1^st. April Fools Day, couldn’t really be more appropriate as three fools geared up in Pinchinthorpe Visitor Centre’s new car park, prior to making their way through the forest and out toward Roseberry Common. At one point my bike almost disappeared into a morass of slurry cunningly disguised as a puddle, not the sole muddy section we would encounter today but without doubt the worst. We made our way to Gribddale via a circuitous route, which involved mud, water and numerous pauses to wait for the Captain, whose “Jacket Of Power” is in serious need of a recharge. Continuing into Great Ayton, we found our first choice of café unfortunately closed (another hobby café?) but Park Square Coffee Shop was more accommodating although rather full, however the weather being almost pleasant we were happy to sit outdoors. Suitably refreshed we headed back to Pinchinthorpe via Aireyholme Farm and a bit of Gizzy Woods singletrack. All in all, not a bad day out.

15^th. First ride for a fortnight, owing to school holidays, a chest infection and a “romantic” break which mainly consisted of waiting outside shops in York while the better half did what women do best. Almost a mass turn out today, three of us plus three lads from the bread factory whose shifts (for once) coincided with ours. We met at a rather full Square Corner, usual Square Corner micro-climate - freezing, introductions were made and we were soon heading toward Sheepwash. Brave attempts were made to ride the down the rock steps to the ford but a dab-free descent eluded everyone; the Clain Wood steps are rather less troublesome and were negotiated without incident. A couple more miles of nice riding and the fun was over, we hit the road at Scugdale and began the climb/push/carry which would eventually take us to Arnesgill Ridge, where a sublime track took us over the moor to Low Cote Farm. The Dale Head singletrack followed, some nice technical riding through the rocks and heather to reach the farm, now undergoing what appears to be a more determined attempt at refurbishment than the efforts of the past couple of decades. Another half mile or so and we were back at the cars.

22^nd Another Billy-No Mates quicky. Up the steps from Clay Bank, Cleveland Way to the top of Baysdale and down Coleson Banks, returned from by Bank Foot Farm and through Battersby and Greenhow Plantations to Clay Bank car park. Fastest ride this year and first ride in shirt sleeves. Is summer on the way?

23^rd We were expecting a slow ride today but nothing like as slow as it turned out. An accident closing the A19 did nothing to help and we all made our way to Square Corner via various convoluted routes. Our new starter Stu was already waiting for us - on a motorbike, a major misunderstanding of the starting instructions? No, car problems meant he couldn’t bring his mountain bike, so he’d called for a social visit. Me, Oz, Simon and The Captain made our way to Dale Head Farm to do the singletrack from the opposite direction, it is equally good in each direction. Me and Simon reached the gate at the end of the singletrack and settled in to wait for the Captain, who arrived with his normal lack of alacrity but more unusually, ahead of Oz, who could be spotted in the distance pushing his bike. Snapped chain. A quick repair and a quick prayer of thanks to SRAM for their power links and we were away again, following tarmac all the way to Moor Gate where we reverted to off-road mode once again. Down through fields of gambolling spring lambs to cross the River Rye, then on to New Hall and almost smelling the coffee, down the road toward Hawnby, the smell of coffee in our nostrils and Oz’s chain snaps again, in a different place. Most unusual. At least it’s predominantly downhill to the café, another repair was effected while the chips were cooking. Full of distinctly non cycle friendly food we struggled up Murton Bank, two cyclists and two pedestrians, the chain repair proved less effective than Darlo boy out on the pull. And he still beat the Captain to the top. Another bodge job and we were all pedalling again albeit with some trepidation on Oz’s part, at Sneck Yate, Oz decided to keep going and be some way along the Drove Road before his chain parted yet again. Simon and me waited for the Captain who seemed to have became the victim of an alien abduction, taken away and subjected to 20 minutes of anal probing before being deposited puffing and panting at Sneck Yate. A decidedly jerky ride along the Drove Road followed as we waited for The Captain at every NSP (natural stopping point), until the Mad Mile where we abandoned any efforts at companionship and pretended we were downhillers for a few minutes. Arriving back at the cars we were surprised to realise it was almost five hours since we left. At least the A19 had been reopened.

30^th Another Billy No-Mates to finish the month off. The weather, which has been warm and sunny, is beginning to crap out ready for the Bank Holiday weekend and this ride was punctuated by stops to don and doff the waterproof jacket. Starting from the newly resurfaced car park at Pinchinthorpe, I made my way through Gizzy Woods, across Roseberry Common, Aireyholme Farm, across the crossroads at Dikes Lane and on to Little Ayton. Road to Bank Foot, then the long, long climb up Turkey Nab to join the Cleveland Way at Tidy Brown Hill, worth every panting moment for the descent to Kildale. Just made it into the café as a hailstorm raked the valley, the café made a suitable umbrella and I was quite happy to drink coffee until it subsided. A quick ascent of the New Row track and along Percy Cross Rigg brought me back to Gizzy Woods, where I went down The Unsuitables and the end of The Blue Route to finish. And managed to stay dry all day.