Caistor

This Friday was pencilled in as an “Away Day” with a chance to ride in an area we don’t normally visit. On this occasion we decided to meet at the Humber Bridge car park before heading “o’er the water”. Six Knights took up the challenge for a sixty miler down to Caistor and back however Michael and Graham decided to add a few extra miles by cycling to and from the meet point. Chapeau 🎩 guys for your century rides.

The day began with a slight fog but soon cleared to leave some lovely sunshine. While waiting for Jon to appear we took the opportunity to admire Chads new bike. As Chad reeled off the bullet points, Michael began to salivate. Eventually Chad offered him the chance to have a trial run. “I thought you’d never ask” he said excitedly as he climbed aboard and began cycling round the car park. He was like a kid opening a Xmas present with a grin from ear to ear while Chad started to worry he’d never get his bike back.

Meanwhile, as we continued to wait for Jon, he was actually waiting for us in another area of the car park but as the 10am deadline approached he suddenly appeared looking for us. After crossing the bridge we made our way through Barton-upon-Humber to pick up the Horkstow road with a gentle climb of around 5km averaging first 1.2%.

The final section of this road features a very steep downhill run with twists, turns and gravel. We were so concentrated on avoiding any mishaps that we missed our turn onto Middlegate Lane. When we gathered at the bottom, Michael asked “Did you not see that junction?” Looking blankly at him, “Junction? What junction?” we responded. Having realised our error we decided to continue on the main road through Horkstow to Saxby. At this point, Michael suggested we take the next left which would bring us back on track. Unfortunately this turned out to be Saxby Hill, a short but very steep 9% climb.

The next part of the route took us over very pleasant slightly undulating roads south east towards Melton Ross, Croxton and Kirmington before skirting round Humberside Airport to Grasby then arriving in Caistor. Our cafe of choice was the Rock Foundation sitting on top of the hill outside Caistor with fantastic views of the surrounding area. As our drinks were brought to our table, one lady (the local version of the governess from the Chase) began to complain. “Why didn’t you say you all wanted tea?” she asked indignantly “I could have made you a big pot”. “Oh is there a shortage of teapots?” asked one brave knight. “There will be if there’s anymore like you” she claimed before muttering “MEN!” as she returned inside. We tried our best not to laugh until Pug suggested “Perhaps we should put our helmets back on!” “Don’t look at me” said Michael “She’s already had a go at me”. Still we had no complaints over the food.

While we were at the cafe Melvin, who’d been having trouble with his electronic gears, was unable to continue and arranged to be picked up by his wife. The first leg of the return journey took us a short way along the rather busy Riby road so it was a relief when we turned off to Fonaby Top. Thereafter we had lovely long slightly downhill run to Great Limber, Brocklesby and Ulceby.

After following the roads around Thornton Abbey we were cruising along the road towards Barrow with Jon on the front when suddenly he spotted a cyclist up ahead. Well that was like red rag to a bull. Immediately his demeanour changed as his head dropped and the pace increased as we all thought “We know what he’s doing”. Unfortunately for him he was not aware of the impending right turn to Goxhill. With the wind in his ears and the ‘bit between his teeth’ he failed to hear the shouts from behind as he continued the ‘chase’ like a greyhound after the hare, forcing Michael to chase after him to bring him back to the fold.

The final leg of the route took us through Barrow-upon-Humber and back into Barton before returning over the Bridge. It turned out to be an extremely pleasant day out with light winds and sunshine along some great cycling territory.

Thirteen Knights awoke early on Sunday 22nd March 2015 and drove to the Humber Bridge car park for a club ride following the Humber Bridge Sportive route (65 miles). The forecast for the day ahead looked good and there was an air of anticipation with the Knights eager to get out on the bikes for what was promised a relatively easy going fast ‘flat’ ride.

With the route successfully uploaded to two of the Knights’ Garmin computers we were off! Taking in the stunning view of the Humber with a crossing of the bridge the first of many highlights of the ride.

As the group gathered momentum building up the cadence, confusion quickly spread through the peloton as to which route we were taking, after a brief meeting it was decided we had gone off course however the road we had taken would eventually join back on to the route and everything would be fine. In order to join back on to the route a hill climb was required, as cyclists we like to exaggerate certain things but I’m pretty sure the ‘hill’ climb ramped up to 20% incline. When we got to the top another brief meeting was called. It turns out we had missed a right turning half way up ‘Mont Ventoux’ and that we needed to descend to join back on the route nevertheless it was a good warm up for most of us! An amazing set of roads were to follow largely flat and reminiscent of a Belgian classic with fields as far as the eye could see and a chance to gather some serious speed whilst taking in some breath taking views.

As we approached the sleepy Lincolnshire town of Caistor another hill climb was looming, with the pack split the lead group got stuck in to a climbing rhythm through Caistor to the top to stop and wait for the rest of the bunch. ‘Excuse me? Is there a cafe somewhere here?’ we asked a fellow cyclist passing by after another brief meeting over grumbles that the hill climb (23%) may have been unnecessary again. ‘Follow me!’ shouted the cyclist…..back down the hill. Again we missed the turning half way up the climb in to the market square where a wonderful little cafe hosted the club run fuel stop. As the sun grew stronger and the Knights tucked in to some lovely food it was smiles all around.

With a few layers removed it was time to set off for the remainder of the ride, what can only be described as pure bliss and a sure sign that spring was here. Rolling roads, blue skies and no wind made for great riding and it wasn’t long before the Humber Bridge was in sight (a comforting sight for most). As we made our way back to the bridge, weighing up the pro’s and cons of simply ‘bringing a map next time’ a chance to reflect on the day arose: How incredibly lucky we are to live in this part of the country, the near perfect weather conditions and good riding meant only one thing – that 2015 is going to be a good year for everyone!

Sojourn to the South Side

Modern Technology & A Belgian Classic… In Lincolnshire