Sunday 8th October

Short ride

Eight people for today’s short ride: Colette, Mike P, Tim 2, Justine, Denis, Paul, John, and Brian. The delegation started before we left the Showground as Brian took the lead and we headed to Knaresborough. The leading baton was then passed to Justine as we happily cruised along Abbey Lane. Then John took the lead and set a perfect pace enabling the group to stay together. A big thank you to Tim 2 and Mike who acted as back markers. Such impressive teamwork allowed Colette (the official leader) to cycle in the middle of the group. We stopped at Brearton for photos and the leader’s baton was passed to the experienced hands of Denis who took us through the winding lanes to Nidd. We arrived at Ripley tea rooms still in high spirits. A pleasure cycling with such a wonderful team – 21 very enjoyable miles. Colette

Medium Ride – Steady

Medium Plus – Steady

We arrived in wall to wall gloom, instantly mitigated by the cheerful group of steady medium plus riders, namely Peter J, Doug, Sarah R, Margaret, Mike W, Liz P and another Peter.  Peter J kindly took up the reins of Leader and we set off with all lights blazing, zipped up in waterproofs which were not removed until we paused at Little Almscliffe to take a nice picture of the fog.

Not much in the way of views to distract us so the ride progressed swiftly and uneventfully to Birstwith via a short detour to Darley to avoid Menwith Hill Road which was, as advertised, closed.  Fountains Abbey and the Deer Park were as lovely as ever with quite a large group of men with long lenses photographing a large group of deer.  We didn’t stop – tummies were grumbling loudly and we needed to press on to Tate’s Garden Centre.  Various fast boys and girls were already there, munching and all sitting outside as there was not a table to be had indoors!  Fortunately the sun was beginning to struggle out so it was really very relaxing to sit and chat and enjoy the usual excellent food.

It never did get what you could call sunny and this could be the last outing of 2023 for shorts but we all enjoyed the well known Littlethorpe, Knaresborough route home and covered 41.8 miles.  A very pleasant autumnal jaunt. Helen T

Medium Plus – Brisk