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