The riders for today’s grand prix rolled up to the starting grid at Manor House. After the debrief, a circuit was agreed to minimise the effects of the strong winds. “🎙️And they’re off…..” Well not quite, some “numpty” 🤔 forgot to “fill the fuel tank”. A quick call to the AA (Angel 😇 Alison) and she agreed to bring my water bottle to the “starting grid”.
To save too much delay, it was agreed that the other riders should set off while “numpty” waited for the AA. Chris acted as the “good shepherd” 😁 and offered to stay in support. On the “Green light” the riders set off on their way to South Cave via Little Weighton. Meanwhile, “numpty” and Chris headed back towards Beverley to intercept AA en-route. Salvation was spotted at the bottom of the Westwood so we stopped at the top to wait her arrival. 😚 Who said chivalry was dead. 😁
Suitably fuelled, the two “back markers” set off towards Newbald to rendezvous with the others on the Cliffe Road near Hotham. This being a much shorter route, we arrived first. After a few minutes we decided to head towards North Cave to see if we could meet up with them earlier. When there was still no sign of the group, we returned to the agreed meeting point. It was not long before we were all together again.
After all the head winds in Sector 1, it was time for some payback in Sector 2. “Numpty” took to “pole position” as we set off towards Market Weighton. At South Cliffe, Chris took over in “pole” to lead us the rest of the way. At one point, Neil made an overtaking maneuver, but only to advise the pace setters to “lift & cruise” at 22mph. At Market Weighton the riders took time for the first “pit-stop” before completing Sector 2 at Goodmanham.
Heather 
Sarah 
Neil 
Paul 
James 
Chris
Suitably refuelled, the riders headed off on Sector 3 towards Holme-on-the-Wolds. The “racing” really kicked off as we started the downhill run to the Middleton road. I think it was the shout “Strava section go go go!” that started it. In an effort to stay in touch with the leaders “Numpty” eventually “maxed-out” in top gear doing 100+rpm. Later, after reviewing the “results”, Sarah must have been dancing round the furniture celebrating her QOM 👑. However such things are ephemeral, lasting only till Heather posted her time, snatching away the crown, just minutes later, to add to her own “glittering” collection. In the men’s section, Chris recorded the best time this year followed by Paul and Neil all making it onto the top ten podium overall.
On reaching Holme-on-the-Wolds, we turned back into the wind, so the pace proceeded at a more “genteel” pace as we made our way back to the “finishing line” through Etton, Cherry Burton and Walkington. Given the strength of the wind 🌬️ the “circuit” provided a wonderful mixture, to have made it worthwhile heading out.