Five of us met at St Aidans School,  including new rider Pete Flynn.

Karl suggested a “Tour de Birstwith” route which actually took us past Pete’s front door.  We set off to Hampthswaite via Penny Pot Lane and a fairly brisk pace was set, helped by racing whippets Martin P and Martin G.  Up Clint Bank and then left down to Birstwith.  We then crossed straight over to do the 15% hill past the church.  It was a good test and we paused briefly at the top to let Duncan deal with his tea time curry which was threatening to reappear.

Turning right at the crossroads we headed down towards Darley past Pete’s front door and then back along the river returning to Birstwith and the 14% climb on the main road leading back to Hampthswaite. We then returned to Harrogate via the route which we came in on, which meant further climbs out of Hampthswaite to the crossing of the A59, and then up Harlow Moor Rd.

24 miles total.