Trainspotting

By 11.00am on Sun. 2nd. July, a total of six cyclists had gathered at Kirkbymoorside for Liz's latest ride, which was rather unfortunate as the ride was to begin at Pickering! After getting lost in Pickering we eventually arrived at our starting point, the station at Newbridge on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Alan Turner, who didn't get lost, had taken the only parking space so we continued over the level crossing reducing the length of our ride by half a mile. Eventually Alan arrived having had to patiently wait while Sir Nigel Gresley crossed the road!

Liz has very kindly lent me her map so I can write a full description of the route but I'm sat here staring at it and can't work out where we went. Anyway, I think we set off along the bridleway that runs parallel with the railway line. Geoff Wall had already mentioned that he must use up the film in his camera and sure enough at the sound of a whistle from a passing steam train out came his camera on numerous occasions but he never took a single picture of us. Further along we came to a long descent, although very rough this didn't deter James (Geoff's son) who sped off like a steam train, appropriately. At the bottom there was a rather familiar hissing noise coming from his front tyre. The tube had ripped away from the valve. With new tube installed, we were on our way again.

After negotiating a very interesting track which involved winding your way around rocks without riding into the mud, Liz found us a very nice spot for our lunch. Whilst eating our sandwiches we discussed such topics as petrol taxation and organic farming. After lunch we crossed the railway at Levisham Station and climbed the steep hill on the other side. At the top of the hill we turned onto the bridleway that runs down Newton Dale to Farwath. I remember this bit because this is where Liz fell off. At the sounding of the arrival of the Sir Nigel Gresley out came Geoff's camera again. For those who don't already know and didn't pick up on the clues at the beginning of this article, Sir Nigel Gresley is a steam locomotive, one of those streamlined ones like the Mallard (as in railway engine not duck).

Further down the line the going got muddy, not to everyone's liking. Nigel had yet again made the wrong tyre choice and wasn't enjoying the mud at all. The final straw being when his left shoe disappeared. We now know why he's splashed out on a new lightweight bike, so he can throw it further!

Thanks Liz, I for one thoroughly enjoyed the ride the only disappointment for me was that the cafe was closed. Instead we all drove into Pickering for tea and cake.

	Search this site powered by FreeFind
	Swaledale Outdoor Club

Trainspotting

Dave Neesam