Mr Blue Sky

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🎶 Hey there Mr Blue! We’re so pleased to be with you… Everybody smiles at you 🎶 After weeks with the “curtains shut” the sun finally came out to play. Unfortunately it’s taken a little longer for the temperature to play along. As we gathered in the bus shelter by Walkington pond the heat generated by the early morning sun made it feel more like the Mediterranean. Six Knights set off on Matt’s proposed route to Gilberdyke facing a head wind all the way.

The initial leg took us over some undulating terrain to Little Weighton before continuing along Rowley road to Riplingham. After a final climb on Lambwell hill it was time for a long downhill on Elloughton Dale. After regrouping at the bottom there was a pause while the chatter flowed like a bunch of sailors swapping sea stories. In fact if we’d hung around much longer we be in danger of a parking ticket.

Leaving Elloughton behind, the pace picked up as the group headed along the flatter roads on the way to Ellerker and Broomfleet where we negotiated the potholes like someone picking their favourite sweets from a jar while dodging the rest. The “pick’n’mix” continued after leaving the Brickyard where we continued to work our way through more of the “sticky toffees” and “crunchy bits” on the way to Faxfleet. Eventually there was nothing left except the “smooth centres” leading us to Blacktoft…….and that’s where it all went wrong.

With Puggy on the front, he turned off following a sign clearly stating Gilberdyke this way only to be later “hauled before the judge” accused of stealing part off the route. “Sorry m’lud were we supposed to go via Yokefleet?” he enquired sheepishly. “I can only plead guilty but in my defence m’lud you did say we’d be in the cafe at 1145 and I believe we arrived bang on time”. As judge Matty donned his “Blacktoft” to pronounce sentence he announced “Your punishment will be deferred to later on the ride”

At the Gilberdyke Garden centre we were met by Geoff updating us on his recovery progress while we tucked into our various food choices. When it was time to return home we were pleased to have the wind behind us. It was like someone had added “battery assist” as we easily cruised along through Newport at 20mph and onwards to North Cave. After breezing through Hotham we arrived at South Newbald.

“Right it’s time for your punishment” declared the judge as he produced a rope binding us all together. “It’s Trundlegate for you” he ordered. As we climbed “the gallows steps” the strain of “the rope” began to bite deep before “the threads” started to unravel. Sean was first on the way with Puggy desperately trying to “hang” on behind only to “drop off” as the climb hit the steep section. Colin showed some resilience as he “danced” his way upwards trying to avoid “the drop” as he set off in pursuit of Sean. On reaching the end of Whin Lane we stopped to recover and regroup while reflecting on our individual sense of achievement.

The final leg of our journey was an easy downhill with the wind behind back to the start point at Walkington. It was a pleasure to finally be out on a ride and not feel cold. Long may it last.

What’s ‘Eating Gilbert Dyke?

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Having been confined to “barracks” for a number of days, due to in part to icy conditions then by a battering from storm Bert, it was no surprise to see a good turn out for this Tuesdays ride to Gilberdyke. Our rendezvous point was Walkington pond where we huddled together in the bus shelter. The sun was shining but the slight breeze made the 4°c feel more like zero degrees. The last to arrive was Russ and Stephen both wearing matching ensembles making them look like they’d just come from auditions for the latest episode of “Orange is the New Black”.

Nine Knights set off up Kirk Lane heading for Little Weighton with Graham and Matty setting the early pace. They must have been feeling the cold as they soon had the group spread out before stopping to regroup when we turned onto Rowley Road. “OK Matty we’re all here, let’s go!” came the shout from behind “MATTY!…MATTY!… oh never mind off we go”. On reaching the end of Rowley road, we were waiting for an opportunity to exit the junction when a kindly van driver stopped to let us out, probably much to the chagrin of the traffic behind. In the kerfuffle of the mass scramble to get going, there was a squeal of concern from Heather as she narrowly avoided touching wheels with Matt. Later as we emerged from the junction at the bottom of Welton Dale we had a ‘reprise’ when Puggy 😳 got caught in the wrong gear heading up Elloughton High road impeding her progress. At this point we waved goodbye to Stephen who continued into Welton.

On “Top of the World” (aka Elloughton High Road)

Coming onto the main road at Elloughton we split into two groups while making our way to Ellerker along the Brough/Cave road. After regrouping, we continued through Ellerker to Common Road where we said goodbye to Matty.

Our ride to Broomfleet was interrupted at the railway crossing where we had a triple whammy of trains. Following a short break we continued to the Brickworks along a lane called “The Landings”. Given the state of the road surface it must have been named after the lunar landings. Having safely negotiated our way through, we arrived at the Gilberdyke garden centre

When we’d all had our fill it was time for the return journey. Along the busy main road through Newport we formed a “steady away” chain gang until reaching North Cave. At this point Geoff left the group to continue home on his own while the rest headed along Townend lane towards Hotham.

Unfortunately there was some misunderstanding over the directions which resulted in three of us heading along Hotham road while the three at the back turned to Nordham and through Hotham park. When we regrouped outside the Hotham Arms “referee” Neil ‘blew his whistle’ and showed the ‘yellow card’ to Puggy. “We agreed at the cafe we’d go through the park” advised Neil. “But referee!!…” cried Puggy proverbially flailing around for any excuse before trotting out the oft used adage “…but we always go that way”. Meanwhile Chad was trying to sink into the background muttering “Don’t blame me, I was only following the wheel in front”.

The final leg of the journey took us home through South and North Newbald and along Beverley road to complete another enjoyable ride in great company. Till next time….

Five Go To Gilberdyke

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Matty, James, Colin, Michael and their faithful dog Puggy set off on another adventure. “First I’ll tell you How, Den I’ll tell you where” announced Matty. “Come round to my place at 0930” he suggested before adding preemptively “Unless Michael has any other ideas”. “No No No” cried Michael feeling somewhat defensive “There will be no challenge from me!!” (this time 😉😁

Colin was first to arrive, “Oh good there’s nobody here yet” or so he thought as he approached the shelter next to Walkington Pond only to find Matty inside hiding from the wind. “Just thought I’d surprise everyone and be early for a change” Colin explained. As the appointed hour approached the four of us looked around to see a breathless Michael turn up on the dot. “It doesn’t matter how early I start” he began to explain “I always end up rushing”

James took the lead as we set off towards Howden up Kirk lane and onto Bluestone Bottoms. The climbing continued to the top of Comberdale hill with Matty on the front setting the pace before plummeting down to South Cave. “Wheeeee” we all yelled inwardly as we recovered from our earlier efforts. On reaching Water Lane Matty asked “Shall we take the first or second right?”. “I don’t think there’s much difference” advised Puggy “OK we’ll take the second one” suggested Matty.

At this point, Puggy took up the front running. As we approached the junction to Norfolk Bank Lane, partially blinded by the low lying sun (at least that’s my excuse) Puggy almost cut across the path of another group of cyclists coming at speed in the opposite direction. “Hoy you lot keep your dog on a lead” they shouted as they zoomed by. On the way to Broomfleet we took advantage of the shelter from the wind provided by the few hedges before coming into the flat open ground where there was no hiding place.

The ‘adventure’ continued through the pot hole riddled road leading to the Brickyard and eventually bringing us to Faxfleet. As we then dodged our way around the pot holes and damaged road surface there was a shout from Michael “Puncture!”. “Not again!” we all cried.

“That’s it” wailed Michael “I’m done with tubeless tyres” as he set about looking for the leak. “It’s supposed to be self sealing”. After pumping up the pressure we were on our way once more but it was not for long as he had to stop again. This time he set about putting a ‘plug’ in the tyre. “I saw this on U-Tube” he explained as he set about ‘stabbing’ the tyre like he was skewering a piece of meat. With the time we’d lost, we decided to cut short and head to Gilberdyke instead of Howden. “How far is it to Gilberdyke?” asked Michael as he continued to get that “sinking” feeling before stopping a third time. “You lot carry on and I’ll catch you at the cafe after I put a tube in” he suggested.

The “Five” set off home after the cafe stop but now the wind was generally behind as we flew through Newport to North Cave. On the way to Hotham we briefly lost contact with Colin who’d stopped to fasten up his helmet strap. When we arrived at South Newbald the “Five” started playing “cat and mouse” at the bottom of Trundlegate with nobody ready to take the initiative. “Are we going this way?” asked Michael. “Well that’s what was agreed at the cafe” informed Matty before we set off in earnest up the “mountain”. “At least it is over and done with quickly” said Michael helpfully.

On reaching Littlewood road, Michael was reluctant to take that route as he’d suffered a puncture 🤔 there recently due to hedge cuttings on the road so instead we headed back towards Little Weighton before bombing down Bluestone and back into Walkington. Overall we had a great ride out and the predicted wind gusts of 30mph never materialised.