Inters/A-Ride Last Blast for 2015

[Tony]

We faced a lot of challenges today with flooding around Thornton Bridge and Lower Dunsforth, then while trying to avoid the mess at Newton-on-Ouse, we encountered more serious flooding at Alne and Tollerton.

With all the detours and a couple of flats in the morning, we never made our planned sojourn to Johnny Baghdad's in Masham, settling instead for the poor quality, overpriced food and substandard service at "Heaven" cafe in Ripon (Sun Parlour remains closed through Feb 13, 2016).

With apocalyptic conditions returning tomorrow, the group decided that Thursday looks decent for a final ride of the year. The forecast is calling for sunshine, slight chance of a shower, +7C with S/SW winds at 11mph.

We've been trying to get to Otley Chevin for a while and so I figured the standard southern route through Wetherby should get us there absent of the effects of flooding.

Rather than returning through Tadcaster (the bridge collapse was on the TV news tonight), I figured that we'd continue through Harewood House, Scarcroft and then take a detour through Boston Spa, hopeful that the bridge remains passable.

10am from the square. As always for this time of year, fenders and lights recommended

110Km / ~68 miles square to square, which should get us back home in time for the NYE festivities, even allowing for the odd mishap and/or detour.

View and download the route at RidewithGPS or click the map.

[James Milner]

Looks good to me, Tony. Hopefully the weather will behave itself! See you in the square.

[Steen Berg]

Boys

The last thing West Yorkshire needs now is more cyclist on the road standing water / Diversions possibly trees down after today.

I had a great ride on Boxing Day in the moors went up Blakey and the Chimney out of Rosedale no standing water or flooding issues and the cafe in Hutton le Hole was open. Roads very quiet

Steen

[Jon G]

Finally back online after 2 days without internet.

Would be good to go but i think i will have to wish you all a happy 2016 and see you next year. With all this flooding getting to York by bike is tricky. Currently cannot cross the ouse at Cawood or Selby and thats not taking into account the roads that are still closed around York , even if the open Selby Toll bridge its too far anyway

However i would think about heeding Steens advice and avoid going west, traffic will be busy with diversions in place. Whatever you do have a good ride and hopefully see you in January

Jon

[Graham T]

Hi Gang , Might not make it out on thurs , Awaiting a parcel delivery ,unless I can persuade the better half to stay indoors for me. Anyway if I don't make it all the best for new year 2016 . see you sat.

[craigdabrown]

I did go to the Square at 10am on Tuesday but decided against joining the proposed "A" Ride to Masham as I hadn't been out for a couple of weeks and was still suffering a bit from a cracked rib I'd sustained while playing football.

I decided to do a solo ride instead and headed out via Haxby, Strensall, Thornton Le Clay and then up Bulmer Bank. Then Castle Howard Drive and onto Malton via Coneysthorpe and across towards Helmsley before doing the standard Hovingham, Brandsby route home.

No flooding or major debris on the roads I chose, although the bakery at Hovingham was still closed. I did witness a post office van ending up on its side when it took a bend too fast on the road between Stillington and Farlington. The driver, although in shock, was fortunate to escape serious injury but the road was completely blocked. Could have been nasty if I'd been about 30 seconds quicker. A number of cars had stopped by the time I descended to the scene, so I checked all was in hand and continued on my way.

Just under 70 miles and I was really feeling it by the end.

[Tony]

Glad to hear you got a decent day out, Craig

Only 4 of us made it out today; Jai, James, Rich and myself. Due to concerns about flooding in the Otley area and possible traffic snags around Boston Spa, we headed up to Gillamoor today, stopping at a nice cafe in Hutton-le-Hole,

Beautiful day with a strong SW wind, shifting to S just in time for our return

We went up via Farlington, Stearsby, Hovingham, Nunnington and Fadmoor. Back into a strong headwind via Normanby, Amotherby, Coneysthorpe, Castle Howard, Flaxton and Strensall.

Great day out despite the wind, and we fortunately missed the late-day downpour, arriving back in York as daylight faded.

115Km ridden and 972m climbed for me.