EGs Ride
Rain Checks from Jim and Johnny this morning meant we had a true quorum at Low Bridge, and the unwelcoming forecast contributed to a more detailed discussion of where to go??
To be fair, we often blindly follow Dave W, our leader and navigator, without much care for our route ahead. Indeed, it could be said that we often don’t know where we have been when we get back home!!
North was chosen and a meandering route to Ripon ensued, resulting us arriving at the excellent Tate’s Café. Rain could be sensed in the clouds all around us but so far so good.
The café was busy but warm and dry, and we were happy to wait until the brunch choices were brought. In the meantime a fast Wheel Easy group with Helen and Julie and others arrived and happy catch up conversations ensued.
They were already heading for home having visited Brimham. Gosh; they certainly get a move on!
I remember the day……..
Our leader was discussing the merits of Sawley for our after lunch destination but we were a tad hesitant to fully embrace this idea, when a bloke who was buying gardening stuff, overheard our conversation, and broke in with the news that he had just come from there, and there was torrential rain. Decision made: keep within a good range of Knaresborough.
We ambled on via Norton-le-Clay and Helperby down to the Aldwark bridge and loitered for a half hour over coffee and buns at the Ouseburn village shop. No hot food on a Wednesday, which seems an odd idea since Wednesday is a cycling day. However, we only wanted sugar!
Riding on through Branton Green, we came across a mesmerised baby rabbit in the middle of the road; Dan rescued it to the verge but pronounced it injured, so probably some fox’s dinner by now. Oh well; that’s life I guess, and they do breed like, er well…..rabbits.
No rain was encountered on the way back to Knaresborough and I think congratulations once again to our leader for keeping us dry.
Thanks also to Geoff and Dan for their company on this, for me, 75k ride. DaveS.
Or, alternatively
Four hardy souls gathered for today’s outing. After the usual deliberations, no particular destination was settled upon. The general consensus was to head north to Ripon for coffee, after which we would determine an appropriate onward route. With a persistent south-easterly wind forecast for the majority of the day, this direction turned out to be a sensible choice. A steady pace was maintained through Copgrove, Burton Leonard, and Bishop Monkton, making the journey to Ripon easier thanks to the assisting wind.
Our coffee stop was at Tates Garden Centre, which was quite busy, and we were fortunate to secure a table. A variety of topics were discussed, but not the matter of our onward route. This was eventually addressed outside in the garden centre, where Dave W proposed heading northwards towards Kirkby Malzeard. However, a friendly shopper, overhearing this suggestion, warned us of heavy rain in that area. Plan B was swiftly put into action, which involved veering eastwards towards Dishforth.
The route out of Ripon took us up Hutton Bank, followed by a right turn onto Berrygate Lane, leading us down into Sharow. We then meandered through Copt Hewick before returning to the Dishforth Road. Turning off the Dishforth Road onto Cana Lane, heading towards Marton Le Moor, we encountered the full force of the forecast wind. As we passed through Marton Le Moor, we took Chapel Lane, leading us towards the motorway overbridge, then on to Highfields Lane, eventually reaching the junction with Boroughbridge Road. Here, we paused to discuss our onward route. With the clouds darkening and the wind intensifying, we decided to continue eastward down Broad Balk Lane, through Norton Le Clay, and onto Cundall.
At Cundall, we stopped for a break and the obligatory photo opportunity before turning right onto Whaites Lane. We passed through Thornton Bridge and on to Helperby. Here, the pace slowed slightly due to the headwind, but we pressed on through Flawith before heading towards Aldwark village and crossing the bridge.
Afternoon refreshments were taken at the village store and café in Great Ouseburn. While we sat in the garden, the overcast conditions began to improve, and we even enjoyed a brief spell of sunshine, although it remained rather breezy.
After our break, we continued westward up Gallabar Lane, passing Marton cum Grafton towards Arkendale, Ferrensby, and Farnham, before entering Knaresborough, where we went our separate ways. A huge thanks to Dan, Dave W, and Dave S for a splendid day out. I clocked up just under 50 miles, with Dan covering a bit more. It’s hard to believe we managed to avoid the rain, despite travelling over several very wet roads.
Geoff W
The Shortie
Just three takers for the Short Ride today, but generally the numbers seemed down. This may have been a reflection of the first hints of autumn in the chilly wind and in the rain shower that soon greeted us on our way to Spofforth. Interestingly, one view of the low turnout for the Short Ride suggests that previous takers have graduated to longer rides by virtue of increased fitness and confidence or upgrading of bikes. Our route took us to Wetherby via A168 cycle track, which looked as though the vegetation had been kept cut back over the summer, since our Sustrans team visited in April and May. Credit due to NY Council or the Wetherby Sustrans group. Also noticeable were the sloe berries along the way – visit soon with your jar of gin! The Wise Owl cafe volunteers made us very welcome in Boston Spa village hall for the customary mid- ride break. If you’re not familiar with this excellent cafe, do try it. Our visit was well timed, before a class in the adjoining hall led to a crush in the cafe. Back to HG along the much-improved Harland Way to Spofforth and then a retrace to return to the Showground for 1.30 after a convivial morning ride, where full use of cycle tracks allowed conversation and relaxed riding. Thank you David R and Peter N.
Terry Smith
Wanderers’ Ride
Quite a number of Wanderers were ready to do the lovely ride to Dallowgill. We split into 2 groups, agreeing to reassemble at Ripley. By then, we picked up 4 more riders. The plan was to split into smaller groups once we reached Clint. However, fate had other thoughts! At the end of the woods, Michelle found a thorny twig in her tyre. Tim and David were quickly on the case, so that left a group of 5 to head off. All sorts of complications ensued, so Mike and Colin were enlisted to help. That left a second 5 to head off. We followed the route up to Brimham, where Corinne decided to turn off for home. Dave K then retreated to take the shortest route to G&T’s. A cheery trio, Liz F, Paul and myself followed the route over the moor. Just as we were descending to High Grantley, the heavens opened. So a soggy trio arrived at G&T’s! It was good to see that everyone else had got there by different routes.( The tyre change had taken quite a time). From there, it seemed just a short time until we were back at Ripley. Many thanks to all for your cooperation (especially the 4 mechanics)and good company . 38 Hilly miles for some. Alison
Pool Ride Report
James, Paul, Kevin, Mark, Stuart, Charlie and Gia felt we had cycled the Brimham routes quite a lot recently so suggested the ride to Pool taking in Jack Hill Lane.
A lovely route, then along the gated road to a very friendly and efficient welcome at Pool.
We dodged and endured a couple of showers but mostly it was a perfect autumn day to be out with the magnificent Wharfedale views and mainly quiet roads. 30 miles. Gia
