Short Gentle Ride
A neat 6 riders turned up for the short ride on a grey sky day. We made our way out on Abbey road and through the endless temporary traffic lights of Knaresborough and eventually on quiet country roads towards Arkendale and onto our coffee stop at Rabbit hill. Finding a big table in the glass box outside, we settled into what was to be one of the most varied discussions on some extremely interesting and varied topics, ranging from the Pope to Jimmy Saville and everything in-between!
Suitably entertained and refreshed we headed back to Arkendale before turning left onto the quite lanes down through Coneythorpe, quickly across the A59 and through Goldsborough before going off-route to go down past the old mill on the wear with the Archimedes screw generator, sadly it wasn’t in operation today. Onwards back on Abbey road and Paul and Gordon left us here for home, with the remaining 4 heading up Calcutt hill before separating at the top for home.
A very enjoyable social ride, which kept threatening rain on occasions but never did really rain, I had 33miles and 1618ft from home but think it was around 22 miles from the showground and back.
Thanks to the group for their company and especially Gordon for back-marking. Mike W/H
Wanderers’ Ride – Group 1
Looking decidedly overcast this morning as Sarah D, Steve B & I comprised the advance party heading off to beautiful Nidderdale following Alison’s splendid variation on route 259. I did wonder if it really was June as we were hit by a few showers going over Little Almscliffe up to Menwith Hill but dry by our first pause at the Stone House junction on Greenhow Hill Road. Quite surprised by the low water level at Thruscross Reservoir and quite surprised by the sharp hill climbing up the West End…. Onwards and upwards to Hoodstorth Lane, crossing over to Padside, heading along the fabulous Nought Moor Road to Thornthwaite avoiding a very finely feathered rotund guinea fowl and then a tanker truck as we descended into Darley. Warm enough now to have our pause-café outside at the Post Office as we watched the boules players below. So on to Birstwith, up Clint Bank to Hollybank Lane and we bade farewell at points along the Greenway. Lovely company with everyone taking the lead over about 38 miles and about 2,850ft. Yvonne
Wanderers’ Ride – Group 2
On a murky morning 15 Wanderers turned up for the ride. I had been keen to do Route 259 to West End, but with a variation. Yvonne had kindly mapped my route on GPS and posted it on the website. All the same, most Wanderers weren’t quite sure of the route so weren’t aware of all the hills ! Thanks to Yvonne and Colin for each taking a group. Yvonne and co set off first, never to be seen again. All the way to the Stonehouse pub, short showers kept us cool. The best part of the ride begins here- a swoop down to the reservoir, which was frightenly low, a push up the other side and then a beautiful if hilly ride to West End and back to Duck Street. By this time, the two groups met up and mingled, aware of keeping gaps. After a lovely ride through Thornthwaite we descended on Darley P.O. They were slightly overwhelmed by our large group as they had other customers too. However, service was efficient, and the chat flowed. After a good break, it was back to Harrogate via Hollybank Woods. Congratulations to Keith for being the lone pedal power cyclist. A most enjoyable ride with the usual cheerful company. Many thanks to all. About 38 miles and lots of climbing. Alison
Medium Steady Ride
Tasting menu, Lithuanian style!
Having decided to do the Medium Steady ride at 9.22a.m. this morning, I was designated leader of it at 9.31! A small, but perfectly formed, group of four (myself, David, Will & Peter) set off to discover the joys of Route 225. Approaching the lights at M&S it was pointed out that we had left another rider, Philippe from France, behind at the start. Not wishing to start an international incident, our foursome waited for the Wanderers group to pass by, delivering Philippe to his rightful group, thus the Fab Four became the Famous Five! It didn’t take long to realise that Philippe is actually Dominick and he is from Lithuania, an eventful start but largely overshadowed by eating stories, more later. Peter was showing off his new bike today which, with electric gears and all sorts of other gubbins, was admired by all, a beautiful machine! Burn Bridge was passed and we set about Walton Head Lane with gusto, David seemed to have brought his entire cycling wardrobe and was soon removing layers as the temperature ramped up to a mighty 19 degrees! Sicklinghall was a blur and before long we had cleared Wetherby and headed south, following the A1 to Bramham. My promised coffee stop, Thorp Arch, seemed a long way off as we arrived, surprisingly at Tadcaster Grammar School, I appeared (hopefully) to know where I was going but the team weren’t fooled, I hadn’t a clue. Turning away from the A1 we nearly lost Dominic/Philippe and questions were raised about “how far is the café?” and chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing,” echoed down the York Railway cycle path. The group were surprised, as was I, when the path led straight to the café, thank goodness! It was here that our eating story began. Peter emerged with a lovely looking pasty whilst David, Will & myself tucked into sandwiches (bacon, sausage & sausage & egg, if you’re interested) Dominick had merely a packet of shortbread with his cup of tea, feeling a little sorry for him I nearly offered him some of mine, I needn’t have worried! Dominic’s next course duly arrived, a large bowl of chips topped with a large helping of beans, this was demolished and, as the rest of us started putting on gloves and other paraphernalia, Dominick appeared with a large wedge of cheesecake. This was also put away with aplomb and as he disappeared into the café once more, we marvelled at his metabolism, at which point he appeared with a ham sandwich! A remarkable feat, we were agreed that we had never seen consumption like it on a cycle trip and Dominick’s tasting menu at the Thorp Arch café deserves to go down in WE folklore!
Still shocked at what we’d witnessed the return journey passed quickly and relatively trouble free, except for Will having chain issues in Spofforth, oh, and losing David at the bypass by the rugby ground! Returning with 80% of my group can hardly be classed as a successful tour however it was a super ride with great company, thanks to Will, David, Peter & Dominick for your wit, humour & patience throughout, it was wonderful to ride with you!
For the record, 63km covered, 567m climbing and 5670 calories consumed (by Dominick!)
Janet’s Birthday Ride
There were 13 riders on my birthday ride and as we set off in the drizzle towards Boroughbridge I was feeling hopeful that the weather would perk up a bit. We split into 2 groups- destination Ampleforth abbey tea rooms. Over Thornton Bridge, towards Carlton Husthwaite rain jackets had been shed and it was humid and warm. Past Byland abbey and through Wass it gets a bit lumpy but nothing horrendous. We had lovely food at the abbey but had only done 30 miles! We had a lovely decent into Easingwold and came back over Aldwark Bridge, Whixley, Spofforth( to see the gnomes) Follifoot and Showground. Zoe had baked a delicious chocolate fudge cake and we sat on the veranda of the Squash club drinking beer. It was an absolutely wonderful ride, thank you for making my birthday really special. 70 miles- fast! Janet G
EG’s Ride
Despite the weather forecast for zero rain today, riding along Abbey Road to our usual meeting point I was aware of light rain and even a wet surface greeting me. Of five riders some had come prepared, others on their summer bikes somewhat perplexed!!
It was agreed to head for the Spa Gardens in Ripon (The Cafe in the Park) for our first refreshment break as, from our visit a fortnight ago, things seemed to have improved from earlier visits.
Before escaping Knaresborough we needed to negotiate the, seemingly, myriad of temporary traffic lights at various roadworks so we escaped via Lingerfield to reach Farnham and continue our journey to Ripon.
Even Ripon seemed to have joined the fray of traffic problems and we needed to divert along the riverside to Mallory’s Park drive to circle the cricket ground and reach our destination.
As the weather had significantly improved on our journey we were able to settle outside for our break. Having made our choice of fare and lots of banter, there seemed little enthusiasm amongst the elder section for a long distance challenge.
Diplomatically we agreed to head for Boroughbridge aiming to return home from there. The pace seemed brisk from the start led, of course, by the fitter riders. Others managed to to keep up, just, as we entered Boroughbridge when it was suggested we modify the route through Grafton. ( Not the last modification it turned out).
Colin led us up the climb on the York Rd before turning right towards our intended route. Arriving in Grafton a choice presented itself. Should we take the easy route taking a right turn towards the old A1 now A168 or challenge ourselves on the steep hill to Marton.
Phil, full of enthusiasm then suggested an alternative to head for Ouseburn via, of course, the Dunsforths. As the weather had improved, gradually getting warmer, the group were persuaded to adopt yet another route modification.
Passing the winery to enter Upper Dunsforth there was a short pause as the group split when Phil & Glyn continued south with the remaining three aiming for, what at this time of year, would be considered an early finish.
Phil & Glyn continued through Great Ouseburn, then on to Whixley and Cattal. At this point they parted company with Glyn headed further south towards his home in Leeds via Boston Spa. Phil made his way home through Knaresborough.
Notwithstanding our lack of enthusiasm for a long ride the early retirees still managed over 40 miles. Phil probably completed between 50 & 60 miles, whilst Glyn, initially cycling over from Leeds, must have done 70 miles. Dave W.
