Feeling better after his ‘battle’ against the ‘lurgy’ King Raymond was keen to ‘rally his troops’ for a flat ‘sedentary’ ride to Hornsea. “I’m keen to get back in the saddle so suggest our usual route to the Floral Hall” he called before adding a small caveat, “May not make the whole ride but will be strong for the start”. After some further thought he added the option for anyone to suggest an alternative “more adventurous/challenging⛰️🚵‍♂️ route” should they so wish.

Like a chorus from the Four Tops the Knights sang out “🎶I’ll be there🎶” with nobody wanting to “raise the stakes”. The only ‘fly in the ointment’ was a report that Ings Lane leading to Arnold was still flooded and we should consider an alternative route. “Well let’s play it by ear and take our chances” suggested the king.

Ten Knights made the ‘start picture’ however just as we were about to set off “Sir Lastalot” turned up “on the dot” confirming everyone’s suspicion that he waits around the corner out of sight staring at his watch as the seconds count down to the start time before, in the manner of a prima-Donna, making a dramatic entry.

After negotiating our way through town we headed up the Weel road to Tickton where Sir Chad and Sir Jim were waiting to join in the fun.

Resuming our journey, we set off towards Routh before heading south on the Meaux Road then turning onto Kidhill Lane. Just as we reached the junction to Ings Lane we found a “Road Closed” sign. “Well what do we do now?” we wondered. “Why is the road closed?” asked one disbelieving Knight. “I guess the road is still flooded” we surmised. “We can go to Skirlaugh then Rise before returning to our original route plan” suggested one Knight.

By the time we reached Rise, two of the Knights couldn’t contain their excitement and had to make a ‘wee’ stop (“Don’t look Heather!”) while everyone else ‘debated’ which route to take next. Eventually the Knights remounted and rode off towards Great Hatfield and Mappleton then the final ‘dash’ along the coast road into Hornsea.

As the Knights queued to place our cafe order, Neil thought we looked like the sketch from the Full Monty minus the music. Seated around two tables, the Knights were pleased to see our orders arriving. “Bacon Sandwich anyone?” asked the waitress “Anyone?” “Oh that’ll be mine” said King Raymond when nobody else claimed it. Shortly after, King Raymond’s face adopted an expression of shock and horror almost like a case of rigor mortis. “I think I ordered a sausage sandwich” he said. There was a brief pause before the table burst into gales of laughter when we realised his predicament. Having already taken a huge bite out of the bacon Butty he could hardly pass it over to its rightful owner. “Do you mind having sausage instead of bacon?” he asked those still waiting. However the said sausage bap never appeared so we could only surmise that he’d ordered the wrong thing.

As we clamboured back onto our steeds, it felt as if the temperature had dropped a few degrees. The route home was planned to take us to Bewholme, however at the Seaton road junction, we found the road closed with barriers and machinery blocking the way. Just as we were planning an alternative route, a very kind workman opened the barrier to let us through. The final leg of the journey then took us through Brandesburton and Leven before returning home with everyone happy to put on the road once more.

After weeks of wet and/or icy weather, today on the “Feast of the Immaculate Conception” we saw a brief lull in the inclement weather allowing this Friday’s ride to Hutton Cranswick Farm Shop to go ahead. Eight Knights turned out at Etton for a 10am start including Michael who, after three punctures in four rides, was rather eager to show off his brand new tubeless tyres. “They told me in the shop that I’d never suffer another puncture” he proudly declared. Well that would be an immaculate concept.

We set off in good spirits, pleased to be out on the road once more and a chance to catch up on all the “goings on”. Our first “objective” was the climb up to Holme-on-the-Wolds. From there we made our way along to Lockington dodging the odd pool of water here and there along the way. As we approached the junction to Kilnwick Lane we found the road strewn with gravel and other detritus washed down the hill from the recent rainfall. After gingerly picking our way through, conditions did improve slightly until we reached Crabtree lane.

Making our way around Cawkeld, the road surface was more akin to a ploughed field with potholes and damaged tarmac everywhere and much of it covered with pools of water or mud from the surrounding fields. Just before we reached Watton a shout went out “Stopping!” As we gathered round to investigate the reason….. “No! It can’t be! Michael’s got another puncture”. Seems his concept of punctureless tyres was not so immaculate after all.

Despite several attempts to “self-seal” it appeared that the hole may be too big and the only answer was to fit a spare inner tube. Meanwhile, Neil was conscious of time ticking on and having booked a table, suggested he’d stay to assist Michael while the rest of us continued onwards. However, instead of heading to Watton and round by Tophill Low to Hutton Cranswick we tracked back to the junction to Bracken lane arriving at the Farm Shop with time to spare where we were met by Heather who’d cycled up to join us.

For the journey home it seems that we all had differing ideas with some wanting to add extra miles while others wanted to get home before any rain. At the junction of Burnbutts and Bracken lane, Michael, Colin and Graham headed to Bainton while the rest took the more direct route home via South Dalton and Etton.

The “plotters” were invited to gather in a huddle at The Light Dragoon in Etton with the promise of a spectacular display of cycling. The only thing threatening to “spoil the party” was the remnants of the overnight rain. Fortunately, like a damp squib it fizzled out by the time the twelve Knights had arrived. “Here’s the plan folks” announced the leading conspirator “We going to turn Left, Left, Left, Right, Left. Have we all got that?” he asked looking around pointedly to make sure we’d all understood.

No sooner had we set off and there was a shout from behind “Hoy you’re supposed to go left here!” but soon realised that “his” left turn would have led us into the local church instead of Chantry Lane. On reaching South Dalton, Mel the “lead” rider at the time went blithely past “our” junction before a shout from behind brought him back to “the fold”. Turning into the wind towards Kiplingcotes, Chad took up the front running burning energy like an everlasting “roman candle” while the rest thankfully tucked in behind.

Closing in on Goodmanham we came across the first section of flooded road. Luckily it was not too deep and we all safely made our way through. After that we made our way to Market Weighton and then we set off like “rockets” as we faced the climb up to Londesborough then down to Burnby.

Approaching Nunburnholme we hit the next section of flooded road. Fortunately some were able to circumnavigate the obstacle while others decided to ride through.

At this point there was a split in the group as half decided to tackle Nunburnholme Hill. As we fizzled our way up the hill thinking “why did I agree to this?” the other half decided to take “Back lane” to Warter. However on reaching the top we did feel a sense of achievement.

From Nunburnholme top, six of us “lit the blue touch paper” and set off like rockets to Bailey Lane. On arrival at the junction there were only three of us. “Where’s the other three?” we wondered. With no sign of them down the road we assumed there must have been a ‘mechanical’. Sure enough, Michael had suffered yet another puncture, his third in two rides. Meanwhile in Warter there was an awful lot of water with flooded fields overflowing onto the surrounding roads. Three of the “Back Lane” crew took their chances and rode through (wish I had me wellies!) while Heather and Andy took the sensible option along the main road.

From watery Warter, 🎵the only way is up🎵 as the now three separate groups headed for Huggate rising upwards like Chinese lanterns. Finally we now had a helping wind as we raced on towards Tibthorpe. As we approached the cafe entrance, Melvin held out his hand to indicate he was turning or at least that’s what we thought until he sailed straight on past. “Mel! Mel!! MEL!!!” our yelling fell on deaf ears as he carried on blindly forcing Colin to chase after him.

By the time we’d completed our refreshments the sun had put in an appearance and we were all thankful for the little extra heat as we made our way home via Tibthorpe, Bracken, South Dalton, Etton and Cherry Burton. Another “banger” of a ride full of banter and incidents. Time for a hot bath/shower.

Here in the depths of darkest Tickton the resident silverback stirs and looks out over the canopy of mist before plunging a finger into his mouth and raising it in the air. “It’s wet” he declares “Are we still up for foraging out to the east?” One by one the local “troop” responded “Yes, we’ll be there”.

Gathering at Market Cross there was a lot of excited chatter while checking each others lights and mudguards. “Looks like we are all here except for…. Colin, he said he’ll catch up”. The troop set off swinging from traffic light to traffic light until reaching the Weel road eventually reaching Tickton where we found Chad “dragging his knuckles along the ground” patiently pedalling up and down waiting our arrival.

The troop then moved swiftly onwards to Routh before tackling the crossing towards Meaux. Luckily, one very kind driver stopped to let us all safely over the road. Following a well worn track we continued our journey towards Arnold where we came across a flooded section of road. After gingerly making our way through we arrived at Long Riston. “Oh where’s Chad? Is he lost in the mist?” Turned out he’d suffered a puncture and abandoned the ride to head home.

The remainder of the troop continued swinging our way through Great Hatfield and on to Mappleton. As we approached the seaside the mist had lifted somewhat with even a faint glimmer of sunshine trying to break through.

When the troop descended on our “foraging patch” (aka Floral Hall) we found Michael had already arrived ahead of us. Looking around at all the bikes. “Oh is it mudguards today?” he sheepishly asked. “Sorry I don’t have mine fitted. I hadn’t had time, I’ve got the ‘Spanish bug’, I just flu in last night”. Unfortunately for him such excuses got short shrift from the chairman as he held up his yellow glove as a makeshift ‘yellow card’. “One more and it’s a red card and you’ll have to miss two rides” declared Neil with a tongue in cheek admonition.

With bellies full and suitably refreshed it was time for the troop to return home. On departing Hornsea we followed the road to Bewholme.

On leaving Bewholme, Colin, “roaring and beating on his chest” took to the front and began to set a strong pace. Like greyhounds seeing the hare, we set chase. By the time we approached the junction of the Bridlington road a gap had opened up but nooooo, he’s not for stopping. Racing on through Brandesburton and Leven there was still no let up. Perhaps he’ll stop and wait to regroup on the cycle path. Nope, off we set again. Eventually on returning to Tickton we finally stopped to regroup. “I’ve set myself a target to burn 1000 calories each ride” he explained before adding “then I have earned a beer”. Thereafter we all made our way home after another enjoyable ride.

Eeee ‘Ello everybody! 🎵The sun is shining in the sky, there ain’t a cloud in sight. It’s stopped raining, everybody’s out to play….. 🎵. Well twelve to be precise, turned out for today’s ride to Shiptonthorpe. “Route today is via Riplingham, Melton, Welton, South/North Cave then Market Weighton to cafe” advised Neil.

Setting out to the start at Walkington Pond, the temperature was still somewhat cool with most of us opting for extra layers despite the bright sunshine. Things soon warmed up though as we started the climb up Bluestone Bottoms. On reaching the junction of Westoby Lane we turned towards Riplingham, a rollercoaster of a road which continued onto Lambwell hill and the final “big dipper” down to Welton and “up and over” to Elloughton.

Now that the “fun of the fair” was over it was time for the “sprinters”. However while “sauntering” along (18mph+) between South and North Cave our group was overtaken by a lone cyclist. It was like “red rag to a bull” to our pace setter as our speed suddenly increased to match our more usual 20’s plenty.

At North Cave we split into two groups as we “chain ganged” our way north to Market Weighton. The “lead” group set off in a determined pursuit of the “lone cyclist” (just to prove a point 😉). Meanwhile back in group two we were happily cruising our way along, when some “entitled ignoramus 🤡” took exception to our chain gang, blasting his horn as they passed by, despite a wide clear road. From Market Weighton it was just a short hop to Shiptonthorpe and the cafe at Langlands Garden centre.

“So what happened to Melton?” asked one inquisitive person🤔😆. “Sssshh, don’t ask” advised others. After a longer than normal wait for service at the cafe, it was time to set off for the return journey. “Instead of heading back to Market Weighton, we’ll take the main road to the Londesborough roundabout then left up to the top of Nunburnholme” advised Neil “We’ll then have a lovely run to North Dalton and Bainton with the wind behind” he added. By the time we’d climbed up from Londesborough the thermometer had also climbed allowing us to shed a few layers. “I’m overheating 🥵 under all this gear” informed one glowing knight. “Yes I’m Melton’ too!” agreed another 😁.

From Nunburnholme top, we continued onwards until meeting the junction to North Dalton. On exiting the junction, the sound of crunching gears and loud groans sounded all around as some of our group found themselves “caught” in the wrong gear as the gradient rose steeply 🤐🤭. After regrouping at North Dalton we carried on eastwards to Bainton before wending our way to Bracken and back home via Etton and Cherry Burton. Another very enjoyable ride with a good mix of terrain and great company.

🎵Hey there Mr. Blue! We’re so pleased to be with you, Look around, see what you do, Everybody smiles at you!🎵