Alternative 'Northern Monkeys' June Meet 2017

[David.]

Looks a nice route other than the A659 for Otley and Knaresborough on a Saturday afternoon.

It may not be too clear on the map shown.
The route comes off the A59 at Fewston, down the B6451 towards Otley (which is by-passed),  by taking a white road across to the B6161, then the A658/A659 through Pool & Harewood to Wetherby.

Could easily avoid Knaresborough as per k9doc's route by, taking the A168, crossing the A1(M) between J47 & J48 on a white road, over the A6055, picking up the B6165 at Scotton.
Route modified to by-pass Knaresborough.

I'm happy to go with the flow & where the weather is best, whichever route we end up doing at the weekend, leaves us with a ready made route for August.

[k9doc]

I'm happy to go with the flow & where the weather is best, whichever route we end up doing at the weekend, leaves us with a ready made route for August.

I'll second that.

[David.]

Looks like we may have attendees heading to Wetherby from the North, South, East & West.
I'm sure we can make a democratic decision over a brew at Morrisons.
Someone will have one of those fancy phones to look at the weather forecast.

[k9doc]

Someone will have one of those fancy phones to look at the weather forecast.

My first mobile phone looked like this. Couldn't get a weather forecast, but made a decent doorstop on a windy day.


                                             

[David.]

Looks a nice route.

I kind of like the shape of the route, mirrors the boundaries of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. (Modified to avoid Knaresborough).
It includes parts of, Wharfedale, Wensleydale, Swaledale, Buttertubs Pass, Ribbledale (inc. Ribblehead Viaduct),  Malham Tarn, plus several Reservoirs.



However, atm, Saturday & the Yorkshire Wolds looks most favourable weather-wise.

[k9doc]

There must be a plot. According to the Met Office the showers (possibly thundery) are heading for Hawes (30%) and away from the East (10%). Could all change again by Saturday! A flexible plan is a good thing. Just off with the dog before it snows.

[David.]

According to the Met Office the showers (possibly thundery) are heading for Hawes (30%) and away from the East (10%). A flexible plan is a good thing.

That was my reasoning too, I'll come prepared, (hopefully on Saturday),  with routes for the Yorkshire Wolds & Yorkshire Dales.

If all else fails, we could head North or South!

I'll have a look at something for the North York Moors.

[David.]

I'll have a look at something for the North York Moors.

How about something like this, takes in the A169 (Pickering to Sleights via Goathland),  the Esk Valley between Sleights & Castleton, Blakey Ridge road & Helmsley to Thirsk via Sutton Bank.

147.7 miles in 3 hrs 41 mins, with stops at Hovingham, Sleights & A170 near Helmsley.



Just need someone to come up with a ride heading South from Wetherby, could do the Peak District, over to you Chris.
Could head to the "Spotty Café", do "The Strines" in the opposite direction, I liked Grindleford Station, then we've got all compass points covered.

One more plan & we've got ready made rides for September & October.

[k9doc]

Just back from a ride in the Peak District. I always try to avoid the 'grockle spots', but I wonder if the place seems busier than usual with the kids being off school. The weather now seems to be pretty similar across the board with a low chance of showers (10%) wherever we go. In view of the weather and the chances of all the National Parks being busier with the kids' hols, my vote would be to stick with the original plan especially as all these routes mostly avoid the holiday routes to the coast. This could obviously all change with the next weather report update. Other opinions are available.

[k9doc]

Weather now favouring the Dales again and still dry in Wetherby. Are we happy to chase the weather or would people prefer to stick to a route and chance a shower or two?

[guest3954]

Happy either way on day.

[David.]

Are we happy to chase the weather or would people prefer to stick to a route and chance a shower or two?

Given a choice, would prefer to head in the direction of the best weather forecast, wherever that may be.

If we have a Southern route, all angles are covered. The Peak District can be reached in less than 1 hour from Wetherby.
Last time out, we did something like this, 167.8 miles in 4 hrs 13 mins, would be happy to do the same again if necessary.

[k9doc]

If we have a Southern route, all angles are covered.

I don't mind doing a southern route but it would be a bit of a grind to get down to the Peak District from Wetherby and that would mean doing the PD twice on the trot which we wanted to avoid in any case. I could put together a reasonable route around North Lincolnshire/Lincolnshire Wolds via Howden but would be straying onto scunny1's territory. I have ridden there many times, there are some superb flowing roads. Happy to do that unless Chris (scunny1) would like to take it on. Thoughts?

[David.]

I could put together a reasonable route around North Lincolnshire/Lincolnshire Wolds via Howden.

How about something like this, 185 miles in 4 hrs 36 mins.

[k9doc]

Was just putting this together, you're a bit too quick.



                           
                   
158 miles 4hrs 16 mins. Needs a bit of work, but a general idea.