Recent rides

Sunday, March 07, 2010
Wheel Easy Ride Report 202
Short Ride Report
Despite the heavy overnight frost it was a stunning morning and the sunshine brought the cyclists out in force. We welcomed three new members today, Monica joined us for the short ride, sending hubbie David with one of the medium groups.
Mary, Angela, Sarah C, Monica and Gia decided that hills were ok today and with the fine weather we should take advantage of the views. So we headed off to the Top of the World and as everyone was feeling top of the world we swooped down to Beckwithshaw, up to Stainburn Woods and Little Almscliff. On to Norwood, past the Sun Inn and on to Pennypot Lane. By then we had drunk in all the views around Harrogate, as Sarah said it is the best county in the country.
We cycled along Pennypot which was in shadow and decidedly chilly but hot coffee in the Valley Gardens beckoned where we sat and chatted. Don’t be surprised if there is a call to help on an allotment this summer! Wheel Easy vegetables?
Well done Monica on her first ride and Angela back after a bit of a break. Sarah was building herself up for leading her first ride next week and Mary did the hills like a pro! About 22 miles. Gia

Post meridian quick ride report.
After weeks of poor weather "her indoors who likes to be outdoors" was becoming very frustrated at the thought of not being able to go for a ride in the sunshine and blue sky that had been forecast. A crisis of loyalty to family and desire to ride was building up. Grandchildren had to be entertained and taken to the park go on the slides. How could we disappoint them? Duty done and ride start missed by several hours we were informed that friends were being met and that we had a window of 3 hours to ourselves."Her indoors who likes to be outdoors" had the cycles out of the garage, bottles filled and sustenance packed, without her feet touching the stairs, and was half way to Knaresborough shouting about the beauty of the day before I realised what was happening.
Harrogate - Knaresborough - Farnham, where greetings were exchanged with a peloton of WE members who were resting before adding extra loops I suspect, - Boroughbridge - Bishop Monkton - Markington - Ripley - Home. All at what for us was a brisk pace, without a cafe stop as we had noticed that it wasn't quite as warm as we had thought it would be. No fond farewells were said at Ripley as the mini peloton didn't split up but cycled harmoniously home with smug grins on our faces. We had no sooner arrived home within the window of opportunity when the rest of the family returned. Grand daughter was very amused to see her grandparents in matching shirts! Glad we got out. 2 x 27 and a bit miles for the record. Max

Click on slide show for all today's photos


Medium Ride Report
Unexpectedly finding leadership of the Medium Medium ride thrust upon me, I was thankful to have, with unusual foresight, not only a few print-outs of today’s route in my pocket but also to find myself in the company of John W, Dennis B, Peter B, Alison, Sally and Bridget. With their expert knowledge of local cycle routes the chances of us finding our way reasonably efficiently to Fountains and back were much improved.
The other cyclist in our group was new member David, who arrived in Harrogate a couple of years ago from Skipton, via about 20 years in Oman painting landscapes for the royal family to hang in their palace(s). One dreams of a painting of Wheel Easy adorning the walls of our clubhouse – except for the small detail that first we need a clubhouse.
We threaded our way through the streets of Harrogate to Knox Lane, on the way passing the Pluses dealing with their first of several punctures. From there it was just a case of enjoying the sensational sunshine along Grainbeck Lane and whizzing down to Hampsthwaite. Behind John, who was for a while some way ahead, the pack stretched out as we tackled several hills, Clint Bank, Cut Throat Lane, and the approach to Sawley with Dennis as usual in the lead, David just behind, and the rest of us pedalling as we like to say ‘each at our own pace’.
At last we reached the haven of the Studley visitor centre, and were all more than ready for the excellent coffee and cakes. The planned route back was directly through Markington, but there was a unanimous vote in favour of coasting down through the deer park, too good to miss on a day like this. At the bottom was a youth (this is not necessarily a derogatory term) looking forlornly at his mountain bike, unrideable because his bottom bracket was falling apart. Evidently he no idea how to effect a repair (hard to imagine for Wheel Easy Medium Medium riders, but it does tell you a lot about the state of society 'out there') so John set to with Alison's pliers and the largest stone we could find to do the best possible in the circumstances. He pointed out, as one would, that if only there had been a handy brick he could have done so much more. The youth, for some reason, looked a little anxious.
We continued to Ripon, and then home via Littlethorpe and Bishop Monkton. We’d met up with some Pluses at various points during the day, and found them again at the top of Sandy Bank where we also saw Max and Caroline cycling up from Farnham on the way to Boroughbridge, after spending the morning with their grandchildren. Here the two groups mixed, some making the day last that little bit longer by taking the loop through Lingerfield, and others following William down Sandy Bank.
Finally, after some 36 miles of glorious cycling, we arrived in Harrogate at around 2.30pm. Malcolm M

Medium Plus Ride Report
Sixteen riders set out on a beautiful sunny morning but zut alors, within a mile the pockmarked scars of Skipton Road claimed two victims. Martin commenced an eventful day as the Wheel Easy ‘Domestique’ nonpareil. (Note to all members: please come on rides prepared with a puncture repair kit and or spare inner please). Leaving 10 coéquipiers, the échappée of six proceeded on our leisurely way (up Clint Bank!) awaiting les poursuivants who finally and happily joined us hour later at Sawley. A saunter down through the deer park with some glorious views across to the Cathedral and Moors beyond and a welcome cafe stop in Ripon Spa Gardens. With Roy and pals considering alternative routes home, the remaining 13 set off but no! Au secours we were only 12 - where was Mark? Le Domestique volunteered to reconnoitre Ripon and join up with us again en route, which he finally did, but sans Mark, at Sandy Bank along with Malcolm and the medium mediums. A desire to longer enjoy the sunshine, the MMs set out to Lingerfield taking several M+s with him, including Martin no doubt seeking better fortune within un autre peloton! We were now back down to six, but lo, who should we meet at the end of Farnham Lane but Mark, who had, by circuitous route via the A61 and Bishop Monkton found his way back to us. A final climb up to Bogs Lane and home to our respective Soigneurs. 35 miles for 15ish riders! William

Long Ride Report
What a Day! The long ride destination was Jervaulx Abbey via the frozen Tundra of Jordan Moss (the name the OS map gives to the area at the top of the hill out of Lofthouse). Only 5 hardy souls volunteered for what must have been one of the best rides possible. We headed out to Pateley Bridge by Killnghall, Hampsthwaite, Brimham, Smelthouses and Glasshouses. As we approached Lofthouse another Wheel-Easy shirt was spotted in the distance, this turned out to be a Liz on a mission to join us at the top of the snow covered hills. We all made it to the top where we posed for a photo shoot. James hasn't been out with us since summer and as the photo shows he appears to have only one set of cycling clothes.
We carried on to Jervaulx where we decided to give the cafe a miss and head to Masham by Thirn. We eventually got served at Bordar House Cafe but the delay didn't really matter as most of us had decided that we were going make full use of the wonderful weather and stay out as long as possible.
We headed back home by Grewelthorpe, Kirkby Malzeard, Grantley, Sawley and Ripley.
We arrived home at about 5:30 after 64 fantastic miles. Phil

2010 Wheel Easy Miles (approx) Today 1721 YTD 14434