“Forecast looks good” proclaimed Raymond “Meet at Walkington 10am for a hilly ride which includes a ‘Fiddle’. Route to follow”. “Ooh I love a mystery tour”. DJ was first to respond “Ding Dong I’m free!” Matty followed up with “Yes, I’m on the Fiddle!” though I’m not sure he meant that literally. Seadog then piped in with “I’m up for a bit of drilling”. Ooh er missus, not sure we want to know what you sailors get up to.
Fourteen Knights turned out to be greeted with a blanket of lovely spring sunshine. Things were going really well…. but then we had to mount up. It wasn’t long before we were heading directly into the wind along Middlehowe Road. A gentle incline up to High Hunsley but with the westerly wind it felt like wading through treacle, though not as pleasant. Conversation was somewhat staccato as the wind snatched away words and instead filled the ears with a cacophony of sound.
After a brief respite we headed off to North Newbald. Still into the wind but at least it was now mostly downhill. “Regroup at the village green” Raymond had advised however that message seemed to fall on deaf ears as the ‘leading group’ took the shortcut down Townend Lane to wait near the local school instead.
Setting off once more it felt like bliss with the wind now on our backs giving us a gentle push along as we approached Stoneknowle hill. Any thoughts of PBs were soon quashed however, as we came face to face with a massive tractor with escort straddling the road, forcing us to pull into a nearby lay-by. At Gardham top we crossed the main A1079 with one of our group ‘earning’ a blast of the horn from one entitled miffed driver. “How dare you cross in front of me!”
With everyone safely across, it was time for another downhill run followed by a wind assisted blast towards Etton. Our next challenge was the climb up to Holme-on-the-Wolds. With the wind now on our left flank it was not so much of a hindrance unless we passed a gap in the hedgerow. It was a different story when we turned into the Middleton road as we were once again exposed to the full force. The only hiding place was on the back wheel of the rider in front and just pray that you could ‘hold the wheel’.
The final run in to the Fiddle Drill cafe was an ‘up and over’ Cross Gate with the wind now on the starboard bow. The leading group consisted of Michael, Colin and Matty with Pugwash hanging on their tails. I suspect there was a bit of an undeclared race going on between Michael and Colin with neither willing to be the first to ‘ease off’. There was one advantage being in the lead group though… first dibs at the cafe.
The journey back was somewhat easier with the wind generally assisting as we returned via Kiplingcotes, Etton and Cherry Burton. It was great to see so many members turn out to take advantage of the dry weather and making it a very enjoyable ride. Looking forward to our next outing.