“‘Ere Ray, I ‘eard on the grapevine that there’s some rich pickin’s to be had in Millington. Sumfink about ramblers resting on their laurels.” “OK” said Ray “Round up the gang and we’ll head out there. I could just murder me a bacon sarnie”. “Our boy Seadog ‘unter said he can’t make it this time. Somethin’ bout another job”
“Hey Chief, just had the heads up from a CHIS (Cyclist Hiding in Sidelines) about an OCG (Older Cyclists Group) job over in Millington.” “OK fella, round up the group and get going. If we can get there before them, we’ll catch them in the act”.
A six man squad from AC12 (Active Cyclists) set off from the Manor at 0945. Pugwash and Colin were the early pace setters as we battled the wind through Cherry Burton and Etton. Approaching Holme-on-the-Wolds, Mark jumped on the front and upped the pace as we climbed steadily upwards. On reaching the Goodmanham junction, Colin tried to lead us in the wrong direction until a shout from Pugwash set us back on the correct road to Middleton-on-the-Wolds. Andy took that as his “cue” to return home.
Next up was the long drag up to Huggate through North Dalton. On reaching Huggate, in an effort to cheer us all up, Mark employed Neil’s trick, “It’s all downhill from here” he said confidently forgetting the little lump out of Huggate before heading down to Millington Dale. There was also the small matter of the “switchback” climb past Millington Woods before finally reaching the “stakeout”.
As we settled at the table the ‘chief’ enquired how we’d all paid. “I used plastic” said Matthew enthusiastically. “There’s only one thing I’m interested in and that’s spent coppers” replied the ‘chief’. “Now Pugwash, there’s a rumour that you have connections to the OCG” he continued inviting a fitting reply. “No comment” responded Pugwash. “We have it on good authority that you had a birthday recently” he added. “No comment” repeated the Captain. “Look fella, you can ‘no comment’ all you like, but we have information that your birthday cake had so many candles on it that the cake melted nearly burning the house down”. “No comment”.
The “Banditos” 
Just in the nick of time, the OCG turned up and focus of attention shifted to their arrival. “Look out guv, it’s the boys in blue” warned Russ as they made their move towards the cafe. Heather came over to our table, “We did the ‘cable tie’ challenge coming down Millington Dale” she beamed, shortly followed by Neil. “Guess who won” he asked proudly. His ‘pride’ bubble was then severely burst when Colin suggested that it was probably not the best ‘claim to fame’.
We started to get a bit cold when the wind picked up so that seemed like a good time to head home. It looked like there was a prospect of showers in the distance as we returned via Kilnwick Percy to Nunburnholme. On reaching ‘base camp’ mutterings of “Holy mother of God, are we really going up there?”. The OCG however thought better of it and took the longer way round by Burnby. After AC12 regrouped at the top, further tongue in cheek mutterings of “It’s all downhill from here” were bandied about. “Jesus, Joseph, Mary and the wee donkey what about Intake Hill.” thought everyone else.
The final leg of our journey took us through Market Weighton and along Spring Road back to Etton. It was another superb route and fortunately we managed to dodge the worst of the wintery showers. Hopefully it will warm up again soon and we can get out on bigger groups.