Sunday’s ride saw the Knights return to Allerthorpe for the second time this week. With many roads closed off for the Beverley 10k & fun run, it was decided to meet at the Molescroft Inn with a second group joining up at Cherry Burton.
By the time we set off towards Etton we’d accumulated a “baker’s dozen”. Not sure if it was the sunny weather or the prospect of challenging the mountain King⛰️👑 that brought so many out of the “woodwork” but it was an impressive sight to see so many out in club kit.
The first part of the journey was a rather genteel affair as everyone tried to conserve energy for the challenge to come. On reaching South Dalton we turned to pass through Dalton Park dodging potholes and the odd errant sheep 🐑 on our way to Kiplingcotes.
As we approached “base camp” the group pulled over, some taking the opportunity to “lighten” their load by watering the local vegetation. We then set off one by one to pay homage at the “Court of the Mountain King”. The “Polkadot Pants” are currently on the head of King Kong Kerrigan who back in April set an impressive time of 1:26 giving an average speed of 29.2kph (18.25mph). Would he match it today or indeed improve on his time? Would anyone get anywhere near challenging the “beast”. No was the short answer though he still managed to post the best time of the day (tired legs notwithstanding). In second place came Heather posting a time of 1:49 followed by Colin at 1:54 and Pugwash at 1:58. Regrouping at the top there were a few “King Crimson” faces while we all recovered from the effort. 🥵
Once we’d all regrouped we set off down the “mountain” into Market Weighton where we were joined by Zog who’d cycled up from the “deep south”. It wasn’t all downhill though as we had to negotiate our way up Intake Hill to Londesborough. There, we were met by groups of people on the roadside waiting for a “Tractor Parade”. “You might get through if you’re quick” they suggested. However by the time we reached the junction down towards Burnby we could see the convoy already on the way up to Nunburnholme top.
The tractor drivers were clearly in good fettle as they each greeted us with a blast of the horn and a cheery wave as they passed by. One even managed to sound a bit like the “Dukes of Hazard”. There must have been around eighty as we waited patiently for the road ahead to clear. Soon enough, we were on the move again passing through Burnby and Hayton towards Bielby before turning along Marketbridge Lane and over the Pocklington canal to the stop at Lakeside Cafe.
The return journey was said to be “Matt’s” route so he was “volunteered” to lead the way. He obviously takes his “duty” seriously as he led from the front as we retraced our steps back to Bielby and Everingham at a fairly brisk pace. Eventually others took turns on the front as we made our way through Harswell and onwards to North Cliffe. After a quick “hop” up the main road we turned towards Sancton.
On reaching Sancton, we were once again delayed as the road was blocked by police escorting an abnormal load on the road from Newbald to Market Weighton.
When the Transporter finally passed, it was followed by a long queue of cars stretching almost all the way back to North Newbald, fortunately we had already crossed the road to wait at the base of Sancton hill so were able to set off towards Newbald without further delay.
The final leg on the homeward journey saw the Knights taking the “easier” hill out of Newbald. “Aren’t we going up Trundlegate?” queried one lonely voice. A deadly silence followed with heads buried and a determined spin of the wheels to avoid any over enthusiastic voices of assent.