Short Gentle
Sunshine on a rainy day
What is it with these Short Gentle rides? Despite warnings of rain and general “overcastness”, twelve keen riders turned up for today’s mystery tour, based loosely on Route 64. We divided into two groups (a seven & a five, for some reason?) with Monica very kindly offering to lead the second group whilst I led the first.
Road surfaces were treacherous at times with wet leaves (as well as the ubiquitous pot holes) causing concern. The lead group was completed by newbie Paul (all the way from Keighley), Karen, Morven, Russell, Mark &Keith. They were clearly not in the mood to hang about and before you could say “let’s meet at the top of Pennypot Lane” we were meeting at the top of Pennypot Lane and having photos! Despite the close attention of some impatient drivers, the ride past the Foundation College was pleasant and we advanced at a good pace to our next photo opportunity just short of the B6451. Having just pointed out that it wasn’t raining, it started raining! This encouraged the group to allow the wheels to run down Bedlam Lane to Cobby Syke Road and hence to the busy A59. With 400yds of fast tarmac to navigate before our turn onto Meagill Lane it was everyone for themselves, Keith & Morven leading the way and had arrived at our next junction a good five minutes ahead of the rest of us, floundering in their wake. The unnamed track off to our right cut out a couple miles and, caked in mud and soaked to the skin we emerged, unscathed, onto Menwith Hill road. By now the rain was thumping down however spirits remained good as the Magnificent Seven forged on through High Birstwith , Clapham Green and onto Hampsthwaite. Although Sophie’s café was very tempting, the weather turned as the rain stopped and the sun came out to greet us, this was most welcome and we agreed to push on to Ripley café instead. Good coffee, lovely pies and hot hot chocolate were commended as the usual range of Harrogate- centric topics dominated, coffee machines, posh cafes and who was the greatest tenor. Paul seemed bemused at first but joined in with gusto and, hopefully, he will return, after some time in a darkened room, next week.
We chose to return via the Greenway which has now been cleared of the tree debris.
A splendid ride in esteemed company, just a tad over 25 miles with 1500ft of climb, a lovely morning out. Thanks again to Monica for leading the second group, we never saw them but I’ve heard that all got home ok! Howard.
Howard tasked Monica to lead a group of five. She did an excellent job. We ran in to some heavy rain but more or less dried out by the time we got to Hampsthwaite.
Highlights:
Nice tidy small group
A truck driver dumped his huge container by the side of the road without getting out of his cab, no hazard lights and no mate to warn traffic. He sat in his cab, pressed a button, unloaded container then drove off!
New Bridleway being constructed around the listening station.
Nice to meet Nicci and Bridget on way home and they had no rain!
Thanks Debby, Sue, Paul and Monica. Gia.
Medium Steady
A select group of five opted for the Medium route, with Yvonne in the lead as she had the route on her Wahoo, followed by Sam, Yousef, Steve S and myself. Having successfully negotiated the road closures on Waterside and then at Occaney we headed down the track from Copgrove through Roecliffe to Boroughbridge where the unanimous decision was to continue to Ripon for coffee. So far so good weatherise but then in open country beyond Skelton the rain hit and gave us a pretty good soaking so by the time we landed in Olivers Pantry we were dripping everywhere. Despite that the welcome from the staff was excellent, including paper towels to soak up some of the drips!. The service and the food was as good as usual and the conversation wandered over the usual miscellany of topics and we learned a little bit more about relative newcomers to Wheel Easy, Sam and Yousef. Back on the road after Yvonne’s misbehaving chain was dealt with it was a fairly fast pace to warm up in damp clothing and back through Bishop Monkton, Lingerfield and Knaresborough, where I broke off for home leaving the others to the delights of Knaresborough Hill. According to Yvonne’s little magic computer it was 40 miles and 1772 feet of ascent and thanks to everyone for your good company and to Yvonne for the photos. James G
Wanderers
It wasn’t a promising morning. Cold northeaster and rain in the forecast, a road closure on the route and a rider coming off on her way to the start. Hope you are OK, Barbara. But fourteen stalwarts set off in two groups, fast and steady.
The rain held off, more or less, and we were able to negotiate the closure of Castle Street in Spofforth on foot. On then to Little Ribston – one of my favourite roads because there’s usually the songs of yellowhammers and skylarks to brighten the day. But not in November. Just enjoy the view, and study the winter crops. Next year’s oilseed rape is doing well and the winter corn has germinated evenly, no bare patches. The rows aren’t straight, but then none of the field edges are either. It must be fun setting out your wad sticks up there ! You do all know what wad sticks are ?
After Cowthorpe we turned south along Rudgate and caught our only shower of the day, with a rainbow that implied more rain than there was. Just enough to make some don their waterproofs, in time for the sun to come out.
We passed the new Shires’ cafe at Walton. It looked impressive and the car park was full. But the leader is a descendant of Ebenezer Scrooge, tight even for a Yorkshireman (which he isn’t – an accident of war) so we looked the other way and headed for Tim’s, where we sightseers caught the fast group. Mike the vet.
EG’s
As we were about to set off following discussions as to our intended route three more EG’S joined us, Eric, Phil, and lastly, at the very last minute Dan.
We had agreed to head for Rufforth (For lunch) via a circuitous route via Beningbrough & York, and following the cycle path from Upper Poppleton.
Reaching the junction for Great Ouseburn, the forecast cloudy conditions turned to rain so we paused to don waterproofs. It was at this point Dave S. left the group having a later appointment to attend.
We continued at a steady pace pushing into the north easterly wind towards Beningbrough entering by the usual way but finding our way barred by a padlocked gate. Reversing our route we followed through back into the village spotting our alternative way along the R65 way towards the eastern entrance back towards Shipton. On our way to Overton Phil mentioned our previous difficulty passing under the railway bridge significantly flooded preventing our passage. No problem this time as we then paused to rid ourselves of waterproofs causing, at this stage, the “boil in the bag” syndrome. Aiming to time our arrival for lunch around 1.00pm we followed the riverside way, crossing the river itself at Rawcliffe and pushing on for Upper Poppleton. Mavelling at being able to pass through the railway crossing without hold up, but unfortunately held up at traffic lights as we attempted to cross the A59. Eventually on our way we then joined the cycle path towards Rufforth arriving as planned just before 1.00pm.
Plenty of space so service was brisk, accompanied by excellent food & a particularly good pot of tea.
Returning in dry condition, passing through Tockwith but gradually running “out of steam” progress slowed as we approached Little Ribston. It was here Eric went his own way towards western Harrogate, the remaining four pressing on back home to Knaresborough completing roundabout 46 miles, albeit both Eric & Phil reported as much as 56 miles, a good mileage for a winter day, short of daylight. Dave W.
