Misty Morning Mountains

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🎶Misty mornin’, don’t see no sun, I know you’re out there somewhere having fun🎶 Yes it’s that season again of “mists and mellow fruitfulness”. Just as we thought we’d have a nice dry day, we awoke to drab grey skies, wet roads and a blanket of mist. Still, the Knights were undeterred with a “baker’s dozen” turning out at the starting point at Etton for what Raymond had described as one for the “mountain goats”.

The first “mountain” of the day came shortly after the start as we headed upwards through South Dalton to Holme-on-the-Wolds before wending our way to Middleton-on-the-Wolds to begin everyone’s favourite climb to Huggate.

On reaching North Dalton two of our number, DJ and Raymond, decided to return home and left the remainder to continue the original route.

Leaving Huggate behind we headed towards Warter. Part way along the road, a shout came from behind “Car Back!!!” Unfortunately that didn’t really describe what was approaching or stern. Turned out to be a huge 🚚 almost completely filling the width of the road and appeared to have little patience about getting past our group as it tried to squeeze by at the slightest opportunity despite the poor condition of the road surface and lack of space to pull in.

Following a breathtaking downhill into Warter we regrouped before heading for the next “mountain” along Bailey Lane. “This next hill is a bit steep isn’t it?” enquired Helen trepidatiously. “Noooooo not at all” we all assured her with tongues firmly in cheek. After gathering at the top having huffed and puffed our way, climbing sections varying in gradient from 6-12% there were some sighs of relief. “Well that wasn’t so bad was it?” commented someone. The climbing then continued, though on a gentler gradient, until reaching Nunburnholme top. There was then a brief respite as we headed downhill to Londesborough before tackling the final two climbs to the Fiddle Drill cafe at Goodmanham.

For the homeward journey we continued to climb from Goodmanham to the top of Kiplingcotes. At the top of the hill we noted a lot of cars parked up at the side of the road. Turned out to be a hunt meeting. As we zoomed downhill we could hear the sounds of the hunting horn blasting in the field nearby. It was soooo tempting to start shouting “tally ho” however the imminent approach of some pack hounds crossing the road focused our attention more appropriately. The final leg of our journey then took us home along the usual route through Etton and Cherry Burton.

Favourite Things

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It’s been quite a ‘mixed bag’ of weather this week. Tuesday’s ride failed to materialise due to strong winds and showers in the forecast…… except for Neil and Heather who braved the conditions only to wonder why they bothered as they returned home completely ‘nithered’. Thursday we had four seasons in one day with warm sunshine followed by stinging hailstones.

Friday proved a much better day for cycling as we set off from Walkington Pond for a run out to Goodmanham.

Our route was described as “lumpy custard” with the first lump coming almost immediately round the corner at the ‘Dog & Duck’ on Northgate. It was a little smoother along Burton Gates before ‘wading’ our way uphill along Walkington Heads towards North Newbald. After ‘spooning’ through a few more lumpy bits we were faced with the ‘huge congealed lump’ that is Stoneknowle. On reaching the top at High Gardham there was a collective sigh of relief. “Well I’m glad that’s over with”.

The next ‘mouthful’ was a little ‘runnier’ as we ‘wolfed’ downhill to Low Gardham and then with a little more ‘consistancy’ towards Etton. Further lumpy bits appeared ‘on our plate’ as we turned towards Holme-on-the-Wolds not helped by the cool North-North-Easterly blowing over the surface. It was a different story after we turned left heading along the Middleton road. Now with the sun and the wind at our backs, the task of ‘polishing off’ the remaining few ‘lumps’ became much more pleasurable.

Beverley Knights Cycling Club Favourite Cafe Stop 2024

For our ‘main course’ we stopped at the Fiddle Drill in Goodmanham where we took the opportunity to present the accolade of Beverley Knights Cycling Club favourite cafe stop 2024. Once we’d taken onboard some real sustenance, it was time to finish off the ‘lumpy custard’ and head home.

The next ‘spoonful’ along the Spring Road proved a little ‘gritty’ and somewhat chilly with the wind in our faces until reaching South Dalton. Following the final few ‘lumpy mouthfuls’ at Etton and the often ‘unpalatable’ “Grannies Hump” we all returned home having had a very enjoyable day in the saddle.

Masters of the Fairways

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The day opened with with a light sou’westerly wind and a grey blanket of cloud blocking out any spring sunshine and the warmth that might have come with it. Still, with no rain in the forecast it encouraged a great turn out. Only decision to be made was “Shorts or Longs, Summer bike or Winter bike?….🤔

As is traditional with the ‘Masters’, the ‘veterans’ take the ‘honour’ and lead the ‘field’ off on the ‘first tee’. The first ‘hole’ was a ‘par 4’ right hand dogleg taking us from Etton uphill to Holme-on-the-Wolds. ‘All square’ after the first, the second was a long straight ‘par 5’ with a number of undulations which managed to stretch the ‘field’ out as we approached the twisting snake-like ‘par 4 third’ leading us into Middleton-on-the-Wolds.

Next up was the ‘par 3 fourth’, a short up and down through the village. Some confusion reigned at the start of the ‘par 4 fifth’ when some ‘competitors’ misread their ‘course notes’ and tried to miss out the next section of the ‘course’ by turning onto Warter road instead of continuing to North Dalton.

Setting off on the ‘par 3 sixth’, a long straight heading directly into wind on the Dale road towards Warter. On reaching the ‘par 4 – 7th tee’ the terrain took another upward turn as the various groups climbed towards the highest part of the course at Nunburnholme top.

Next up was the ‘par 5 8th hole’ taking the ‘competitors’ from Nunburnholme top downhill through Londesborough with a sting in the tail climb of Intake Hill towards the end.

The ‘par 4 ninth’ meandered further downhill towards Market Weighton before a dogleg left heading to Goodmanham and the climb up to the ‘half-way house’ at Fiddle Drill cafe.

Following refreshments the ‘groups’ set off for the ‘back nine’. The ‘par 4 tenth’ continued the climb upwards along Crossgate. As we approached ‘Amen Corner’ and the ’11th Tee’ heaving in great gulps of air, a waft of “eau-de-manure” drifted across from the neighbouring field tantalising our olfactory nerves. “Ooh the joys of the countryside!” (either that or someone was letting rip 🤭)

At the 12th Tee a few competitors abandoned to find their own way home while the remaining ‘players’ tackled the fast downhill run along Kiplingcotes Race Course. The 13th was a short ‘par 5’ featuring a 5% average climb at the beginning followed by a short dip and another climb before the long straight ‘par 4 14th’ bringing the competitors back towards Etton.

The ‘par 5 15th’ led back through Etton village with a dogleg right and a short climb over the old railway line and into Cherry Burton. The next stage to tackle was the fearsome ‘par 3 16th’ with the infamous “Granny’s Hump”, a short climb averaging 5.2% but touching 9% briefly.

Once the ‘players’ managed to get over the ‘road crossing’ the ’17th’ was a relatively easy ‘par 4’ taking us back towards Manor House. The final ‘par 4’ 18th saw the ‘players’ taking various routes back to their own ‘clubhouse’ to end another extremely enjoyable ride around the East Riding.

Fiddly Wind Hilly Drill

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“Forecast looks good” proclaimed Raymond “Meet at Walkington 10am for a hilly ride which includes a ‘Fiddle’. Route to follow”. “Ooh I love a mystery tour”. DJ was first to respond “Ding Dong I’m free!” Matty followed up with “Yes, I’m on the Fiddle!” though I’m not sure he meant that literally. Seadog then piped in with “I’m up for a bit of drilling”. Ooh er missus, not sure we want to know what you sailors get up to.

Fourteen Knights turned out to be greeted with a blanket of lovely spring sunshine. Things were going really well…. but then we had to mount up. It wasn’t long before we were heading directly into the wind along Middlehowe Road. A gentle incline up to High Hunsley but with the westerly wind it felt like wading through treacle, though not as pleasant. Conversation was somewhat staccato as the wind snatched away words and instead filled the ears with a cacophony of sound.

After a brief respite we headed off to North Newbald. Still into the wind but at least it was now mostly downhill. “Regroup at the village green” Raymond had advised however that message seemed to fall on deaf ears as the ‘leading group’ took the shortcut down Townend Lane to wait near the local school instead.

Setting off once more it felt like bliss with the wind now on our backs giving us a gentle push along as we approached Stoneknowle hill. Any thoughts of PBs were soon quashed however, as we came face to face with a massive tractor with escort straddling the road, forcing us to pull into a nearby lay-by. At Gardham top we crossed the main A1079 with one of our group ‘earning’ a blast of the horn from one entitled miffed driver. “How dare you cross in front of me!”

With everyone safely across, it was time for another downhill run followed by a wind assisted blast towards Etton. Our next challenge was the climb up to Holme-on-the-Wolds. With the wind now on our left flank it was not so much of a hindrance unless we passed a gap in the hedgerow. It was a different story when we turned into the Middleton road as we were once again exposed to the full force. The only hiding place was on the back wheel of the rider in front and just pray that you could ‘hold the wheel’.

The final run in to the Fiddle Drill cafe was an ‘up and over’ Cross Gate with the wind now on the starboard bow. The leading group consisted of Michael, Colin and Matty with Pugwash hanging on their tails. I suspect there was a bit of an undeclared race going on between Michael and Colin with neither willing to be the first to ‘ease off’. There was one advantage being in the lead group though… first dibs at the cafe.

The journey back was somewhat easier with the wind generally assisting as we returned via Kiplingcotes, Etton and Cherry Burton. It was great to see so many members turn out to take advantage of the dry weather and making it a very enjoyable ride. Looking forward to our next outing.

Let The Sun Shine

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🎶Let the sun shine in 🎶. This Friday’s ride was blessed with a brief respite between the many showers and storms of recent weeks to present us with almost perfect cycling conditions. Thirteen Knights turned out for the start at Walkington Pond to take advantage of the wall to wall sunshine and light winds to ride out to the Fiddle Drill at Goodmanham.

Our route took us initially to South Cave taking on the climbs of Bluestone Bottoms and Comberdale Hill along the way. Next up was a quick blast over to North Cave and onto the Cliffe Road leading into Market Weighton. After wending out way through town traffic we came to our next challenge with the climb to the Fiddle Drill where we were joined by SteveG.

For the route home, we continued to climb up Cross Gate until reaching the Kiplingcotes Race Course road where Mike and Steve left the group while the rest continued to Middleton-on-the-Wolds….. Well I say the rest, but Iain and Martin decided to leave shortly after by turning off to Lund while a few others also went their own way. By the time we reached the Kilnwick road the group was down to seven.

Approaching the Bracken junction we spotted two cyclists up ahead. “That’s Iain and Martin” cried someone “Why didn’t they stay with us?” we wondered. From Bracken we followed our usual route back to South Dalton, Etton and Cherry Burton to end another very enjoyable ride.

Tour of Er….

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Ding! East Riding?… “Tis the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” according to Keats. “And lo it came to pass” as we woke to a fine mist coating the rising sun like a shimmering negligee….oh excuse me where was I? Following in the wake of the Tour of Britain visit to our area, Raymond decided for this Friday’s ride we needed to “showcase” some of the hills the tour could have done. “Meet at Etton 10am prompt for a lumpy ride” he suggested.

Well it seems that it’s not just the season of mists etc but the season of “tardiness” as four of our attendees shouted out “I’m running late see you en-route”. Our first “objective” was the climb up to Holme-on-the-Wolds. The “peloton” set off at the usual Friday “genteel” pace. There was not much wind to speak of and the sun remained stubbornly behind the morning mists making it almost perfect weather for cycling.

On our way to Middleton-on-the-Wolds on the Goodmanham road the “peloton” was spread across the road dodging pot-holes and rough surfaces when with a moments inattention Raymond found himself off-road on the grass verge like Tom Pidcock making an overtaking manoeuvre. “Ooh are you alright?” we asked. By the time he’d returned to “terrà-Firma” and his “heart had left his mouth” he was able to assure us that all was well.

Next climb on the “agenda” was the lumpy rollercoaster to North Dalton followed by everyone’s favourite, the long drag up to Huggate. Once we’d all recovered from our efforts the next section to Warter was mostly a joyful downhill. After regrouping in Warter, we set off up Bailey Lane to Nunburnholme top. “Ooh are we going up Nunburnholme Hill?” asked Jim excitedly. Well sorry to disappoint you but….. No! Instead we have a “little kicker” averaging 6% over 1 mile starting with a 10% ramp followed by a gentle drag uphill to the top of Nunburnholme Hill.

From there we have a brief respite as we had downhill to Londesborough before the next climb up Intake Hill eventually leading towards Market Weighton before our final climb up to Goodmanham and the cafe stop at the Fiddle Drill.

The season of mellow fruitfulness also includes the pesky attention of wasps. We were thus entertained by Mark’s defence of his fruit scone during our lunch as well as some fruity banter. Soon enough it was time to complete our journey home. After continuing the climb along Crossgates we turned down Kiplingcotes Race Course before eventually returning via Etton and Cherry Burton and the final little “kicker” of “Granny’s Hump”. An excellent route enjoyed by all and enhanced by some lovely weather conditions.