Short Ride Group 1
Our leader appeared so I could step down from duties, but as we were a largish group I set off as the advanced party with Jenny, Graham and Monica following.
A pleasant ride out and stopping at the top of the ridge above Kearby for a photo when who should appear but Doug and the rest of the group. Off we went again with a semi plan to meet in Wetherby. Alas no room at Koffi&co so we tried the new Bel Sourire cake tea room the teapots arrived with their own hats! Suitably refreshed we set off home and made it to the Harland Way before the heavens opened. A wet cycle back to Follifoot ensued where the medium steady caught us up and escorted back to the showground. JJ
Short Ride Group 2
Despite me turning up late and then heading off in the wrong direction, it was another enjoyable and successful morning’s outing, this time on route 111 to Wetherby. Jill had already volunteered as leader when I arrived (only slightly late) and as there were 11 of us kindly headed off with a small group leaving Diane, Barbara, Dave, Peter, Leighton, Helen and I to form a second. We were soon back on track making good progress via Burn Bridge, across the big roundabout on the A61 and then onto the quieter lanes through Kirkby Overblow. We briefly caught up with Jill’s group at the bend on Kirkby Lane where an innocent bystander (actually he was sitting down with a cup of tea) kindly moved his van to let us all appreciate the view and then took a photo for us. Shortly after that, on what was a new section for me, we took a back lane into Linton via a concrete block path, Wood Hall Hotel grounds and what looked like several front gardens. We were then soon at Wetherby where we split into two groups for a well-earned coffee break. Diane and Dave then departed, having done the second bit first, hopefully staying dry. Heavy rain caught up with the rest of us around Kirk Deighton, persisting almost until Follifoot where the climb through the village warmed us up nicely. Thanks to all for the good company, enthusiasm and some excellent back-marking. Almost 24 miles and 1500ft for me. Doug H
Medium Steady
A very healthy 18 members turned up for the medium ride today. 7 opted for the medium brisk, leaving 11 to be divided into 2 groups of 6 and 5 for the steady, leaving a good gap and meeting up at major junctions.
The forecast said that we might be ok but many of our group had sunscreen on, even Corinne had abandoned her vest for a short sleeved tee! The ride out via Abbey Road to Little Ribston was steady before bumping into Gia & Paul searching for the new cycleway and heading towards Kirk Hammerton. We were soon through Long Marston and through Angram as a few rain drops started to fall as we pulled into the prison cafe at Askam Richard. The Brisk group were just leaving, so we just luckily got their table in a busy cafe. Food and drinks came swiftly as usual, the staff and service was excellent. The usual mixed subjects for our banter followed as we enjoyed our refreshment stop.
The rain hadn’t come as we left heading for Wetherby but we hadn’t got very far before both groups stopped to don rain jackets, then it was heads down and pedal as the villages sped past, Jim left us at Walton, heading North and the remaining 10 headed onto the Harland way in Wetherby, with Margret and I paying the price for not putting mudguards on! We both looked like we had been competing in a cross country tuff mudder cyclocross race.
Up through Follifoot and past Rudding, our last hill loomed, Colin peeled off for home, as the remaining 9 hit the last hill before the showground. The sun shone as we said our goodbyes. It was a fabulous group to lead, with everyone smiling at the end, on a route many of us hadn’t done for a while, so win win!
I had 37.3 miles with 1388ft Thanks to Colin for back marking. Mike W/H
Medium Brisk
The medium steady route for this week was created by Mike W providing a clockwise route heading east to Askham Richard for coffee and back via Wetherby. The ride provides a tour past a poignant and significant date in English history, the Battle of Marston Moor. My history is a little hazy, but I think the battle was 2nd July 1644.
Due to the gathering grey clouds at the showground and forecast of imminent rain we quickly formed a brisk crew consisting of Rachel, Mike, Andy, Rachel X, Steve K, Tim and Zilpha and set off on the history trail.
Steve K and Zilpha set the pace but then realised the computers were not loading the maps. Luckily, Peter has an “in-built” bike map computer in his head (who needs Garmin!). Peter led us to the first stop at the Marston Moor monument and provided the team with interesting facts about the conflict even though Peter was just a young lad at the time of the battle!
We made the Grange Coffee Shop just before rain. I would recommend the scones with cream and jam. Tasty, although maybe not the best cycling fuel!
The return journey was a bit of a wet dash and a case of “coats on/coats off” as the rain set in. We decided to stick to the route and take the railway track at Wetherby which added a bit of mud to the rain! It would be nice for this track to have an Asphalt makeover at some point. Despite the adverse weather conditions on the way back, I thought this was a nice route and I hope everyone enjoyed the ride as much as me. I noticed as we approached the finish at the showground the rain stopped and the sun started to shine (that’s the power of positive thought!)
Thanks to the team for your help and the company on the ride. I hope to see you on future rides.
Stats: I made it (37mi/59km, 1250ft/382m). The average pace was a respectable 14.7mph/23.7Kmh.
– Steve K
Recce Ride
The Green Hammerton Greenway is not complete but when it is it will be a great asset to the people in the village to access Thorpe Underwood and beyond along a safe route. One of our members Martin Weeks was involved in the early days of this project which has been led by someone in the village. Jonathan has been pursuing this project for at least ten years and deserves great credit for not giving up. Costs have gone up, the Environment Agency stuck their oar in creating more delays and costs. The local farmer whose land it crosses has been supportive throughout.
We accessed the path which is not yet signed and not entirely obvious from Kirk Hammerton where we had huge scones and coffee at the excellent Kirk Hammerton cafe which is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Michelle the owner would welcome more cyclists and would only need to know numbers a couple of hours before arriving. Arriving between and 11 and 11.30 would ensure quicker service. I will add her mobile to the cafe page.
Our route to Kirk Hammerton was via Little Ribston, Cowthorpe and Cattal. We met the medium ride in Little Ribston who had used the slightly busier Knaresborough route. We crossed the railway line out of Kirk Hammerton where the operator opened the gates for us, across the busy A 59 to Green Hammerton where there is a village cafe open during the week. The Greenway brought us out in to Thorpe Underwood by the school and we returned via Whixley again across the railway line and back to Little Ribston and Follifoot.
This was a round trip of 40 miles and nice to pick up a new route. Gravel bikes or thicker tyres are for this ride but when it is finished and beds down would be a similar surface to the Harland Way. If someone can map this it could go on the routes page. Many options for getting there and returning. Gia.
