Attention on deck!! We have some new crew members to boost our number today. Bosun Russel introduced his son Cadet Philip to the assembly, looking to boost his cycling fitness. That should help bring the average age down a bit! Geoff and Sandra were the other new faces looking to join us for our ride out to the Fiddle Drill at Goodmanham. The rest of the crew were the usual suspects, Captain Pugwash, Admiral Neil, Rear Admiral Heather, Corporal Jones and Gunners Mate Dave.
Using a “well known” nautical method it was finger in the air time to check the wind direction before setting off into a mild south westerly. Leaving our dock, we took the normal route over the Westwood to the Newbald road. The early climb a chance to billow the sails, or for some to fill the lungs. On reaching Manor House, it appeared that Geoff and Sandra had been blown off-course and decided to find their own way to Goodmanham. The remainder of the crew set off to Walkington and on to the climb up Bluestone Bottoms.
At the top of the climb, Neil recounted an incident with a butterfly (probably a ……Red Admiral….or he would have been if he’d swallowed it). Some may say he should have kept his gob shut but I couldn’t possibly comment. The climbing continued all the way to the top of Comberdale Hill with Gunners Mate Dave leading the way. Once “over the top” it was big gear time to sweep through the trees on the way down into South Cave led this time by Corporal Jones. The convoy regrouped at the bottom before continuing on to North Cave with lead changing between Dave, Russ and Neil.
Once onto the Cliffe Road, the wind was now on the port quarter. With no-one taking on Neil’s suggestion of a chain gang, Bosun Russ took up the initial pace setting before being superseded by Captain Pugwash. Under full sail, a cracking pace was set but eventually it was time for someone else to step onto the front as Corporal Jones zoomed past with a cheery “We have a breakaway”, neither of us realising that the others had stopped to repair a puncture to Russel’s steed. After waiting a few minutes at the Market Weighton junction and no sign of the peloton, we tried to contact the Admiral but with no signal the breakaway continued to the café stop.
At that time, we noted that “last minute” Colin had left a message to say he was running late for the initial rendezvous, unfortunately no-one had spotted the message prior to departure. There was a report that he may have flown passed Mrs Pugwash on a ride with the U3A while heading through South Dalton.
After the café stop and wind still filling the sails it was a fast pace to Holme-on-the-Wolds and South Dalton where we bumped into Nick and Charlotte walking the baby. Afterwards it was the usual return route via Etton and Cherry Burton. A superb ride enjoyed by all.