“The best laid plans of mice and men….” just about sums up this Friday’s ride. Our proposed destination was the Spotted Duck at Fitling. No sooner had the sun appeared “below the yardarm”, warnings of early morning ice were flying about causing some to cancel rather than risk any chance of black ice.
The forecast however was for sun by midday so a later start time of 1230 was proposed. “Mice!? There’s no mice here in Tickton” claimed our Friday Route Master. “No mice in Beverley” cried Seadog only to be contradicted with Russell saying “Lots of frost in Molescroft”. Having scraped ice off his car windscreen this morning in the freezing fog, Pugwash was happy for a delayed start.
Some Knights could not make the later start and cancelled but it seems however, that not everyone got the “memo” and two Knights turned up at 0930. Left to their own devices, the “Men” set off on a route taking them to Meaux, Long Riston and Catfoss before returning through Brandesburton and Leven.
In the end only three Knights made the 1230 start. The “Mice” then set off on a circular route with a proposed cafe stop at Cranswick Farm shop. Just after we negotiated the “magic roundabout” a flash of blue passed in the opposite direction. Turned out to be Mike darting his way home like a kingfisher diving on it’s prey.
After passing through Leven, Pugwash suddenly got ahead of himself thinking we’d missed the turn to Frodingham, not realising we still had to reach Brandesburton first. Doh! Now a little red faced, we continued on. The “red face” grew even more crimson as Heather took to the front and aided by the following wind, upped the pace until arriving at North Frodingham.
After a brief respite, Russell took over the pace setting as we continued to Wansford and Skerne before arriving at the Farm Shop for a well earned break. Service was a little slower than usual on this occasion as the cafe was almost full.
Leaving the Farm Shop, we found the “🎶sun had put it’s hat on 🎶” and it felt like the temperature had dropped dramatically. Fortunately it was not too far to return home as we followed our usual route over Bracken to South Dalton, Etton and Cherry Burton. A very enjoyable ride with some sunshine, mostly dry roads and wonderful company. Given the forecast for the next few days, it may be a while before we hit the road again.