Wednesday 9th August

Short Ride

The Magnificent Seven- aka Bob, Sarah, Justine, Karen, Helen, myself and new boy David set off along the Greenway towards Ripley and Hollybank woods- destination Brimham Rocks. There was some debate about which route to Brimham was preferable- Stripe Lane or Brimham Rocks Road. Either way the views were glorious and we were blessed with a perfect riding temperature. Climbing done we descended down Careless House Lane to Ripley for coffee, carefully avoiding the ‘tractor traffic’. Suitably refreshed we said farewell to the wonderful backmarker- Helen with the rest of us riding the Greenway again and home. Lovely ride- thank you. 27 miles Janet G

Wanderers’ Ride

Sunshine, no rain forecast, so it had to be a rural ride with a few hills and a key destination. So that was it, 14 Wanderers departed for G&T’s T’s. We collected two more at Ripley and continued via Clint Bank, Shaw Mills, Markinton, Sawley and Risplith. It was good to see some familiar members returning. Having ‘conquered’ Cut Throat Lane, it was a beautiful ride to Risplith. The service and food was as good as ever at G&T’s. Fortunately we had arrived ins all groups which eased the waiting.  After lots of chat and banter, it was back to Harrogate via  rimham and Ripley. All in all, a thoughtful enjoyable ride- thanks to all for your cheerful company and support. Yet again, a thank you to Colin for keeping an eye at the back and to John C. for uploading the route to the website. 35 miles. Alison N

Medium-steady Ride

A sunny morning with a slightly stronger-than-forecast westerly gave us a good day for cycling. Six non-electric cyclists set off after having arranged with the three e-bike riders that we’d meet outside the New Inn, Eccup. Tim S (with Yvonne backing up) took the lead (thankfully) and the rest of us fell in behind, heading firstly to Burnbridge and then on to Kirby Overblow, via Walton Head Lane. Richard joined the cyclists en route. From K.O. we dropped down to the A61 and enjoyed the novelty of a traffic-free main road. Crossing the Wharfe and inspecting the work being done to improve the bridge, we met up with the e-bikers and all progressed through Weardley to the New Inn, where we re-grouped (that climb up along a very poorly-maintained road is always more gruelling than anticipated!).

Carrying on from Eccup the group experienced an involuntary divide, after a small technical on the cut-through to Alwoodley above Eccup (Colette parting company with her bike chain temporarily). With three groups now operating, all apart from Mark made it to the coffee stop in Wetherby (taking in some gratuitous ascents along the way above Bardsey and Collingham!) – The Gourmet café – where we bumped into a cycling group from Winchester called The Other Club and got some of their history and immediate plans (Evensong at Ripon later today). After coffee, the route from Wetherby brought us through Little Ribston, Spofforth, Follifoot and Rudding. All in all, a very pleasant ride in reasonable conditions and relatively little traffic. Thanks to all for their company. Dave E