LCAG

Glasshouses – 7th August

At its peek there where 13 participants on this ride all be it only for the time it took to get a cup of tea and a bite form Dunnies café at Otley. 9 riders set off from Mootown, the predicted weather was such that the pre ride chat revealed that between us there was 11 different interpretations of the weather forecast ranging from fine to torrential rain. A fast pace was set and another rider was swept up by the bunch while making her way to the agreed meeting point at Otley where we stopped for breakfast.

The staff at Dunnies had regained their form after a poor performance on the previous ride, having gained 3 more riders and lost another we where ready to go again in less than half an hour.

Exiting Otley we hit Newall Bank, I think that is what the hill is called but there was a discussion amongst us and some other less savoury names where suggested. The steep hill filtered the bunch in order of climbing ability and a long line was formed snaking along the road. A less experienced first time rider made a gallant effort to keep in touch and has to be compliment on his effort.

Back together on the moor top the views where enjoyed in the watery sun shine as we bowled along crossing the A59 at Blubberhouses and up some more hills shorter but steeper than the previous hills the road now taking us though beautiful woodland. We where soon up them and crossing Thruscross reservoir dam. The water level looked low but the village of West End remained submerged. After the dam there was one last hill to climb at the top 2 more riders exited along their pre planned short cut, the main group descending towards lunch at glasshouses, the term descending being used loosely as there was a few more less significant climbs to tackle.

After lunch we climbed again out of Glasshouses and past Brimham Rocks this was really the top of the ride and it was down hill to Ripley Castle and then Knaresborough. As it was the first Sunday of the month a cake break was had at the church hall, the cake was great and good value.

It was a familiar route back to north Leeds via Wetherby but into a strong headwind, as we approached the outskirts of the city riders peeled off to find their favoured routes back home. The ride was finished by five and apart from a few spots of rain was completed in surprisingly good weather.

Ride to Ripon – 6th March

Can you identify where the photo of the building with three Greyhounds running after each other was taken?

It was a cold one but that did not put off 12 riders, well, 11 set off from Moortown and SH joined us in Thorner. The service at the cafe in Thorpe was brisk and after that we made a good steady pace with a gentle wind helping us along the way.  Signs told us that the road over the bridge at Catal was closed but a cyclist coming the other way reassured us that pedestrians and cyclists could get through. The long B road stretch was not too busy allowing us to go two abreast but it would have been better on the small roads. We left two at a cafe in Boroughbridge to go back home from there and we arrived in Ripon at about 1.30.  Even with the time saving on the B road we didn’t sit down for lunch in Ripon until 1.30.  There wasn’t enough food in my favoured lunch stop but we soon found another.  9.30 was a bit of a late start for a 65 mile ride.

The way back was a little longer and my memory is dominated by mud or rather the consistency of it.  The bridleway took us more directly towards home but as it had not been raining heavily the bikes with only little clearance between wheel and mudguard meant the mud was very ‘sticky’ and slowed the rider.  Time was spent raking it out with sticks.  SH decided enough was enough and went to Harrogate for the train.  With further off road sections going South from Harrogate and one avoiding the A658 from Rudding Park most were getting tired.  The assault of Weardley bank was a two pronged affair with a few taking a different route but then seven decided to take a break in the New Inn at the top and I and Mark headed for home.  With the sunshine in the middle of the day and some feeling of achievement at the end it was an enjoyable ride.

You can see Steve’s photo’ s of the ride here. Andy has a quiz question for you – Can you identify where the photo of the building with three Greyhounds running after each other was taken?

Ride Report – Embsay 20th Feb

6 plucky riders turned out for the start of the ride on a rather damp and dank day. However we soon warmed up on our way to Otley where we were joined by 2 more riders for breakfast. Barry got there before us and managed to save us a table, a lovely friendly cafe. We then took the back road via Askwith to Bolton Bridge and must be have been passed by at least 100 cyclists going in the opposite direction. At one point we had a cycle jam! seeing so many other cyclists cheered us up and we set off up the hill to Embsay in fine spirits.

At Embsay we dined in the steam railway cafe, an experience to be recommended if you want to discover how grim the 1940s were. Grumpy service, a limited menu and very cramped. However it takes more than that to dishearten a cyclist! We returned to Bolton Bridge and thence home via a quiet route to Ilkley and an old road to Burley in Wharfedale which is now a cycle track. At Otley some left for West Leeds and others slogged up the A660. It was here, dear reader. that the navigator fell off the end and not having the legs to catch up pedalled home at a leisurely pace but was sat by the fire with a cuppa by 4.30.

You can see Steve’s excellent photos of the ride here, add your comments on our Facebook page here and see the return route here.

Ride Report to Saltaire -Feb 6th

9 turned out for the ride but I only did half as duty called me to an early bath:-( However Andy as usual provided an interesting route which took in Staircase Lane, Adel, Horsforth and a private Road (with ferocious speed bumps) which I used to use for school bike rides back in the day! Breakfast was at Apperley Bridge where we were joined by the legend that is David Solomon. One of David’s many claims to fame is that he started the LCAG social rides and they are still going strong! After that it was canal towpath to Saltaire -always a mixed blessing but the surface wasn’t too bad and at least teh puddles helped you spot the potholes more easily.

Second installment of the ride report for the ride to Saltaire. We arrived at Salt’s Mill with time to spare so agreed to have a look around for 3/4 hour before meeting for lunch in the cafe. On leaving lunch Frank conveniently discovered he had a puncture which allowed us to shelter from the rain in the park while it was fixed. The rain stopped by the time we moved on. We continued up the track alongside the tramway to Shipley Glen. Over Bailden Moor to drop down to Esholt. Climbing Old Hollins Hill then joining the coach road to link up with the Guisley/Yeaden cycle track. Then climbing through Yeadon to the narrow Haw Lane to give a view of the airport and onto Bramhope where we went our separate ways. approximately 40 miles done.

Photos of the ride here