Medium Steady
Wednesday mornings are always a rush as I drop the grandchildren off at school and then cycle to the showground from Killinghall. Apologies for missing the announcements this morning but the traffic was particularly busy and there were roadworks whichever short cut I tried to take.
I joined the tail end of James’s group which was heading out of Harrogate via Oakdale Bridge and Pennypot. We certainly didn’t take a direct route. I thought we were never going to get there!
From Pennypot we headed to Hampsthwaite, Clint Bank, Shaw Mills, Bishop Thornton and Markington. It was decided to stop for coffee at the Harrogate Garden Centre. After coffee, James headed home to Knaresborough via Bishop Monkton while Mark, Debby, Kevin, Gia and myself retraced the route back to the Drovers crossroads and then down to Ripley where I left the group as they made their way home via the Greenway.
An enjoyable 28 mile ride in excellent company. Paul T
Wanderers
Arriving at the Showground for my first WE ride as leader I was reassured by a sea of familiar faces and with thirteen riders we declared a “dog licence” split (7&6) before Maris joined us to even things up. Although the dog licence tag made no sense to most, what did make sense was heading out into the dales on a beautiful, if cold, sunny day. The front six (myself, Derek, Maris, Bridget, Chris & Diane) were joined by elite cyclist Yvonne whose advice & support would prove invaluable throughout the ride. Colin & Mike led the second group (Nicci, David, Alison, Sally & Liz) as we headed around the Stray and onto the Greenway. Liz & Corinne met us at Bilton Lane to swell our group to nine. The lovely weather had brought out a multitude of dog walkers and this presented regular obstacles on the way to Ripley, indeed Derek had a close encounter of the collie kind just after Nidd Gorge!
We regrouped at Ripley and added Mike to the group before setting off for the first climb of the day up Scarah Bank. Successfully navigated we pushed on to Watergate lane and, reaching speeds of 30mph (in some cases!) hurtled towards Fountains Abbey via How Hill. Resisting the temptation to cycle down Green Bank Lane we stayed on the tarmac to Middycar Lane then onwards to Sawley. Both groups were cycling superbly and, allowing a decent gap between us we made good time to G&Ts. With the usual range of savoury and sweet treats (including Pasteis de Nata, or Portuguese tarts to Mike!) consumed with vats of hot beverages the group posed for photos outside as Maris proved a very passable photographer to record our achievements for posterity. With the suggested changes to Route 148 including a couple of challenging hills, the fuel was welcome as we headed up the main road through Risplith and then left on Brimham Rocks Road. Diane & Chris left us to make their own way back to Ripley via Warsill whilst we turned onto Stripe Lane for the thrilling descent to the toll bridge at Hartwith Mill. Turning left onto New Row we duly arrived at Birstwith. Instead of following Wreaks Road we stayed on Elton Road for the climb out of Birstwith, the road is well named and as we neared the top (pedalling in the lowest gears) I could certainly “guess why they call it the blues”! Derek insisted on doing the Wheel Easy challenge of “No brakes til Hampsthwaite” which was duly accepted and, with only a minor altercation with a Mini Cooper travelling in the opposite direction, was achieved.
Liz and Corinne now took the lead as we climbed out of Hampsthwaite on Hollins Lane and they were enjoyed port & cigars by the time I joined them at Otley Road. Derek left us at Killinghall to go and lie in a darkened room and the remaining five headed over the Ripon Rd to Spruisty Bridge before bidding each other a fond farewell. Thanks to all the wonderful Wanderers for a smashing ride in great company, particularly Derek and Yvonne for your support and advice, it is always a joy to ride with you. According to Strava we covered 51km with 686m of climbing, a good schlep!
Medium Plus Brisk
So, eight riders set off on the ‘Toft Gate Farm’ ride. Going up Hookstone Road we must have hit every red traffic light. Anyway we got going and took the Moor Park estate route through to Norwood Lane. We picked up Andy and suddenly the pace quickened. We turned down towards Swinsty reservoir, turning right up towards Fewston Farm shop. I’d forgotten about the long drag up towards Greenhow road. Helen and I had already decided that we weren’t ready for the ‘Greenhow experience’ so turned right at Menwith Hill road and swooped effortlessly down to Birstwith. The others, on the other hand battled the wind to and from Toft Gate farm. Coffee for Helen and I was at Ripley where we chatted with Tim’s short gentle riders. Andy left the main group to return home to Dacre and the rest cycled back to Harrogate. Great ride despite being a bit hilly (apparently) Janet G
Short Ride
It might have been the promise of a calm and sunny day that attracted a large gathering at the showground this morning but only two, Nicky and Gordon opted to join me on the short ride or so I thought, until Dennis caught up with us at Low Bridge.
We followed Route 228 and were quickly cruising through Farnham, Scotton, carefully negotiating the turn on and off the main Ripley Road and then turning down into Brearton, a cul-de-sac village often bypassed. We paused for a photo by the Green and then negotiated the not so muddy and rutted back lane I remember, looping round to join Main Street via Lilly Gate Lane. A real treat on a beautiful bright day.
Next came the cafe stop at Ripley reached via Nidd and the A61. Dennis decided to go home from here while the rest headed into the busy Grindhus coffee shop. A new one for me and definitely worth a visit. Whilst we were chatting Janet and Helen came in and joined us.
Home via the Greenway. Great ride in good company. 26 miles and 1370 ft of climbing for me. Tim2
