Wednesday 5th February

Poddlers Ride

Glorious day..perfect for cycling..lots of nice people wanting to play at Poddling….Geraldine needing to have a gentle pre-holiday ride, Yvonne suffering from a gardening injury, Barbara riding after a break, Diane  a long standing member, escaping caring duties after a long absence, and old faithfuls Sue and Monica all raring to go.

So they sped to Kirby Overblow…one or two rolled along at a gentle pace, as usual.  At Wetherby two of us decided we could go on the bike path, others wanted to keep their bikes clean and followed the road to the Castle Inn, where we had planned to meet the nearly recovered Jen. Coffee and two croissants and Smarties were on offer and very pleasant they were….AND for an experiment they are going to offer cakes and tea cakes for the rest of February.

Geraldine led half the group home, whilst three of us chatted a little longer and with perfect timing I got to an appointment with a little more compulsory  exercise at exactly the right time. Thank you all for playing out so nicely a lovely morning. 22 gentle miles. Caroline G

 

Wanderers’ Ride

Glorious sunshine greeted a dozen happy Wanderers at Hornbeam.  Leaving up Leadhall Lane in small groups, we were quickly joined by a faster group bound for Otley thus creating the traffic jam we sought to avoid.  But we let them go, and wandered peacefully through Burn Bridge to North Rigton and Almscliffe Crag.  Here we lost Glyn and Robert, who went AWOL fast, whilst the mortals coasted down to Stainburn and Leathley for a rest in the sun.

We couldn’t take the defibrillator for later use (NOT a vibrator, Liz – that’s something else, I’m told) nor could we fix Liz permanently in the stocks.  We did try.

So onwards and upwards through Farnley  towards Lindley on the back roads, where we met that fast group again, fixing a puncture.  But we couldn’t gloat for long before David’s rear mech started throwing his chain into the wheel.  Repeatedly.  So when we met the B6451 we most reluctantly had to forgo the lovely, perfectly flat Jack Hill loop and aimed straight for coffee.  Two minders escorted David home from Norwood.

Fewston farm shop was heaving with cyclists from all over West Yorkshire, meaning a 30+ minute wait for anything warm or cooked.  Fortunately the cakes are good – and your leader’s daughter had got in first and ordered him sausage roll and mushy peas !  How good is that !?  Glyn and Robert were there first and departed for Leeds.

The rest of us set off home by Little Almscliffe, Beckwithshaw and the Squinting Cat, gradually losing numbers on the way.  Don’t worry – they’ll be back.  Thanks to everyone for enjoyable company and a lack of audible complaints about the hills.  30 miles, just under 3000′ of climbing.  E-mike.

 

Wednesday Ride

Nine riders set off with a blue sky and sunshine, we could have been California dreaming on such a winters day. The chilly temperature reminded us we were in North Yorkshire and happy to be riding quiet roads with stunning scenery.

The route took us up to Brimham from Ripley via the Drovers and Rabbit Lane. Down to Birchfield Farm for first class coffee, cakes , and savouries. Home via the Toll Bridge, Birstwith and Hollybank Woods and the Greenway. Approximately 30 miles and a perfect winter’s ride.
Sue C

 

Brisk Group

It was observed during the week that the Wanderers route had been amended, but several of our number were minded to stick with the original plan and head to Otley for coffee via Jack Hill Lane and back via Castley, so we did. Colette was amongst the ringleaders for the plan, but unfortunately circumstances conspired against her on the day and she was unable to join us; she is photoshopped into the ride photo as she was with us in spirit in the search for good coffee.

In the end, nine of us set out from Hornbeam, including a rare Wednesday sighting of Helen, and we enjoyed lovely sunshine on the way down beautiful Jack Hill Lane, a first for some and the usual decent brakes test for all. All went well until the climb up to Farnley School when Tony had the first of his two punctures, followed by the same fate for Marc. A few dirty hands and fresh tubes later saw us in Cranberry Coffee Shop in Otley, which was busy and served up excellent food and coffee. The spin home was the scene of Tony’s second puncture and he, Marc and Tim waved us on to avoid us all getting cold. All in all a good if eventful day out. 35 miles and just under 1000m climb

 

Long Ride

This week the ride leader at last managed to get all his ducks in a row – a 60 miles-plus ride to assist Lesley in her birthday challenge, back in HG before sunset, dry flat terrain and a cafe that was not only open but also a gem to be revisited and supported in future.  Although the start was chilly and after 3.30 pm the early evening chill was making its presence felt, the ride had excellent cycling weather for the time of year.

With seven rolling out from Hornbeam and three awaiting collection at North Deighton we had good numbers for the day, including a welcome return for Trefor and to Chris R who joined us.  All are welcome on the Long Minus ride.  Apart from a bit of wiggling around Wetherby and Tadcaster, the route was a familiar affair in the direction of Cawood.

Here at the crossroads in the village was our true quarry for the day, The Pickled Postie tearoom.  Not only open but open-armed in welcome for us, despite bringing ten rather than the billed 6-8.  Our extra numbers were snugly accommodated and drinks and light lunches followed in quick succession, including very substantial Welsh Rarebits.  The staff were a very model of cheeriness and I think our smiles and expressions of contentment returned their favours. The outlet is an extension of the Post Office cum shop business that has been in Cawood for many years but the tearoom has been going for just two years.  Do check it out at https://www.facebook.com/Thepickledpostie/.

Sadly, it’s not open on Sundays but with sufficient support that could change.  The return leg was again on familiar roads via the iron bridge on the Planets cycle path, Askham Bar, Long Marston Monument (picture, with added shot of Peter R’s new steed, supposedly the last one he’s going to buy) Cattal, Ouseburn and Knaresborough’s roadworks.  Back into Starbeck at around 4.30, some of us got 70 miles in their legs while everyone else got c 65:  the bonuses keep on coming this year! Terry S

EGs’ Ride

After saying cheerio to Dave Preston who needed to attend to a previous engagement but had cycled down to meet his cycling friends for a quick chat, with Fountains Abbey Visitors  centre in mind, we all set off north, for a change, in dry and sunny conditions.

Norman and his smaller group followed at their own steady pace whilst the A Team pushed on. A brief stop at Farnham to allow people to catch up, being caught out by the traffic lights at the road works on Boroughbridge Rd. then away we went.A steadying pace was adopted by the leader hoping to keep the group together as we entered Bishop Monkton turning left at the crossroads towards Markington.
Here Colin decided he needed to divert away from the intended route aiming for Masham via Sawley and left us taking Nick with him who was hoping to return home through Hampswaite and thus leaving five to continue on their way.

At the “Visitors” centre refreshments were taken gratefully accepting the generous discount offered to all arriving on bicycles.

Notwithstanding the leaders intent the general consensus thereafter was not to include further hills but aim to push on through Ripon and on to Boroughbridge for lunch at “Plenty”. Service was excellent and the food full of flavour and saying our goodbyes we headed back homeward aiming to return early to accommodate the days limitations.

Thus we completed (an average) 37 miles but thoroughly enjoying the kind weather and the convivial company. Thanks to Marvin, Geoff, Dave P.(2) and (renegade) John Russell (only joking John) for you support.  Dave W.