This is the one we had to cancel in July because of bad weather on the day. Ranjit and I are going to run it this weekend with the weather forecast is looking good for Sunday. The HAB website is playing up for me at the moment so it’s going out on Facebook first so please share it other HAB members. Thanks, Barry.

Meet at 9:00am in the car park at The Curious Cow, Harrogate HG3 2AP for a quick chat and a ride briefing, setting off promptly at 9:15am to head up to Reeth (DL11 6TH) for our coffee/breakfast stop. All via a very scenic route: Lofthouse, the reservoirs, through Leyburn, past the army ranges and arriving hopefully before 11:00am just in time to catch breakfast at either the Copper Kettle or of course there are a few choices in Reeth. 

Following coffee, we head out of Reeth for our lunch destination of Kirkby Stephen, through the stunning roads of the Teesdales, up to join the A66 (which was a 2 mile, but now a 10 mile stretch because of a road closure). Through Middleton-in-Teesdale, via Romaldkirk, Egglestone and then onto one of the best biking roads in the country the B6276 which takes us into Brough onto our lunch stop (Kirkby Stephen). We can stop for fuel at the Shell Station on the way into town. The Mulberry Bush cafe is suggested for lunch-just be aware it’s cash only (cashpoint next door), however there are plenty of alternatives available along the main road. There’s a car park on the Market Street and other parking spots along the road.

After lunch, we head over to Hawes via the scenic B6270 along Buttertubs Pass then down into Hawes, taking the A684 all the way into Leyburn and finally finishing the ride with a well-earned ice cream at Brymor Ice Cream Parlour, Jervaulx HG4 4PG (right turn off A6108).

Ride Leader- Ranjit David, TEC-Barry Ring, Distance 136 miles approx. Fuel stop approx 90 miles. Links to GPX file below. Please note it is slightly different to the one put out on Facebook yesterday due to a road closure.

Looking forward to seeing you on the day.

Ranjit.

Meeting at Otley Garden Centre, Pool Road LS21 1DY at 9.00am for a 9.30am depart after a pre-ride briefing. Fuel available nearby at the Shell Garage near the river bridge at Pool, please join the ride with a full tank if possible.

Setting off west and northwards and after an interesting run of approximately 1.5 hrs we take our morning break at the popular Town End Farm Shop Airton, BD23 4BE. Northwards after our morning break up to Kirkby Stephen (fuel stop if necessary) for a fine lunch at Owen’s Farm Shop, Sandwath Farm, Kirkby Stephen CA17 4HE, recommended, with good food and excellent parking.

After lunch it’s back east over Tan Hill to Grinton, Aysgarth, Kettlewell for a final stop to end the official HAB ride at Kilnsey Park, Kilnsey, Skipton BD23 5PS for a last cup of tea.

NB. If the weather deteriorates on us we can modify the route avoiding higher ground and reduce the mileage to compensate.

Ride Leader Brian Lydamore, TEC Chris Armstrong.

Mileage 135 approx.

Social Ride-Out for HAB members only. Associates welcome. If it’s your first time out with the club have a chat with your Observer before joining the ride.

It’s well into September and time for our Harrogate Advanced Bikes Monday evening meeting at Bilton Cricket Club. Official start is at 7.30pm but get there earlier for a chat and a drink. This will be the last chance for an evening Ride-In, weather permitting but currently looking good for Monday. Meet at The Boar’s Head in Ripley at 6.00pm with a prompt set off at 6.15pm for an hour’s ride arriving at BCC approximately 7.15pm.

This month we have a visit from Karl Thornton of North Yorkshire Fire Services with a condensed version of the Biker Down Course. There is plenty of information about the subject below. If you are are planning to attend the meeting please comment at the bottom of this post or contact our new secretary Robert Robinson by emailing: secretary@harrogateadvancedbikes.co.uk.

“If you were the first on the scene of an accident involving a biker, would you know what to do? Would you know who is most at risk, how to protect the area or whether you should remove the helmet of a downed rider”?

“Actions taken in the first few moments after an accident can be crucial in minimising injuries and can make a real difference to the lives of those involved. But there can be some uncertainty about what to do in these situations”.

“Biker Down is a free training course run by bikers for bikers, designed to answer these uncertainties. The course uses the expertise of the emergency services and Road Safety Officers to prepare motorcyclists should the worst happen on the roads”.

Please attend the meeting if you can. It would be excellent to show North Yorkshire Fire Service we are serious about road safety.

Meet at Morrisons car park, Boroughbridge YO51 9UR from 9am for a ride briefing and a prompt start at 9.30am.

From Boroughbridge the route heads for Aldwark toll bridge (still free for bikes) then on to Ampleforth.

Coffee Stop: Ampleforth College Cafe YO62 4EN for a coffee stop.

Following refreshments we head north to the A170 then turning left towards Helmsley to continue north on B1257 to Chop Gate. Turn left on the back road over the hills passed Lordstones, down the other side before a dog leg over the A172 to Hutton Rudby. The route is now predominantly on back roads heading west, over the A19 to East Rounton, Appleton Wiske, Scorton, Brompton-on-Swale and on towards the east of Richmond. We leave Richmond northbound via Gallowgate (NB. no hangings on Wednesdays, but behave yourself anyway).

We now continue north west to join the A66 briefly at Greta Bridge.

After approx. 3km west on A66 – arrive at Cross Lanes Organic Farm Café DL12 9RT for lunch.

After lunch we continue west on A66 but only for around 500m then turning left (signposted Scargill and Reeth) to follow the scenic road to Thwaite, Stang Foot, Langthwaite and following the river down to Reeth.

Now heading east down Swaledale on the B6270 before turning right off the B road to reach the A6108 Richmond to Leyburn road and on through Leyburn centre taking the A684 eastwards. Through Patrick Brompton, Great Crakehall and Bedale before joining the B6285, eastwards and eventually south following the line of the A1M through Burneston, Carthorpe, Melmerby to the T-junction with the A61. Turn right towards Ripon then left before the City boundary towards Sharow. Soon crossing over the A1M to turn left on the A168 south to Boroughbridge.

Route finishes back at Morrisons car park Boroughbridge.

Ride Leader- David Haywood, TEC John Blanchfield.

Route length:  146 miles. Please start with a full tank. Anyone who thinks they may need extra fuel, please advise David before the Start.

GPX file here:

Dear Harrogate Advanced Bikes Members.

I’ve had the sad news that long time HAB member Mike Fourie has passed away peacefully this morning. Mike had been ill for sometime and his last visit to the club was earlier this year when he and Bonnie came to see us off on a ride-out from Ilkley. It was great to see him on that day. Mike was a very active member over the years, acting as social secretary of HAB for a long time and participating in group activities both in the UK and abroad. To me he was always a good friend and a wise counsel when needed.

I’m sure you will share in sending our condolences to Bonnie and the rest of his family.

RIP Mike

Barry Ring.

Sorry these are so late in the day. but here is the outward journey Dragon Road Harrogate to Flamborough Head.

Return journey Flamborough Head to Ripley.

These will also be available on the day on a micro SD card to insert into your Satnav and copy. Speak to Barry.

Harrogate Advanced Bike’s Slow Riding Workshop is back by popular demand and planned for Saturday 30^th August 2025.  Starting 9.30am until 12.00 noon at Tim’s Cafe, Thorpe Arch Trading Estate. Avenue D, Street 5, Nr. Wetherby, LS23 7FE.

Come along and practise your slow manoeuvres in a safe environment and at a level you are comfortable with. HAB Observers will be available for advice.

Breakfast is available at the cafe from 07.30am and open until 2.00pm on Saturdays.

https://www.facebook.com/TimsCafeThorpArch

The sharp-eyed will have noticed the incorrect date on the earlier posting of this ride but it is definitely happening this Sunday 17th.

Also following the recce yesterday some changes were made, particularly to the break stops so here is a copy of the revised post with the details that can also be viewed directly at:

Meet at Harrogate Lorry Park Next to Asda (fuel available) on Dragon Road, Harrogate HG1 5DB from 9.00am with a 9.30am prompt set off after a ride briefing.

Taking the A61 towards Ripon, at Wormald Green turn right to Burton Leonard, right at the village green past Copgrove Hall and through Staveley, Arkendale and onto the A168 Boroughbridge bypass southwards. At the roundabout onto Hunsingore, then Cattal. Turn right before the village, over the traffic lights and bridge towards Tockwith. At the second crossroads turn left on the B1224 towards York. Fork right at Rufforth to Askham Richard, then onto the A64 near Bilborough. Leave the A64 at the Grimston Bar exit signposted for the A166 Bridlington and our morning break stop at The Ballon Tree Farm Shop & Cafe just after Gate Helmsley YO41 1NB.

After our break and continuing on the A166 to Fridaythorpe and turning left just before Seaways Cafe and taking the scenic route on the B1251, then turning left at Sledmere on the B1253. Turning left when we reach the A165 outside Bridlington, take the B1225 all the way to The Headlands Family Cafe at Flamborough Head YO15 1AR where there is free bike parking behind the cafe.

After an ample lunch, returning on the B1255 towards Bridlington, stopping for fuel if necessary. Then the A614, A166 near Driffield, at the York Ring Road take the A64 briefly northwards towards Scarborough and follow the signs for the A1237 to the A59 towards Harrogate. Before we cross the A1 taking the A168 and a left turn back through Arkendale, Ferrensby, Farnham and Scotton to finish at Ripley for an ice cream.

Ride length 155 miles approx. Fuel stop if necessary.

Ride Leader Richard Stembrowicz, TEC Bob Hill.

Outward GPX file of the route.

https://www.myrouteapp.com/route/open/11927716

Homeward GPX file of the route.

https://www.myrouteapp.com/route/open/11927724

We’ve had a few new members join us at Harrogate Advanced Bikes recently. If you see them at meetings or other HAB events please say hello and welcome them to the club.

Thank you for the warm welcome.

I’ve been riding motorcycles for over a decade overseas and recently passed my UK motorcycle licence. I currently ride a Kawasaki Z900. I’m looking forward to getting started with Harrogate Advanced Bikes.

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A bit about my motorcycling: Still relatively new to biking having passed my test in November 2023. I’m finding riding fun but scary, I’ve managed to do quite a few miles on my Hornet and lucky to be living in such a great area for riding. I’ve also enjoyed rides to the Black Forest, Isle of Syke and down to the south of France. Just wish I had more holidays!

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I’ve been riding bikes continuously for fifteen years +now. I had a triumph street triple for years, great fun but not so good on long trips. So I’ve gone down the adventure bike route and recently bought a BMW F750GS with low suspension and low seat, but the jury’s out on it so not sure yet. Recently retired and I want to go further afield with maybe a bit of touring.

I’m not particularly good, but probably not terrible and not as confident as I should be after all these years.  I’ve often thought about doing an Advanced Training Course and now I’ve got time.