From Ripley car park we rode north through Ripon and took back roads to the cafe at Thorp Perrow Arboretum for our coffee stop. A very pleasant coffee stop, where we were made most welcome.
Then on through Beale to take a circular route towards Richmond and on country lanes west to the A66 stopping for lunch at the Cross Lanes Organic Cafe just south of Barnard Castle. The Pizza Oven was fired up and one of the group sampled its delights. Some of the rest of us were left wishing that we’d ordered a Pizza as well.
A thoroughly enjoyable route, taking us on some delightful toads that I not visited previously.
The roads were dry and dusty and the bikes were soon picking up a covering.
The return home down through Arkengarthdale, Leyburn and back towards Ripley, although we elected for an impromptu stop at Brymor Ice Cream parlor. Again the route explored new roads for me, past Leighton Reservoir although I have visited How Stean Gorge area previously.
Thank you John Blanchfield, for planning a hugely successful day.
You even booked fantastic weather and dry roads which were for the most part clear.
The bike did need an extensive Jet Wash however!
