Alan Beattie's Ride to Stump Cross Caverns 6th January 2024

The first T5 ride of the year was well attended with 10 riders.

Alan Beattie, Chris Otter, Mike Walker, Chris Hoare, John Cowles, Pete Tidball, Andrew Pratt, Jezz Manning, Phil Marshall, Andrew Curtis.

Forecast for the day was a maximum temperature of 6c sunshine and no rain.

Drivers briefing took place with an overview of the route which would take familiar roads via Wetherby/Sicklinghall/Otley over to Langbar to the first stop.

This had changed to The Abbey Tea Rooms at Bolton Abbey, as the planned stop being Fewston Farm shop was closed until the 10th Jan.

From there we would take a route circling Ilkley Moor /Skipton to Stump cross Caverns for Lunch. Chris Otter Volunteered to be back marker for the day.

We all set off taking a right turn from Squires heading to Tadcaster.

On arriving at Tadcaster lights it was clear that the group had already got held up as only Andrew & John were behind me, as there was no vehicle behind us at the lights I remained stationary on a couple of lights change to see if they would catch up?

I had a call from Mike saying he was still marking the right turn to Saxton awaiting the rest of the riders and back marker, then a call from Jezz also waiting at the next junction.

I pulled over in Tadcaster to establish what had happen? after a few calls it was established we had lost the back marker!

Unfortunately Chris had got a puncture on leaving Squires with instant pressure loss just under the bridge.(Jezz also had a puncture on the last ride)

Chris & Pete therefore proceeded to repair the puncture and after a few calls all 8 remaining riders re-grouped in Tadcaster, continuing to Bolton Abbey with Phil taking up back marker position.

Chris and Pete were to take an alternative route hopefully, once the repair was completed.

Arriving at Bolton Abbey we all enjoyed the delayed comfort break!

Fortunately the puncture repair was a success, Chris & Pete arrived at the Tea Rooms within10 minutes of us arriving.

Suitably refreshed all 10 of us set off to Stump Cross Caverns heading via Ilkley.

On reaching Ilkley we took the Main Street passing Bettys Tea Rooms, which had an extremely long queue outside. (not a T&P for us as no parking!}

We circled the moor heading to Silsden on interesting scenic roads, abiding to the 20-30 mph speed limits, over the many speed humps on the initial section.

After reaching Silsden we then headed towards Lothersdale and Elslack over the tops on excellent flowing roads with spectacular views.

On reaching the A56 we took a right turn, then onto the A59 for a short while, taking a left at Broughton proceeding on the enjoyable roads to Gargrave/Craceco/Grassington to Stump Cross Caverns.

Nine of us arrived at Stump Cross as Andrew peeled off home on route.

After enjoying a slightly later than planned lunch at the Caverns Chris Otter took the lead back towards York, with all riders peeling off towards home.

No U turns for the day?

Unless we count the detour around Wetherby with a short trip on the A1M, as I took the wrong junction at Boston Spa roundabout!

Thanks to everyone for a great turn out, hope you enjoyed the first ride of 2024 and thanks to Phil for back marker duties.