Short Ride
Karen, Gia, recumbent Gordon, Paul, Kevin, Russell and Rob joined me on a lovely sunny spring morning for a trip towards Brimham. A quick trip through the town and down the Greenway brought us to the magnificent array of bluebells in Holly Bank Woods for a stop and photo-shoot. Despite a slightly sneaky cool breeze it was getting warmer as we progressed through Burnt Yates and up towards Brimham and our reward was the usual lovely sweep down Stripe Lane, waving cheerily to the Wanderers toiling up it. Birchfield Farm was our chosen stop for coffee, toasted teacakes and varied conversation and after negotiating the rough track back to main road we headed down and over the Toll Bridge. Gia and Paul left us for Darley and Menwith to put a few more miles in their legs and the rest headed down the valley against an increasing head wind and a few more climbs out of Birstwith, Hampsthwaite and Knox. As everyone gradually peeled off for home at various point Rob and I returned to the showground with just on the prescribed mileage of 25 miles on the clock, and having had a good trip out with plenty of climbing in a relative short distance. Well done to everyone and thanks for your good company. James G
Wanderers Ride
There were 13 Wanderers today so we split into two groups, 6 non-electric and 7 electric riders. Ride 110 past Little Almscliffe, Menwith Hill and Brimham in glorious weather but a little windy and on some dreadful road surfaces. The cafe stop was in Ripley where Mike C entertained us on receiving a wrong number phone call. Despite first pretending he was French then a Chinese takeaway the caller persisted. We were then lucky not to be hit by balls coming over the fence from the school playground next door. An entertaining and enjoyable ride.
Another Wanderers Report
On another gloriously but a little chilly/windy morning, 6 riders set off in an advance scouting party, on the Wanderers route (Derek, Richard, Rob, Gordon, Howard and Mike W). Out via Beckwithshaw, the pace picking up to Little Almscliffe, then onto the A59 “Dangerous Crossroads”. Passing Menwith Hill and down the beautiful banks of Nidderdale, into Darley. Up Stripe Lane where Mike paid his respects to the defib, now having the assistance of electric in his new mount. Brimham Rocks taken in it was nearly all down hill now, to the awaiting cafe at Ripley. Not before we witnessed a close call, with a driver overtaking the group on a blind bend. Yes, there was an oncoming car! The number of seriously deep potholes we encountered today was literally stunning. Down Scarah Bank, at 40mph, and into Ripley, where the new village ship served up some great pork pies and sandwiches.
Gordon and Derek managed to tape up Gordon’s broken rear guard, caused by said potholes, before the group cycled off toward Harrogate. One by one the group size dropped as riders made their ways home. A beautiful ride out. Stats: 33 miles, 2421ft and av speed of 12.6mph recorded. Richard A
EG’s Ride
Following a suggestion last week, it was decided that as the weather continued to be dry & sunny we would take in the Riccall loop. Marvin had returned from Majorca (enjoying a “birthday bash on a bike”) and Dan had sent us a WhatsApp message to say he would catch us up following a delayed get away. Four of us eagerly set off, inc. Geoff & Jim, who had already journeyed from near Boroughbridge, still cursing his mobile for locking him onto the “Apps” store.(Phil, our tech expert, was enjoying walking in the Lakes)
Taking our turns “on point” to push the wind, our aim was to take the direct route to Tadcaster. However, approaching Wighill, Jim had to “cry off” due to a wrist problem unfortunately and thus departed on his way north for home. Entering Tadcaster we located our halt for a quick break to await Dan. As we were tucking into varied fare, Dan “rocked up” in time to join us, ready for, surprisingly, instead of his usual two course break, he sufficed himself with a toasted teacake. The Coffee club did us proud as we gathered ourselves ready to depart. Consternation between a selfish motorist delayed our departure as he parked stupidly behind and in the path of another departing motorist. Now aiming for Cawood where the strong easterly breeze made itself felt, slowing our progress.
As we entered Kelfield our intent was to divert from the usual route and follow the way to Stillingfleet to catch the “cycle way” towards York further north. Unfortunately leading from the back doesn’t always result in riders following the intended route so, as we entered Kelfield, riders at the front attempted to deviant from our way to Stillingfleet despite advise from our leader and were seen to aim for Riccall it’s self. A quick U-turn at the junction soon saw a correction as we went on our way along the untried route.
Approaching Stillingfleet it was unsurprising that the road layout had, at some stage, been changed. However we turned right to be faced by a police speed trap on the edge of the village. I’m not sure, at this stage, even with our change on direction, that we were able to gather such speed as to trigger the camera, so we ignored it and went on our way seeking our unknown route to the “cycle way”. A false right threw us a “wobbly”, finding it led to an industrial complex. Continuing along in essence, a quiet but well surfaced road, if you ignore the speeding motorcyclist, just after passing under the overhead line, we spotted the “cycle way” below the old railway bridge. Uncertain as to access we had a tentative look on our right finding a rather step path curving down towards our goal but with a very loose surface presenting a challenge to one riding a road bike with narrow tyres.
A careful approach on the steep descent leading to, occasional, locking wheels, we gingerly made our way, with relief, reaching the hard surface of our sought of “cycle way”. Continuing north, clearly with sun on our backs, we were aiming for lunching at “The Little Acorn ” cafe in Copmanthorpe. A false slip route on our right, before the river crossing, took us down to the wrong road so reversing our way we eventually found our way. ( Navigational error!) Fairly straightforward from here, albeit a slight stumble over Dan as we were nearly caught out by traffic on our left at a tee junction.
Pulling into The Little Acorn we elected to sit outside in the sun, well away from the wind. It was noticeable the Marvin disappeared inside first, which, having declared that lunch was on him, as a late celebration of his birthday, we were all grateful and thanked him appropriately. Lunch was served expertly in a trice and we relaxed, pleased to have a break from battling the wind. With the intent to take the shortest route home we soon set on our way at about 2.50pm thinking we would not arrive home until 5.00 O’Clock. Marvin turned out to be nearer the mark, as with the wind now being behind us, our pace, at up to 19 mph, soon had us entering Abbey road in Knaresborough at nearer 4.10pm.
Despite the challenge of fighting the brisk easterly wind, I think I can say we had enjoyed a good ride, completing just short of 60 miles. Dave W.
Medium Steady…ish Ride
I think John was meant to write this report but was unfortunately attacked by a dog at the cafe stop. Yvonne normally steps in but was unfortunately stung by nettles whilst looking for clouds! In desperation, the report responsibility was then delegated to me, Steve, the one fingered typist with an English Literature O-level – Grade U! Here we go…
With light breeze and a cloudless Wednesday morning we set off on route 68 with the addition of the experienced riders, Charlie, Will, Tony, Tim and Steve (the climb doctor) forming a tight crew of eight riders. The best way I can describe route 68 is a hill-climbing training session weaving around the minor roads in the beautiful landscape of Thornthwaite, Dacre and Darley. I was not 100% sure of where we were all of the time and, although the team assures me that it wasn’t the case, I could have sworn we climbed some of the hills twice!
The climbs were “fun” (if you did not enjoy the hills see the climb doctor for some tips) but the real reward was the spectacular views over Nidderdale from the summit of the hills. It is easy to forget how lucky we are to live near such great scenery. To top this off we had a perfect café stop sitting in the sun outside Darley Post Office.
Thanks to the team today for pointing me in the right direction and I hope to see you on future rides. On my bike computer, I made it 32 miles and 3136ft/956m of climb which is a bit more than advertised. Maybe we did do some the hills twice! – SK
