🎶Misty mornin’, don’t see no sun, I know you’re out there somewhere having fun🎶 Yes it’s that season again of “mists and mellow fruitfulness”. Just as we thought we’d have a nice dry day, we awoke to drab grey skies, wet roads and a blanket of mist. Still, the Knights were undeterred with a “baker’s dozen” turning out at the starting point at Etton for what Raymond had described as one for the “mountain goats”.
The first “mountain” of the day came shortly after the start as we headed upwards through South Dalton to Holme-on-the-Wolds before wending our way to Middleton-on-the-Wolds to begin everyone’s favourite climb to Huggate.
On reaching North Dalton two of our number, DJ and Raymond, decided to return home and left the remainder to continue the original route.
Leaving Huggate behind we headed towards Warter. Part way along the road, a shout came from behind “Car Back!!!” Unfortunately that didn’t really describe what was approaching or stern. Turned out to be a huge 🚚 almost completely filling the width of the road and appeared to have little patience about getting past our group as it tried to squeeze by at the slightest opportunity despite the poor condition of the road surface and lack of space to pull in.
Following a breathtaking downhill into Warter we regrouped before heading for the next “mountain” along Bailey Lane. “This next hill is a bit steep isn’t it?” enquired Helen trepidatiously. “Noooooo not at all” we all assured her with tongues firmly in cheek. After gathering at the top having huffed and puffed our way, climbing sections varying in gradient from 6-12% there were some sighs of relief. “Well that wasn’t so bad was it?” commented someone. The climbing then continued, though on a gentler gradient, until reaching Nunburnholme top. There was then a brief respite as we headed downhill to Londesborough before tackling the final two climbs to the Fiddle Drill cafe at Goodmanham.
For the homeward journey we continued to climb from Goodmanham to the top of Kiplingcotes. At the top of the hill we noted a lot of cars parked up at the side of the road. Turned out to be a hunt meeting. As we zoomed downhill we could hear the sounds of the hunting horn blasting in the field nearby. It was soooo tempting to start shouting “tally ho” however the imminent approach of some pack hounds crossing the road focused our attention more appropriately. The final leg of our journey then took us home along the usual route through Etton and Cherry Burton.