Short Ride
On an early Autumn morning, seven set off for a tour of the Knaresborough hinterland. We welcomed new member, Mark and returner, Karen. Once we’d negotiated Knaresborough it was a pleasant rural ride through Lingerfield, Farnham, Staveley and onwards to Arkendale. Here, we suddenly spied tempting offers- both the village hall and the pub offered us a welcome. Which to choose! We plumped for the Village hall . We were given a warm welcome and provided with refreshments at a price to please all Yorkshiremen! Suitably refreshed we made our way back to Harrogate. A pleasant, relaxed ride. Thanks to all for making it such an enjoyable morning. 21 miles for me. Alison
Steady Wanderers
A good turnout of cyclists at Showground. 14 Wanderers so 7 people who wanted a faster ride formed a group of 7. Leaving me 7. A good size group. Nicci , Chris,Liz, Colin, Paul, + 2 Mikes , Set off riding around the houses to miss roadworks 🚧. Finally getting onto some quiet roads. At Copgrove we did a few miles of off-roading before arriving for a ‘must’ stop at Boroughbridge pork pie Shop .Think Mike C has shares in it. 😆😆 Pies in bike bags, set off down street for toilet stop. Mounted bikes then had lovely cycling on very quiet roads a real pleasure. Onto Marton le Moor and Ripon and a cafe stop at Spa Gardens. Good food and drinks. Lots of conversation and plenty of laughs and banter. Put some air in Paul’s tyres only flat at the bottom, job done. Lovely ride back to Harrogate in full sun. Thanks to all for having a leading role. A big Thank-you to Colin the most reliable back-marker in the cycling world. Thank-you all for making it such a fun day. Cheers Mike W.
Brisk Wanderers
A group of us Wanderers were sent ahead (I believe to clear a path for the larger group following and there were a lot!). The route was set to take us out via K’boro, Roecliffe and Boroughbridge. From there to Ripon where we would select a suitable coffee spot. Six set off from the showground, leader Gordon, then Derek, Steve, Will, Mike and myself. It wasn’t long before we got the first abuse of the day, as a van driver (I believe we’ve met him before) called us “tossers”. We didn’t throw anything at him, honestly!
Six became seven as Mike P joined us at low bridge. The weather and company added to what was a lovely Autumn day. At Ripon we decided on Oliver’s Pantry for our refreshments. Sat outside, in their garden area we enjoyed the fine butties and hot drinks. It made a welcome change to the “usual” cafe.
A good ride toward home then followed and the group split, with Mike P heading home. A blast down Scarah Bank and on toward the next split, where Derek left us for Killinghall and Gordon for elsewhere. Will was a little under the weather, having had some jabs yesterday and dropped to the back. So I kept him company along the cycle track and back into Harrogate, whilst the rest peddled on.
A fab day out. Stats: Av speed 13.2 mph, fastest 42.8. 1700ft and about 40 miles. Rich A.
Medium Steady
Eight of us took a slightly unusual route to Knaresborough via Asda, the Greenway, Bilton Lane and The Beryl Burton but from then on it was the normal route to Ripon. Paul departed due to time constraints at Farnham and the rest joined forces briefly with the EGs for a group photo before they headed for Masham and we worked our way through Bishop Monkton and Littlethorpe to Ripon. We joined Martin and Yvonne, who were out on the tandem, for a leisurely stop at Tates where Gia declared herself hungry even though it wasn’t lunchtime and promptly order food to match. By the time we left the sun was out and it was a lovely day as we headed back through Fountains to Ripley, where the group started to fragment as we all headed home in different directions. Thanks to everyone for some good company, despite complaints from some quarters that they wondered if they were mixed up with the Medium Fast ride! 10.20 mph was the average in the end and a lovely ride in nice autumnal weather. James G
Medium Plus – Steady
Grand autumnal day to tackle Jill’s Hills, an honorary gesture to my predecessor as WE club secretary. Four of us (Mike Walsh, John C, Steve K & I) all took turns to lead this lovely route over Little Almscliffe with its fine wide skies today, up past the pretty Herdwick sheep at Timble and to the fork in the Askwith Moor Road where John & Steve turned left up Little Snowden, whilst Mike and I went straight up – probably little difference in it… Then we free-wheeled down to Askwith village and followed the course of the Wharfe before turning up Carters Lane and stoically pedalling up Langbar before settling on the bench to take in the great views from the Ridge. Then the lovely swoosh down into Ilkley and a delicious pause-café at Outside the Box after Mike had taken us on an unexpected tour of the town. Greetings were exchanged with the brisk group who were about to leave. So suitably sustained for more hills to come, we set off for Ben Rhydding, and crossed the Wharfe again towards Otley, up to Farnley, then Leathley, up to Stainburn, up to North Rigton and the final, always when you’re tired, long drag up High Moor Rd before the rewarding descent of Brackenthwaite Lane. We led Mike to his door in Burnbridge, John headed up Yew Tree Lane whilst Steve and I split at Leeds Road. Happy day out in good company, with a shade over 50 miles and elevation of 4,314 ft elevation for me. Yvonne D.
Medium Plus – Brisk
A healthy sized group turned out for Jill’s Hills, created by and named after long standing committee member Jill Fellerman who is sadly no longer with us. Her spirit lives on in the club. Damp roads dried out as planned, meaning no mudguards was a sound choice and we wound our way out to Ilkley via Timble, ascending any possible hill on the way. The sun came out and we eventually got to the top of Langbar for a lovely swoop down and coffee in Ilkley. Back the lumpy way, of course. 85km and 1405m of climb for me. Sadly we did not have a decent photographer with us. Vince
EG’s Ride
Arriving at Low Bridge late it was pleasing to find six EG’s already waiting to be guided along today’s ride. The weather forecast was for dry & sunny conditions with temperatures up to possibly 16C so an ambitious course was called for as we pointed our wheels towards Masham.
After climbing out of Farnham, as we turned for Occaney, we were waylaid by Gia who invited a photo with the “Wanderers”. Continuing on our way we initially headed for Tates in Ripon, but as the Wanderers where intent, themselves, dropping in for a break, and knowing how busy the cafe gets we had a change of mind and called in at the Spa Gardens. Unusually, for October, we were able to sit outside as we awaited our snacks.
The toasted tea cakes were declared especially good, laced with, possibly, cinnamon.
Marvin had already called time on the ride as we passed through Littlethorpe, having more pressing matters to attend to. It was now Dave S’s turn to abandon the group, again with urgent issues to return home to.
We thus carried on, we (now five) pressing on up Kirkby road for Masham soon to conclude the opposite direction, down hill, was far more preferable.
Dropping down alongside Burntroots Plantation, we were surprised to spot Peter Jackson passing in the opposite directions giving him a friendly wave as we passed by.
Continuing our climb up to and through Grewelthorpe, with a sigh of relief, we swept at speed down the hill towards Masham.
Arriving in the market square we opted for the Bordar Cafe, once again sitting outside in the, now, warm sunshine.
Service was especially brisk and we were soon able to get on our way. A little confusion after the bridge, ensued, but soon we were back together climbing the hill along the Nosterfield road. It was here an unexpected diversion to the expected route suddenly presented itself as we turned right down to Binsoe. We had used this before but in the opposite direction, thus giving rise to further questions. Our aim was for variety of route as we made our way to Well. Again a welcome downward slope taking especial care through the sharp over 90 deg. bend near the bottom.
As we rejoined the “B” road, there seemed some disquiet over the route thereafter as we made our way towards Wath.
Perhaps it was some relief that by now roads had become flatter with only one last, significant, climb to come. This was out of Hutton Conyers , always a bind, but once out of the way a welcome respite.
Passing now through Ripon, we opted for Priest Lane and the footbridge across the River Skell at Fishergreen. Reaching Boroughbridge road, the leader stuck to the highway towards Littlethorpe, being aware of restrictions to cycling alongside the canal.
The group felt it more convenient to pass under the roundabout on the main road but meeting, somewhat later, admitted recently installed railings had further restricted the route.
On our way, we soon found our way back to Sandy Bank, where we, as usual, paused to comment on the days ride and say cheerio to those following different routes home.
A very good ride with somewhere about 52 miles. Worthwhile getting out even as daylight hours shortened but for October a warm day with very little wind! Dave W.
