Short Gentle Ride
There were 4 riders with Helen and I for the short gentle ride to Leathley today- Denis, Gordon, Joe and Chris. We rode alongside Gia’s group for a while and stopped to admire the stunning view towards the top of Brackenthwaite Lane. The weather was warm and sunny- perfect. Denis left us as we dropped down towards Leathley and Chris told us she was ‘in training’ for her ‘Coast and Castles’ cycling trip. Leathley Farm shop was busy but delicious as ever and we all negotiated the main A658 safely to ride the full Castley experience. Climbing up to Almscliffe Crag the views just got better and better. Helen left us as we turned back onto Briscoe Ridge Lane and Gordon took on the role of backmarker. Along the ridge and down into Burnbridge we said goodbye to Chris- perfect training ride for your trip- 25 miles with just short of 2,000 feet of climbing. One of our favourites- thank you all for coming with us. Janet & Helen
Wanderer’s Ride – Group 1
The wanderers split into 3 groups. Ride leader Derek allocated me group 1 and 5 other riders (Mike, Tony, Mark, Tim and Charlie. We set off and soon the speed increased. We passed the short gentle group on Hookstone and set off into the countryside, which was looking magnificent today! All was well until the section of road from Pott Bank up to Pennypot. A few of us found that this was full of fast moving traffic. Perhaps passing Queen Ethelburga’s would have been safer?
On to Hampsthwaite and Birstwith, then the toll bridge. We knew what was to come, Stripe Lane. Oh boy did it do some leg damage. A quick rest at the top and we were soon joined by group 2. Off at speed all the way down to Fountains Abbey. At this point the group split into 2, 3/3, due to Mark and Tony wanting a fountains scone. The rest of us went to the meeting place at Tates. All the wanderers then piled in and we filled the outside seating area. (photo from Colin)
5 of group 2 joined our group and we then left Tates to cycle back to Farnham, where we said goodbye to ride leader Derek, then Knaresborough for Mike P and then the finish on the hill, with Mike out sprinting the rest of us to the Starbeck summit.
Stats: 39 miles, 2900ft of climbing, 36.3mph max and 78C max temp. Great ride! RA
Wanderer’s Ride – Group 2
A beautiful morning greeted WE members this morning which was reflected by the large number wishing to participate in Derek’s ride. We split into 3 groups and I offered to lead an elite group of 6 which included Angela R who was out for the first time in over two years. It wasn’t the usual route to Fountains etc. Derek opted for Beckwithshaw, Pot Bank , Penny Pot Lane and Hampsthwaite where we then joined the more familiar routes. Once the climb up to Clapham Green and Strip Lane were behind us it was a lovely ride down to Sawley and Fountains. Tate’s for coffee was our destination. Remnants of group 1 plus group 2 were already seated in a busy outside area. Angela quite rightly wanted the table parasol putting up as the temperature was rising. Orders taken and drinks arrived quickly. Bit of a delay with the food but really no complaints. It gave us the opportunity to quiz Angela on here whereabouts for the last two years. Usual route home Langthorpe, Bishop Monkton and Knaresborough. Great ride. Lovely company. Don’t leave it so long Angela until you next ride. Spot on 40 miles for me – home to home. Colin B
Wanderer’s Ride – Group 3
The weather was good an excellent day for a cycle ride not to hot but suitable for a short-sleeved top. 18 riders started the ride so we split into 3 groups of 6. My thanks to Richard and Colin for taking a group each. Richards group set off first with Myself leading a group in the middle with Colin in his usual position keeping up the rear.
The first 4 miles is not the greatest of rides through Harrogate then on to Beckwithshaw. This is busy with lots of traffic (if I did the ride again, I would choose a different route to get us to Hampsthwaite.) Once at Hampsthwaite the ride began in earnest. The first hill was tackled up to Clapham Green with a Lovely ride down to Birstwith. Onto the toll road then onto Stripe Lane, this is one of my favourite hills as once the summit is reached the views are excellent (Yorkshire at its best). At this point I lost my first rider. One of our number decided that stripe lane was not his favourite hill therefore he decided to take a steady ride back down into Ripley.
A beautiful ride past Brimham rocks on to Fountain Abbey, where we lost another 3 riders at this point; they were drawn to the smell of cake and tea in the café. A slightly depleted group stopped at Tates garden centre for a variety of drinks and food. We all regrouped at Tates and split into 2 groups The ride back took us through Ripon onto Littlethorpe, Bishop Monkton and then onto Knaresborough and home for everyone. No punctures or mechanical problems. Mike Pyle was little worried about a clicking noise coming from somewhere when he was going up hills but at Mikes age it may have been his knees and not the bike. Once again, a great ride out with very nice interesting people. My thanks to all those that took part in the ride. The ride was approximately 40 miles with 3000 Feet of climb. Derek Gibson
Medium Plus – Brisk
It was an adventure. And tough. Cool to start with but the sun gradually started to show itself as the group passed Grewelthorpe & made its way to Ilton for the first of a number of steep hills before one of the main climbs that was Trapping Hill in reverse. Full summer weather now. The climb sapped the legs and the descent was just as hard on the brakes. Onto How Stean for tea & cake and then back down the Nidd valley in fabulous sunshine. At Pateley everyone decided that going up Two Stoops seemed like a good idea and after a long period of sweating, panting & slow pedalling we gained the top for clear views all the way round. Downhill from there – mainly – but the group did decide to take an easier route back into Harrogate via Birstwith. 58 miles & just over 5,000 feet. Tall Tim.
