Beginners' Bash to Masham

When asked to lead a road ride for the current programme, I thought I would be adventurous and lead an easy ride with the intention of attracting members from other sections as well as possibly new members. Having only received three phone calls, it was with great trepidation that I made my way to Catterick Village. I met up with Margaret White on the way and we were passed by Nigel Beaumont, well he was in his car. As we approached the Green I was reassured by the sight of people in bonny coloured tops extracting wheels from boots of cars. Mountain biker Rob Eveson had arrived for his first ride with the Roadies and Gary Dawes was there confident he could manage the 26 miles. On his way from Northaflerton, Alan Turner had spotted Liz Corner leading a convoy of cyclists heading our way so a good turn out was looking promising. Liz Copsey having only fifty yards to cycle from her home, unusually managed to arrive on time, "this will never do" she thought so she went back home again. Having successfully completed the recent "Roberts Family Family Ride", Phil Wadsworth and his young son Rory were back for more. In fact we had a very good turnout of twenty one cyclists of all ages and abilities.

On Liz's second arrival we made a move heading over the A1 and through Tunstall to join the tank road just south of Scotton to head towards Newton Le Willows. By the time we reached the crossroads it was time for a re-group the "tank turning" lay-by being just about big enough to accommodate us all. This proved to be a bit of a waste of time as by the time all twenty one cyclists had crossed the busy road we were strung out again. We turned right in Newton Le Willows, or at least most of us did. Geoff Wall confirmed he was the back marker so off we sped. Chatting to Jessie Roberts, I asked "your Dad is in front of us isn't he?", "no" was the reply. oops. I doubled back to the village where I asked someone if he had seen a tandem cycling past. He confirmed they had continued straight on a few minutes earlier at a cracking pace, "you'll need to go some to catch them up", oh dear! Now Paul's a bit useful on a bike himself but with his young son, Fergus on the back pounding away on the pedals catching them certainly wouldn't be easy especially as they of course were trying to catch us! Luckily on arriving at the bottom of a steep hill they were just reaching the top and were still within shouting distance. We were at a convenient spot to take another right turn to meet up with the others. All safely back together, we made our way down to Jervaulx Park.

Not only has the foot & mouth crisis forced our mountain bike rides to be cancelled but it also had a disastrous affect on this road ride. The Brymour Ice Cream Parlour and the nearby cafe were both closed, no mid-morning stop I'm afraid. Also closure of some roads forced a slight alteration to the original route. At Jervaulx Park we took the easy option and turned left onto the mainish Leyburn to Masham road, on which we stayed all the way to Masham.

The cafe we visited a few weeks earlier would have been far too small for today's massive turnout so we decided on the Visitor's Centre at the Black Sheep Brewery, you can tell there were a few mountain bikers out on this ride! As we entered the car park we carefully disinfected our tyres and feet on the mats provided. On our mountain bike rides we've often received strange looks as we've entered cafes covered in mud but at least we've never been asked to go through such a thorough cleansing process, obviously the Black Sheep Brewery must have had a visit from the Roadies before!

It was quite a while before we were finally fed and watered but I don't think anyone really minded. The Roberts Family had already set off on a more direct route home. After a stop off at the chocolate shop for Mother's Day presents, at least that was the excuse given, we headed over the bridge before turning left to head up to Crakehall. Refreshed from our stop, we made good progress along this stretch slowed only when we had to negotiate a flood. Luckily the water wasn't quite up to pedal level, well it wasn't on my mountain bike anyway. From Crakehall we cycled through Langthorne and Hackforth. From Hackforth, Ray had a new co-pilot with Lizzie fulfilling her ambition to ride on the back of a tandem. Luckily, after a few dicey moments Lil, riding Lizzie's bike, soon got the hang of having to steer.

On arrival back at Catterick, we had covered 29.4 miles this wasn't far enough for young Rory so I took him on a tour of the village until his computer had clocked thirty miles. Before, during and after the ride there was much whinging and even whispers of mutiny that the ride was longer than the published 26 miles. What you all failed to realise was that it was in fact 26 nautical miles and that 26 nautical miles is equal to 29.9416 statute miles so therefore, apart from Rory, you all failed to complete the full distance! Despite the whinging, everyone seemed to enjoy the day out and hopefully the beginners will now have the confidence to try more road rides. Chris Meek enjoyed herself so much that she promised to attend all future road rides. Thanks to everyone for making it such a good turnout, I've managed to mention most of you (sorry Dave & Ron). Don't forget May sees the start of evening rides, these being another good opportunity for beginners to venture out with the roadies so get "on your bike".

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	Swaledale Outdoor Club

Beginners' Bash to Masham

Dave Neesam