Rising Dawn

Cattal Station

Originally uploaded by Dawnriser

This station is testament to the value of rural rail links. It’s on the line that connects York and Harrogate. It’s well looked after and well used.
Not far from here is the memory of a previous fundraising event. When I worked for BBC Radio York we put a team in the Knaresborough Bed Race. The “bed” belonged to someone in Cattal and we did our training around here. Training is exaggerating the effort that went in.
On the day we came last - the bed sank in the River Nidd. Jamie, the station engineer and I retrieved it from the river bed while the rest scrambled for the bank.
I’m sure this ride will end in greater success - possibly because it isn’t a race and it’s success is measured in how much money people like you donate to the cause.
For an update look here: www.help.co.uk/ridingbike

Haxby crossing closed

Originally uploaded by Dawnriser

The barriers are down as I approach Haxby level crossing. These kids
are on their way to Joseph Rowntree School. It’s about 8.30am.
A few miles home from here and I’ll have done about 14 miles. Enough
training for today.

This building and collection of old railway carriages was once a top class restaurant called “The Sidings”. It’s now an Italian restaurant. It’s name has been changed, the old semaphore signal at the entrance is rusting and the carriages look neglected.

You can stand and watch the high speed trains shoot past on a wooden platform at the back of this building. The experience is sensational. Travelling at anything up to 125mph they don’t stop to let customers off - it’s just a viewing point.

I did a series of stretches here. I could feel my muscles tightening and some numbness in my fingers and toes. The result of a few hours in the saddle and leaning on the handlebars. 

I travelled through Alne (pronounced Orne) and Tollerton to get here on the edge of Shipton by Beninborough. The main A19 passes nearby but it’ll be some miles before I join it. I turn off in a few yards to Overton and then to Skelton for the three miles home alongside the main road on a series of variable cycle tracks..

One thing I notice entering any town or city. The road surface deteriorates. So I judder my way into Eboracum or Jorvik, now known as York. Time for a shower and tea. 

One day and 38 miles closer to my sponsored ride in the Yorkshire Dales next month in aid of Palestinian Students attending the Riding Lights Summer School.

To sponsor my Yorkshire Dales ride click here

York station is free WiFi hotspot - Digital Lifestyle - Macworld UK
York railway station has been fitted-out with free WiFi for travellers, National Express East Coast announced today.

I love York station and now I have another excuse to go and watch the trains. “I needed to pick up my email, so I went for a coffee at the footbridge cafe.”

My young grandson has gone home with him mum and dad today. He is such an inquisitive boy - there’s something he wants to explore at every turn. I felt it my grandfatherly duty to introduce him to the National Railway Museum whilst he was here in York.

Surely every small boy has a right to be shown the giant iron machines that used to haul our trains around the country in the days of steam. One day he may become a Friend of the National Railway Museum like his grandad!