We all met up again at Kirkby Overblow and decided to finish riding for the day. Although it was only 20 miles there were a few challenging hills and despite the rain, it was good to get out on our bikes.

Seven took up Bill’s suggestion of a longer ride to Boroughbridge. The usual cafés were already full of wet cyclists, so the group settled down at Morrisons while the rain fell relentlessly outside. The possibility of an extra loop was raised but rapidly dismissed in favour of a direct return ride home through Minskip, Copgrove and Knaresborough.

On Saturday, week eight of the 0-30 project, nine riders set out to Pannal, Follifoot, and Knaresborough. The first 8 miles took a while due to some mechanical problems and a puncture. So after the cafe stop we circled Knaresborough on the lanes and then returned up the Beryl Burton Way, where a fall resulted in some bad bruising but thankfully no broken bones or lessening of enthusiasm by the rider to complete the project. Despite this the mileage is increasing, and a comfortable 20 miles is well within sight. Two new riders, a mother and daughter from Skipton went separately with Malcolm and followed a more direct route to Knaresborough, where they reached the cafe just in time to catch the main group before they left, and then returned directly along the Beryl Burton, just a few minutes before the incident described above. They both tackled the hills with confidence and are clearly well able to graduate to the longer distances they want to achieve on a cycling holiday booked for later in the year.

Enjoy cycling with Wheel Easy every Sunday and Wednesday, Saturday ‘0-30 in 3 months’ and other rides, all starting at Hornbeam Railway Station. For details, visit www.wheel-easy.org.uk or call 07711 294265. Membership £3 p.a.