Wanderers – There is no Plan B
A plucky group of Wanderers presented themselves for inspection at the Showground this morning. Given the weather forecast most expected the ride leader to have a Plan B at the ready, I didn’t! With a slight detour to the advertised planned route, via the Showground & Stonefall cemetery, our happy band were into our pedalling and heading out to Calcutt. With 2 Mikes, 2 Daves, Derek, Bridget, Nicki, Colin, Sarah, Peter & myself it was “Eleven’s heaven” at least until Low Bridge where we added Corinne to our ranks and a nice round dozen advanced through Knaresborough, Farnham and several other lovely villages. With the sun beating down it was hard to imagine that the weather would turn at any point soon however a good pace was maintained as we crossed Aldwark Bridge and, ignoring the “Road Closure” notices, sprinted through Alne village. It was warm enough to sit outside the Olive Branch café and, in spite of exterior decorating & hedge trimming, a pleasant lunch was enjoyed although Sarah betrayed her Harrogate origins with an order of “Corn fritters & avocado on Persian flatbread”. As “Leeds” Dave had left us at Aldwark we were just eleven diners, soon to be reduced to ten cyclists as Mike W headed for home via Whixley. We maintained an excellent pace of around 13mph as we headed towards the massed grey clouds which seemed to have gathered whilst we were consuming lunch. We remained dry until Boroughbridge on our return and the threat of rain increased as we passed through Minskip. With a Sam Ryder scarecrow (see photo) marking the turn to Staveley the promised precipitation delivered! Waterproofs added we splashed our way out of Staveley and surfed our way up to Farnham Lane. It was very much a case of “everyone for themselves” and Bridget, Nicki & Corinne headed off in search of drier climes. Peter & Mike followed with Dave whilst Derek bade us a fond farewell to head down Farnham Lane to Killinghall. Freewheeling down Sandy Bank, Colin, Sarah & I came across Peter who had suffered a puncture during his descent. Well prepared fellow that he is, Peter declared he was fine and encouraged us to leave him to it, we did! Through Knaresborough and slowly up to the golf club, Sarah and I headed down Bogs Lane whilst Colin took a left to head home. I recorded 76km with 532m of ascent, splendid ride in scintillating company and we had no need of Plan B!
E.G.s
As the residual EGs gathered at Low Bridge (Supporting members on holiday or grandchildren duties) we were reminded of today’s weather forecast and the potential for impending rain. Opinion suggested a need to foreshorten the ride to ensure a return early afternoon so we aimed for the Hideaway cafe, in Boroughbridge routing via Marton Cum Grafton.
As the sunshine accompanied our ride we realised a measure of overheating following a choice of an extra layer, having in mind how cool last weeks ride had been. Arriving at the chosen cafe stop we were thus able to to settle around the outside tables underneath the grapevine exhibiting significant fruit in reflection of the record summer weather.
Refreshments completed, Marvin opted for returning his own preferred way. Geoff, Phil & myself had in mind to take a slightly roundabout way towards Ripon but turning towards Copthewick, the “Black-A-Moor” pub past the racecourse and Littlethorpe.
Interestingly the ambient temperature appeared to vary as we swept along. One minute being slightly too warm. Next, much cooler and alternating at times thereafter. Phil left us in Bishop Monkton to head for home through Markington and Ripley for Harrogate.
Pressing on, aiming to get back before the darkening clouds and an obvious change in wind and temperature realised our worst fears, we entered Knaresborough along Chainlane just as the first drops of rain broke at 1.27pm so we just about made it.
Reporting later, Phil, unfortunately, got caught out between Ripley & Harrogate, the rain stopping before reaching base. Dave W.
Medium Plus Brisk
This ride had more ups & downs than a gooseberry riding a lift all day. Up to Stonehouses, down to Thuscross Reservoir, up to West End, down to Blubberhouses, up to Timble, down to Fewston Reservoir, up to Norwood Lane, down Jack Lane, up Brame Lane, down the gated road before skipping the next climb to Stainburn and instead heading all the way down towards Leathley & some level roads on the way to the Leathley café. By the time we emerged onto the busy Harrogate Road all eyes were on the darkening skies and it was the shortest way home. Rain finally arrived after the group split at Kirkby Overblow and most of us arrived home wet after about 42 miles of cycling.
Medium Steady
The sunny morning brought forth lots of keen cyclists though a few of us were keeping a weather eye watching clouds building up brought in by the low pressure front with rising winds. Lesley had cycled in from Wetherby, Jan was camping in Hampsthwaite whilst Tim2, Sally, Will, Marc, Rachel, Richard & I dealt with roadworks and detours in Harrogate before setting off to Kirkby not in the least Overcast. Then down through Linton and up Jewitt Lane with an SUV impatient to overtake with constant beeping but most riders rarely stop when climbing uphill for obvious reasons so we kept going… up Compton Lane to East Rigton. Along the ridge to Bramham, through Clifford taking a left along Cinder Lane which brought us out straight opposite our pause-café: the Wise Owl Café at Boston Spa Village Hall. Excellent refreshments with friendly, efficient service for the happy cyclists sitting outside catching the rays.
Once the date slice was carefully stowed into my back pocket, we said farewell to Marc heading to Wetherby and the rest of us set off over the River Wharfe to Walton and past the old water tower on Rudgate, by now aiming to outpace the darkening clouds rolling in from the West. Following the River Nidd as far as Little Ribston, we then turned to Spofforth and sped along Rudding Lane arriving at the Showground to the drumming of the first heavy drops of rain…. Tim thought it too late to put on a jacket only to get it wet (!), so we all said « au revoir » and rushed off home in different directions. Delightful ride out in lovely company – 41 miles and 2,260 ft Yvonne D
