It is our most magical of all the half day social riding events….The Riding Out Dinner! We will meet at the Buttercross in Otley at 9.00 in our Christmas outfits and cycle in a very leisurely fashion to join other members of Otley Cycle Club at 11.30 the Wharfedale pub in Arthington for our Christmas Meal. Places for the Christmas Meal are sold out (although there maybe cancellations) and these needed to be booked in advance from Pam Baxter (see the earlier club email).
If you are staying for the meal then we will eat at about 11.45 and then cycle back to Otley at a leisurely cheerful pace at about 14.30.
All rides are shorter than usual because they do not include the return to Otley so do factor this in when choosing your ride!
Do I have to come for dinner?
Not at all! Our rides will finish at the pub and you are welcome to leave us at pub and return along the main road (taking the right at the White Hart Pub roundabout) to Pool and then take the left hand turn at the Petrol Station to take the Pool Road back to Otley. Another option is to park at the pub, cycle to Otley and then drive home from the pub.
Is Fancy Dress Compulsory?
Erhhh…No….but! Most people do wear something a bit seasonal. This could be a Christmas jumper or a tinsel covered helmet. Many people go for full costume with elves, santas and bizarrely an Elvis featuring.
Is Christmas Cheer compulsory?
We hope you will be amused by all the costumes and find it easy to smile.
Is there a coffee stop on the ride?
We have a range of ride options, between 11 and 18 miles. Each group has a coffee stop option – weather conditions and the antics of the elves will decide whether you want to take a suggested stop 😛
Little Donkey 11 Miles
After a fairly flat start there is short climb up Creskeld Lane. We will do this in a gradual manner with plenty of stops to admire the views. After another short urban stretch we go onto the back roads of Eccup. An optional call in to see the Donkeys at the Donkey Sanctuary and coffee. They are holding their Xmas Fayre that day so do bring some spare cash to buy raffle tickets or to sponsor a donkey. We then descend to the Wharfedale pub just outside Arthington.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/11098716
Coffee Option: Donkey Sanctuary
Ride Leader : David Bennett/Mike Blank
Back Marker: Pam Clulow
Hark the Hills 12 Miles
This ride is the Carol special with a stop at Armscliffe Cragg for photos and carols! The route to the Cragg will feature some of our favourite back roads and is a treat for all Santas and elves. After the carol stop there is an option of warming coffee at the lovely Local Pantry
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/13983110
Coffee Option: http://www.thelocalpantry.co.uk/
Ride Leader: Liz Hills
Back Marker:
Rudolph Quest 16 Miles
We go along the back roads from Otley which are pleasantly undulating! At the main Harrogate road this route takes a right hand turn and then a further right hand turn onto the Arthington road before leaving the traffic behind for a short tour of the Harewood Estate to check out the Rudolfs. There is the option of a short coffee stop at Muddy Boots and then a return through the estate and up through Weardley and then onto the main Arthington Road
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/13983083
Coffee Option: Muddy Boots
Ride Leader: Steve Moncur
Back Marker: Kerri Holmes
Super-lightweight reindeer
Santa’s Chevin Chase 18 Miles
A festive climb up to Surprise View and then onto Eccup and along Millionaire’s Row makes this a super Santa Ride. There are some great views from this ride and lots of opportunities for photo stops! An optional coffee stop can be taken at the Dexter pub or you can just buy Christmas chocolate at the shop opposite!
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/13983175
Ride Leader: Rachel Crowther
Back Marker:
Elves Go Wild
This adventure takes you on the back roads to the Iron Bridge at Burley in Wharfedale and then a return through Menston and Guiseley and then up Carlton Lane and then Bramhope and a final swoop down Creskeld to the pub. There is an optional coffee stop at the Cheerful Chilli
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/13983253
Ride Leader: Vanessa Bridge
Back Marker: Graham Smith
