LCAG

Report of ride to Burn, 21 January 2007

Five started from Oakwood, taking the usual way to Cross Gates, but then a new route by quiet roads and cycle paths round the south edge of Colton, a bridleway over the M1 and past a very smelly farm then down a hill to find our way almost blocked by a swollen burn (ie beck) as per attached photo. At Kippax we discovered the cafe was closing at the end of Jan, so that’s another one lost – about the fifth of our former cafe stops that has closed in as many years. Three of the group returned to Leeds from Kippax, the remaining two continuing to Burn (S of Selby). As the theme of this ride was Burns, the return to Leeds is described in (something like) his style.

To the Wind (on encountering it while cycling) by Monty Burns

Foul, howlin’, blastit, blust’ry airstream,
O what a scunner ye are tae oor team.
Ye wheech us alang tae East frae West,
Deceivin’ us greatly,
Sae comin’ back is a’ pech an’ pest,
Impedin’ us greatly

FM

Report of ride to North Leeds Bridleways, 4 February 2007

In 218 BC, Hannibal, with an army of thousands and 37 elephants, crossed the Pyrenees and the Alps to wage battle in Italy. On Sunday 4 February 2007, a group of LCAG riders crossed the Harewood Estate and the River Wharfe to have brunch in Wetherby.

It was a beautiful day, blue skies hosted distant hot air balloons, the sun smiled, the wind stayed at home.

We cycled the bridleways of the Harewood Estate. Cagouled walkers rambled pass us, horses trotted, children played and sheep flocked together.

Fox cubs scampered amidst the fresh green grass, lambs gambolled, hares leapt, shy fawns peered out from the undergrowth of nearby woods, badgers slept the sleep of the weary deep underground.

We crossed the A61, and made our way via the Leeds Country Way to East Keswick, before crossing the footbridge to reach Sicklinghall. We passed through Stockeld Park before reaching the Spofforth to Wetherby Cycle Path.

Brunch in Wetherby was a delight, and revived us mightily for the route back. Making a change to the advertised route, we passed through Linton and Collingham and headed towards Thorner, before following a final bridleway past Hetchell Wood to Scarcroft and an early finish.

A modest 31 miles, but what beauty, what enjoyment, what pleasure was had on such a perfect day.

PK

Report of ride to Pateley Bridge, 4 March 2007

‘We shall stick it out to the end, but we are getting weaker of course and the end cannot be far’. An extract from Captain Scott’s final diary entry, on his doomed expedition to the South Pole of 1912.

Our predicament was not quite as serious, although we had not had a cup of tea for over 90 minutes, and it was raining. Rain was but an euphemism. It was more than rain, it was a furious howling banshee, a maelstrom of wind and water, a deluge of demonic intensity which soaked us to the skin, which lashed our faces with cruel intent, which turned the road at times into a raging cascade. Frogs sang by the road side, otters frolicked in nearby ditches, salmon leapt and trout lazed on their backs in brackish pools, waiting to be tickled.

High on the moors above Blubberhouses on the thunder-cloven road, in a half delusional state, I saw Captain Ahab, astride the road, wielding his harpoon and taunting me, ‘Yea, foolish mortals, Noah’s flood is not yet subsided’.

The day had started well. A happy group of us had set off cycling briskly, under a grey but peaceful sky, pushed by a tailwind that no-one dare acknowledge. Weardley, North Rigton, Beckwithshaw, Dangerous Corner, all sizzled past under our tyres. Dacre and Summerhouses followed, before we arrived in Pateley Bridge to revive ourselves with food and drink. The onset of a steady drizzle delayed our departure from the warmth of the café and allowed some of us to eat more cake. As we finally decided to leave, the drizzle built to a steady downpour. As we climbed up onto the moors, the gods unleashed the elements as we pedalled, nay fought, our way homewards.

Conversation stopped as people lost the ability to speak, such was the effect of the numbing cold. Communication was reduced to slurred guttural growling and the incoherent gesticulations of frozen hands. Crouched behind a stone wall in a vain attempt to shelter, one member of the party pointed at the sky and cried ‘Ilkley, Ilkley’. It took time to calm his frantic and fevered imagination before guiding him off the moor to the relative shelter of the valley below.

And now, several hours later, looking back upon the day, warm and dry, with a glass of red wine in my thawed hand, I think to myself, ‘it wasn’t such a bad ride really. It was good to get out on the bike’.

PK

Report of ride to Skipton, 18 March 2007

It seems that most of the regular crew had actually looked at the forecast and decided to choose the warm duvet over the arctic road conditions of Leeds and Wharfedale. Suffice to say, there were only two of us at the meet and we decided, weather permitting, to get to Otley and then review the situation. One moment it was sunny, the next painful hail and snow – quite possibly the least encouraging cycling weather one could wish for of a Sunday morning. And it was blowing a gale against us. Pool bank proved the worst, forcing us to shelter against a fence for a few minutes whilst the sleet/hail/snow blew over.

Reaching the cafe somewhat chastened by the numbing cold and the hour long journey thus far, the tea warmed us but did not contain enough sustenance to persuade us to continue on to Ilkley and beyond. Feeling ever so guilty at our lack of courage and ambition, we decided to head up the steepest hill back out of Otley as some sort of penitence, and then returned home amazingly tired and cold for such a short ride. Never has a warm afternoon on the sofa been so satisfying.

MH

Report of ride to Full Sutton, 1 April 2007

Four set off from Oakwood on a sunny but windy day. Unusually the wind was from the North-East, so a) it was cold, b) it was against us. Reaching Lotherton Hall, we found the usual cafe closed for refurbishment, but thankfully a temporary arrangement was in operation just round the corner. At Cawood we stopped in a sheltered spot to consider whether it was worthwhile diverting via a slightly longer but more sheltered route (through Skipwith Common), but the noes to the left outnumbered the ayes to the right, so we stuck to plan A.

At Escrick Park, some kind of fair was in progress, with lots of jolly ponies trotting around pulling traps, so we plucked up courage to cycle through the rather forbidding gates, aiming for a shortcut across the south of Escrick village. All the folk we met were very friendly, but alas the OS map was less so, and we finally exited the Park at Menagerie Farm, about a mile further south than intended, so it wasn’t a short cut, but it was a bit of fun. By Elvington we were all feeling a bit bushed after pushing against the wind all day, so stopped for an earlier lunch in the excellent Inn there.

After lunch one of the team left us to catch the train from York, while the remaining 3 headed for Full Sutton. However in the end we felt the pun on the name and date wasn’t worth the effort, and made do with seeing the signpost for said village/prison/airfield. After Stamford Bridge (or possibly just Stamford as the bridge was under repair and impassable for cars), we had the wind behind us, and fairly flew along to York (where one of the team headed off to Harrogate) for tea and cake, before flying home via Wighill and Boston Spa.

Just north of Boston Spa we checked out the newly constructed Sustrans path to Thorpe Arch trading estate (It starts in Wetherby). Handy for next time we have a breakfast stop there. Home by 7, not quite so tired as expected, with exactly 140km on the clock.

FOM

Report of ride to Slaithwaite, 15 April 2007

The previous social ride had turned back a couple of miles short of the distant destination of Full Sutton. Today we should have no trouble in reaching the destination – a shorter ride to Slaithwaite. What could go wrong?

The ride began at Pudsey with conditions ideal for cycling. It was sunny and windless – unseasonably warm but not too hot for cycling. Six headed through Tong and along some unfamiliar roads towards Gomersal. Breakfast at Heckmondwike should have loomed but for a wrong turn. A map consultation as we entered Batley put things right, so our arrival at the Apollon Cafe wasn’t much delayed.

Close to Mirfield, there was a puncture. After it was repaired, it was noticed that the cause was a tyre in poor condition. A train due to leave Deighton for Leeds was the safe option, so the group was reduced to 5.

Having crossed the River Calder, the group spread out on a hill through Deighton. On hearing a bang, I turned round – just in time to see a car clip the back wheel of the rear 2 cycles, about 30m behind. It was immediately clear they weren’t badly hurt although both had minor grazes to their hands and knees. We couldn’t be sure but it seemed that a car (green Suzuki Swift) travelling down the hill had attempted to turn right into a side road, failing to give way to a car (red Mondeo) heading up the hill. The green car was spun to face back up the hill. The red car – the airbags having deployed – continued for about 10m, hitting the bikes just before stopping. It seems that both cars were written off. Click here for photos

A paramedic arrived in a car, gave the cyclists a cursory check and then concentrated on the occupant of the green car. She was eventually taken by ambulance wearing a neck brace. She was later said to have a broken leg. Also present were 3 police vehicles and a sizeable crowd of spectators.

Although one bike seemed barely rideable due to a bent rear wheel and pannier rack, we were able to limp a couple of miles into Huddersfield. After refreshment, the injured bicycles and their riders took the slow train back to Leeds.

The ride didn’t continue to Slaithwaite. The remaining 3 headed back, making a social call on the way to be fed apple pie and ice cream. Again we’d failed to reach our destination but at least this time we had a good excuse.

SH

Report of ride to Crayke, 29 April 2007

The detailed route plan showed a start from Moortown rather than Oakwood, which had been advertised. I therefore made a dash for Oakwood – nobody there – and met the other riders at Slaid Hill. After a short brake maintenance break, we were off. Leading from the back I saw the other 5 riders head for East Keswick rather than for Eccup as planned.

Things were back on track from Harewood Bridge. Breakfast at Knaresborough broke the group up with 2 returning to Leeds. After completing the brake fixing, we continued, although it was already midday. Voices to curtail the ride were already being raised.
Progress quickened until Great Ouseburn where their Spring Festival had scarecrows on show and a wheelie bin masquerading as a dalek. At Aldwark bridge we decided not to push on to Crayke, even though we were moving at an unfashionably brisk 15 mph. We stopped, instead at Easingwold – a mere 2.5 miles short.

Refreshed, we returned by Raskelf and Whixley, then using the old A1. We were now doing so well that we had time for tea in Wetherby, before returning by Collingham and Scarcroft.

SH

Report of ride to Haworth, 13 May 2007

They came from far and wide, giving the latest LCAG ride a suitably global flavour a week or so after the May Day celebrations – Pudsey, Morley even and…Tuscon, Arizona (all will be explained).

So at 9am, six of us set off for Otley by the usual route – busy, busy. Why don’t we go “over the top” more often to avoid the worse of Otley road? Such are the mysteries of the universe. The weather, whilst promising rain later was very pleasant and we sat outside the cafe for breakfast and were delighted to be mistaken by an American cycling visitor for the Otley Cycling club (or some such). Being unaware of the subtleties of the hierarchy of UK bike clubs – (just exactly where do LCAG social rides sit? – answers on a postcard…), she seemed very happy to join us on our ride and we continued on to Ilkley and beyond as a group of seven, though it has to be said that for most of that time it felt like we were six plus a pace setter. Fun was had crossing the lovely Addingham footbridge and then it was up and over to Silsden where a member of our party graciously escorted our American guest rider back towards Otley – apprently he had lots of “marking” to do – whatever.

The remaining five of us continued on up hill and down very steep dale (at least twice) to Haworth where we were sorely disappointed that we were a week premature and as a consequence were to miss the exciting “Haworth in the war” nostalgia weekend of May 19th and 20th. We were happier in them days, it seems, at least, up on the moors of West Yorks, but what would Emily, Charlotte and Anne have thought? Ah well, plenty of cafes to choose from and it then transpired that there were at least three of us planning to train it back to Leeds. To be fair, the rain was threatening and the hills had definitely sapped the strength even though we’d only done just over 30 miles from the start. Those continuing on to the aforementioned Pudsey and Morley said their goodbyes and one of our number made the wise decision to fully partake of the Haworth experience by perusing the many shops selling quality merchandise.

Back home by 3…

PS Bear this in mind – if you think the LCAG rides start early, the strategy in Tuscon is to get up before you went to bed (ie at sunrise, 430am) and to make sure you are back (Cinderella in reverse) by 9am to avoid the worst of the heat. The British climate is actually pretty good, I think you’ll agree, as are the relatively civilised start times of our rides.

MH

Report of ride to Earby lead mining museum, 3 June 2007

The weather was not memorable, i.e ideal, as there was no rain or searing sun. Four of us set off from Moortown. I didn’t ‘need’ to look at the map as we were so close to home and so ignoring route advice managed to make an unplanned route detour and arrived at Otley Road at the wrong place. Anyway, we were soon at our first destination, a specially arranged new cafe stop at the leisure centre in Guiseley. The lady had promised to be there for 9.30 & so was ready to make our beans on toast when we arrived at ten to 10. We were the only customers! FM had spotted another open cafe a few yards away so we now have two alternatives to the Wharfe View cafe at Otley!

Then up onto the road through East Morton to Silsden, we were soon enjoying our social ride dose of fresh air away from the urban grime. It seems to be the better direction to take this route as it’s more downhill than uphill even though we were going up the valley. By Silsden we were down to two as two had decided to take the LCAG short rides option as they had other important Sunday ‘stuff” to do.

After going through Cononley and up a few hills and down a few hills we came to the Earby Lead mining museum. It was very well laid out and economical to get in being only £2.50. It left me with the memory of how they drilled holes for the explosive charges where they had to keep hammering and twisting a rod not having the use of a powered drill and that there were quite a few coal mines in the dales as well.

As we had ‘stuff’ to do as well we took the comfortable train from Skipton and arrived home by 4 o’clock

BH

Report of ride to Haworth, 17 June 2007

The plan was for a quick return to Haworth, just a few weeks after the previous visit. The aim was to have an attractive destination for National Bike Week that wasn’t too long a distance. There was no payback, as no new riders turned up. Numbers were further thinned due to the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride the previous day, so 3 set out with darker skies than had been forecast.

A couple of minor deviations were taken to the planned route, the result being hillier but more direct. We headed west along the top of The Chevin and then almost turned back on ourselves to reach Guiseley and breakfast. This was our first visit to this cafe and it was a good choice. Rain started as we arrived and got heavier as we were about to leave. We considered our options but decided to press on for the moment.
By the time the bikes were unlocked, the rain had almost stopped.

We headed to Hawksworth and East Morton, then dropped into Keighley before climbing to Oakworth and Haworth. Being adventurous, we tried a new cafe and had ordered as the clock stuck mid-day.

The weather improved during the afternoon as we took a direct route through Wilsden and Bradford – a large part of the centre of which appears to be in the process of being demolished. On the way out of Bradford, we pulled over as an ambulance car was hurrying up the hill behind us. Just after it had passed it had to almost stop to avoid a car pulling into its path. You’ve got be a fairly unaware driver to miss a car with headlights flashing, siren on and blue light flashing!

We were back in Leeds for 2:30. As the sun had come out, we concentrated on the social aspect of the ride by taking further refreshment in the garden.

SH

Report of ride to Hornsea, 1 July 2007

Maybe it was the forecasted bad weather, maybe it was the forecasted distance of 150 miles, but only three foolish souls turned up at Oakwood early on Sunday morning for the longest ride of the year. We set off on the dot at 7.00am, reaching a still sleeping Selby well before 9.00am for a short break, before pressing on eastwards. The winds were light and the rain held off, so there were no obstacles to our progress. As we stopped off just outside Beverley, one of our party decided to rest awhile, before cutting some corners to try to meet us on our return. We bade him adieu, before pedalling the last few miles to Hornsea, and we arrived shortly afterwards to view the foaming grey-brown sea, before retiring for fish and chips at a sea front cafe.

As we left Hornsea, we were hit by the first of several short showers, none of which deterred us. I phoned our absent colleague from just south of Driffield – he was in Pocklington. When we arrived in Pocklington, I phoned him again – he was in Wheldrake. We never managed to catch him up… The last twenty miles or so proved to be quite hard work, legs began to get tired and the speed dropped perilously close to single figures. We finally arrived home just before 7.00pm, a round trip of only 140 miles (10 miles less than the estimate!) taking almost exactly 12 hours. Our absent colleague phoned shortly later – he was also home and safe.

PK

Report of ride to Malham, 15 July 2007

The ride meet at 830am took place in good weather, although the forecast was certainly pretty gloomy for later in the day. The crucial question was “how much later”? The five of us set off in grand spirits, certain in the knowledge that this would be a killer ride provided the rain didn’t come too soon and spoil it.

The familiar, and yet still lovely ride to Otley, Ilkley and then the back road to the east of Bolton Abbey (getting more scenic all the time) found us at the cafe in Storiths at 1020am, 10 minutes before opening. A discussion took place as to whether to wait it out or continue on to Barden or similar. Having spent five minutes looking at maps and discussing options, we decided to stay put and very much enjoyed the great little cafe that feels in the middle of nowhere, although there were plenty of other cyclists who had found their way there too. Highly recommended.

Onwards to Malham, having decided to risk the off road route right over the moor – would it be really muddy in light of recent precipitation? In fact, no, it was fine and great views were enjoyed having made it up the hills near Skirethorn and Bordley. The last five miles to Malham took over an hour, though we did stop more than once to enjoy the scenery.

We had lunch outside the cafe at Malham and just on our departure at 2pm or so the rain started, not too badly at first but building in strength. Delayed for a while, whilst one of our party had his photo taken several times (…it’s a long story, one that I’d love to share, but he’d kill me), and leaving the handsome devil behind (hostelling in Malham) we remaining four raced the 11 miles to Skipton to catch the train. From the sublime (the moors of Yorkshire) to the ridiculous (the A65 in the rain) but overall, a wonderful ride, topped off by inexpensive refreshments back in Leeds at the (now smoke free) front room of the great Angel off Briggate. There, some “friendly” drinkers (ie they’d had a few) were amazed that we’d been all that way…”I’d be knackered if I got a helicopter to Malham” said one.
Back in Leeds by 330pm home by 630pm – as one of our number said in the pub, “this is my kind of cycling”. I couldn’t have agreed more.

MH

Report of ride to Snake Pass, 29 July 2007

It had the lot, a bike ride par excellence, yes it was good.

There were smooth fast train rides with plenty of bike space, long gentle uphills, longer brakeless downhills, short sharp uphills, plateau riding, plenty of peak district views, four sociable stops (greasy spoon in Glossop, drink stop by the Lady Bower Reservoir, fast serving pub at Bolsterstone for lunch and even an ice cream stop at Newmillerdam), much sunshine & no rain, not too many miles, but, pity, there were only 3 of us.

We made it to Darton, near Barnsley, with an hour to wait for the train to find that it was a South Yorkshire PTE station but FM noticed that it was only 10 miles to Wakefield so we rode on and boarded the train there at 5.40. From Stalybridge to Wakefield it was about 55 miles. (Although Darton is just within South Yorkshire, it is also within the West Yorkshire Metro transport area.)

BH

Report of ride to Ripponden, 12 Aug 2007

We seem to have a few standard routes out of Leeds, as much dictated by
the location of known breakfast stops as by the roads. This ride started
with a familiar route from Pudsey, through Tong and East Bierley. We
reached Shelf, a couple of miles from the breakfast stop at Queensbury,
with the sky having turned black. I expressed the hope that we could get
to shelter before the rain. As I completed the sentence, the rain
started but it was only as we left the cafe that it became heavy. This
led to a discussion of the options. By the time we decided to press on
as planned, the rain was easing, soon to stop,

We dropped then climbed before hurtling towards Luddenden Foot and
crossing the River Calder. After another climb, we then came across a
maze of roads requiring even more map stops than usual. We passed
through Sowerby and Soyland Town, with excellent views of the Calder
Valley, then dropped into Ripponden. A deluge ended the discussion on
where to have break – the pub 50m away winning the vote.

The ride had been very good so far in an area we don’t get too often
enough even though it’s not far away. The return was just as good,
perhaps because it looked so unpromising on the map. After climbing out
of Ripponden, we followed a quiet and fast B road to Elland – where one
rider headed for a train at Huddersfield – and Rastrick. Brighouse
wasn’t half as intimidating as it looked on the map, although it
required a U-turn on a roundabout to find the A643. The route through
Hartshead to Roberttown was new territory for me and still very good
country for cycling. We returned via Heckmondwike and split up in
Morley. A surprisingly good cycle ride and despite the amount of
climbing, we were home by half past three.

SH

Report of ride to Worsthorne, 2 Sept 2007

A wet interlude in an Indian Summer.

The day started well with 5 riders gathered in fine weather at 0830 in City Square. On the long downhill to Oakenshaw, murky weather could be seen approaching from the North, and the first drizzle arrived at Hipperholme. Undeterred, we pressed on to Halifax for breakfast at the Piece Hall (a good new venue – open early and very reasonable). Despite the rain, it was not cold, so we continued via Mount Tabor (where it was getting misty) to the newly pedestrianised Hebden Bridge. Another short conference here, but we all agreed to stick to the plan, so were soon struggling up a ridiculously steep zig-zag taking us back up onto the moor. After a further half hour of pedalling uphill, in thick mist and into a strong wind, we had only covered 3 miles. ‘Is anyone enjoying this?’ asked Frank. The ‘not contents’ had it, so we took a shortcut down to Todmorden, had lunch and warmed up in a pub, then caught the train home. Total ride length about 40 miles rather than the planned 75, but probably a wise decision.

FOM

Report of ride to Thirsk, 16 Sept 2007

Four gathered at 0830 at Moortown Coop, noting that prospective shoppers continue to arrive at the shop (and leave disappointed) a year after it restricted Sunday opening times.

The weather was good, and the forecast was for it to stay that way till about 4pm. Taking the usual route to Wetherby, all was well until the steep downhill to East Keswick, when several of the contents of SJ’s pannier spilled onto the road. Luckily no damage caused, not even to the mobile.

Wetherby traffic was deftly avoided by following the bridleways which abound in this town, and soon we were in Knaresborough for breakfast at 10:00 by the riverside. An hour later (yes it was a big breakfast) we were overtaking along line of cars crawling up the hillfrom the bridge to upper Knaresborough. Once out of the town, we had a good following wind and on one stretch were speeding along to Minskip at 45km/h.

From Boroughbridge, we headed straight north towards Dishforth airfield. FM claimed to have seen a map on the web showing a route through. However the sceptics were proved rightwhen we came to a locked gate with a notice about the Defence of the Realm act 1939, so we took an alternative bridleway through Low Grounds Farm, but it turned out this path had been re-routed, and the replacement was not really rideablewith a road bike. So after a walk of 500m we joined the original bridleway, and said howdy to a group of horseriders that appeared over a hill like a scene from High Chapparal.

From Dishforth village, we decided to change the plan and take a slightly longer route through Rainton to Topcliffe rather than the busy A168. A good decision as Rainton was a very pretty village (nicer than Topcliffe where one would not be surprised to see tumbleweed blowing through the main street). From Topcliffe another route change took us on a lovely narrow riverside road to Busby Stoop and thence to Thirsk by 1310, in good time for lunch at the York tearoom in the square, then back to the station for the 1413 train to Leeds. Time for a quick drink then home by 1630 well before the promised rain started.

FM

Report of ride to Burnsall, 30 Sept 2007

The later start of 9am was much appreciated, though there were still only the three of us by the time we set off at about 10 past. The weather was set fair and with two of us wearing shorts it was a good job too. We hurried to Otley enjoying, as ever, the great views of Wharfedale as the valley came into sight. The (motor) bikers were out in force at the cafe, but they’re harder than us and so were happy sitting outside and there was plenty of room in the warm inside.

Refreshed, we headed onwards heading due north up to Blubberhouses during which time the conversation turned to some of the ideas covered in Dan Joyce’s LCAG talk of cyclists being seen as “freaks” in this country. One of our number spoke for us all when he stated that, perhaps, we should be happy to be thought of as “borderline” weird. Sometimes, particularly when I’m amidst a load of traffic, I do wonder whether what I’m doing is entirely “normal”. However, the car drivers are, for sure, far stranger. Anyway, an interesting observation, made all the more so by its reflective nature.

Back to the ride: beautiful views and quiet roads for miles on end sustained us both before and after crossing the A59, and we kept on northwards and then at Greenhow Hill turned west and later south to bomb down into Appletrewick before arriving in Burnsall. We were delighted to see that they sting motorists there for parking (£4!), but the cafe service left something to be desired…slow and confused…and we almost ended up with two drinks each for no apparent reason. More importantly, there was also grumbling in the ranks about the portion sizes of the cakes.

We set off back home before 2pm with various targets in mind (rugby, gardening etc) taking the standard route via Barden, Storiths and then Ikley and chose to avoid the hardcore route via the Cow and Calves…we’d had enough hills by then.

Back home at 345pm. A very nice ride. Great length. Lovely scenery. Fine weather. And excellent, though slightly “freaky”, company. Takes one to know one, mind…

MH

Report of ride to Ripon, 14 October 2007

With some regulars still absent due to moving house, running marathons etc, four turned up at Moortown for a 9am start. The forecast was for a dull but dry day, and so it was. Rather than head straight to RIpon, the route initially led east through Bramham and Boston Spa then via the new Sustrans path to Thorpe Arch trading estate, After a leisurely breakfast at the cafe there, one of the team set off home, while the remaining trio headed north making good progress on almost empty roads. At Boroughbridge a possible cafe was noted for future rides. Ripon was reached at 1pm, and after investigating several possibilities, we spotted two Bob Jackson tourers parked at the cafe halfway down the hill on Kirkgate. This new (for us) venue turned out to be excellent. Leaving the cafe at 2.10, we took the more direct route back via Bishop Monkton to Knaresborough, where a short juice & banana stop was made. After Follifoot a previously unnoticed bridleway was followed, but turned out to be of less use than hoped. A nice long downhill through Kirkby Overblow was followed as ever by the dreaded Weardley hill (seems worse than it really is, being at the end of the day), and home by 5.10pm.
Overall 68 miles at average speed (when in motion) of 13.2 mph. A very enjoyable ride, and the first time for a while that we actually reached the intended destination!

FOM

Report of ride to Hebden Bridge, 28 October 2007

It was a great ride:
The omens were not good, “heavy rain till midday” the forecast said and just before leaving home there was a heavy downpour and only four of us at the start, two regulars and two new recruits.

We set off from City Square down Whitehall Road cutting through Petty’s printing works and the pedestrian tunnel to Armley Gyratory and up Tong Road. After a few hills and a longer than usual stretch before the breakfast stop we arrived at the excellent cafe in Piece Hall in Halifax, wet but not soaked. The animated convesation meant it was nearly an hour before we emerged and by now the weather was dry and warm. We found the elusive Gibbet Street, which was quite cycle friendly in that it had lots of horizontal traffic calming, and steadily climbed out of Halifax towards Luddenden, and after a little uncertainty about the route made our way uphill on the familiar route through Midgley and along the contour hugging road above Mytholmroyd. With sunshine on our backs and the beautiful valley view much appreciation was voiced. Avoiding the near vertical drop into Hebden Bridge and back up again, it was agreed to lunch in Haworth and so heading North, ventured towards the “bridle path” section of the route. It was time to upgrade my map reading skills and I learnt that a line of black dashes means a footpath not a bridle path (for which the colour is red!). The footpath and track turned out to be unrideable and so we did 2 miles walking and carrying bikes which did add a bit of variety. We all agreed it had been an excellent ride and from Haworth SH decide to take the train from Keighley and the remaining three of us headed directly East along the fast B road up and then eventually down into Bradford & on to Pudsey.

BH

Report of ride to Brimham Rocks, 11 November 2007

Petrol in Venezuela is a little over a penny per litre, making it the cheapest in the world. A mug of tea in the Otley café costs the equivalent of about six gallons of petrol, making it expensive in the eyes of a Venuzuelan motorist, but cheap in the eyes of the eight cyclists who had bravely ventured out in the cold bright morning light. Five cyclists then continued on past Blubberhouses and Thruscross Reservoir towards the café in the Darley Mill Centre. This was the first time that LCAG had visited the café at the mill, and all were pleasantly surprised by the wide ranging menu of reasonably priced food. The author enjoyed a breast of duck in a jus fruite, with new potatoes and boiled vegetables. The carrots were maybe a trifle over-cooked, but the food was delicious and fortifying. As I paid my bill, I was tempted (and succumbed) to a delightful piece of moist flapjack, which I carefully placed in my saddlebag for a future emergency. We then headed in an Easterly direction, the wind on our left cheeks as we loosely followed the River Nidd until we arrived in Birstwith and started to head south. A discussion on the merits of catching a train back from Harrogatewas soon resolved by the general lack of trains from Harrogate, and we all cycled back via North Rigtonand Weardley in the gloam. A gentle ride of about 45 miles, with some new roads and some new company, made the day a pleasure. Later that evening, as I relaxed with a small glass of red wine, I chewed thoughtfully on my slice of flapjack and wondered if Hugo Chavez rode a bicycle.

PK

Report of ride to Boroughbridge, 25 November 2007

Four new riders, including three stalwarts of the former CTC rides, meant that we had a respectable group of six. If it hadn’t been for the Leeds Abbey Dash poaching some regulars, we might have had the biggest group of the year. Setting off from Oakwood not long after 9:30, Wike Ridge led as usual to Linton, where repairs to the bridge meant no motorised traffic. After breakfast at the cafe in Wetherby we made good progress on the old A1 (now converted to a cycle track and separate horse track beside the renumbered A168). Despite a puncture stop, we made it to Boroughbridge by 1230. This was the first time in my memory that LCAG had stopped here for lunch. There was a choice of cafes, but the one by the market cross was very friendly and good value, and two of us enjoyed their speciality beetroot soup! On the return journey the Kilburn White Horse was shining in the sun. Another road closure at Little Ouseburn (for resurfacing) meant another quiet stretch. Just north of Thorpe Arch we passed what appeared to be a very recent head-on between two cars, likely caused by overtaking on a bend. Thereafter the route was via Bramham, Scarcroft, Slaid Hill, which experience has found to be a bit less hilly than the route by Thorner and Shadwell. Back home by 4.30, 60 miles covered in ideal cycling weather (sunny, not too hot, no wind).

FM