Good Friday, but the weather forecast and holidays deterred many from turning out. Three Amigos assembled at Market Cross, Mike, Andy & Pugwash. A short hilly ride was the order of the day suggested by Mike. We set off over the Westwood to the Newbald road then on to Walkington. From there it was along the Little Weighton road heading for our first climb along Bluestone Bottoms and up towards the Riplingham masts. A South Easterly wind gave us a little helping hand.
Some relief followed with the long sweep down into South Cave. The stern wind continued to propel us along the flattish section past HMP and into North Cave. A bit of traffic dodging and a quick prayer passing the church and it was onto the cycle path to Hotham with few cheery “good mornings” from various pedestrians on the way. A different type of dodgems occurred then on the road to South Newbald. Pot holes and mud successfully avoided, we came upon a farm vehicle occupying the whole road but kindly pulled over to let us pass.
On reaching North Newbald, the wind then turned for’d of the beam making the going a little choppier. We headed up Stoneknowle hill and onto High Gardham. Another respite with the long drop to Low Gardham before heading into the wind again to Etton, returning to Beverley via Cherry Burton and the final little lumpy bit at Granny’s Hump.
A welcome stop off at Café Velo afterwards with coffee and cake made a nice end to a very good ride and good company.