Beginners' Ride

The thunderstorms we experienced on the Saturday had me worried that my Beginner's Ride would be flooded out as was my last ride but as I arrived at Reeth there were blue skies and the temperature was soaring. Although I had publicised this event in the regional press and pestered everyone with e-mails (did anyone notice the cycle bell ringing in the background as you read my e-mail, it took me hours to do that), I hadn't received many phone calls. As it happens there was quite a good turnout. Just after I arrived the Woods family appeared, mother and daughter were off walking while Duncan and son Matthew joined us. The next arrival, who is certainly not new to the SOC but it's his first time out with the Mountain Biking Section, was Vic Parkinson. Next were regulars Marianne and Derek Pybus. I wasn't expecting any more, so was pleasantly surprised when Neil Stanton arrived with son and daughter James and Sarah. As the section grows I now have to include surnames to avoid confusion, in fact we've had over fifty different cyclists on our rides during the last twelve months, the majority returning for more!

As we waited for any late arrivals, Vic nervously inspected everyone's bikes to see if they had more gears than his. We set off along the road as far as Grinton where we turned right past the church, up the hill then another right turn to join the bridleway that takes you upstream along the south bank of the Swale. The first stretch was fairly easy going across grass fields, the youngsters setting the early pace. As we reached the riverbank the going got trickier particularly at the point where the path has all but disappeared through erosion. Here we had to carry the bikes. With all safely through the difficult bit, Derek was horrified to see Marianne tumble down the riverbank towards the river below. He only managed to regain his composure once he discovered that remarkably no damage had been done to Marianne's new bike.

We now faced the steep grassy climb up to the Grinton/Askrigg road. This will sort the men out from the boys I thought and I was right but these youngsters must tire eventually. Next was a leisurely ride along tarmac to Low Whita where we headed off-road again along Low Lane. This stretch has suffered quite badly from the recent floods, leaving holes just big enough for a mountain bike to fall into. Even so with our young pace setters leading us on we soon arrived at Isles Bridge. Isles Bridge could, if needed, have been used as an escape route back to Reeth but not today.

Still staying close to the river we rode along Dubbing Garth Lane (no I don't make these names up, look at your O.S. map if you don't believe me). Our final tricky bit before reaching Gunnerside Bridge was another steep climb this time on gravel. Sarah was doing well up this climb until blown off her bike by the wind draft from Vic as he sped up the hill keen to get to the cafe.

The cafe at Gunnerside gave us a well earned break. Matthew's first choice from the menu was prawn sandwiches but when told real mountain bikers do not eat prawn sandwiches, he changed his order to a bacon butty, the lad's learning. As the cafe was busy, it was a long time before we were finally fed but nobody seemed to mind as we chatted away happy in the knowledge that the tough half of the ride was over.

As none of us had lights we finally made a move returning to Reeth along the main road down Swaledale. Refuelled by his bacon butty and can of Tango, there was no holding Matthew back, he was off like a shot. James and I worked as a chasing pack (guess who's been watching the Tour de France) to reel him back in. Watching Matthew's legs going ten to the dozen, I suggested he tried a higher gear, he rode the last five miles to Reeth in top (or as he put it `Number 24')!

As you read this report you may accuse me of being a little patronising towards the younger members present (no I don't mean Vic) but when you consider the average speed for this ride was 8 mph. and to my knowledge (i.e. since I got my fancy on board computer thingy) the only off-road ride to better this was Barbara's Durham ride along easy flat old railway lines, so there!

Thanks very much to those who turned up particularly those who were first timers. When asked, everyone said they had enjoyed the ride and would like to come on any similar rides in the future. So there you are organise a Beginner's/Junior's ride for the next programme and you already have nine keen volunteers.

As always thanks must go to the ride leader, hang about I've just checked in the programme and I see I was supposed to be the leader but on the day it was Matthew who was always at the front. Of course I could have overtaken him if I'd wanted to, I just didn't feel like it.

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	Swaledale Outdoor Club

Beginners' Ride

Dave Neesam