The “plotters” were invited to gather in a huddle at The Light Dragoon in Etton with the promise of a spectacular display of cycling. The only thing threatening to “spoil the party” was the remnants of the overnight rain. Fortunately, like a damp squib it fizzled out by the time the twelve Knights had arrived. “Here’s the plan folks” announced the leading conspirator “We going to turn Left, Left, Left, Right, Left. Have we all got that?” he asked looking around pointedly to make sure we’d all understood.
No sooner had we set off and there was a shout from behind “Hoy you’re supposed to go left here!” but soon realised that “his” left turn would have led us into the local church instead of Chantry Lane. On reaching South Dalton, Mel the “lead” rider at the time went blithely past “our” junction before a shout from behind brought him back to “the fold”. Turning into the wind towards Kiplingcotes, Chad took up the front running burning energy like an everlasting “roman candle” while the rest thankfully tucked in behind.
Closing in on Goodmanham we came across the first section of flooded road. Luckily it was not too deep and we all safely made our way through. After that we made our way to Market Weighton and then we set off like “rockets” as we faced the climb up to Londesborough then down to Burnby.
Approaching Nunburnholme we hit the next section of flooded road. Fortunately some were able to circumnavigate the obstacle while others decided to ride through.
At this point there was a split in the group as half decided to tackle Nunburnholme Hill. As we fizzled our way up the hill thinking “why did I agree to this?” the other half decided to take “Back lane” to Warter. However on reaching the top we did feel a sense of achievement.
From Nunburnholme top, six of us “lit the blue touch paper” and set off like rockets to Bailey Lane. On arrival at the junction there were only three of us. “Where’s the other three?” we wondered. With no sign of them down the road we assumed there must have been a ‘mechanical’. Sure enough, Michael had suffered yet another puncture, his third in two rides. Meanwhile in Warter there was an awful lot of water with flooded fields overflowing onto the surrounding roads. Three of the “Back Lane” crew took their chances and rode through (wish I had me wellies!) while Heather and Andy took the sensible option along the main road.
From watery Warter, 🎵the only way is up🎵 as the now three separate groups headed for Huggate rising upwards like Chinese lanterns. Finally we now had a helping wind as we raced on towards Tibthorpe. As we approached the cafe entrance, Melvin held out his hand to indicate he was turning or at least that’s what we thought until he sailed straight on past. “Mel! Mel!! MEL!!!” our yelling fell on deaf ears as he carried on blindly forcing Colin to chase after him.
By the time we’d completed our refreshments the sun had put in an appearance and we were all thankful for the little extra heat as we made our way home via Tibthorpe, Bracken, South Dalton, Etton and Cherry Burton. Another “banger” of a ride full of banter and incidents. Time for a hot bath/shower.