Yorkshire Holiday June 12th - 24th 2016. By Roy Jackson
Rathmell 11th - 18th June
Saturday 11th June.
Sue and John M, Maurice and John R, and Roy left Braithwaite in convoy at 1.45 pm. Steve Lunt wasn't able to join them because of a dental problem.
They travelled by the M6 and A65 to Settle then turned right to the self catering cottages at Rathmell.
On arrival Bob from Manchester, Dave from London, Maggie and Stewart were already there, Very comfortable accommodation in two cottages with a connecting door.
A good meal was eaten in, with a very good meat and potato pie baked by Shirley, and shepherd’s pie and scones baked by Mavis.
Then football was watched on TV followed by a DVD of the Six Day Yorkshire tour provided by John M.
Sunday 12th June
The day started cloudy and damp, improving later both John’s, Sue, Maggie, Stewart and Bob left at 8.45 am to ride 17 miles to Whalley.
John M on his Hill Special went to take part in the Hill Special Classic Lightweight 25 mile ride in the Ribble Valley, organised by the Veteran Cycling Club.
The brochure described the route as "undulating" when the group returned about 4 pm they described it as hilly having done 48 miles in total.
Maurice, Dave and Roy left about 10.15 am riding to Settle to enquire about bar meal prices, only to find all the pubs were shut.
After tea and cake in the Dales Tea Room they returned to Rathmell, and then rode in the opposite direction to Wigglesworth for a drink, when Maurice enquired about food.
The barmaid provided a large basket of chips and a big plate full of bread and butter to make chip butties.
They returned to Rathmell at 3.50 pm after a gruelling 12 miles.
Monday 13th June
Overcast but dry, the group all left together, first to Settle, then to Kirkby Malham over a very long climb rising to 1250ft, causing some riders to take their bikes for a walk.
From Kirkby Malham the route took them to Malham for lunch at the Old Barn Cafe,
except Dave and Bob who chose the Buck Inn.
After another climb, the group split up at a road junction near Malham Tarn, Maggie and Stewart choosing Littondale, and returning via Stainforth.
Roy, Sue and John and John R going to Malham Tarn and the Field Study Centre, where Sue and John went into the office and made contact with Janet at the Blencathra Centre.
Then a short climb, where heavy rain started just as they began a very steep wet descent to Langcliffe and Settle with a visit to Booths to stock up with food.
The rest of the group went back to Settle, then to Rathmell, Maurice, Dave and Bob stopped for coffee in Settle, causing them to get caught in the rain, the group ate in again.
Tuesday 14th June
Overcast and warm, the all group left at 10 am, riding to Wigglesworth, then pleasant country lanes, crossing the A65 to Otterburn, then to Airton, with a coffee stop at Townhead Farm cafe.
Then more lanes, with few hills and no wind to Eshton and Gargrave for lunch at the Dalesman cafe.
Then over the river to Bank Newton, then a short stretch on the A682, then turning left to cross over the River Ribble to Halton West, Wigglesworth and Rathmell.
The group ate out in Settle, with a good meal at the Talbot Hotel.
Wednesday 15th June
Warm sunshine, Maurice and Dave had a rest day and did some shopping.
Maggie and Stewart left early to go to Ribblehead, they had coffee at the cafe where people register when doing the Three Peaks, then on to Ingleton, Clapham, Lawkland and Giggleswick.
The rest of the group set off in warm sunshine along country lanes to Eldroth, and on to Clapham, where they stopped for lunch at Croft Cafe.
There were two other cyclists in the cafe who ridden from Heysham, just as the group finished lunch Maggie and Stewart arrived for their lunch.
Leaving Clapham over the river and a long climb with several false summits to Austwick and Settle.
At Settle a stop was made to look at the house built in the water tank at the station, featured on 'Grand Designs' back to Rathmell at 3.30 pm.
Thursday 16th June
Roy, Stewart and Maggie set of together, doing a very long climb to Tosside on the edge of Gisburn Forest, with panoramic views from the summit.
Then turning up a track into the forest to the mountain biking centre to have lunch at the cafe.
From there to Bolton-by-Bowland and a visit to the church, then back via Wigglesworth where they joined Dave and Bob for a drink outside the Plough Inn.
The rest of the group headed for Gargrave, via Airton and Eshton, a fish and chip lunch at Gargrave, where the group also watched a canal boat going through the lock.
Return via Bank Newton and Wigglesworth.
Friday 17th June
Bob rode alone to see Ribblehead Viaduct, returning via Ingleton and Clapham
Dave and Maurice went to Settle for lunch and back again.
John and Sue, and John R and Roy set of to visit John M's home town of Padiham, via Wigglesworth and Sawley.
Stopping in Whalley for lunch at the Toby Jug cafe newly re-opened after being flooded to a depth of 4ff 6ins.
Then to Padiham where John showed us his old house, then a hard climb up the Nick of Pendle from Sabden.
Then onto Downham, Sawley and Bolton by Bowland where a stop was made to visit the church, then via Wigglesworth back to Rathmell.
Maggie and Stewart did a similar ride going over the Nick of Pendle from the Clitheroe side returning via Barnoldswick.
Saturday 18th June
Overcast and warm, Maurice and John R left first to go straight home, Maggie and Stewart went to York to spend the night in their camper van at the rally.
John and Sue went to Brandsby via Skipton to meet some friends.
Bob, Dave and Roy drove in convoy straight to Brandsby, Janet and Ivan arrived shortly after.
They were followed by Dianne who had cycled from fifteen miles out have been dropped off by John.
Ann and Derek from Nottingham arrived about 5.30 pm, the group ate in, then had a drink at the White Bear at Stillington.
Brandsby 19th - 25th June
Sunday 19th June
The group at Warren House rode together down the hill to meet the others, and then all rode to York.
The group split up to see the rally, re-grouping at 3.30 pm to ride back, stopping on the outskirts of York for something to eat, at The Sidings a restaurant in two old dinning cars.
The group arrived back at the accommodation to find Sue and Paul had arrived, also Steve Lunt, having recovered from his dental problem.
Monday 20th June
Dave decided to do his own thing, and the rest of the group rode to the Lavender Farm at Terrington for coffee, stopping to put on waterproofs on the way.
Then onto Coneysthorpe where the entrance to Castle Howard could be seen, then on to Malton for lunch, and some shopping for the evening meal.
Then south to Westow, over the River Derwent to Barton le Willows, crossing the A64 to Thornton le Clay, then Sherriff Hutton, Whenby to Brandsby.
Tuesday 21st June
Overcast and warm the group rode to Stillington then Farlington, then Sutton in the Forest, passing quite a few fields full of poppies.
Then Tollerton Alne, then Easingwold for lunch.
Then a climb up onto the ridge in the Edwardian Hills, to Yearsly then to Brandsby.
Wednesday 22nd June
The all group left together through the lanes to Nunnington Hall, to have coffee in the garden accompanied by peacocks and peahens.
Then to Hemsley for lunch, some in the cafe some in the pub.
After a visit to Hemsley Castle, more lanes to Wombleton and afternoon tea in Hovingham, then back to Brandsby.
Thursday 23rd June
Warm and sunny, the group set of for the Lavender Farm, stopping on the way to see the City of Troy Viking Maze the only one left in the North of England.
Then onto Castle Howard, Roy, Sue, Paul, Ivan and Janet, Ann and Steve spent the afternoon looking round the grounds.
Dianne spent her time looking round the house, they returned by the same route.
Bob, Dave, Sue and John set of to spend the day at York Railway Museum, but ended up spending the day at the electric bike shop, trying them out, Dave placed an order for one.
In the evening the group had a very good dinner at the White Bear at Stillington, the rest of the evening spent watching the TV coverage of the EU referendum.
Friday 24th June
Janet and Ivan went to Nunnington Hall to look round the house, Dianne spent time at Crayke Manor art centre, Ann and Derek left to go home.
Roy rode alone to Ampleforth Priory, the others went for a short ride, and Sue and Paul left for home in the evening.
Saturday 25th June
The group disappeared to find their own ways home, Dianne traveling with Roy
.
Rathmell 11th - 18th June
Saturday 11th June.
Sue and John M, Maurice and John R, and Roy left Braithwaite in convoy at 1.45 pm. Steve Lunt wasn't able to join them because of a dental problem.
They travelled by the M6 and A65 to Settle then turned right to the self catering cottages at Rathmell.
On arrival Bob from Manchester, Dave from London, Maggie and Stewart were already there, Very comfortable accommodation in two cottages with a connecting door.
A good meal was eaten in, with a very good meat and potato pie baked by Shirley, and shepherd’s pie and scones baked by Mavis.
Then football was watched on TV followed by a DVD of the Six Day Yorkshire tour provided by John M.
Sunday 12th June
The day started cloudy and damp, improving later both John’s, Sue, Maggie, Stewart and Bob left at 8.45 am to ride 17 miles to Whalley.
John M on his Hill Special went to take part in the Hill Special Classic Lightweight 25 mile ride in the Ribble Valley, organised by the Veteran Cycling Club.
The brochure described the route as "undulating" when the group returned about 4 pm they described it as hilly having done 48 miles in total.
Maurice, Dave and Roy left about 10.15 am riding to Settle to enquire about bar meal prices, only to find all the pubs were shut.
After tea and cake in the Dales Tea Room they returned to Rathmell, and then rode in the opposite direction to Wigglesworth for a drink, when Maurice enquired about food.
The barmaid provided a large basket of chips and a big plate full of bread and butter to make chip butties.
They returned to Rathmell at 3.50 pm after a gruelling 12 miles.
Monday 13th June
Overcast but dry, the group all left together, first to Settle, then to Kirkby Malham over a very long climb rising to 1250ft, causing some riders to take their bikes for a walk.
From Kirkby Malham the route took them to Malham for lunch at the Old Barn Cafe,
except Dave and Bob who chose the Buck Inn.
After another climb, the group split up at a road junction near Malham Tarn, Maggie and Stewart choosing Littondale, and returning via Stainforth.
Roy, Sue and John and John R going to Malham Tarn and the Field Study Centre, where Sue and John went into the office and made contact with Janet at the Blencathra Centre.
Then a short climb, where heavy rain started just as they began a very steep wet descent to Langcliffe and Settle with a visit to Booths to stock up with food.
The rest of the group went back to Settle, then to Rathmell, Maurice, Dave and Bob stopped for coffee in Settle, causing them to get caught in the rain, the group ate in again.
Tuesday 14th June
Overcast and warm, the all group left at 10 am, riding to Wigglesworth, then pleasant country lanes, crossing the A65 to Otterburn, then to Airton, with a coffee stop at Townhead Farm cafe.
Then more lanes, with few hills and no wind to Eshton and Gargrave for lunch at the Dalesman cafe.
Then over the river to Bank Newton, then a short stretch on the A682, then turning left to cross over the River Ribble to Halton West, Wigglesworth and Rathmell.
The group ate out in Settle, with a good meal at the Talbot Hotel.
Wednesday 15th June
Warm sunshine, Maurice and Dave had a rest day and did some shopping.
Maggie and Stewart left early to go to Ribblehead, they had coffee at the cafe where people register when doing the Three Peaks, then on to Ingleton, Clapham, Lawkland and Giggleswick.
The rest of the group set off in warm sunshine along country lanes to Eldroth, and on to Clapham, where they stopped for lunch at Croft Cafe.
There were two other cyclists in the cafe who ridden from Heysham, just as the group finished lunch Maggie and Stewart arrived for their lunch.
Leaving Clapham over the river and a long climb with several false summits to Austwick and Settle.
At Settle a stop was made to look at the house built in the water tank at the station, featured on 'Grand Designs' back to Rathmell at 3.30 pm.
Thursday 16th June
Roy, Stewart and Maggie set of together, doing a very long climb to Tosside on the edge of Gisburn Forest, with panoramic views from the summit.
Then turning up a track into the forest to the mountain biking centre to have lunch at the cafe.
From there to Bolton-by-Bowland and a visit to the church, then back via Wigglesworth where they joined Dave and Bob for a drink outside the Plough Inn.
The rest of the group headed for Gargrave, via Airton and Eshton, a fish and chip lunch at Gargrave, where the group also watched a canal boat going through the lock.
Return via Bank Newton and Wigglesworth.
Friday 17th June
Bob rode alone to see Ribblehead Viaduct, returning via Ingleton and Clapham
Dave and Maurice went to Settle for lunch and back again.
John and Sue, and John R and Roy set of to visit John M's home town of Padiham, via Wigglesworth and Sawley.
Stopping in Whalley for lunch at the Toby Jug cafe newly re-opened after being flooded to a depth of 4ff 6ins.
Then to Padiham where John showed us his old house, then a hard climb up the Nick of Pendle from Sabden.
Then onto Downham, Sawley and Bolton by Bowland where a stop was made to visit the church, then via Wigglesworth back to Rathmell.
Maggie and Stewart did a similar ride going over the Nick of Pendle from the Clitheroe side returning via Barnoldswick.
Saturday 18th June
Overcast and warm, Maurice and John R left first to go straight home, Maggie and Stewart went to York to spend the night in their camper van at the rally.
John and Sue went to Brandsby via Skipton to meet some friends.
Bob, Dave and Roy drove in convoy straight to Brandsby, Janet and Ivan arrived shortly after.
They were followed by Dianne who had cycled from fifteen miles out have been dropped off by John.
Ann and Derek from Nottingham arrived about 5.30 pm, the group ate in, then had a drink at the White Bear at Stillington.
Brandsby 19th - 25th June
Sunday 19th June
The group at Warren House rode together down the hill to meet the others, and then all rode to York.
The group split up to see the rally, re-grouping at 3.30 pm to ride back, stopping on the outskirts of York for something to eat, at The Sidings a restaurant in two old dinning cars.
The group arrived back at the accommodation to find Sue and Paul had arrived, also Steve Lunt, having recovered from his dental problem.
Monday 20th June
Dave decided to do his own thing, and the rest of the group rode to the Lavender Farm at Terrington for coffee, stopping to put on waterproofs on the way.
Then onto Coneysthorpe where the entrance to Castle Howard could be seen, then on to Malton for lunch, and some shopping for the evening meal.
Then south to Westow, over the River Derwent to Barton le Willows, crossing the A64 to Thornton le Clay, then Sherriff Hutton, Whenby to Brandsby.
Tuesday 21st June
Overcast and warm the group rode to Stillington then Farlington, then Sutton in the Forest, passing quite a few fields full of poppies.
Then Tollerton Alne, then Easingwold for lunch.
Then a climb up onto the ridge in the Edwardian Hills, to Yearsly then to Brandsby.
Wednesday 22nd June
The all group left together through the lanes to Nunnington Hall, to have coffee in the garden accompanied by peacocks and peahens.
Then to Hemsley for lunch, some in the cafe some in the pub.
After a visit to Hemsley Castle, more lanes to Wombleton and afternoon tea in Hovingham, then back to Brandsby.
Thursday 23rd June
Warm and sunny, the group set of for the Lavender Farm, stopping on the way to see the City of Troy Viking Maze the only one left in the North of England.
Then onto Castle Howard, Roy, Sue, Paul, Ivan and Janet, Ann and Steve spent the afternoon looking round the grounds.
Dianne spent her time looking round the house, they returned by the same route.
Bob, Dave, Sue and John set of to spend the day at York Railway Museum, but ended up spending the day at the electric bike shop, trying them out, Dave placed an order for one.
In the evening the group had a very good dinner at the White Bear at Stillington, the rest of the evening spent watching the TV coverage of the EU referendum.
Friday 24th June
Janet and Ivan went to Nunnington Hall to look round the house, Dianne spent time at Crayke Manor art centre, Ann and Derek left to go home.
Roy rode alone to Ampleforth Priory, the others went for a short ride, and Sue and Paul left for home in the evening.
Saturday 25th June
The group disappeared to find their own ways home, Dianne traveling with Roy
.