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Yorkshire Winter Cafe Ride

WHEELBASE Yorkshire Winter Ride: photo gallery from expert cycling photographer Daniel Monaghan of Cadence Images. View the full photo gallery here.

45 riders braved freezing temperatures and a smattering of snow to join us on our first Wheelbase Yorkshire Winter Cafe ride in association with LeCol and Spatzwear.

Setting off from our Wheelbase Yorkshire store in Ilkley, the riders headed North East out of the town and onto the quiet roads of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The conditions leading up to the ride were classic Yorkshire winter – grey, snowy and plummeting temperatures. A thorough course check first thing in the morning confirmed the ride would be safe to go ahead and riders began turning up from 9am for registration.

The first group of riders got underway just after half 10, led by Spatzwear founder and ex-pro rider Tom Barras. The conditions turned out to be a perfect test for the range of Spatzwear products, with almost all riders in the group wearing a pair of either the Pro or Roadman overshoes. Two more groups followed the first on the out-and-back ride to the famous Town End Farm Shop & Tearoom – the ultimate Saturday morning cafe stop.

After a social catch up at the cafe stop the riders headed back towards Ilkley, taking in some more of the national park’s undulating roads. Once everyone was back at the store riders gathered for a Q & A session with Tom Barras of Spatzwear and Tommy Bustard from Le Col, both ex-professional riders who know a thing or two about training through the worst winter weather.

We’d like to say a massive thank you to Town End Farm Shop & Teamroom for hosting our cafe stop, the service and atmosphere was top quality. We’d also like to thank to all the riders who took part and made the event a success as well as Tom and Tommy for representing their brands and showcasing some of the best winter gear available.