Paul before and clearly he had never cycled with me before either because he thanked me for being a good leader. I forgot to ask him to put that in writing!

And so ended a perfect spring day, 45.5 miles with warm sun on our backs, a very pleasant route and some very interesting company.  Helen & Keith T

 

 

Short Ride

There were 7 takers for the short ride to Fewston farm Shop (and back) including Chris Bee who had done a huge ride yesterday and wanted a ‘leg loosener’. We made our way up Harlow Moor Road and onto the end of Penny Pot Lane. Paul’s chain came off but it was swiftly dealt with by Chris who decided against a coffee stop and left us just before we dropped down towards Fewston Farm shop. The Farm shop was busy and there was a delicious selection of ‘goodies’ to choose from. After refuelling we made our way up Wydra Lane, past the Sun Inn and left along Little Almscliffe. Thank you to Chris, Justine, Fiona, Bob, Paul and especially Dave who did a sterling job back marking, providing Paul with extra ‘power’ up the hills and giving him valuable gear changing advice. We couldn’t have ordered better weather and it was a pleasure cycling with you all. I clocked up 21.65 miles – perhaps as well I didn’t throw in a ‘Timble Loop’! Janet G.

 

Sunday Ride

Five of us followed the route towards Easingwold led by Keith and Helen. At Great Ouseburn we went directly to Whixley and the Tancred Farm Shop where at one point there were 19 cyclists. They accommodated us all very well. Martin led us over the crossing at Whixley and with two trains an hour to York we had our bit of train spotting. A beautiful day for a ride, nice to welcome Roger to Wheel Easy on his first ride. 36 miles. Gia

 

Medium Brisk Ride

Mark, Rachel, and Navah took on the rejected Medium Steady route and headed out from the showground for a gorgeous, sunny, and rather hilly, Medium Brisk ride. We took a detour off Norwood Lane to avoid what was sure to be a mucky trek on gravel, adding 3 miles and 500 feet of climbing to the route. It was nice to ride to Norwood without a crazy headwind for once. The weather and views were glorious, and lots of other cyclists were out. The ride from Lindley to Weeton has to be one of the most picturesque in existence! Rachel peeled off towards Spofforth before Rudding Lane while Mark and Navah continued back to the showground on their way home, where they saw adorable black lambs. 2500 feet of climbing in 28 miles. Oof. -Navah