Five go on a pub crawl

Who could be more appropriate to lead a ride on April Fool’s Day than yours truly? Following Tim’s excellent introduction and April Fool gag (many of us were, briefly, fooled!) a finely tuned group of athletes (five of us, actually ) assembled in the corner to make up the “Short Gentle” ride. Paul, Kevin, Mike & (newish) Russell joined me for a tour of the lovely commuter belt villages surrounding Knaresborough. Leaving the Showground we ventured onto Hookstone Chase, Forest Moor Road before rendezvousing at Low Bridge. A quick (virtual) pint at the Half Moon and whiskey chaser at the Mother Shipton started the crawl nicely. It was like cycling with a “past it’s sell by” boy band as “Bridge over Troubled Water” was following by the “Long & Winding Road” along “Abbey Road” and eventually joining York Road to our nemesis, “Highway to Hell” the A59. Quieter lanes welcomed us into Goldsborough and a half a lager-top at the Bay Horse. Turning sharp left we met the A59 for a second time, after what seemed like “Forever and ever” we were able to cross to join the “Country Roads” to Flaxby and Coneythorpe. Posing for the band’s album cover under “The eye of the Tiger” we managed a swift half of Mackeson before sprinting onwards to the Bluebell at Arkendale where we enjoyed daiquiris & pork scratchings for the “Young at Heart”!

Kevin lodged a complaint that, in our haste to get to the “Ugly Duckling” , the General Tarleton was bypassed. This was put to the committee and it was agreed that the lure of toasted tea cakes was too strong and that we should push on, regardless, to our designated coffee stop. Racing through Farnham onto Low Moor Lane we turned left onto our penultimate climb at Market Flat Lane. The route took us through Old Scriven and onto the A6055 to begin our descent to the Ugly Duckling. The teacakes, coffee & service were five star (as always) whilst the banter was decidedly three star at best. Topics covered included space travel, Tom Hanks, Ofsted, Pythagoras, Donald Trump and the boundaries of Warwickshire. The decision was made to head up the Beryl Burton cycleway towards town. Mike left us at Bilton Hall Road leaving the Fab Four to pedal relentlessly along the Greenway and onto 2 Road. Paul headed off to Joe’s whilst Kevin & Russell left me at Claro.

A splendid ride with wonderful company, good humour and no shortage of stories. 34 km for me with 325 metres climbing. Well done to my favourite boy band you’re “Simply the Best”. Howard K

   

Wanderers’ Ride

After the initial announcements and we have carried out a recount on the number of lampposts at the showground the wanderers had 13 people to start so we split into 2 group. The ride along the Greenway took a little longer with the toll booths having to be gone through. By the time we left Ripley our numbers had swelled to 16.

The ride into Nidderdale never fails to delight and the weather although not sunny was warm enough with no rain. A few testing hills up to Brimham Rocks with Mike W showing off his new electric bike he set a blistering pace on the hills with us analogue riders struggling to say with him.

Just before Watergate Lane we had to stop and have a count up of riders Mike W was missing, a couple of minutes later he catches us up and informed us that his chain had come off going up the hill (the third time today). A lovely ride onto Fountains Abbey were once again a stop was needed for a small mechanical. It was Mikes new bike again. I usually help with mechanical issues but thought it was best to step back as the front gear change would not shift and I was informed it was electric. Can you imagine a gear change operated with electricity (whatever was wrong with steel cables). Gordon stepped into the breach and found the fault (a loose wire). We were off to Tates for a well-earned butty and cuppa.

After Tates the riding was easier and a quick ride back via Littlethorpe. I left my team at Farnham It was a great ride with some great people and very nice to see Mike W back in the saddle doing a 40mile plus ride.  Derek G

   

 

EG’s Ride

Disappointingly overcast  with cooler temperatures than anticipated. The gathered company expressed reluctance for the hills associated with the planned ride to the north so the “floor was thrown open” for suggestions!
Jim came up with the idea to travel south via the cafe at Askam Richard and following this, home along the cycle path from Rufforth to Upper Poppleton.
Away we set at a very steady pace aiming initially for Wetherby and thereafter along the cycle path towards Walton. The little wind there was behind us gave confidence of an easy day as we continued to Wighill where, turning left, we aimed for our early break past Catterton & Bilborough to Askam.
Surprisingly as we arrived it seemed to be quite busy but entering we found plenty of space.
Usual fare completed we set off for Rufforth noting the overhead glider “tug” dutifully towing up his next customer to dance around the clouds.
A short pause to adjust head gear against the cold air before entering the cycle path (Chris’s) led by Jim, who, unfortunately, wrong slotted for the cycle path over the rise towards Upper Poppleton and then onwards alongside the river on our way to venture under the railway bridge along Stripe lane, trusting this time it would not be flooded.
We were in luck, albeit there remained a shallow puddle to accompany our way.
Passing through Overton with pleasant flowers dressing the local gardens we made our way towards Shipton taking the new diversion around the overhead cable installation and pausing, this time for an important phone call for Dave S. from his son in London who reported his success passing his exam to be a “doctor”. Congratulations to him. Chest puffing out with pride for Dave.
Our route, modified from the usual Beningbrough estate, we passed by Newton on Ouse just for a change moving against the wind with, surprisingly the oldest & smallest able to push his way through Linton with the rest of us struggling to keep up.
Accordingly we, at least the last three, decided on a quick call at Great Ouseburn’s PO cafe for a well earned coffee and time to recover before our return home.
Jim decided to abandon the coffee and shoot off home as he was expecting visitors so we were able to take our time to reach the top of the Sandy Lane. Here it was time for Colin to make his own way towards Scotton & onward home in the dales.
The remainder, all two of us, carried on to Knaresborough having completed approximately 50 miles. Perhaps a better ride than expected given the disappointing weather.
Thanks for the company lads. Dave W.