LCAG

Report of ride to Knaresborough – Sunday 31st January 2010

A beautiful sunny and cold day brought an excellent turn out, with 11 of us meeting in Oakwood for the start. The usual route to Wetherby , via Collingham and Linton, was uneventful but pleasant as our cores tended to warm up, but some extremities might have been a bit chilly by the time breakfast was due. We were pretty soon in Knaresborough too, with a minor delay for a slow puncture (properly repaired over lunch).

A bit of to-ing and fro-ing meant we were 10 on the way back and sorry to say we temporary lost a rider from the start of the return, but a rendezvous was successfully completed in Kirkby Overblow. All that remained was the climb up Weardley Hill and we split into 2 groups – Roundhay and (broadly) Headinglely – close to Eccup reservoir.

The day was completed for the former contingent with a quick couple of pints in the Deer Park, having given up on the Fox (too busy, despite the lovely warmth). In the pub for 330pm. We should do this more often!

MH

Report of ride to Storiths – Sunday 17th January 2010

Five started out from Moortown, picking up a couple more at Otley. As the ride wasn’t too long, a few extra bits were thrown in. There’s quite often a return through Arthington but today we passed through on the way out. We were rewarded with a headwind as we followed the river from Pool to Otley.

After breakfast, the full complement headed out through Weston. At Denton, we split up with 2 following the valley bottom to Beamsley and the others climbing towards Langbar. The headwind got stronger and the ice started to encroach on to the road but neither were a real problem. The top took longer than expected to reach, with a few false peaks. We then dropped down before climbing again to the lunch stop at Storiths where we regrouped.

Warned of a lengthy wait for soup, we settled for tea and cake before heading back to Ilkley with the wind now at our backs. One broke for home at Ilkley with the rest of us straggling out on the climb to the Cow and Calf. The main group dropped into Menston at the first opportunity, with the breakaway group taking in an additional chevron before meeting again in Menston.

After the wind assisted climb on to The Chevin, we split to take routes home via either Bramhope or Cookridge, arriving back around 3:30. Little of the promised sunshine but no rain.

SH

Report of ride to The Sun Inn, Sunday 3rd January 2010

Four departed Moortown with the snow coming down and conditions under wheel difficult apart from on the cleared main roads. The snow eased soon after we started and with care we negotiated Eccup dam ridng on packed snow making it risky especially on the downhills. The sun soon came out giving some great wintery views. The next section, down Weardley bank and the road to Pool and Leathley, were clear and of snow and easy going.

The next part of the route took us past the fish farm and over Lindley Bridge on a small country lane, the going was tricky. We decided that it was too risky to continue on these lanes to the Sun Inn and cut the day short going to the café in Otley for well deserved refreshments before returning on the main road to Leeds. Only 25 miles but worth going out for the views and the challenge of the ride.

AG