“All Aboard…… The train now standing at Market Cross is the 0900 express to Hornsea…..All Aboard!” Luckily for Olivier the signals remained on red as the train with 5 coaches pulled away giving him time to hop on the back. The earlier start may have caught him out. I don’t know, youngsters today, just can’t get them out of bed!
The route was proposed by Dave 🌊🏠. We all had an inkling that it was likely to be be a pacy ride, however no one thought we were out to test the East Riding equivalent of HS2. The first hint of what was ahead, came as Dave, in full conductor mode and hat on backwards, set the initial pace heading over the Westwood with everyone else clinging on waiting for their engine to warm up.
Despite the beautiful sunshine, the air remained stubbornly cool, so the high pace was welcome and helped to mitigate the slight chill. On crossing the York Road, it was Captain Pugwash’s turn to head to the front until reaching Cherry Burton. The train then continued to South Dalton before switching tracks over to the Bracken road.
Caught up in the excitement of light winds and flattish roads, the pace remained high as each “coach” took a turn at the front. Conversation was somewhat limited as everyone tucked in behind each other as we continued to Hutton, Skerne and Wansford.
A nice change of scenery opened up as we passed through Foston-on-the-Wolds heading for Kelk and Gransmoor. Chuffing our way along quiet country lanes, presented a Hockneyesque vista with the yellow of the rape seed contrasting with the green shoots of crops appearing behind the tree lined roadside. The beauty of it all however, became just a splash of colours on the canvas as we continued to whizz our way towards Lisset.
After dodging the traffic on the Bridlington Road, it was on to Ulrome and Skipsea. A busier stretch of road, so it was a relief to turn back to the quieter road to Bewholme and Hornsea.
Sitting outside at the Mere cafe, brought a reminder that the temperature at the seaside is a few degrees lower than inland, as a light zephyr wafted over us cooling the coffee a little to quickly. Still that did not deter Chad as he whipped of his arm warmers in order to top up his tan. 😎 How long is ten minutes? It seems to depend on how many passengers you have, as the Mere’s own Captain Pugwash tried to drum up business for his boat trip around the Mere.
Now that bunkers had been refilled, it was time to return home. Mark was first off, managing to dodge the busy traffic, to take a big lead. Eventually the rest of the train was able to follow as we headed to Mappleton with Matt on the front. There seemed to be little appetite to “chase him down” however he saved us the effort by waiting at the junction leading to Great Hatfield.
Now that the train was all hooked up again, it was back to business as usual. Heads down, tails up and pump the pistons, speeding onwards through Little Hatfield and Long Riston. The final leg saw us following familiar roads to Meaux and Routh, where Chad uncoupled from the train to head for Leven while the rest returned to Beverley.
Perfect riding conditions, quiet country roads, beautiful scenery, what more can you ask for?