The purpose of these assessed rides is to promote the opportunity of Continuous Personal Development (CPD) to all HAB members, helping reduce skill fade and maintain skill levels to remain at the required standard for the Group.

These assessed rides are a review of your riding which are conducted by one of the Groups National Observers. Members should expect to be reassessed every 5 years and for an introductory period up until the AGM in 2026, the first reassessment will be funded by the Group. If you would like to request any additional assessed rides above this the HAB member would be requested to cover the National Observers expenses (currently £15).

If you would like to take up the offer please visit the page on the HAB website which can be found here.

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. 

Dear Members,

The speaker at our meeting on Monday 11th August is Peter Riley from Airvest. He will tell us about this effective safety device which greatly reduces the risk of injury and has, I’m sure, prevented fatalities. Several police forces and other Emergency Services make it compulsory wear for their motorcyclists.

Peter will be describing how the vests work, including an update on the operating system, and compare them to other makes on the market. I believe he will demonstrate one on a willing volunteer!

I know that its the holiday period and that many of you have other commitments but it would be greatly appreciated if as many of you as possible could come along to show that we are an appreciative audience!

The meeting starts at 7.30pm at Bilton Cricket Club or prior to that you can join the Ride-In from The Route 59 Cafe just past Bolton Bridge, on the A59 of course, (BD23 6AF). Get to the cafe for 6.00pm and we can set off for a ride around the hills to arrive at BCC for around 7.15pm.

Thanks and best wishes

Richard Stembrowicz

Chairman

Meeting at St. James’s Retail Park in Knaresborough (HG5 8PZ) at 9.00am for departure at 9.30am. Fuel nearby Asda Express Wetherby Road (HG5 8LH).

Then we leave, go over the toll bridge at Aldwark, onto Easingwold, through Yearsley and to Hovingham Bakery and Rolling Pin Cafe for breakfast (YO62 4LG).

Then to Barton le Street, up to Sinnington, then up to Newton on Rawcliffe,  and Egton Bridge and then to Yorkshire Cycle Hub at Fry Up (YO21 2AP) for lunch.

We then go up to Ainthorpe, Kildale up to Urra, and then down to Helmsley. From Helmsley we go through Coxwold and Helperby, through Boroughbridge, before finishing the ride near Great Ouseburn.

The route is just over 120 miles, so we should all be okay for fuel if we all brim up prior to our arrival at the meeting point.

Ride leader is Trevor Cooper, TEC David Haywood.

Wednesday should be sunny and pleasantly warm. Here’s a GPX link. Any problem with using it please get in touch with Barry 07 847 786 608.

https://plan.tomtom.com/route/view/a787f852-8566-4eda-83cd-b23e9339edb5

See you Wednesday.

Trevor