•January 29, 2012 •
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With the risk of ice this morning, a flatter route was decided upon so we decided to head out towards Boroughbridge and take it from there. We headed out of Harrogate through Starbeck and down Knaresborough Hill. From there it was into Farnham and Staveley before getting to Boroughbridge in good time. Thankfully by now we were well warmed up, which considering the temperature was a blessing.
Group riding was well organised today and the pace was fairly steady meaning that the 10 of us all kept together in good formation for most of the ride. From Boroughbridge we headed out towards Thornton Bridge, before turning right and heading down into Helperby. From here it was over the boards at Aldwark Bridge before returning to Harrogate through Wixley, Spofforth, Follifoot and Pannal before the usual coffee stop back in Harrogate at Cafe Rosso.
A good 42m ride in cold but calm conditions at an average of just over 17mph.
Posted in Ride Reports
Tags: boroughbridge, cafe rosso, cycle, cycling, harrogate, helperby
•January 8, 2012 •
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The first full club ride of the year was graced with 17 riders ready for the off this morning. We decided on a route out to Ripon and set off from Harrogate up the Otley Road and up to Penny Pot before turning right towards Hampsthwaite. The banter was good and the early pace was steady. We dropped down in to Hampsthwaite, before then climbing Clint Bank, which sorted out the group a bit. After re-grouping it was down in to Shaw Mills, through Bishop Thornton and then left towards Fountains Abbey.
We then descended quickly down through Studley Deer Park, where Tim decided to have a go at cyclo-cross. Soon after he was pulling up with a puncture – that will teach him to ride off road. We were soon back on our way and continued through Ripon, Skelton and into Boroughbridge before heading down the A168. On our return to Harrogate, Mark snapped his chain near Follifoot, the rest of us continued back to base with Rosso’s the destination for most.
A really nice ride with a varied route: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/140086774
Posted in Ride Reports
Tags: bicycle, bike, boroughbridge, cycling, fountains abbey, harrogate, ripon, yorkshire
•December 19, 2011 •
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This was one of the coldest starts of the winter so far and with some frosty roads we opted for a flatter route out east with Easingwold as the target.
Despite the cold, we had a good turnout and we started off following a familiar route down into Knaresborough and out towards Boroughbridge, before taking the Helperby road, through Helperby, Raskelf and onto Easingwold. The roads had all been gritted which was reassuring until we turned towards Alne at Easingwold. This road was white with frost which made for some very cautious riding down towards Aldwark Bridge. The bridge attendant was in a festive mood, which even drew a “Merry Christmas” from Malcolm, much to the amusement of the CCC peleton.
We then made our way back towards Harrogate through Thorpe Underwood, Whixley, Cattal and Spofforth, before descending on mass to our favourite coffee shop for some much need refreshments, strudel and anything else that we could lay our hands on.
A really nice 50 mile ride.
View the route: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/135325532
Posted in Ride Reports
Tags: cycling, harrogate, cycle, boroughbridge, knaresborough, cafe rosso, easingwold
•November 29, 2011 •
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Ten regulars (many sporting their new club kit) and two new riders met for a foggy start at 9.30am.
Pete suggested the route which planned to include several well-loved climbs, notably Norwood Edge and Church Street in Pateley. The early climb up Brackenthwaite Lane sorted the pack which unfortunately led to the group splintering with a longish wait near Lindley. Pete managed to contact the Lost Boys and arranged to meet again near Menwith. Steady climb up Norwood (the second time for some early starters) then on to cross the A59 to regroup at the Menwith crossroads.
Pete remarked forcibly that club group riding togetherness was not at its best this morning and so an extra effort was made to improve. A bit more organised up Duck Street but not one of CCC’s best displays it must be said. Turned right off Duck Street to drop into Pateley by the Yorke’s Folly route but because time was now against us a decision was made to head back in the direction of Dacre. Eventually got back to the Menwith Base before once again crossing the A59 and the run down Pennypot Lane into Harrogate to Cafe Rosso.
Of course every ride is enjoyable in its way but damp, dismal and disjointed this week probably describes it best.
Mileage: about 40.
Posted in Ride Reports
Tags: bicycle, bike, cafe rosso, cycle, cycling, harrogate, norwood edge
•November 29, 2011 •
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This was the last 8.30 start of the year and turned out to be one of the most enjoyable.
The sun shone, visibility was crystal clear and the atmosphere in the group was relaxed and chatty. Steady pace kept the group tightly together for most of the morning with only one setback when Jonathan M missed the turn late on and became separated from the rest. Harry punctured in Dunkeswick but we were soon off again towards Pool. After crossing the river we turned towards Harewood before turning right up Creskeld Lane to Bramhope. From here the route was:
Menston/Guiseley/Hawksworth/Burley Woodhead/Cow & Calf/Ilkley/Denton/Askwith and Weston, where we stopped at the Cockpit Farm Tearoom. The cafe was pretty full so some of the riders had a long wait for their order. Nevertheless it was pleasant to be able to sit outside in the sunshine in November. Pete then headed off for the climb up to Askwith Moor whilst the rest of us went through Otley and Farnham before climbing the back lanes to Lindley then along the ridge and down Brackenthwaite Lane.
A really enjoyable 50 miles. A great way to end the season.
Posted in Ride Reports
Tags: bicycle, bike, harrogate, ilkley
•November 1, 2011 •
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We decided to make a return trip to York to round off October and the result was another good turnout with a few new faces aswell. The only roadwork free route out of Harrogate was down into Knaresborough, and along the Riverside and Abbey Road, where we had the first puncture of the ride. We then carried out past McDonald’s (tempting to stop for breakfast) and carried on along through Little Ribston, before turning left and heading through Cowthorpe.
Crash!! Soon after Cowthorpe, Paul A, clipped a wheel, swerved and made an amazing dive into ditch over his handlebars. Thankfully there was nothing coming the other way, and due to the soft landing, after brushing himself down, Paul was also OK, although his newly repaired bike was a little worse for wear. Paul returned safely to Harrogate with Martin P. the rest of us carried along through Tockwith, Askham Richard and into York via every cycle path Malcolm could find. Somehow we managed to lose Phil, who eventually caught up with us again at the cafe (1331 on Grape Lane).
After lots of eggy bread and bacon sarnies, we were back rolling again for a more direct route home. We left York along the Tadcaster Road, before turning right at Tesco’s where Tim punctured. We were soon on our way again and heading through the lanes towards Healaugh, and Tim punctured again! This time the group split into two as a few were short on time. We all returned safely to Harrogate through Wetherby, Spofforth and Follifoot.
53 good miles.
View the route: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/125787143
Posted in Ride Reports
Tags: bicycle, bike, cafe, cycle, cycling, harrogate, knaresborough, vale of york, york
•October 24, 2011 •
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This is a very late post for the ride which took place on 15th October- apologies!
A sunny day greeted the 3 ladies who set off from St Aidan’s. Emma was welcomed to her first Cappuccino ride by Sarah and Frances who look like they are becoming the most regular riders of the group.
We headed up Otley road towards Penny Pot Lane then on down into Hampstwaite and Menwith Hill before turning left then crossing the A59. Our route took us through Timble and across the resevoirs of Fewston and Swinsty which looked stunning in the Autumn sunshine. We wound our way via Low Snowdon and Askwith to a much needed team and cake stop at the Cock Pit Farm Tea Rooms. The funniest part of the afternoon had to be Frances being attacked by a chicken which wanted her Flapjack!!
The route home took in Leathley, Stainburn and Beckwithshaw before we separated at the top of Harlow Hill to take our routes home.
A great afternoon of beautiful scenery, good company and chat and some nice hills.
Posted in Ladies Ride Reports
Tags: askwith, bicycle, bike, cycle, cycling, harrogate
•October 24, 2011 •
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Come and join us for the social event of the year. Please contact Alex Pritchard or James Lovell for more details.
Posted in News & Events
•October 23, 2011 •
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It was another good turn out this morning for a ride out to Masham and the ever welcoming Suncatchers Cafe. The mood was buoyed even more by Pete turning up with some serious bike porn, with everyone bog-eyed at his new steed. So without too much delay we set off through the hospital and down towards Knaresborough. The ride out was always going to be brisk as we were being pushed along by a nice tailwind, which we knew would turn into a headwind on the return trip.
The route out to Masham was a familiar one through Copgrove, Bishop Monkton and Littlethorpe, before heading through Ripon. We then turned off the Pateley Bridge road and made for Galphay and after a quick puncture stop for Phil we were nearly mown down by a herd of cows. Before we knew it we were in Grewelthorpe and descending quickly into Masham. Malcolm decided not to stop and headed off for Park Rash, but the rest of us made for Suncatchers for some much need refreshment.
After refuelling, the group split into two with half opting for a return to Harrogate via Lofthouse and Nidderdale, with the remainder heading back via Thornborough, Wath and then retracing earlier steps from Ripon.
Today’s ride was a good autumn ride of nearly 54 miles (for those that didn’t do Lofthouse). View the route: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/123837607
Posted in Ride Reports
Tags: bicycle, bike, cycle, cycling, harrogate, knaresborough, masham, ripon
•October 17, 2011 •
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Autumn is definitely here! We were greeted by a fresh morning yesterday outside St Aidans School, but this did not deter anyone. In fact we had a record number turn out for a Sunday Club Run….20 in all, which is fantastic. We welcomed new riders Alison, Chris and Guy. The destination was Pateley Bridge via Duck Street, so off we set with us quickly forming into two groups to avoid taking up too much room on the road.
As with last week, we were riding into a headwind up the Otley Road and over the back of Beckwithshaw, before making towards Menwith and the long drag up to the top of Greenhow Hill. By now we had left the sunshine of Harrogate behind and the clouds were looking rather gloomy towards Greenhow. By the time we got to the top of Duck Street, it was cold, damp and very foggy. However, after only half a mile of descending we were back down in a bright Pateley Bridge.
In Pateley the group split into three, with Malcolm heading off over Lofthouse, another group going up Church Street towards Dallowgill and the remainder heading towards Fellbeck and Brimham Rocks. The two larger groups came back together near the old Drovers Arms before we dropped down into Ripley and returning to Harrogate via Knox Mill and the Packhorse Bridge.
The sun was really shining nicely now, so we pulled up outside Cafe Rosso and got the order in for coffee, cakes and strudles. The perfect way to end a really nice ride.
Just under 40 miles with 2,500ft of climbing.
Posted in Ride Reports
Tags: bicycle, bike, cafe rosso, Greenhow, harrogate, nidderdale, pateley bridge
