🎶Just one cornetto, give it to me🎶 And so, it came to pass, there was only one “Cornetto” lovingly named by Raymondo as the 2nd group while retaining his group title of “Gruppetto”. The lead group on the road were the “Early Starters” consisting of Mark, James N and Matt, setting off at 0915 for a shorter ride than the one proposed.
The 2nd two groups set off at intervals from Manor House at 0945 to follow a similar starting route to the Easter Sunday ride but with a different cafe destination. The “Cornettos” included Mike, Pugwash, Iain, Michael plus his friend Tom joining us for trial run.
Soon after setting off, while still “warming up” the Cornettos were overtaken by two other gentlemen. I’m not sure, but I felt that the “ignominy” of being “scalped” crept into Mike’s psyche causing him to increase power, thereby keeping his “prey” in sight (ably assisted by Pugwash). We continued to follow said gents through Cherry Burton and Etton, however as we made our way to Holme-on-the-Wolds we began to close in on our “prey”. Eventually, Pugwash decided it was time for us to pass and regain our “scalps”.
Heading along the road towards Middleton-on-the-Wolds, we spotted another group of cyclists ahead. Judging by the “colours” it looked like Mrs Pugwash’s group of WOW ladies. We caught up with them when they stopped to regroup at a lay-by. Recognising our “colours” they started cheering us on. “Allez , Allez, Allez” rang through the ether. However, as we passed, it seems that attention wandered with eyes taking in the magnificent “view” causing Iain to run into the back of Pugwash bringing both to the ground.
Only superficial injuries were incurred, however the same could not be said for Iain’s bike. The front disc brake rotor was completely buckled rendering his bike unusable. As we discussed what to do next the Gruppetto arrived to lend further assistance. Iain decided to call a taxi to get him back to Beverley.
With time pressing to reach the Fiddle Drill for our 1130 table booking, the rest of the Cornettos decided to continue onwards leaving Iain in the capable hands of the Gruppetto. Instead of continuing to Huggate, we decided to take a slightly shorter route and head to Nunburnholme top along the Warter road from Middleton-on-the-Wolds. This must be one of the worst road surfaces in our area, full of potholes, rough surfaces and loose gravel. Luckily we proceeded without incident.
A quick zoom down to Londesborough before we hit our next challenge on Intake Hill then on to Market Weighton. The “smell of the coffee” wafted down from the Fiddle Drill egging us upward on the final climb (at least in my imagination) if not reality. Having taken a shorter route, we now found ourselves 15min early but were still able to take our table. The Gruppetto with Steve, Raymondo, Norm, Russel and Seadog turned up a little later.
We were just about to leave when Michael asked where we should pay. I’m glad someone had remembered, as the rest of us were about to head off, wallets still intact. Embarrassment avoided thanks Michael.
The return home saw the two groups taking slightly different paths. The Cornettos turned down to the Kiplingcotes road to South Dalton through Dalton Park while the Gruppetto went back via Holme-on-the-Wolds and South Dalton and home.