Birthday Beginners' Bash

To celebrate our first birthday as an Official Section members were invited to join us on a Beginners' Ride. Only three first timers accepted the invite (miserable lot). Alison was keen enough to drive up from York for her first ride with us. Steve finally gave in to my emails and came along bringing Peter from the Canoeing Section. We had a total of eleven meeting at Reeth Market Place but unfortunately only nine bikes. Judith and Julie's were locked in Julie's car and she had accidentally (so she says) snapped her car key in the lock. Good of them to drive up to Reeth to tell us though.

We headed along the road to Grinton where we started off-road along the bridleways and tracks that follow the south bank of the Swale to Gunnerside. The recent rain had left our route at best boggy, at worst flooded. It was good to see work has started on repairing the section of bridleway that was washed away before I even started mountain biking, hopefully it will be finished in time for our next visit.

On arriving at our first escape route at Scabba Wath Bridge, although wet everyone was still smiling so we carried on along Low Lane to Isles Bridge. We were all still smiling so after a short rest we began our final push for our target destination, the cafe at Gunnerside. Dubbing Gareth Lane has had a lot of repair work done to it but unfortunately we couldn't see most of it due to a lot of standing water. While most of us tried to avoid the deep bits, Peter ploughed straight through. I'm not sure if, being a canoeist, he felt more at home in the water or if by this stage he was past caring!

By the time we reached Gunnerside both the beginners and the more experienced cyclists were glad of the chance of a rest out of the rain. Needless to say we were horrified to see our favourite cafe was closed, ah well the pub opposite was open. Whilst in the pub we unanimously voted for the easy route back to Reeth along the main road. This route you can free wheel most of the way which of course makes it easier but also means as you're just sat there whizzing along at quite high speeds you can soon feel cold. I read somewhere that people suffering from hypothermia think they are too warm and start taking their clothes off and sure enough this was the seen as nine mountain bikers did a strip in the middle of Reeth Market Place.

Hopefully the rain didn't dampen the spirits of the newcomers and we will see them out on future rides. I have to include a quote from Rosie, who has only been coming out with us since Christmas and hasn't quite grasped the mountain biking terminology as yet. Whilst cycling back to Reeth, Rosie stated "Peter, your front tyre is looking a bit podgy".

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	Swaledale Outdoor Club

Birthday Beginners' Bash

Dave Neesam