{"id":12971,"date":"2014-07-09T13:31:58","date_gmt":"2014-07-09T17:31:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=12971"},"modified":"2014-07-16T15:39:07","modified_gmt":"2014-07-16T19:39:07","slug":"day-11-tuesday-july-8-york-to-ripon-england","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=12971","title":{"rendered":"Day 11. Tuesday, July 8 – York to Ripon, England"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was a glorious 90% chance of rain<\/em>\u00a0sunny day as we pedaled over bridges,\"DSCN8194\"<\/a>past churches \"DSCN8197\"<\/a>and through beautiful York neighborhoods.\"DSCN8195\"<\/a>It was 25 minutes before\u00a0the homes thinned out\"DSCN8218\"<\/a> and the fields expanded gloriously.\"DSCN8220\"<\/a>The SW winds we have had since starting this trip had switched to the NNE, thankfully only about 10 mph, so an nuisance, not hinderance.<\/p>\n

Crossroads<\/p>\n

\"DSCN8226\"<\/a> and villages were ornamented with flowers\"DSCN8225\"<\/a>\u00a0and bicycles. \u00a0Evidence and obvious pride from hosting the Tour de France Stage 1 was everywhere along our route.\"DSCN8236\"<\/a>Passed the Battle of Marston Moor Monument,\"DSCN8222\"<\/a>the English Civil War (1642- 1646). \u00a0Shortly before noon, our crossroads\"DSCN8233\"<\/a> led us to a restaurant\u00a0brimming with flowers;\"DSCN8238\"<\/a> a cappuccino was in order. \u00a0But we learned from the couple sitting outside that we really<\/em> needed to have the Tuesday pensioner’s (retiree) lunch special……so much for coffee.\"DSCN8250\"<\/a>Way more that we needed for lunch, but\u00a0it was delicious.<\/p>\n

Back out on the country roads, it was obvious that this stretch between York and our destination was quite affluent. \u00a0\"DSCN8282\"<\/a> Farms were\u00a0larger the homes huge and tucked way off the road.\u00a0\"DSCN8285\"<\/a>Afternoon skies began to darken a bit,\u00a0\"DSCN8260\"<\/a>as we made our way into Ripon. \u00a0A quick swing by the Ripon Cathedral \"DSCN8288\"<\/a>then\u00a0a mad dash before the skies opened up.\"DSCN8292\"<\/a>It was a short ride today, (33 miles)as we wanted to spend some time with a friend from the Brac; Joan says Hello Bracers!\"photo-3\"<\/a>Since we’d already seen the Cathedral and were not going to be biking the Dales, Joan insisted on showing us the area; once again following the exact course of the Tour. \u00a0\"DSCN8312\"<\/a>Note to Bracers: Joan will show you an interesting time if she takes you to the Dales!<\/em><\/p>\n

The ride (in a car) was magnificent and we were both Very thankful we were not doing the 18% grades on our bicycles. \u00a0Unfortunately, with the narrow roads \"photo-2\"<\/a>and storm rolling in, \"DSCN8315\"<\/a>we have very few photographs but a wonderful memory (and story). \u00a0Once back in Ripon we chatted, ate and drank until midnight! \u00a0Joan, we will treasure the day, forever.<\/p>\n\n\t\t