The Wednesday Ride
When I woke up this morning and saw the wet, miserable weather, I was rather hoping that the other wanderers had decided to stay at home and I could quickly return home to keep warm and dry. I was one of the first people to arrive at the showground and gradually seven other foolhardy, I mean brave soles arrived, Derek, John, Colin, Tim, James, Steve and Yvonne. We decided to ride as one group. Colin decreed that because I was the only designated ride leader that had arrived that I should lead the route and we should do the route that I had planned late last night. I had opted for route 255, because there were a number of ways the ride could be made shorter if the weather deteriorated even more.
We made our way along the Greenway to Ripley and up Scarah Bank. The rain had begun to ease and had become an annoying drizzle. We made our way to Markington and on to Bishop Monkton where it was decided that we would carry on to Ripon because the drizzle had just about stopped. As we headed over the river bridge near Ripon racecourse, we encountered several large lorries trying to pass each other in opposite directions, they were just a little to for comfort.
We went down through Bridge Hewick and made our way to Marton le Moor, where Derek had a puncture. A thorn, its that time of year again! He quickly replaced the inner tube and tested John’s electric pump, which proved to very efficient. We decided that Boroughbridge was calling us for coffee, so we missed the slight detour around Kirby Hill.
Our coffee/ lunch stop was at Hideaway. Sarah, quickly and efficiently, served us some very welcome hot drinks and delicious brunches. The chat was mainly about gory operations as a result of nasty accidents. This was as a result of John’s conversation with one of the residents in Marton le Moor.
We made our way back to Harrogate via Minskip and Staveley. Derek made his way home from the top of Sandy Bank; James peeled off in Knaresborough. The rest of the group made their way up Knaresborough hill and said the goodbyes at the golf club. Thank you all for coming and your company. The weather was much better than anticipated and I had a lovely, enjoyable ride.
36 mile door to door, for me. Average speed 12.4 mph; 1500ft of climbing. Chris
P.S. From Yvonne
If anyone is interested in the blue field of flowers we passed in Marton-le-Moor, which I remember seeing in the Wolds near Thixendale, they are known as Lacey Phacelia or Blue Tansy, part of the Borage family : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phacelia_tanacetifolia
EGs Ride
Waking up this morning to the sound of raindrops on the window pane was somewhat disappointing having in mind the blue skies and sunshine on Tuesday, doubting that few would venture out on a wet ride.
However brief contact being made later at breakfast time confirmed at least there would be someone to be waiting at Low Bridge at our usual time.
Being overcast the temperature was mild so the ensembled group, all two of us stood “chewing the fat” waiting for others to arrive with little confidence of a positive outcome.
Up rolls Geoff just as the clock reached 10.00am countering about roadworks, so now being the three stalwarts of late we set off south just as the rain appeared to reach its pitch.
Temporary roadworks at Grimbald bridge created some confusion as we edged our way onto the carriageway but once past the roundabout we were swiftly away.
By reason of the poor weather our initial target for the morning was the “Bistro” at Thorp Arch trading estate. Our route skirted Wetherby and along the cycle path passing through Walton village just to be different!
Arriving at the Bistro, after parking up our bikes, we spoke briefly to a fellow “older” cyclist, sitting on his own outside, newspaper spread out and enjoying his own snack.(We were, surprisingly to see this gentleman later in the day)
Following our own refreshments we were pleased to note an improvement in the weather which gave encouragement to extending our ride.
As we had not ventured recently along past Bolton Percy, and as we did, we reminisced over flooded roads we once passed through when out, some years back with our friend and past leader, Dave Preston. We decided to follow a route to aim for the Grange (Naughty Girls) cafe at Askham via Bilborough for lunch.
Turning left at the windmill just prior to Appleton Roebuck, Dave S. feeling the need to hydrate, cried out at the missing water bottle he now realised he’d left behind at our last stop. Fortunately, as we were lacking in basking sunshine, this was not the catastrophe it normally might be.
Arriving at the cafe stop just as lunch time was breaking viz. 12.55 pm, we were surprised to see our lone gentleman cyclist sitting at the outside tables still reading the same newspaper as before. Speaking to him with a friendly greeting, turns out he was, indeed local, more or less, and heading for home through Rufforth to Acomb. Following his warning of the ensuing crowds inside and the over warm atmosphere, we obliged ourselves to sit outside.
Ordering our food, as usual wondering what offence each waitress had committed, we noticed, on the left side of her neck, the waitress taking our order had an obvious tattoo reflecting the very name of the people she was serving. “Were you expecting us then?” piped my namesake, Dave? A slightly chuckle was her response as she continued to establish our order.
Sitting outside, enjoying our fare, the subject of conversation was of such varied nature, some of which is not the subject for publication, we then gathered ourselves together to aim for home by the direct route.
We paused briefly at the Memorial for the battle at Marston moor, I’m told 1644, just as a couple of motorist stopped to investigate the historic site. This was opportune as we were able to invite a photo opportunity and with them, discuss a little of the details of the direction of fighting.
We passed through Tockwith on our way through Cowthorpe, Little Ribston and on to Knaresborough.
The roadworks at Grimbald bridge were continuing to create confusion, the lights being a little out of sync and certainly not suiting cyclists, but we said our farewells and went on our way.
Despite our early disquiet the ride turned out to be very enjoyable, covering approximately 42 miles, it being dry by the time of our return.
Thanks Dave & Geoff for your perseverance not least for coping with the rain.
