North Yorkshire End of Term Blast 21st July

[Julia9054]

Inspired by some of the brilliant forum rides we have been on, @Almartino and i thought we would organise one of our own.
Starting in Knaresborough at 9.30, heading to Ripon via Bishop Monkton - including about half a mile of gravel - though Fountains Abbey deer park, then through Ripon to Wath and then through the Thornborough Henges (the most significant neolithic site in Europe outside Stonehenge) to West Tanfield and the Marmion Tower and back to Ripon for lunch at Olivers Pantry. From there, to Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and then a long gradual climb over moor land to Brimham Rocks - possibly for ice cream - via a little sharp hill. Long down hill to Ripley and following a greenway connecting with the Beryl Burton cycleway finishing at the Half Moon in Knaresborough for those who like a pint (or a coffee)
About 65 miles in all
We have a Garmin route (gpx file) as soon as our limited technical skills can work out how to upload it.
We can also work out a shorter route going straight from Knaresborough and meeting at the lunch stop in Ripon making a ride of about 45 miles if some people would prefer to do that.

 

[Julia9054]

here it is (hopefully)

 

[ColinJ]

The GPX file works for me.

It looks an excellent route and I have hardly cycled any of it before. I didn't have anything pencilled in for that date so I'd like to join you!

 

[nickyboy]

I'd be interested. Need to see if I can sort trains etc

I had a mate who went to Ripon College and we used to take girls he studied with to Brimham Rocks for days out. Maybe a trip down memory lane

 

[Littgull]

This looks a really good ride @Julia9054. Count me in for this one.
I'll arrive by train with @ColinJ. I think we can get one that arrives in Knaresborough at approximately 9.15 am.

 

[EasyPeez]

Looks like a fantastic ride. I'd love to come but will be most of the way (hopefully) through a Hull to Edinburgh mini cycle tour on that date. Have fun

 

[ColinJ]

I just mentioned it to my pal Carrie and she is very interested in joining us.

 

[Julia9054]

I just mentioned it to my pal Carrie and she is very interested in joining us.

Excellent. My friend Lynne is probably joining us too so that will be three entire women!!

 

[ColinJ]

Excellent. My friend Lynne is probably joining us too so that will be three entire women!!

Unfortunately, Carrie won't be joining us for your ride after all - she is heading off to France on Sunday for a mini-tour vaguely following some parts of the Tour de France route so she can watch a few stages of the race and test herself on some of the big mountains.

I'm still looking forward to it though and so is Littgull.

 

[Julia9054]

This ride is coming up so thought I'd give the thread a bump.
A small exclusive group so far
Myself, @Almartino, @ColinJ, @Littgull, possibly @nickyboy and maybe my non forum friend Lynne.
Anyone else?

 

[nickyboy]

This ride is coming up so thought I'd give the thread a bump.
A small exclusive group so far
Myself, @Almartino, @ColinJ, @Littgull, possibly @nickyboy and maybe my non forum friend Lynne.
Anyone else?

A friend has invited me for an evening of excessive drinking in Manchester that evening...sorry. Looks a great ride too

 

[Julia9054]

A friend has invited me for an evening of excessive drinking in Manchester that evening...sorry. Looks a great ride too

Aww - that's a shame. Excessive drinking also sounds good though!

 

[Randomnerd]

Room for a little one?
I may be able to get over from York if the constellations collide correctly.
Would you PM the meeting point please @Julia9054? Leisure ride with chatter, I presume? I'm no Racing Reptile....

 

[ColinJ]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh - there is another RMT rail strike on the 21st!

It will be difficult for @Littgull and I to make it now. There could be cancelled trains, rail replacement buses and overcrowding on any trains that do run.

I'll monitor the situation, but might have to drop out this time - sorry!

 

[Littgull]

I've just seen @ColinJ's post. Like Colin I was looking forward to this ride but it will likely be too difficult and fraught to get to Knaresborough by train. Sorry @Julia9054.
It's about time Northern Rail dropped their vindictive and unsafe plan to introduce driver only operated trains and settled this long running dispute.