Osmotherley Hostelling 16th-17th October 2004

Here are a few of Ian's pictures from Clifton CC's weekend away in October 2004, staying at Osmotherley Youth Hostel. Click on these for bigger pictures.

Ten of us assembled at a sunny Exhibition Square on the Saturday morning.

We took the quiet route out of York, passing by Castle Howard, turning westward at Nunnington along the ridge road with views over Ryedale to the Moors, and then past Ampleforth and Byland Abbey, as snapped here whilst in motion.

Lunch was eaten at Coxwold.

We then climbed White Horse Bank. Paul was of course first up, with Steve too close behind for a clumsy photographer. Here's Arthur on his Galaxy with Shimano hub dynamo.

Willy and Phil neared the top together.

They were followed soon afterwards by Kevin.

We took the Cold Kirby route to Rievaulx. Here are Kevin and Phil turning toward Rievaulx.

Rievaulx Abbey can just be seen ahead of the riders.

And here's the Abbey itself, snapped whilst in motion.

Rievaulx village is quite pretty.

Rob and Claire on the climb out of Rievaulx...

...followed by Cath. We then headed through Hawnby and on to Osmotherley, through rain so no photos. We stopped at Chequers to fill time till the hostel opened, and to dry things a little by the open fire. From there to the hostel involved a shiveringly cold descent.

With the rain persisting, we abandoned the walk to a pub in favour of the hostel's own beverages. It abaited in the morning long enough to peer at the hostel through the trees.

Chris rode up from Stillington to join us for our 9:30 start - easy for a postie! About to leave the hostel: Chris, Steve, Cath, Arthur, Paul, Kevin, Phil, Claire, Willy, Rob and Ian.

The overnight rain left the roads very wet: some of the puddles spread right across the road, and the streams to be forded were fast flowing. At least this one had a bridge.

This one seemed not to have a bridge.

Only after some waded through it was an overgrown bridge observed some distance downstream.

Fortunately the low cloud lifted for the big climbs through Westerdale to Rosedale Head. Here's Phil nearing Rosedale Head.

Kevin, Rob, Chris and Claire with Westerdale behind.

Chris nearing Rosedale Head.

We had lunch at Rosedale Abbey village, where Bernard met us in the cafe for the ride back via Castle Howard. Over 130 miles in the 2 days. Thanks to Rob for organising the weekend.