Hi All

Very happily Paul Holmes is leading our first summer Sunday Ride Out this weekend on the 21st.

Meeting at Ripley Car Park from 9.30 am with a set off planned for 10.00 am prompt.

Paul has planned a route of approximately 105 miles with just one stop for lunch in Hawes. The route should take roughly 4.15 hrs. which includes a 45 minute lunch stop.

Our route is a true Dales run, Pateley Bridge, Grassington and on to Hawes for lunch. The Chippy is open until 2.00pm, Penny Garth Cafe is doing takeaways and other food shops may be open. When we did last Wednesday’s ride it worked well with takeaways and some riders, belt and braces, bringing their own food and drink. 

After lunch we head off to Carperby, Redmire, Leyburn, Masham and finish at our loop back at Ripley.

Get your bike prepared, practice your advanced skills, enjoy the good weather and your riding. Please stick to social distancing rules (2m apart) whilst meeting and having your lunches. We will be out in the open air but wear a mask if you are more comfortable with that (a buff does the trick).

Unfortunately due to those social distancing rules we can only have a maximum of six riders so please book a space by contacting 07847 786608.

It would be great to see you on the ride.

Barry

For Wednesday 1st July, your ride leader will be Martin P.  

Meet at Ripley car park at the southern end of the village as usual, 9.15 for 9.30 departure with full tanks, and I suggest you bring a drink and a snackette. 

The route will be a big anti-clockwise circle, on open B roads and the odd open A road.   The average speed of this ride is higher than historical Wednesday rides.  From Ripley, travelling through Knaresborough and on to skirt Wetherby, across The Vale of York, then around the outskirts of York, continuing north up to The Howardian Hills AONB. After about 20 miles, we’ll turn west to The Yorkshire Gliding Club for a leg stretch & comfort break.  This middle section of the ride, goes through Thirsk, then north again through farming countryside before turning west just before Northallerton. Then across to Wensleydale and Leyburn market square for stop number 2.  From there we go south across the edge of The YDNP and into Nidderdale AONB. Round Leighton Res, through Pateley and return back to the Ripley Car park.  

The route is roughly 130 miles and providing stops aren’t too long, we should finish by 3pm.   Total: 6 people.  Looking forward to it.  

Kind regards,  

Martin P 

Wharfedale. 

To book a place on this ride 07792 574 287 – anytime

Now that we’re allowed to ride together again, Andrew will lead our 1st Wednesday ride of the summer. A shortish first ride of 94 miles to Hebden Bridge. We are limited to a maximum 6 people under government & IAM rules, so to avoid too many riders, you must book onto the ride by contacting Andrew at andrewpratt12 at yahoo.co.uk
Please do not turn up unless you receive confirmation that you’re on the ride (first come first served).

We’ll meet at Ripley Car Park, 09.45 to leave at 10.00 then head to Brimham Rocks, Dacre, Thruscross, Bolton Abbey, Embsay, Elslack, Widdop, Hebden Bridge where we stop for lunch. Then Mytholmroyd, Oxenhope, LaneshawBridge, Addingham Moor, Askwith & Timble where our ride will finish.

Lunch.  No cafes open, hopefully we can get takeaway sandwich/ fish & chips in Hebden Bridge or bring a sandwich & drink if you prefer.  At  all times we should observe the 2 metre distancing rule. 

Hopefully, we won’t be restricted on numbers for too long;- If we do have more than 6 wanting to ride, we can consider putting on another ride – Volunteer ride leader would be needed & he/she would need to plan a different route & venue. Tail ender to be agreed on the day. Hope to see you on Wednesday 10th. Get in touch to secure a place andrewpratt12 at yahoo.co.uk

Best regards

Andrew

Dear HAB Members

As you may already know IAM RoadSmart has announced that ‘motorcycle observed rides can resume from Monday 15^thJune, in England’.

‘Bob Hill our Chief Observer will be contacting all the Observers and Associates with a view to making suitable agreements between themselves to get on with training, whilst still complying with Government and IAM guidance’.

Regarding group rides IAM RoadSmart say “group rides can also resume from Monday 1st June, in England where six people will be allowed to meet outdoors, as long as social distancing is still observed’.

There may be members amongst the group for reasons of personal safety who are not ready to socialise with even six riders. That is understandable and their position is respected.  With six or even two riders meeting the rules for social distancing are still the same 2 metres minimum.

Our usual arrangements for these large group rides will not apply for the next few months so a workable arrangement is proposed to comply with the Government’s rules, the IAM’s recommendations and our own personal comfort zones.  Clearly our Sunday and Wednesday group rides regularly exceed six riders. As only 6 riders can travel together, in theory only 6 pre-arranged riders can attend. It has been suggested we can have two waves of six setting off at intervals or more frequent rides.  They are both fine ideas and dependent on take-up can be adopted. Cafes and restaurants are closed apart from a few takeaways, chip shops and ice cream vendors.  That also means no public conveniences open either. Supermarkets are open for sandwiches, cold drinks and sometimes provide toilets. Motorway services are open and may have sandwiches etc, at least outdoor seating, and of course toilets. A picnic of some sort seems to be the best idea.

Monday evening rides can take place within the same rules.

David Haywood is unable to lead Wednesday rides until further notice and has emailed regular Wednesday ride participants asking for ride leaders to step forward to keep those rides going.

If you have your own ride planned consider sharing it with your HAB colleagues. Your club needs you. Please put yourself forward to lead a Sunday, Wednesday or a Monday evening ride. All contributions welcome.

Dates of the next few ride outs will be confirmed as soon as possible with an individual post prior to each occasion. Any questions, feedback or suggestions please use the feedback option or get in touch directly.

Contact barrya.ring@gmail.com 07847786608

Following the government’s relaxing of social riding rules, hot off the press (well yesterday), we received the IAM’s views on the latest changes to the Corona virus restrictions, so far as motorcycle riding is concerned. 
The following are extracts from their bulletin; 

‘You can ride your bike to an open space and there is no restriction on distance travelled.  Social distancing should be maintained, and on your arrival you should stay two metres from other visitors.’ 

‘IAM RoadSmart does not believe the time is right to start observing on motorcycles’ ‘Group rides and observed runs do not fit within the guidelines. If you are accompanied on your travels it should be by a member of your household (or one socially distanced friend so two bikes).’

Given that last sentence it would appear that we can legitimately ride with one friend, socially distancing. This looks like the new norm for us for a while. I think its’ ‘pick a friend’ time.  As soon as there are any further changes they’ll be posted out. 

Happy and safe riding (with a friend).

John

I guess we’re all feeling pretty strange as we enter the 2nd of the 3 week lockdowns not knowing how many more we must endure.  As I wander in and out of my garage to use the lawn mower, garden implements etc. I keep glancing at my bike wondering when I’ll next manage to get back on it.  I could of course go to buy some food shopping, but Yvonne (quite rightly, as usual) says I shouldn’t and we should do our food shopping online and avoid the public. I’ve given the bike a fair share of attention; oil and filter changed, chain and sprocket renewed (courtesy of Bob Hill and his angle grinder-just before lockdown) and the brakes bled.  Thermal linings now removed from my kit, washed and packed away for next winter. My Gortex suit is Nikwaxed, washed and hung out to dry.  I’m all ready for the off.

Paul, our Secretary and I recently took part in an audit of the Group’s activities with Peter Serhatlic, the IAM RoadSmart Area Service Delivery Manager, via the Zoom video app.  He commended our training and social activities, but suggested we need to be more proactive in Associate recruitment and Committee succession planning.  It was explained and accepted that this is difficult given our geography and member resource.  It would be helpful therefore, if all members could be mindful of trying to encourage recruitment among family, friends or colleagues if ever the situation arises. These matters will be discussed in detail at the next Committee meeting when our activities resume.

There is plenty of activity on our Facebook page so please share with us any of your stories about how you are coping with this lockdown. Please be assured that your Committee will be monitoring the lockdown situation and as soon as there appears to be light at the end of this long tunnel we will be making arrangements for our Associates to get on with training and also our ride leaders to take us once again into the beautiful Yorkshire countryside and maybe even beyond!

And finally on a more personal note, I recently had a birthday, my last when I could claim to be in my sixties.  I received this birthday card made by my lovely 5-year-old granddaughter.  Even she, it appears, thinks my F800 GS is too tall for me!

Stay safe.  Go out as little as possible and keep a safe distance. See you all soon.

John

Another epic ride from Andrew & Bob, we shall meet as usual at 0900 for a 0930 start at Asda Lorry Park, Dragon Road, Harrogate.

We take the A61 north to just past Ripon, then minor roads through Wath & Burneston to Bedale, then Kirkby Fleetham & onto Ellerton on Swale and the Lakeside Farm Shop and Country Café (DL10 6AP) where we can enjoy tea, coffee cakes & buns. 

After coffee, we head to Bolton on Swale, then north & east via Entercommon, Appleton Wiske, Rounton & Swainby, where we enter the North York Moors national park. Then to Osmotherley & over the moors to Hawnby, Helmsley & Beadlam Grange  YO62 7TD where we will lunch.

After a great lunch we head south west, through Wombleton, Hovingham, Crayke, Alne,  Alwark Bridge, Arkendale, and finally Ripley village where we finish our ride.

Hope you can join us on this 121 miler.

Andrew

Your Club Needs You!

Dear Full HAB Club Members

Our Sunday Ride Outs have all gone well this year, but we don’t as yet have a ride leader for March 15th or April 19th. Please volunteer if you are able to. Advice is available on the HAB website and also available from yours truly or other experienced HAB members.

Guidelines are:

Plan your route – no more than 90 minutes to morning coffee stop. Another 90 minutes (max) to lunch stop.

Keep it simple–not too many junctions. A complicated route spoils the flow.

Suss out coffee and lunch stops, can they cater for up to 20 or so riders?

Pre-ride your route with your tail ender (a volunteer tail ender can be found for you). Remember a large group will be slower than the two of you.

Ride leaders should demonstrate an advanced riding style, i.e. safe, legal and progressive, with due consideration to road conditions on the day.

Use the drop of system at all junctions, allows everyone to ride at their own pace, without bunching up.

Prepare a briefing with riders before you start, note junctions difficult to mark, fuel stops, identify leader and tail ender and make it clear that you will be obeying obey all rules of road, including speed and you expect everyone else to do so. Consider preparing a hand-out for the riders with contact numbers and locations of stops/fuel. Record the details of all riders on the ride.

Aim to finish between 16:00 and 17:00 – Choose a convenient place to end your ride (i.e. Ripley car park, Stump Cross Cafe Etc.).

Please let the Ride Out coordinator have a note of the route-a basic route with stops noted.

Above all enjoy the experience.

Please contact Barry Ring-your support would be much appreciated.

barrya.ring@gmail.com or 07847786608

The next Mid-Week ride will be on Wednesday 4th March and will be led by John Blanchfield.

Meet 9.00 am for 9.30 am start from St James Retail Park, Knaresborough HG5 8PY.

We begin by heading south to Wetherby then Tadcaster, Cawood, Stillingfleet, crossing the A19, Escrick, then SE to pick up the the A163 at North Duffield. At Bubwith we turn south to meet the A63 and head for Howden where we stop at the Waterwheel Tea Room for coffee (or tea!) DN14 7JP.

After our break continuing through Howden and east onto the B1230 to North Cave. North through Market Weighton, Bainton, Wetwang and onto Sledmere House for lunch, YO25 3XG.

The route home runs westward through North Grimston, Kirkham Priory, across the A64 through the villages to the south of the Howardian Hills, crossing the A19 and eventually also crossing the River Ouse at the Aldwark Bridge. Further west, crossing the A1 and finally onto the A59 where the ride will finish in the lay-by just before the St James Retail Park roundabout.

Total distance 126 miles.

I hope you can make it on Wednesday the 4th.

John.

Dear All

Very sorry but the May mid week 2 day ride to Northumberland and the Borders has 11 takers (bikes) which I feel is the maximum number for a long days ride. I therefore propose to take no more requests for it. I would be happy to keep a reserved list if anyone wants to be offered a place should someone drop out.

Best regards.

John