Short Ride

Either the clock change, the forecast of wind and rain or the general ennui at so many cold days recently, resulted in a low turnout for the Short Ride this week.  As it happens, Sarah , Russell and I had a great ride on a new route (cobbled together by me from other well known routes –  brief details at end).  Even though these lanes are well cycled, joining them in a new way brings new experiences.  Daffodils were in bloom everywhere, defying the wind but brightening up a grey day. We stopped at the Happy Chat Bench in Cowthorpe – what a great name/idea. The collapsed churchyard wall in Hunsingore had closed the Back Lane (but not for cyclicts !). 

How the Walshford Bridge Inn keeps going is a mystery to many now it is no longer on the A1 – one answer may be the groups who gather lthere like the 30 or more Lotus fan club cars today.  These were eclipsed by the Scooter rally we almost literally ran into when we stopped for coffee at the Ugly Duckling in Knaresborough. Average age of scooter seemed to be in the 20 year range – average age of rider definitely in the 60s.  We pitied them setting off for their ‘run’ in the drizzle.  Even though we were in the same drizzle until home, most of the ride had been dry and it was all very enjoyable.

28 miles or thereabouts but it seemed like less as we were home by 13.30 

 We passed the Travellers Rest, uphill to Rudding Park (the last real hill for 20 miles), across the Bypass to Follifoot then Spofforth, along Deighton Road to North Deighton, Kirk Deighton and then north along the cycle path next to the A168.  Right to Cowthorpe, across Cattal Bridge, left to Hunsingore, cycle path again south from Walshford then home via Little Ribston, Abbey Road Knaresborough, Beryl Burton, Bogs Lane.

Peter L 

Medium Ride

There was only a small gathering at the Showground today, maybe it was the weather forecast or the clocks going forward over night or a bit of both, but about half the total, comprising Gia, Colin, Roger, Tim 2, Phil and myself, chose the Medium Route. At least it was a dry start but cold and as we progressed to Ripley and Birstwith the wind strengthened and the rain started. Phil had pushed on at Ripley and Gia left us on Sheepcote Lane to return to greet her visitors leaving the four of us to fight the wind and rain through Thornthwaite and up My Love Lane. Thankfully the turn along Menwith Hill Lane brought some relief and a following wind past the base with a diversion straight down to Clapham Green instead of Tang and into Hampsthwaite where Tim left us to return straight home for his visitors. Colin, Roger and I then enjoyed a very welcome break in Sophie’s for coffee etc and a general discussion around various pet dogs. The decision to finish along the Greenway was unanimous and we parted company at the Bilton Lane junction. Thanks everyone for your good company and I recorded 35 miles door to door.  James G