Numbers were low for an overcast ride to Harrogate. However, it was a welcome sight to arrive in Rawdon and see Dan waiting for us after several weeks recovering from a nasty crash.

Dave L was also there with a plan to ride with us to Ilkley then head back.

The route was a hilly one and we made steady (slow) progress as we were too busy chatting and not focussing on the pedalling (or in Steve’s case navigating)

We arrived at the Wigwam all secretly wishing it was a lovely heated brick built cafe with an inside toilet, but the food was great and we found some very comfy leather armchairs to relax in.

On the way back we deviated from the planned route and headed back via Beckwithshaw, North Rigton and Armscliffe Crag (Dan never knows where he is anyway…)

Jonathan got a puncture just outside Pool and managed to beat the record for the slowest puncture repair on an AIR ride. (Excuses included the tyre being too tight, poor eyesight and I am sure being heckled didn’t help either.)

We rounded off the ride by stopping at The Fox in Bramhope, where we enjoyed a pint and some warm pork scratchings. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day out, the average speed of 12.5mph reflecting the social nature of the ride. Total distance for me was 48 miles with 4000 feet of climbing.