Happy St Patrick’s Day to you all. Hope you are looking forward to our Sunday 17th March Ride Out. Although this is a relatively long ride (150miles) it will take us through some amazing scenery and incredible biking roads in North Yorkshire and County Durham. Take care as it is easy to look at the scenery when you should be looking at the road (and vice versa). The ride will start at Morrisons, Boroughbridge YO51 9UR. Meet from 9.00, briefing at 9.15, departing 9.30. Please arrive with full
tanks (refuel at 100 miles). Leaving via the town centre over the bridge, turning right and right again heading for Cundall. After winding our way through Topcliffe we will shortly arrive at Skipton-on-Swale then turn right onto the superb B6267 to Masham and on the A6108 through Leyburn, stopping for our mid-morning break at the ever-popular Manor Farm Biker Cafe in Bellerby (25miles) DL8 5QH.

From Bellerby northwards to Richmond along the back route, crossing the bridge into town, then on through to Gilling West crossing the A66 and north to Staindrop. From Staindrop North West to Middleton-in-Teesdale (75 Miles) for lunch at one of the several cafes or even the chip shop. Leaving Middleton in Teesdale, crossing the bridge and traveling down the famous B6276 to Brough, then into Kirkby Stephan (100miles) to the fuel stop for those in need (second garage is cheaper!). From here it’s left at the lights and down through the Mallerstang Valley on the B6259 turning Left on to the A624 at the Moorcock Inn to Hawes.
At Hawes it is over the tops to Deepdale, Yockenthwaite, Buckden and Kettlewell before turning left through Grassington to finish the ride at Stump Cross Caverns HG3 5JL. Please note that this ride is high altitude route and could be difficult in icy conditions. Should this be the case and we need to cancel we will publish a cancellation notice on our Facebook page by 8am on the morning of the ride. Looking forward to seeing you at Morrisons, Boroughbridge.

Bob Hill and Andy Pratt.

Join your Harrogate Advanced Club mates for our monthly meeting at Bilton Cricket Club. Get there from 7.00pm for a chat with official business starting at 7.30pm. Once again this month we are happy to have a Guest Speaker, Ian Garnett. Full members, Associates and riders interested in taking the IAM Roadsmart Rider Course are welcome.

It’s well into March already and the Touring Season is fast approaching. You’ve not done it or done it all, got many t-shirts but there’s always something new to learn. Whatever you’re touring experience, Ian (Alf) Garnett, seasoned Advanced Rider Trainer/Examiner/ Masters Mentor and Motorrad Tour Leader is joining us for a Touring Workshop. Many HAB members will know or know of retired RAF Wing Commander”Alf” Garnett and even if you don’t it’ll be worth you coming along this evening, so don’t miss it.

Our usual sandwich and pork pie buffet will follow.

Let’s hope to the weather will be kind and more of us can turn up on our Bikes.

Images courtesy of Ian Garnett. https://www.agridertraining.co.uk/about.php

Hi Folks,

The social ride out on Wednesday 6^th March is approximately 147 miles starting outside Ripley Ice Cream (HG3 3EX) and heading off through Masham & Leyburn for breakfast at the Two Dales Bakery in Reeth (DL11 6SP). Thereafter continue through Barnard Castle and across Weardale to Stanhope, Healeyfield and onto Wolsingham stopping for lunch at The Country Tea Shop in Staindrop (DL2 3NB). The final leg of the route takes us past Darlington and through Northallerton & finishing at Morrisons in Boroughbridge (YO51 9UR) at around 4pm. 

Meet outside Ripley Ice Cream at 9.15 for a 9.30am start and return to Morrisons at Boroughbridge at 4pm. Ride Leader Derek Saunders, TEC David Haywood.

gpx file of route –https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/8679369?mode=share

Usual caveat with the weather, if it’s grim and I decide to cancel I will post it on FB before 8am on the Wednesday morning so be sure to check before leaving home.

PLEASE NOTE: If you intend to join this social ride out and it will be your first HAB ride out, please e-mail beforehand. ds55dcs@outlook.com.

Sorry folks, we’ve been overwhelmed with demand for this trip and it is now fully booked. I’m very sorry if you missed out this time.

David Haywood

As in recent years we are organising another 2-night trip into the Scottish Borders. This year marks a return to the Auld Cross Keys Inn in Denholm (nr Hawick). The hotel provides great accommodation with excellent food for breakfast (included) and evening meals as well as being well placed for exploring the north east Borders and Northumberland.

Note this trip will replace the regular ‘First Wednesday in the Month’ Ride Out for May.

Auld Cross Keys Inn, Denholm TD9 8NU, Weds/Thurs nights 8/9th May. Twin rooms to share are available along with a (limited) number for single occupancy. Hotel costs / conditions as follows:

No deposit required – Full booking cost payable on departure.

Cancellation Conditions:

If a booking is cancelled less than 2 days before arrival then a charge equal to the full booking amount will be made. In the event of a no show or booking reduction the full cost of the booking is charged.

I’ve pre-reserved a number of rooms. If you wish to join us and in order to secure a booking, please let me know as soon as possible together with your room preference.

David Haywood

david.haywood@mac.com

0777 921 4331

Meet at Dragon Road Lorry Park, Harrogate next to ASDA with fuel available on site. 9.15 for a 9.30am start and return to Ripley at 4.30pm.

The social ride out on Sunday 18^th February is approximately 136 miles starting at Dragon Road and heads off through Timble and Silsden for breakfast at Earby. Thereafter head into the Forest of Bowland and stop for lunch at Ingleton. Continue across the Dales skirting Hawes and along the top road through Askrigg and Redmire through Leyburn (fuel stop) for a final brew stop at Constable Burton. The final leg of the route takes us through Bedale, Kirkby Malzeard and finishes at Ripley Car Park at about 4.30pm. Details of the stops are on the map picture for your reference.

Not sure what the weather will have to offer but the scenery will be a joy. If anyone wants a GPX copy of the route, please e-mail me, Derek Saunders, on ds55dcs@outlook.com

Usual caveat with the weather, if it’s grim and I decide to cancel I will post it on FB and on the HAB website before 8am on the Sunday morning so be sure to check before leaving home.

Derek Saunders (07879 470 554) ride leader. Barry Ring (07847 786 608) TEC.

First of all congratulations to Richard Smith on his IAM Test Pass.

It was clear everyone enjoyed the presentation from Julie Emmitt of BikeTrac. Julie gave us lots of great advice and information about Trackers and hard security devices. It was a good turn out for a winter meeting, 23 members attending in total.

Comments from members. “It was really well attended and a well informed meeting, Julie from BikeTrac did a fabulous job!” “Brilliant night and so well attended”. Roy Beniston, a recent purchaser of a BikeTrac tracker, was impressed to get a retrospective discount.

Any HAB members wishing to make a purchase and claim your IAM discount and 0% finance offer please contact Julie by email: Julie.emmitt@biketrac.co.uk or phone 07778 335 145.

Julie wasn’t making a hard sell, but if you interested in purchasing a bike tracker and are going to The London Bike Show this weekend, BikeTrac are exhibiting. If you make a tracker purchase at the show you can get an additional 6 months subscription discount (in addition to the 3 months IAM discount). You heard it here first. Just see Julie on the stand.

Make a date in your diary for our next HAB club meeting on Monday March 11th featuring a Touring Workshop with Ian (Alf) Garnett.

This coming Monday 12th February is our monthly Harrogate Advanced Bikes club meeting at Bilton Cricket Club starting at 7.30pm. Arrive from 7.00pm for the chance of a chat before we get going.

Julie Emmitt from BikeTrac has kindly offered to discuss security for your bike, both at home and while you are out and about. The aim is to ensure you have all the information to make the right choice for you and your individual circumstances. Julie will be answering your questions on trackers and hard security, and giving you some helpful tips and tricks.

Our usual buffet will be available after Julie’s presentation.

You can get a a flavour of what Biketrac do by visiting:

https://biketrac.co.uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAzoeuBhDqARIsAMdH14GOeboVMqBCJBBzTEZhbrqAHNN0FQFef4MWFGgVcJieOkYQr9DruL4aAl1ZEALw_wcB

Images courtesy of BikeTrac

Meet at Wetherby Wilderness car park (this is not the usual one on the Main Street!). It’s down Bridgefoot, off the mini roundabout just before the bridge and down by the riverside, LS22 6RF (What3words – quest.according.scratches.). Meet at 9.15am for 9.30am start. We are heading out through Long Marston to the York Ring Road on to the A64 roundabout, then to Elvington with a coffee stop at Rebecca’s Kitchen, YO41 4DY. Continue on to Market Weighton, Beverley and into Hornsea for lunch at Lily’s Fish and Chips, HU18 1PA.

Homeward takes us briefly along the seafront (we have to see the sea) to Skipsea! Then through the countryside to Driffield and on to the A166 towards Wetwang and Stamford Bridge, then heading north at Gate Helmsley, through the villages, finishing our route in the lay-by on the A59 just before St. James Retail Park, HG5 8PZ.

Total mileage is 131 miles. John Blanchfield will lead the ride and will be looking for a happy volunteer for TEC. Fingers crossed for the fair weather to continue until then.

GPX files available for those who wish. Email John at johnblanchfield@talktalk.net

Meeting at the Dragon Road Lorry Park HG1 5DB for our first Sunday Club Ride of 2024.  Please arrive from 9.00am for chat and pre-ride briefing before a 9.15 AM SET OFF.

The route takes us westwards on the A59 briefly stopping at the Route 59 Cafe near Bolton Bridge to pick up any HAB members wishing to join the ride there (please send me a text if you are doing so). Continuing on the A59 a taking a minor road left turn which will lead us on some back roads into Silsden. Through Silsden, straight across the the A629 to Steeton & onto another back road route into Haworth, stopping for a morning break, using the Museum car park BD22 8DS (£1 fee-use parking app for ease).

After morning break, off towards Oxenhope & Pecket Well, taking a left in the village after The Robin Hood Inn, along Ackroyd Lane & the aptly named Height Road affording spectacular views across Hebden Bridge & Mytholmroyd down in the valley. Crossing the A646 & on some back roads again leading to the B6138. Right turn onto the A58 towards Littleborough & Hollingworth Lake for lunch at The Wine Press OL15 0AZ where there is dedicated motorcycle parking & a table booked for us.

After lunch, setting off on a simpler route back home through Mytholmroyd (fuel stop), Hebden Bridge, Haworth, turning right to Cullingworth, Bingley, Menston, Otley & Farnley & finishing the ride at the Sun Inn, Norwood.

Ride leader Barry Ring. 96 Miles in total & GPX file available.

If you are planning to come along please send me a text to 07 847 786 608. Don’t let it stop you coming on the ride, but we have a lunch reservation and it would be helpful if we need to increase the numbers.