York, Cycling City: Skipwith Challenge

As someone who needs to meet people, learn the area and maybe shift a few pounds, I could do worse than join a guided group cycle through the countryside. I've been on a few group rides organised by the city council with support from Sustrans. Many of these are shorter rides aimed at less experienced riders. Saturday was a longer day out, the "Skipwith Challenge".

The total distance was about 30 miles. I even got Geoboy to go with me, although the pace was very slow for him and his skinny-tyred racing bike that weighs about two ounces. It's more of a steady social ride than a training session. It was very friendly, and it was refreshing to spend a day in the open air.

The first place to receive funding under the Cycling City project was Bristol. On the one hand, they didn't meet their target of doubling the number of regular cyclists. On the other hand, they have increased it by a third. Is this really failure? (Read the BBC article here, and marvel at the density of the logic-challenged Tory councillor quoted at the end.) Mostly, the schemes seem to make people who already cycle happier and encourage them to cycle more. Reaching non-cyclers is more difficult.

I certainly have been doing more cycling in my short time here. There are good places to do it, and drivers are much better about sharing the road here than in Manchester. This may be further confirmation of the research suggesting that places where more people cycle tend to be safer for cyclists. Or it may be evidence supporting the idea that, as another cyclist put it, "York is a very civilised place". (He then went on to ask if I'd been to Evensong at the Minster.)

There were nine of us altogether including our two stalwart guides, Colin and Jenny. We had mounts of many species and riders of all ages. Colin gets a lot of miles in, and is apparently in his seventies, although you'd never guess it by his fresh face and sinewy calves.

The original plan, as the name suggests, was to stop in Skipwith at the Drovers Arms. It was temporarily closed for reburfishment, though, so we went on to the Jefferson Arms at Thorganby. The address is Main Street, to which I can only say, "Main Street? It's the ONLY street!"

It was a bit posh, but, as this is Yorkshire, also relaxed. On the wall next to the fireplace in the bar area hangs an autographed photograph of the cast of Coronation Street. (I guess Emmerdale hasn't made it in yet.) The staff didn't seem to mind having a group of grotty cyclists slouch over their linen tablecloths. The food was a little pricey. I had a mozzarella sandwich and fries while Geoboy ordered a plate of meat. Er, breakfast. The Golden Pippin was in fine form.

The route took us through a sizable nature reserve called Skipwith Common. Unfortunately, the road surface was terrible, so instead of admiring the scenery I was busy watching the ground and listening to my brains rattle around my skull. I will have to go back and take a walk there. But that is another post for another day.