It’s always a pleasure to drive over to North Yorkshire with lovely roads and idyllic scenery it just wets the appetite for what’s to come. A little chillier that anticipated but nevertheless dry and clear all weekend meant some fantastic views and riding was to be had. The Streethead weekend offered a variety of accommodation choices – stay in the Inn, tent or motorhome and a choice of either road or mountain biking. Friday night was enjoyed eating a meal together in the Inn, then after a good night’s sleep a 10am start for the bike rides.

Two for mountain biking and Five (not Famous) on a road ride. Both options had plenty of challenging ascents rewarded by exhilarating downhills, stunning views every way you looked. The road riders also enjoyed picturesque villages and a great section over the moors before a rapid descent to enjoy lunch at the Dales Bike Centre. The undulating terrain continued through the afternoon with a final café stop for those who wanted it, or an enormous ice cream, at Yore Mill just by the Asgarth waterfalls.

The MTB ride took us up into the gods on both days with total isolation on one day. The climbing was challenging at times, mainly due to the terrain and gradients but the reward of sublime descents makes it all worth it. Fantastic routes mapped by Michelle didn’t disappoint with such varying landscape, fords a plenty and even a river crossing via stepping stones on one of the many bridle paths we encountered. It’s called Gods County for good reason.

Saturday evening brought out the more competitive side of some of the participants with a Boules competition followed by team quiz games, accompanied by lots of laughter and the most enormous bottle of red wine.

Sunday morning was another bright and dry day with two more bike rides, this time a bit shorter and it was great that we managed to all meet up at Castle Bolton for morning coffee and cake before the road riders headed back to Streethead and home and the mountain bikers headed off as they were only halfway through their ride so more hills and mud and muck for them.

Overall, a great weekend with great cycling and great company.