Balk – 11th September 2011

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Cappuccino Cycling Club

Hurricane Katia was on its way today, but first thing this morning started sunny and blustery.  We knew the route out to Balk would be much nicer than the return, which was going to be into a stiff block headwind.  Anyway, without further ado, we set off towards Knaresborough, through Farnham and into Staveley.  The conditions were no very pleasant with the pace remaining reasonably high.  Before we knew it we were in Boroughbridge and taking the turning towards our destination.

We were rolling along nicely, so nicely in fact that we missed our turning and without a care, we only noticed our mistake when we saw a dead end sign.  Thankfully Darrell, knew a right turn that we took that lead us through Norton-le-Clay and into Cundall, where we turned right and ended up back on track at Thornton Bridge.  From here the run in to Balk was a steady one.  Our destination was the Old Barn Cafe, who we had warned we would be arriving and the service and beans on toast were incredible, as we the cakes and coffee.

After plenty of banter it was time to face up to the fact that we would have to battle back into the wind to get home, so we set off with Dave and Karl doing a massive turn taking the wind on the front – chapeau guys!  We managed to maintain a good pace with some solid group riding with most taking turns on the front.  Nick had a mechanical at Thornton Bridge, but we were soon going again and heading back into Boroughbridge.  We then retraced our route back into Harrogate and the inevitable blast up Knaresborough Hill before a steady return home.

A great ride in blustery conditions.

View the route: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/113484107

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Harrogate Bike and Ride Week, 19th-23rd September 2011

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Cappuccino Cycling Club

The Cappuccino Cycling Club are proud to be supporting Harrogate’s Bike and Ride week to help launch the new facilities for cyclists at Harrogate Railway Station.

If you commute to work by bike and use the station, make sure to visit during the week commencing on Monday 19th September.  There will be a series of promotions, fun and other good stuff during the week so check it out.

 

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Great Milk Stout Ride – 4th September 2011

Posted on September 4, 2011 by Cappuccino Cycling Club

One of the year’s most anticipated rides was greeted by 14 Cappuccino riders and some good, warm weather.  The group gathered at the Nidderdale Showground in Pateley Bridge after a large number of us had ridden out from Harrogate, with a couple others driving out (with the team car).  Due to our early arrival, there was time for a quick coffee to get one final boost for the hills to come.

All the CCC riders had opted for the “Extreme” ride, which was posted as a 25 mile ride and included an ascent of Silverhill.  We set off at pace and the CCC group soon split due to the pace being set.  The testosterone was running high today and a good placing was the objective of many riders.  The next time we got together, was at the finish line, where we found out that Paul M had claimed 2nd place and that CCC had 6 riders in the top 10.  Great effort gang!

After a quick photo opportunity with the Yorkshire Tea Ladies, most of the riders rode back to Harrogate for a celebratory lunch and Peroni at Cafe Rosso.

Another great day out in the history of the CCC….

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Ilkley Moor – 28th August 2011

Posted on September 4, 2011 by Cappuccino Cycling Club

Ten riders set forth on a previously untried route to Ilkley Moor and a new Tea Room at Denton to experience.

Set out through Burn Bridge then along the ridge road to Kirkby Overblow and on to Kearby Cliff and the descent to the A61. Skies were starting to look threatening as we rode through Weeton and Castley before catching a rain storm as we arrived at Pool. A close encounter with an insane horn-blaring motorist drew certain gesticulations from the peleton before a new, steady climb, up Creskeld Lane into Bramhope. On through Bramhope and over the Chevin, past the Royalty pub before the headwind descent into Menston where Karl’s tyre dramatically exploded in what must be a ‘puncture of the year’ contender. Martin G and Harry were men with a mission as they located a replacement tyre for Karl from the local Halfords in double quick time.

All back rolling, we decided to shorten the route to make up lost time, so dropped down into Burley in Wharfedale and on to Ben Rhydding where we crossed the river by the narrow bridge to put us on the road to Askwith and Denton. Cockpit Farm tea room proved a success and as we left another cycling club came into the tea room garden. They’d been on the GYBR and commented on the famous Cappuccino coach – CCC’s fame spreads.

Headed home up the hill out of Askwith to the moor before descending by Timble to cross the reservoir and back to Harrogate down Norwood Lane having ridden around 47 miles.

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York – 21st August 2011

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Cappuccino Cycling Club

Today’s planned ride would be a first for the CCC…a trip to York.  Not sure why we have not ventured to York in the past, but it was worth the wait.  The sunshine and the promise of a new destination drew 12 of us out this morning.

We set off heading out over Forest Moor, down into Calcutt and then along Abbey Road by the river in Knaresborough.  As we past McDonalds, there we shouts of breakfast, but we continued into North Ribston, before turning left on the road down in to Cowthorpe and Tockwith beyond.  The pace was fairly swift as we were being blown along by a nice tailwind.  Before we knew it we were at Long Marston and blasting along the B1224 into Acomb and York City Centre.

After Paul had forgotten to clip his pedals in at a set of lights and hit the deck (sorry Paul, had to mention it – 10/10 for style!), we headed through Micklegate to find a cafe.  Due to our early arrival our planned stop was not opened, so we went for quick tour of the city in search of coffee and cakes.  We eventually stumbled across 1331 Restaurant that was serving breakfast, so in we went!  There was plenty of space for the bikes and we took over a nice quiet courtyard.  Service was slow, but the food was good.

Our return started by heading down the Tadcaster Road, before turning right at Tesco’s along Moor Lane heading for Askham Bryan.  By now the sun was warm, but we were heading into a block headwind, which called for some tight group riding.  We then went through Healaugh and Wighill, before turning right towards Wetherby, where we had an encounter with Neanderthal man shouting at us from his supped up hairdryer.

Once in Wetherby, we headed up through Kirk Deighton before returning to Harrogate via Spofforth and Follifoot and then along Rudding Lane.

Everyone agreed that we will be heading back to York in the future.

Nearly 50 miles covered at an average speed of nearly 17mph.

View the route: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/108366264

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Wetherby – 18th August 2011

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Cappuccino Cycling Club

All day the weather in Harrogate had been gorgeous, but by 7pm the skies were darkening and as 7.30 arrived and 8 of us were chatting outside the gates of St Aidans, the rain was starting to fall, albeit only a little bit.  The plan was to head to Wetherby for a reverse trip around a familiar route.

We set of out of Harrogate over Forest Moor, down into Calcutt and then right along Abbey Road to get a bit of shelter.  By the time we emerged from Abbey Road and headed past St James Retail Park, the rain was now fairly heavy, but we continued at a reasonable pace along the road towards North Rigton and on through Kirk Deighton to Wetherby.  From Wetherby we took a detour in to Linton before heading back towards Sicklinghall and the steady climb up towards Kirkby Overblow.

By now all the talk was of getting home and into warm baths or showers.  The pub was certainly not an option, despite Karl talking about Irish Coffees.  In Kirkby Overblow, Martin “Pothole” Procter nearly had an off as he yet a pothole disguised as a puddle, but thankfully he remained composed and kept his balance to continue with us up Walton Head Lane.

We past the Swan at Burnbridge and finished the ride by heading back down along Leadhall Lane.

24 very wet miles, but good to get out!

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Brimham Rocks – 16th August 2011

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Cappuccino Cycling Club
Eleven riders met on a bright but windy evening for a run to Brimham Rocks.
There were more mechanicals than normally experienced on a ride starting with Monty’s chain breaking almost at the off.  Nick and Harry stayed to help  whilst the rest of the group headed out of Harrogate by Oakdale Bridge, past the Army College over the A59 and down into Hampsthwaite.
Rode at an easy pace through Shaw Mills and Bishop Thornton before turning left for the steady climb up to Brimham with superb views over the surrounding countryside and a beautiful sunset to enjoy as we ascended.  After a short stop for Karl to check out an unexplained creak in his front end ( his bike, that is ) we headed off in the direction of Hartwith Bank where we met up again with Monty, Nick and Harry, who’d just climbed it.
It was now getting quite dark and the descent of the bank into Summerbridge was real white knuckle stuff but the bike handling skills of the Cappo boys saw everyone down safely to cross into Dacre for the climb up Dacre bank.  Turned through Darley for the customary fast run by the river to Birstwith and on to Hampsthwaite where very strangely Martin P punctured at exactly the same spot he’d crashed in April. Unfortunately, the delay fixing the flat tyre scuppered most riders plans for a post- ride pint enjoying the many attractions of the Knox Arms.
Ride Distance about 32 miles.
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Ripon and Boroughbridge – 14th August 2011

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Cappuccino Cycling Club

With a lot of riders taking part in the York 100 today, we were not sure how many would turn up for the off at St Aidans.  Anyway, by 8.30 there were 11 of us including a new rider Adele, who had been brought along by Harry.  Good to have you along Adele and welcome!

The original plan was to head to Thorp Perrow, but as a few of us were on time constraints and coming back from a lay-off it was collectively decided to take a route to Ripon and then loop back to Harrogate through Boroughbridge.  We set off along Hookstone Road and over Forest Moor into Calcutt and the first lung burster of the day, with a quick blast up Briggate in Knaresborough.  This had everyone warmed up nicely.  We then made our way out towards Ripon through Farnham, Copgrove (where we picked up Phil C) and Bishop Monkton.  Once at Littlethorpe it was a quick hop over the canal to head towards Skelton and into Boroughbridge.

Earlier in the week we had been advised of a new coffee shop in Boroughbridge, called the Old Foundry Kitchen, so we obliged the owner and graced them with our presence.  They are cycling friendly and we were greeted warmly in some really nice surroundings with tea and coffee on tap and some good cakes.  Couldn’t see any beans on the menu though Malcolm!  After our coffee stop it was then a fairly steady run back to Harrogate through Staveley and Minskip, before climbing Knaresborough Hill, where at the top Monty had a puncture.  Once fixed, we were on our way again to complete a shorter then normal ride, but one which was good nevertheless.

32 miles at a reasonably swift pace….

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How Stean Gorge – 7th August 2011

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Cappuccino Cycling Club
A group of thirteen riders met for this morning’s outing to Howstean Gorge.
Headed out of Harrogate by the Army College and Pennypot , where at the end of the lane it was realised that Harry and Matthew were no longer with us. Harry had punctured and was some way back with Matthew staying to help out.
The main group carried on over the A59 and past Menwith to turn up Duck Street with a strong cross wind buffeting our progress. The climb to the top of Greenhow was tough as the wind had now been joined by squally rain. We descended gingerly into Pateley down the Old Greenhow Hill which was slippy and challenging due to the water and gravel on the road surface. The weather had improved by now making the picturesque run by Gouthwaite reservoir to Ramsgill and Lofthouse uplifting.
Howstean Gorge tearoom was excellent with quick service, large portions and Harry and Matthew sitting waiting for us having got there by a different route but 15 minutes earlier. Back to one group, we retraced our steps to Pateley Bridge and then turned down the valley through Bewerley to Glasshouses where we joined the B6165 to Summerbridge. Turned towards Dacre, Darley and Birstwith before the fast descent to Hampsthwaite where it was noted that Harrogate Council in a crude attempt to destroy evidence had filled in ‘Martin’s Pothole’.
Arrived back into Harrogate over Knox Ford where some headed home whilst others continued to spoil themselves at Cafe Rosso.
All enjoyed the new destination. Another top CCC ride of around 52 miles.
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Beningborough – 31st July 2011

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Cappuccino Cycling Club

Thirteen riders turned up today for a flat run towards the Vale of York with Beningborough being the target for the morning.

A fast pace soon saw us arrive at Boroughbridge, the group had fragmented a bit by now, with a few riders holding back to guide the newer riders around the twisting back lanes.  Over Aldwark Bridge and a sharp right turn towards Beningbourough Hall saw us reach our destination in record time, so fast in fact we over took one off the cafe ladies on her way to open up.  After a brief wait coffee and cake was being consumed, Karl and a smaller group had arrived and joined us basking in the sun out side.  The ride home was back towards Aldwark and Spofforth and straight to our Harrogate watering hole Cafe Rosso.

45 miles, average 18mph, good company and sun. Perfect morning!

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