Wednesday 14th. September
Wednesday Wanderers Ride
On an overcast morning 15 riders joined me for a ride out to Easingwold. Brian preferred to do a shorter ride and leave our group at Ouseburn. Brian took along with him Chris, Chris & Diane. We set off for Low Bridge where Mike P was waiting, Sally, Nicki, Bridget, Karen, Liz F, Colin, John and yes, 3 x Mikes. Split into 3 groups and cycled to Ouseburn. A photo shoot with Brian’s group, down to 11 riders, after Marton with White Horse behind. At Ouseburn Brian and his group left us. Pushed on to Aldwark. Photo taken near bridge. On our way to Easingwold the sun started to shine through. A layer of clothing off. Perfect riding weather, lots of laughs and leader changes. Arrived Easingwold coffee and food stop at S Q Bean Emporium next door to White House. Very pleasant sitting out talking. Mike S asked if group would fancy going through Mountgarret Estate – all agreed, only Mike P wanted to go on to Knaresborough. Lost Liz F too. Think she made her own way home. Hope you got home safely. Most people decided to walk across stepping stones as not much water in. No wet feet. On to Ripley Green Way and home. Thanks for great company and thanks to Colin for keeping all together from the back. A very enjoyable day out. 52 miles. 663 metres climbing. Mike W
EGs Ride
Eight EGs good and true, managed to untangle themselves from the hordes of Wheel Easy members presenting themselves at Low Bridge this morning.
Despite our lack of route guidance (get well quick Dave, we’re not much good without you), Bedale was muttered, and off we went.
Bob, and later Paul veered away for adventures unshared with us, and the rest put our feet to the metal.
Chain complications for Pete at Ripon meant that we lost him temporarily, but his excellent homing instinct soon remedied the matter, and off we went again.
The North End Cafe does not disappoint, and today was no exception with beans on toast aplenty, and pleasant service to match.
DaveW2’s diversion around the back lanes around Thorpe Perrow entertained, and a relatively uneventful return was made.
Another super day out lads thanks.
In attendance were ColinP, Geoff, Marvin besides those already featured above. DaveS. Around 50 miles.
Wanderers’ Breakaway
Although Easingwold was tempting and the forecast fine, a few of us were happier to defect from the Wanderers pelton at Gt Ouseburn and take a shorter route to Boroughbridge. So Chris, Chris, Diane and I headed up through the Dunsforths (lovely and quiet) for a break at Plenty and a gentle tootle back through Staveley. We all headed up Bland Hill out of Knaresborough grateful for the earlier carb loading. A great morning’s ride, and good company (and thanks to Mike W for the first bit !). Brian
Wednesday Ride
The Wednesday Ride split into two groups and having despatched the speedy ones, six of us set off, soon to become seven when we collected Colin at Low Bridge and great to see him out again. Also great to see Dave Siswick with EGs which merited the first photo of the day. Leaving the EGs to their own devices we made good progress through Goldsborough and Flaxby but just short of Coneythorpe encountered half a house being manoeuvred across the road with the other half sat on a low-loader (See photos). According to the driver it was temporary accommodation for the farmer and his family who were embarking on extensive renovations to the main farmhouse. Thereafter it was onwards through Arkendale and Marton to Boroughbridge were a minor rebellion to have a cafe stop at The Bean was soon quelled with the line that Yvonne and Martin were waiting for us at Fountains. We subsequently discovered that if we had looked inside we would probably have seen them having their early coffee! With only minor mutterings we made it through Ripon and into the Visitor Centre at Fountains for a well earned break with Yvonne and Martin and in time to wave the faster group on their way home. With double human power and a battery Yvonne and Martin were soon a spec on the horizon as we headed homewards along Watergate Lane, with a stop for a final photo, and into Ripley and up the Greenway. Just about the advertised price of 40 miles, but great company and banter as usual. Thanks to everyone. James G.
Short Ride
Nice positive attitude in the group of cyclists this morning when faced with a fair few hills as we negotiated the traffic through Harrogate to the peaceful lanes of Kettlesing & Tang, where Dennis turned home for lunch via Birstwith. Slightly overcast with a shy sun so we were lucky to observe the migrating flocks of birds as we pushed on past Menwith Hill to take the road through the old NCS Forest Moor where the watchers kindly lifted the barrier for us. We swooped down Meaghill Lane and successfully negotiated the A59 to a well-merited pause-café at Fewston Farm shop where we met Marwood & Judy. It was a unanimous decision to climb up to Norwood and over Little Almscliffe as this direction offers splendid views too and an opportunity to swoop downhill again, this time to Beckwithshaw and then up past the Squinting Cat to part at the Rossett roundabout.
