5 AIR riders met at Rawdon on an unusually mild February morning, Dom, Dan, Ryan, John and myself heading over to meet Ian, Chris, Jonathan & Nick at Shadwell.

Shortly after setting off, we witnessed the worst bit of road rage between two drivers I have seen in years !!  Just glad it was not aimed at us.

45 minutes later we met the others, this was Chris’s first ride in a number of months following recovery from an injury.

A steady pace was adopted, out via Bramham to Tadcaster and the Lemon Tree Cafe, Ian not being able to resist visit to the cycle shop next door.

The cafe stop conversion centering on Jonathan’s astonishment that someone would diagnose him as Pre Diabetic, you either are or are not, being the general consensus.

Heading back in warming sunshine via Clifton to Scarcroft the groups split, as Ian heading for a rendezvous in Otley, pushing on with Dan, John & Ryan.

As it turned out it was fortuitous as Nick picked up a very large thorn in his tire, debating whether to remove it or leave it as the tire was still inflated.

After deciding to leave it in we carried on at an even steadier pace, Chris & Jonathan leaving us at Shadwell. Dom, Nick & I nervously heading for Rawdon.

And yes Nick made it home to mend his tube in the comfort of home.

As it turned out John also suffered the same thorny fate but also making it home.

A steady and enjoyable ride.

All in all, 46.5 miles and 2500 ft for me.

Cheers Alan