Short Ride Group 1
The short ride was very popular today. So much so we had to split into two groups with Peter L leading one and me the other. Our group decided we would be group two but then Peter L decided we would be group one, so group one we were as we set off in the wrong direction only to meet up with group two/one (I’m still confused) on Oatlands Drive! That’s when I realised I’d left my glasses at the Showground. Having delegated responsibility telling the group I’d catch them up I cycled back and thankfully they were still there. It was Spruisty Bridge, Knox Lane by the time I re-joined the group only to find the other group were there too. They set off first so we were now group 2. At the top of Clint Bank Peter L mentioned that if people wanted a coffee stop, of course we did, we would divert from the planned route in Markington to the Harrogate Garden Centre. It was at this point several members of my group decided on a stealth move and didn’t stop at Cut Throat Lane – casually cycling past Peter’s group so we could not only become group one again but more importantly we would be the first to arrive at the coffee stop; some people are so sneaky. Needless to say that came to pass and after a very pleasant coffee stop we looped down through Bishop Monkton to our final climb of the day out of Knaresborough. We parted ways at the bus stop. It had been great fun guessing who our leader was at times – we had a “collective” approach to leadership and it worked well for us. Thanks very much to the group, especially to our Huddersfield contingent, for making this a really enjoyable ride. 31 miles and 2073 ft elevation for me from home to home. John C
Short Ride Group 2
Great turnout for all the rides today – must be the (slightly) cooler weather. Conveniently, John Carey ‘volunteered’ to lead half my group of 16 or so – otherwise it would have been a logistical nightmare getting through town to Knox Bridge – now smartly repaired by NYC (who ever uses the handrails ?????).
My group of Kevin, Paul, Peter, Barbara, Jackie, Monica, Frankie and newcomer Lily having gamely tackled the numerous hills through Hampsthwaite, Clint, Shaw Mills and Bishop Thornton voted unanimously in Markington for the proposed detour to the cafe at the Harrogate Garden Centre where John’s group were already comfortably modelling the wicker garen furniture with coffees and cakes. Having fuelled up we crossed the A61 to Bishop Monkton and then home via Occaney, Farnham and, inevitably, Knaresborough Hill.
Prior to Occaney, Jackie had an incident when her front mudguard scraped against her tyre. By the time I had turned back to help in response to Monicas phone call, Frankie had cured the problem using his professional-looking toolset. Great team work., everyone.
A lovely ride with 2/3 of the hills in the first 1/3 of the ride as we had reversed the normal Route 114. . 28 miles.
Peter
Medium Steady Mix
Due to the large number of riders wanting to do Route 53 we split into 3 groups. The first 2 on manual bikes followed by the electrics. We lost Peter J and another rider at Hampsthwaite due to a puncture. We regrouped at the top of Clapham Green where we were caught up by the electrics. At Studley Yvonne challenged us to see who could go down the hill without peddling. I’m not sure who won that challenge. Partway down the hill I was stung by a bee on the side of my face. At Tates, Zilpha performed emergency surgery to remove the bee sting without anaesthetic. Not sure why she would need an anaesthetic as I was the one in pain! Steve produced a tube of antiseptic cream from Morrocco to numb my pain which was a big help. Not sure what was in it but it did the trick. At lunch there was talk about bites and how Colette had once been bitten by a horse fly and it had swollen up. I said that I suffer from fly bites and found that when I got home as well as the bee sting, I had two fly bites to contend with – just not my day. The service was a little slow, but we all got our food apart from Steve who had to chase for his scone which eventually came with the incorrect flavour of jam. This was quickly corrected and the correct flavour provided. The finishers in our group were Steve, David, Rob, Yvonne, Tim, Zilpha and myself.
38.58 miles in 3hr with an average speed of 12.86mph. Although Yvonne had an average speed of 14mph at the top of Knaresborough Hill.
Bee sting update – During the day (Monday) my face has been very sore and is now swollen around my eye.
Gordon T
Medium Steady Group 2
With a huge group wanting to ride the medium steady, seven of us did our own ride, led by the rebellious Alison.
Corinne left us at the top of Clapham Green for a lovely descent back home.
The six of us continued on to Brimham’s then G and T’s at Sawley. Very quick service, excellent banter and then home the quickest route to avoid the looming rain clouds. 32 miles, and a few hills.
Thanks to Alison, Corinne, Liz F, James G, Paul T and Colin.
Bridget
