Wednesday 19th. July

Wednesday Ride

Many riders had opted for the Away Day options today leaving a select bunch looking for a ride. There were no takers for the Medium Plus trip to Grassington so I joined a lovely group of Richard, Yvonne,David,Tim and Nicola on a round trip to Tate’s. We were keen to get back before the heavens opened at 1pm and I wanted to pick up my new HWE gilet from Chevin. Our route was Greenway, Scarah bank, Fountains, deer park and Tate’s. Nobody could keep up with T2 – he’d definitely had his three weetabix this morning! The sun was shining and we sat outside. There was some mention of Littlethorpe and Markington but Tim sailed past the turning and headed for Knaresborough hill. On the way up towards Farnham Lizzie Deignan ‘flew’ past us as though we were stationary. She did say hello. The photo was taken at the top of Knaresborough hill where I said my goodbyes. Great cycling with you all. 30 miles and didn’t get wet- perfect. Janet G

Wednesday Wanderers

No formal ‘led’ ride today therefore some discussion on various options before our ‘grand departe’ taking into account the forecasted rain this afternoon. The route more or less encompassed all wishes. Under the ‘volunteer’ leader Mike W seven of us headed to Low Bridge. The short ride caught us and  gave us a push along Abbey Road. They went left we went right at Grimbald Bridge taking the pressure of us. Swooping down to Little Ribston we turned towards Cowthorpe but picked up the cycle path to Walshford and then the cut across to Whixley. The usual fun at the unmanned railway crossing. Despite the early time we decided on Tancred for coffee and snacks. Only customers there. Good quick service. 

Lot of ground work being done and the trip to the loo a little precarious. Thorpe Underwood ,Great Ouseburn the Dunsforths to Boroughbridge. Weather still looking good so we plumbed for Roecliffe, Bishop Monkton and Markington then Ripley and home. Weather held up. My thanks to Mike W along with Liz P, Liz F, Nicci, Bridgette and Gordon. We beat the rain. 44 miles for me. Colin B

Away Day Steady Group

With Steve W not riding today James stepped in at the last minute as Ride Leader and we were all grateful to be in his capable hands as we gathered in Pockington for todays ride. There was a group of seven who were eventually dragged from their early morning coffee to follow the brisk group on our way.

However, the ride turned into a ‘Morecambe and Wise ‘ Awayday- we did all the right roads:but not necessarily in the right order!

The start of the ride was splendid with the ride through Millington Dale, surely one of the best routes in the Wolds and then we cycled along the ridge with some great views. However this was where things started to go wrong as Jamess’ Garmin played up and gave us duff information. Ever prepared he defaulted to paper maps and decided to follow the Sustran route which ,whilst being a great ride,was a big loop onto the designated route. When we realised this we got back on route and reached South Dalton and we were still some way from Beverley. A group decision was made to head to Market Weighton for lunch and we finally arrived having covered 30 miles!

After a pleasant lunch there was further discussion and a decision taken to head for Pocklington.

We covered the last 10 miles and completed a really enjoyable tour of the Wolds- perhaps not the one we set out on!

A really enjoyable ride in great company only a few spots of rain and enough sun and clear skies to get good views on quiet roads. Thanks to James for his navigation and map reading a and keeping us all going.

In the end 40 miles and very little climbing. Thanks to Terry for devising the route ( even though we didnt follow it) and to Doug for his overall organisation.

Kevin

Short Ride

Dennis, Sarah, Bob and John had a great ride devised and led by Denis (“Wheel Easy’s own Buzz Lightyear” Thanks Sarah!). The three e-bikers and me on my manual (what a strange twist of fate that was) set off for coffee at Ripley via a beautiful, very interesting and circuitous route that took in Stonefall Park, Breary Flat Lane and Water Lane, whilst heading out to Farnham, Ferrensby, Arkendale and Staveley. More lovely riding through Copgrove, Burton Leonard, Wormald Green and Markington taking in one or two hilly bits and a sweep down to Ripley from where Denis rode home whilst the rest of us had coffee and stuff. Great service as usual meant we could set off between showers. Bob left us at the end of the Greenway and Sarah and I struck out for home hoping to avoid any rain. There’s been some serious work done on the Greenway as you can see from the picture. Sarah and I parted company on The Stray and very soon after that I had to stop to put on a rain jacket! Hope you got home without getting wet, Sarah. Kudos to Denis for a great ride spoilt only by my sparkly new bike getting wet 🤣. 31 miles and 1631 elevation gain for me, John Carey

Away Day Brisker Group

Two groups of 7 gathered for the Awayday ride from Pocklington to Beverley and back and as the other group were finishing their coffee outside the Market Square café and enjoying the morning sunshine we took our chance to make a head start. Most of the day’s climbing was in the first 7 miles or so and a lovely climb it was along quiet lanes through classic Wolds landscape. A long straight descent then allowed us to get some speed up whilst enjoying some great views and took us quickly down to Middleton on the Wolds. From there the going was flat, eventually picking up the cycle path along the busy Malton Road which took us into Beverley. By now dark clouds were forming but we remained dry as we made it to the town centre and Café V for a good lunch. As we set off again we were still hopeful of avoiding the rain but by the time we got to Westwood Pasture even the cows had taken cover and we found ourselves in the middle of a downpour. However, we pushed on and our grit and determination paid off as the rain soon relented and we were pretty much dried out by the time we reached Market Weighton. A couple of short climbs later the weather had cleared nicely as we stopped at the top to take in the views south and east towards Drax Power Station and beyond. The last 5 miles flew past and arriving back at Pocklington we were glad to learn the other group had also arrived back safely. Not only had they got back before us, but they had also somehow managed to avoid the rain! A great day out and thanks to Terry for putting together an interesting route through some lovely countryside which offers a great contrast to some of the more frequented destinations in the Dales and Moors. Doug