Ride Reports

Wednesday 17th. May

Dave Siswick
Wanderers Ride
It was a splendid day for a ride so we had a splendid ride.
Two groups of 6 set off from the Showground: a rapid group and another less rapid.
We reconvened at Low Bridge to check that everyone was happy with their group allocation,and they were all content.
The groups made good time through the verdant countryside towards Boroughbridge and beyond. The area north of Boroughbridge and the quiet outpost Marton-Le-Moor was unfamiliar to some riders which made the ride even more exciting.
The slower group found Olivers in Ripon as a welcome refreshment stop,where the faster group briefly visited to inform they were ready for the return to Harrogate
We went our different ways on the homeward stretch and I hope everyone arrived back safely after a very fine few hours riding.
MIke P
Wednesday Ride

Last minute decision between Tim2 & I for a Wednesday Ride route for today – we concurred on planning a pause-café at Askham Richard.  Weather looked quite promising, so a tour of some delightful Vale of York villages seemed a good idea for a grand morning out on bikes. Reversing route 70 took us through the Deightons to Wetherby, picking up the quiet cycle path bordered with Hawthorn in full blossom towards Wighill, stopping to consider the Community box full of rhubarb in Healaugh but decided that it might not fit our jersey pockets…. We then took the long way through the lush green lanes of Catterton and Bilbrough to The Grange at Askham Richard for an astonishingly economic lunch : drink & sandwich with salad £5.50 ! Pleasant though slow service enabled us to take full advantage of the sun on the terrace and have a quick chat with The Struggle heroine Emma Dooley too before we headed off.  We set a good pace through to Long Marston for the obligatory photo – this time Mary Celeste riderless bikes – then straight on through Tockwith, Cowthorpe, Little Ribston down to Spofforth again.  We split up at Rudding Lane with Charlie & Tony heading back to the Showground whilst, Tim, Mark & I went on the rollercoaster Follifoot Rd to Pannal where Mark then took on the traffic up Leeds Rd while Tim & I opted for the relative quiet of the Church Lane climb.  So 3 different ways back into Harrogate but all up hill !  Cheery company on a lovely ride over 45 miles and 1850 ft. Yvonne.

 

Wanderers Quicker Ride
Mike S led a slightly quicker group of five this morning on Mike P’s ride to Marton-le-Moor. I joined Mike S along with David Derek and Richard. Good progress but we decided to stick to tarmac rather than the Copgrove- Roecliffe bridle path. Into Boroughbridge and out to Dishforth before turning to Marton. Missed the Sharrow turn but got to the main road and into Ripon. We arrived at The Hive behind Booth’s just before the 11.30 breakfast cut-off so were able to enjoy bacon sausage etc etc. Some discussion about the tap in the toilets. The plumber must have had too many compression joints spare. Weird. Mike P’s group were in Olivers as we departed for Littlethorpe and Markington. I had a quick chat with Liz F and Pete who we met on the Greenway. She is hoping to be out with us in a few weeks . Great news.
We went our different ways at Bilton Lane. Great ride and weather. Company and chat up to WE standards. Thank you all. 41 miles. Colin B
Away Day Ride

Excellent away day ride starting at Easingwold and climbing up towards Coxwold with wonderful views of the White Horse. A Colin Thomson inspired diversion took us up a gated road where we all remarked on the beautiful spring colours of many shades of green.
The sun cam out for our first stop of the day, the excellent cafe in Nunnington. The Old Yard Coffee Shop. 10/10 for service, home made cakes and coffee. Definitely rates as a great stop. The cafe is open Wednesdays to Sundays and deserves us spreading the word.
Both groups were in no hurry to set off, but we did and on towards Castle Howard. Four of us were too tempted by the direct route to  EJ’s Tearooms at The Yorkshire Lavender where we all met for an excellent lunch sitting looking over the rows of lavender and long distance views.
The sun came out, it was a great day of cycling and wandering along very quiet lanes with long views on all sides.
Many thanks to Doug for getting the away day rides under way again and to Steve our excellent leader. Gia