Scarborough-Whitby Cinder Path Trail

Our final summertime away day this year (autumn starts in September doesn't it), and we're closing the summer season off in style. Although this is a ride for one day, what we are actually doing is making it an event that runs for the full weekend - so, if you find you can't come on the Saturday you may be able to come on the Sunday, and vice versa of course. However, quite a few of us plan to make a full weekend of this, doing the ride on both days if there is the demand (or failing that, if there's either day where no one else can come then those of us that are doing the full weekend will be doing an extra surprise ride). You'll have to be up bright and early whichever day you come over as we will be meeting at the Scarborough start point of the trail, which is at the end of Sainsbury's car park, at 10.45am (but please do your own research on parking permissions and costs - I seem to recall that parking at Sainsbury's is time limited as well as being charged too). As this is a linear route, and we are only riding one way (ie from Scarborough) we will need to get everyone back from Whitby to Scarborough, so some drivers will have to share a taxi back to Scarborough to then collect cars to bring up to Whitby to collect bikes etc.. We can share costs between us all for this. Alternatively, if you are all feeling fit enough for it, you can do the return ride instead. Likewise, if any of you find the full trail too much (its 22 miles) you can always return to Scarborough at any point on the ride, and then if you are really kind, drive up to Whitby to wait for us all and provide a lift for drivers back to Scarborough. The ride itself is a fabulous ride taking in great views of the coast and of the North Yorkshire Moors. It follows the route of the old Scarbro-Whitby train line so is predominantly flat, though there is a long steady climb out of Scarborough to reach the high point at Ravenscar - it really is a steady climb too that you will barely notice - it had to be for the trains to be able to get up! Once we are past Ravenscar its quite a quick descent (but not at all steep) to Robin Hood's Bay. From there we have another steady climb for a couple of miles before you find yourself heading downhill once more for much of the way into Whitby. We'll of course be stopping for Fish & Chips at Whitby - you cant not really can you, but there are ample opportunities for coffee stops and rest stops en route too. All in all I expect the ride, with rests, taking at the most, 6 hours (that's not 6 hours riding by the way, I'm being generous with the amount of time we'll spend at coffee stops). Make sure you wear your helmet (this is compulsory, if you have no helmet you wont be able to ride with us) and appropriate clothing for the weather (if you have any bright or hi-viz then wear that). As usual we do expect you to have ensured your bike is roadworthy and that you have carried out basic pre ride checks. DISCLAIMER:- This is a purely social group of like minded people sharing a love of cycling, it is not a formal organisation nor does it have any form of legal structure. We do not profess to be trained ride leaders but do have experience of doing so. You are free to choose to ride with us but in doing so please note that you do so in acceptance that this is entirely at your own risk. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss or injury suffered as a result of your participation.