We went up north in the campervan for a long weekend, with bikes with gears.
On the way up we stopt off in Harrogate to try out for size a spa something that was the same geometry as the spa audax mono, but they have run out of those in arabella size. Then spent an exciting night listening to girl-and boy-racers doing handbrake turns around Morton Park.
As on previous visits to this part of the world, there was some Weather; and I've now officially met madcow (as opposed to living in the same county as BSE).
This time for weather we got low lying cloud and some precipitation, but not so much. It had the side-effect of rendering it un-possible to admire the scenery (no hardship tbh as this was while I was grunting through the more undulating part of the ride and thus nose to handlebars etc). The road was fully blocked in Middleton unless you were on a bike and could sidle along the pavement (via co-op/cafés). On to Scargill where bakewell tart was available for consumption (yummy). As was breakfast flavoured quiche (also yummy). The crappy surface after said comestibles hadn't improved in the intervening year. 24" gear was employed (elsewhere). We then fetched up at the White Bear in Masham for chips, kitchen shut but they were doing chips for the shooting brigade that had fetched up there just previously and, in some cases, a pint of Peculier Old - why not?. Very nice woollen socks the shootists had, in various shades (inc. YELLOW
) as best befit the particular tweed chosen (slightly more modern gear also in evidence). When I enquired as to whether said tweedies were looking forwards to a nice roast pheasant on the morrow the reply was a resounding "oh yes". So a local shoot for local people as distinct from the grouse moor carnage etc., I hope.
The 2nd part of the ride is flatter
, and with less weather though a bit of wind was included. And there was a lovely full moon showing its cheeks on the last leg.
Saturday night was spent at a picnic site "parking for horse boxes". With raindrops chattering on the roof throughout, either rain rain or dripping trees rain. On Sunday we had a nice wet ride (with puddles a plenty) along to see L CC + household for brunch cooked by #1 daughter. The river was rather swollen, and it rained throughout; corrrelation or causation or co-incidence - you decide :-P
Then back south.
Monday was spent lovingly polishing bicycles.
As ever, thanks to organiser
