The explanation is simple. The reason it’s referred to as the “Fairburn Loop” is that the original route used to start in the village of the same name, a few miles to the west of Birkin, our current assembly point. But the need to use and pay for the village hall suggested a new rendezvous spot.
So we then moved to Carlton and rode from the lovely cafe at the garden centre. And then the cafe and nursery closed.
So Birkin Fisheries, popular with many cyclists, was found to tick the essentials. It has free parking, loos and a cafe. An ideal location from where to start tandeming around the flatlands of this part of Yorkshire.
History lesson over.
Geography lesson begins…..
Traditionally the route we now do from Birkin is either 18 or 21 miles. But today we offered a 24 mile option which 8 bikes chose, leaving a further 2 bikes and 2 solos to navigate the normal 18 miles.
And, as the saying goes, all’s well that ends well and apart from a couple of very minor niggles (including encountering a pack of roaming dogs on the drive home …. ask Drew for details) a most splendid time was enjoyed by all.
