Wednesday 16th November

Wednesday Ride

Nine of us (Gia, Monica, Yvonne, Paul, Richard, David, John, Alan and myself) left the Showground heading for Leathley via Brackenthwaite Lane, Briscoerigg and Stainburn collecting a tenth (Paul Blackham) on the way and stopped for a photo opportunity in the brief few rays of watery sunshine we came across just before Leathley. We then headed rapidly for the Farm Shop and welcome hot drinks and an assortment of food all very efficiently served. The route home was Graveley Hill to Almscliff Crag where two defied the “Closed Road” sign, whilst the rest headed back up to Briscoerigg. Two more then peeled off to Beckwithshaw and the remaining six enjoyed a fast run back down Brackenthwaite Lane into Burn Bridge and various routes home. A little under 30 miles depending on where you started, in good company and home before the worst of the drizzle stated. James G

Medium Plus Brisk

The first time in ages that a ride hasn’t been affected by the weather – no fog, no wind, no heavy rain. Up to Brimham, Dallowgill Moor, Tates for tea & then home. One puncture along the way but otherwise marvellous for the middle of November. 45 miles. Tall Tim

Wanderers Ride

11 people joined me on the ride to Tadcaster. Michael P took a group of 6, I led a group of 5. On to Kirkby Overblow, Sicklinghall on a cool, misty morning. On to Linton then Collingham. At Jewitt Lane the sun came out for about 1 minute! Up to Compton, then Bramham. We then decided to go past Tadcaster Grammar School and turn left to join the cycle track at Newton Kyme, over River Wharfe to cafe at Thorp Arch. Good food, good service. Back on our bikes for home, via Wetherby, Kirk Deighton, Follifoot. Thanks to Mike P for leading a group and Mike Walsh for back-marking. Thanks to everyone for your input. A really enjoyable day with plenty of laughs. 39 miles and 1426.0 metres of climbing. Mike W

Away Day – Easingwold

This was an eventful day and featured the kindness of strangers.
I had already tested this fabulous ride (it must be, I designed it) on a glorious autumn day so I knew what to expect. Today it was greyer but we were lucky to get one of the best days of the week and the autumn colours were still looking great. While there was fog at the top of Sutton Bank, it was clear and autumnal everywhere else.
We started at 9 to allow for any problems we might have later. Good thing we did! Just 11 of us started the day after 7 had pulled out for various reasons.
It was fairly steady through Brandsby and Hovingham. Then came the challenge of Nunnington Bank where at least 3 had to walk. Then on to Wombleton (where the Wombles came from), Harome (where the Star Inn is nearly finished after its fire) and to Helmsley for a very early cafe stop at Number Twelve, formerly the Castlegate cafe. We were early enough to get bacon sandwiches from the breakfast menu.
Next we went up some challenging hills through Old Byland and Cold Kirkby to the ridge which includes the White Horse. The views are always spectacular up here but, sadly, not today. We stopped at the Visitor Centre where Richard started his quiz which kept us all entertained.
Then came the steep descent down the back of the White Horse. It’s tough on the hands holding onto the brakes but we all made it down – with the exception of Liz!
Liz, who had been coming down slowly, had a crash, cut her head and broke her wrist. Fortunately John had offered to go back up the hill on his electric bike to see how she was getting on. He saw it all happen! Luckily, in the following car was a first aider who took over and sorted out an ambulance which came very quickly and took Liz to James Cook Hospital at Middlesborough – that’s the kindness of strangers. Thanks to John for staying with Liz and afterwards staying with her bike. Thanks also to Richard Leake who raced ahead and brought his car to pick up the bike.
The ride back to Easingwold was uneventful.

Besides the crash, it was a great day and thanks to everyone for sharing it. Just over 40 miles and 3000ft.

Definitely one to include in the awayday calendar.

Steve W