Touring Section ride report, Sat 26/7/14

North York Moors

Sat 26th July 2014

The White Horse of Sutton Bank

Today several of our " Touring Section " members

• Paul Daly
• Pete Horne
• Damien Hill
• and myself Padiham Chris

     set off from the top of Sutton Bank to explore the variety of quiet lanes and steep gradients of the North York Moors.

We took back roads via Rievaulx Abbey towards Helmsley. North towards the head of Bransdale we saw Gillamoor in the early colors of pink and purple Heather and Bilberry, to Farndale. 

Here Blakey Bank beckoned with its continuous false summits. We attacked them.

Blakey Bank

On Blakey Ridge we resisted temptation of fine fayre and sparkling ales at The Lion in the near 30 degree C midday sun, to descend into Eskdale.

Over Danby Rigg and down to Rosedale Abbey for lunch.

 Danby Rigg (sign for a cholesterol sandwich??)

Chimney Bank came and went steeply and left us with a long decent to Hutton-le Hole.

Rosedale Chimney

South into Rydale on unclassified roads to Hovingham, Coxwold, Kilburn and the sting in the swishing tail of White Horse Bank. We enjoyed refreshments at the Gliding Club Cafe.

"Im Learning to Fly, but I aint got wings!

And coming down, is the hardest thing!" 

 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Brilliant day! Good practice out of the saddle!

Chris Smith