Short Gentle Ride
A good turnout at the showground this morning and ten of us for the short gentle ride, although I thought there was eleven until the first stop at Pennypot which begs the question should I be leading at all? One new rider this morning, Andrew who is recently retired and Sue on her second ride with us, welcome to you both. Chris was a returning rider after some time off. Two Paul’s, Monica, Mike W, Russell and Gordon who kindly offered to back mark made up the rest of the group with me. We negotiated our way out of town via Cornwall road and then did the full length of Pennypot lane and jigged our way up to the Fewston farm shop where we sat outside in the now pleasant conditions. The usual swift friendly service of goodies at reasonable prices. The return was via Fewston where some riders put in an extra mile to the carpark! Sue experienced a mechanical issue before the climb up to Little Almscliffe but Mike W was on hand to sort it out. Photo stop at the top ( Paul B had left us for an appointment). Last count at the Smiths Arms and everyone made their own way home, thanks for your good company and thanks to Gordon for excellent back marking. 22 miles for me and 1400ft climbed. Steve B.
Medium Steady Ride
There were over 50 of us who gathered at the Showground along with two newish members. A cloudy coolish start but by the time we got to Clint Bank the sun was out. The route to Brimham and Fellbeck is spectacular with lots of ups and downs and the route throws in several of these, gaining height, losing height! The views as always fabulous.
Yvonne’s Garmin kept the challenge going all the way to Sophie’s where we sat outside in the sunshine. Limited menu today but nevertheless a welcome stop after 30 miles. Stats about 40 miles and just over 3,000 ft.
Great ride thanks to all, Yvonne, James, Sarah, Steve, Tim. 40 miles. Gia
The following photo is just to illustrate how very dry the land is now.
Wanderers Ride – Group 1
The ride was Route 53. A 39 mile route with some hills 3,000ft of climb. After meeting at the showground we decided due to numbers to split into 3 groups of 7s and 6s. This Idea lasted as far as the traffic lights at the end of the showground as a quick count told me I had 11 in my group. All 11 were riding the old analogue type cycles propelled by brute force and ignorance. The remaining group of wanderers were mainly riding the new digital technology where brute force is no longer needed.
The first group followed Route 53 out to Beckwithshaw and up towards Penny pot lane as we turned right off Penny Pot Lane toward Hampsthwaite we were shocked to see our friends, electric, in front. The rumour is they took a short cut and went along Penny Pot Lane to shave a few miles off as the batteries needed to be saved for the hills.
At this point in the ride I was asked to up the pace and to quote ”we are being beaten by old people”. The ride took us through Hampsthwaite and up the hill to Clapham Green then through Birstwith and down onto the toll road. A quick stop for a photo then onto stripe lane. This is a tough hill to climb but once at the top the view is worth it. Onto Brimham rocks road at the end of this road we the analogue riders made a right turn and took the road to Fountains Abbey. At Fountains Abbey 2 of the group dropped off to make their own way home. The food and service at Tates garden centre was quick and excellent as usual. The food choices of the group were more varied than usual. The group usually goes for bacon or sausage white or Brown. This time it was goat cheese tart, Granola and yogurt, poached egg, scrambled egg. I followed the lead of our resident medical adviser Lesley and had bacon and egg on white bun. I then endured a 5 minute lecture from Granola Will on how I would die young and he would live forever. Granola may make you live longer but Bacon makes you happy.
Once fed and watered we set off. The second group had not arrived at Tates by this point therefore they either cut it short or have had a problem and I do hope everyone is ok.
The ride back though Ripon, Littlethorpe and Bishop Monkton was reasonably easy after the hills of Nidderdale. I left my group to make their own way home via Knaresborough as I took the road for Killinghall. An excellent ride with great company and good weather. Derek G
Wanderers Ride – Group 2
A slightly cooler morning tempted many cyclists to the Showground for a ride out today. Derek’s Wanderers group had around 17 riders so some of us elected to make a smaller group. Alison, Margaret (welcome back), Bridget, Liz F, Karen and the ever loyal Colin set off on the ride to Brimham, Fountains, Ripon and back. The weather was perfect with no wind and and fairly cool (until later on). We wandered up to Hampsthwaite and tackled Stripe Lane where we once again caught up with Derek’s party. We took a slight deviation to the route to visit G & T’s where refreshments were enjoyed outside in the sunshine. Bridget told us about some of the reasons people had visited A & E including a farmer from the Yorkshire Show who had experienced an unfortunate incident with a bull’s horn! Say no more! Lots of lovely chat, banter and good humour was enjoyed by all. We rode home through Ripon and Knaresborough in very warm sunshine which made it hard work. A fabulous ride with great company through glorious Yorkshire countryside. Aren’t we lucky! 42 miles for me. Nicci
EG’s Ride
Slightly late on my arrival only to discover one EG. waiting but soon we were joined by a number of others including Terry Smith who, having travelled over by train from Leeds, had not been with us for some time. Welcome again Terry. Good to see you. Today’s route was designed to aim for Thirsk by an unusual roundabout way, taking in Topcliffe, Busby Stoop & Sandhutton approaching Thirsk from the north. Heading out along Boroughbridge Road, overtaken by a police car, we were amazed to discover the emergency was what seemed to be a swan, possibly entangled in the other side of the hedge skirting the new estate on to the edge of Knaresborough. We didn’t stop! There was enough spectators with phone/cameras. Carefully negotiating around the stationary traffic blocked by the badly parked police car we pressed on towards our goal, Boroughbridge at a brisk pace. Negotiating our way through Boroughbridge we continued north past Dishforth turning right for Cundall.
The overcast skies had cleared and the heat was now building up slowing our progress as we passed farmers bringing in their early harvest and filling the air with wheat dust. Arriving in Topcliffe, with a slight split in the group as riders headed off towards the Skipton on Swale direction, Dave S. alongside myself queried our timetable as seemingly he had an appointment late afternoon. As a consequence he reluctantly decided to abandon the ride to take the shorter way to our planned lunch break. Unfortunately, by the time we had completed our farewell the rest of the group, oblivious to my delay, had disappeared. Approaching the tenuous X roads, finding no sign of any cyclists I was unsure if they had followed the intended route. However, ignoring the sight of a disappearing cyclists to my left I carried on, fearing my “flock” had gone around in circles & accordingly I would end up alone for the remainder of the days ride.
Pressing on I felt fortunate that upon rounding a right hand bend I spotted the group dutifully awaiting my catch up. Explaining the situation we moved on towards Catton but swung a right to take us back onto the A167 and up to Busby Stoop. Continuing up the main road, which was relatively quiet, other than a Hymas lorry (known as the Blue Devils) buzzing us, pulling over off road but later causing overtaking difficulties for himself after catching us up again. We turned right before Newsham, thankfully away from the slight northerly head wind, and followed the track south towards Thirsk. Embarrassingly we were overtaken by a commuting cyclists, admittedly younger than ourselves, despite our pace being at a brisk level. As we arrived in Thirsk, negotiating around the traffic at the traffic lights and roundabout we decided to push on through Sowerby to have lunch at the Garden centre. (No sign of Dave S??)
Crossing the very narrow access bridge we had to wind our way around a significantly large camper van , the driver of which had failed to note the serious width restriction and now finding himself in difficulties not being able to easily turn around to escape his predicament. Learning neither Phil nor Terry had paid a visit before we found our way through the maze of garden equipment & plants towards the ordering reception. Moving into the cafe proper we plonked ourselves down at a table away from the still hot sunshine not initially realising this was an area served by “Robots”. We were a little perplexed as the unexpected “Robot” approached in an unsure way, bearing our drinks. User instructions were flashed on a screen. Intrigued, we helped ourselves to the trays bearing some of our drinks, pressed the appropriate button and watch with marvel as the “Robot” returned to the kitchen. It was felt this was a gimmick but would no doubt attract curious customers and it was noted that when serving at the adjacent table the “Robot” spoke to the customers and as it was turning even winked!! We concluded the “Robot” had been feminised for what ever reason.
After lunch we gathered in the car park noting Phil inspecting his front mech and upon questioning revealed he’d had problems as he’d left home, but being a little time constrained had decided he would try to attend the problem later. Unfortunately this had meant not being able to negotiate front gears between outer & inner chain wheels thus limiting his choice of gears. Noting it had not slowed him we exited the complex to aim for home via Dalton and Sessay. Some mention was made of Pilmoor, which I’d not previously come across but apparently as we crossed the old railway bridge it was at this point but no signage to confirm. A couple of brief stops were necessary to top up energy levels and fluids hoping to avoid the dreaded cramps as we gathered ourselves above Thornton Bridge. Waving to a group of social cyclists passing across our bow, turning right across the river we set off for Boroughbridge.
Phil was leading the group at this point and in his haste to get this part of the journey over quickly he put “the metal down” and we found ourselves pushing hard to stay with him most of the time sweeping along at about 17 m.p.h. As we arrived in Boroughbridge Terry announced it was his turn to leave the group to head directly south towards Wetherby. Thanking the EG’S for their company we split up , the remaining heading for Minskip, Staveley and eventually home. Despite potential fatigue & dreaded cramps it had been a wonderful ride, taking advantage of good weather, in wonderful company and completing at least 55 miles with Phil at least adding another 10 miles on top. Thanks all for your valued company. Dave W.
