A Stroll up the Stang

For my first attempt at leading a road ride I chose an 11.00am start, which was ideal as the previous evening I was dancing through human arches etc till the early hours of the morning at the club’s Dinner Dance. Unfortunately due to the excitement of leading my first ride, I became a little confused and rode up to Richmond in time for a 10.30 start.

Pete, the Tree Surgeon, also arrived early as he had been to have a look at the tree he was due to operate on the next day. Next to arrive was Gary, shortly followed by Roland who took one look at the car park ticket machine and drove off. No car parking fee for Liz, she arrived on her bike. Finally Roland returned with bike only and we were away.

We were soon into our first climb taking us to the top of Barrack Hill, past the golf course and then downhill to Kirby Hill. From there we followed the undulating route through Newsham and Barningham to Thwaite. Here we turned left for the bit everybody had been looking forward to, the climb up The Stang. As if the severe gradient wasn’t bad enough, we also had the problem of slushy snow particularly at the hairpin. Gary also had trouble with his small ring, funny he used the same excuse when on his mountain bike at the Sutton Bank ride the previous weekend. At the top we were treated to superb views of the surrounding hills partly covered in snow.

Next came the welcome relief of the very long descent into Arkengarthdale. After turning left at the C.B., it was no time at all till we were in Reeth deciding which cafe to go to. We chose the one at the Reeth Bakery, which turned out to be a very good choice. The food was excellent with two freshly baked rolls each with our soup and an enormous pot of tea between us. Then, when Roland sweetened his tea with salt, another pot of tea was brought out.

Before we started out comments were made about the ride being only 35 miles long but when I offered a choice of routes back to Richmond there was a unanimous decision in favour of the easy main road rather than the hilly top road through Marske.

Thanks to those who turned up, it would have been no where near as much fun cycling round on my own. The main ingredients of a good ride are fine weather and a good cafe stop, we had both so hopefully everybody enjoyed the ride.

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	Swaledale Outdoor Club

A Stroll up the Stang

Dave Neesam