Easingwold – 18th December 2011

•December 19, 2011 • Leave a Comment

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

Cappuccino’s in the Mist – 20th November 2011

•November 29, 2011 • Leave a Comment
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.

Ilkley Moor – 6th November 2011

•November 29, 2011 • Leave a Comment
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.

York – 30th October 2011

•November 1, 2011 • Leave a Comment

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

Askwith – 15th October 2011

•October 24, 2011 • Leave a Comment

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.

CCC Christmas Party – 3rd December 2011

•October 24, 2011 • Leave a Comment

Come and join us for the social event of the year.  Please contact Alex Pritchard or James Lovell for more details.

 

Masham – 23rd October 2011

•October 23, 2011 • Leave a Comment

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

 
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 41 other followers