Hornsea

Solstice Ride 2025

It’s that time of year again! No not Wimbledon but the summer solstice ride….. What? It’s not the solstice? Well yes, it’s a bit late this year. No.. not the solstice but the ride is late. Come on keep up at the back. Speaking of which, that could have been the theme for this ride. 🤔

Thirteen Knights gathered at Market Cross at an earlier start time of 6pm for our annual ride to Hornsea and back to Berts Pizzeria. Making our way through town towards Weel is never an easy affair and the group soon split due to cars and traffic lights. On reaching Tickton Grange the team was joined by DJ eager to get going. The “blue train” darted off towards Routh like a kingfisher in search of a new perch.

With hunger driving us onwards the pace remained high as we turned south towards Meaux. Along the way there were numerous shouts of “Car back!” before turning onto Kidhill lane heading for Benningholme. When we reached the junction with Swine Road Matty decided to have a little fun shouting from behind “HOLD ON! HOLD ON!” before ‘racing’ to the front with a massive grin 😁 on his face, as those at the front pulled over to see what had happened. Little boy cried wolf 🐺 sprung to mind.

The ‘Pizza Express’ continued to Long Riston before heading towards Great Hatfield and the last gasp into the wind for what passes as a road to Mappleton. With the wind now behind for the run into Hornsea Colin ‘lit up the afterburners’ encouraging everyone else to join in. Speed must be addictive as no sooner had you passed someone it would spur them on with “Ooh I want some of that” and almost everyone set new pb’s including a 3rd place overall for Sharrin.

After ‘posing’ for the annual photograph at the end of the Trans Pennine Trail we had around half an hour to get back to Berts for our 8pm pizza slot so no time to hang around. Luckily the ride through town was relatively straightforward without the usual traffic. With the wind continuing to assist, the pace remained high allowing Heather to set another pb and a 2nd place overall heading towards Bewholme.

As the ‘clock ticked on’ the pace picked up once more as DJ headed to the front before Colin took up the mantle to lead us through Catfoss and on to Brandesburton. At this point we said goodbye to Paul and Ash while the rest of us headed to the pizzeria like a ravenous ‘kettle’ of vultures. The heat of the day was also catching up as we’d all worked up quite a ‘drouth’ (thirst) none more than Mark who ordered TWO pints to start off with. I’m sure that first one didn’t touch the sides as he was on his second while everyone else still had almost full glasses.

Everyone really enjoyed their meal and the ‘rehydration’ but all too soon it was time to return home. With the light beginning to fade, it was time for lights on the bikes. The once ‘blue train’ was now lit up like a Christmas tree 🎄 as we set off to return to Beverley. The night was still young according to Neil who tried to rally the troops for one last drink in the Cornerhouse. In the end only four Knights called in just to find they’d already closed. Not to be outdone, the final three managed to ensconce themselves at Nellies for that final bit of rehydration. A superb pacy ride and brilliant service and food at Berts. What more could we ask for?

Here Comes The Sun

By Pugwash Leave a Comment Aug 31

… and what better place to go than the seaside. As the eighteen Knights gathered at Market Cross Raymond must have thought “Is it my birthday or are you all just pleased to see me back?”

Splitting into smaller groups, we set off through town to the Weel Bridge with Colin leading the “breakaway” group. At Tickton Grange we regrouped after trying to cross the busy road. “PEEEEEP!!!” Oops who was that we wondered incurring the wrath of an impatient driver. “He was going too fast” explained Neil sheepishly as he joined those already waiting. Once we were all safely across there seemed a reluctance to set off again as everyone was enjoying the blazing 🌞 and general chit chat. Eventually Chris took up the lead in the “breakaway” group until taking up “lollipop duties” at the junction to High Farm. Karl then took up pace setting at the front until the next regroup approaching Leven.

After a short breather Pugwash took off as front runner. Honest I was only trying to get ahead to take some “action shots”. Turns out there was a drama unfolding behind as DJ came off the worse following an “argument” with the pavement kerb. Luckily the only damage was to his pride as he was able to continue the ride.

After passing through Brandesburton we headed for the quieter road via Nunkeeling and Dunnington to Skipsea Brough where we paused once more to regroup.

Turning south we carried on to Bewholme along quiet single track country roads, enjoying the light breeze on our back and the sun in our face, eventually leading us past the Honeysuckle Farm and into Hornsea. Our cafe of choice for today was the Floral Hall where they coped well with the sudden arrival of horde of hungry cyclists.

Having devoured our refreshments, thoughts turned to the route home. “Which way are we going Ray?” we asked our route master. “We have two choices today” he declared. “First option is go to Mappleton and turn right towards Great Hatfield. Second is for anyone wanting a slightly longer route to carry on to Cowden and Withernwick. I’m turning off at Mappleton!” When it came to “decision time” it looked like everyone was going to follow suit but at the last minute four Knights opted for the longer route and better road surface offered by going via Cowden.

By this time the wind had changed direction, blowing lightly from the east helping us along the way. While the main “peloton” passed through Great and Little Hatfield to Long Riston, the breakaway group arrived at the same point via Withernwick and Rise. The final leg home took both groups through Arnold to Beningholme before reaching the Meaux road leading to Routh and back along the cycle path Tickton. It was another great day out with perfect cycling conditions and wonderful to see so many Knights turn out.

Knights Landing

By Pugwash Leave a Comment Jun 7

“Weather looking good tomorrow” announced ‘Squadron Leader’ Raymond “Perfect for a ‘low level’ assault on the beaches of the Eastern front. ‘Take off’ will begin at 0945 from Market Cross.”

A total of fourteen Knights gathered ‘on the runway’ at the appointed hour to be greeted with grey skies and a light breeze. “Jings it’s cauld” was the general consensus as the temperature gauges barely registered double figures. Our refuelling point was the next topic to be discussed with the ‘Mere Cafe’ being cited as an option.

When the ‘green light’ was given the ‘echelon’ set off through Beverley. There was not too much ‘turbulence’ in the area so passage to Weel Bridge proceeded smoothly. Our eastwards ‘flight’ was assisted with a light southwesterly wind as the phalanx of Knights passed through Tickton and along the ‘flight path’ to White Cross roundabout. At this point the ‘Squadron’ ‘banked left’ towards Leven and Brandesburton eventually reaching the road to Catfoss.

At this point it was decided due the number of ‘pilots’, to change our refuelling stop to the Floral Hall. ‘Banking left’ again took the Squad to Dunnington and northwards to Skipsea Brough. After swinging round to the south, we faced our first ‘taste’ of head winds as each ‘pilot’ tried to maintain position in the slipstream of the one in front. Arriving in Hornsea we were confronted by a local ‘barrage’ of cars and traffic lights impeding our progress until a quick thinking Neil suggested a left turn on to Mount Pleasant giving us an open road to our destination on Hornsea beach.

After refuelling it was time for the return ‘flight’. The first leg took the ‘Echelon’ further south towards Cowden before turning west directly into a now strengthening wind. While some fired up the turbo chargers others tucked in the slipstream as best they could until reaching Withernwick. The next segment led the Knights ‘echelon’ to Rise and Skirlaugh. From there we continued along Kidhill Lane

On reaching the Meaux Road, there was a brief respite from the adverse wind as we turned North towards Routh before returning ‘to base’ following our outward route to complete another successful ‘mission’. 1

The Beach Boys

By Pugwash Leave a Comment Feb 24

“Well I’m off to ‘training camp’ this week” cried Raymond “Someone else will have to ‘step up to the plate’ to organise a ride”. Not sure what sort of training camp it is, but I suspect it will involve a lot of “hydration” training 😆

Pugwash was first to chip in with “Anyone fancy a trip to the seaside?” With overnight temperatures down to 3°c there would be less chance of icy patches nearer the coast…. or at least that was the thinking. Eventually six Knights turned out at Market Cross for the later start time of 10am. With the wind ‘filling the topsails’ and even the traffic lights turning in our favour, we ‘breezed’ through town and out towards Weel Bridge.

The swift pace continued through Tickton and onwards to Routh where we waited for a gap in the oncoming traffic to cross the road. When the first two riders made to cross, a lorry in the distance decided to make his presence known by blasting his horn. Not sure what he was ‘trying to say’, it’s not as if we could miss the sight of him thundering towards us. Once we were all safely across we headed south into the wind through Meaux to Kidhill Lane still maintaining a good tempo pace causing the peloton to become somewhat strung out. “Are you sure this is Friday?” asked one breathlessly “Where’s Raymond when you need him?”. Fortunately the ‘leadout’ backed off somewhat after that to a more conversational endurance pace.

In a change to our usual route we decided to head to Swine and Coniston then across to Sproatley where we picked up the road to Burton Constable and New Ellerby. With the wind again in our favour the pace crept up once more as we headed to Withernwick and on to Cowden and along the coast road through Mappleton into Hornsea. “Is it much further?” asked Barry “I could murder a scone right now”.

After a very pleasant stop at the Floral Hall it was time for the return journey. This time we followed our usual route back via Bewholme. Just as we were passing Catfoss, Michael got caught up in the thrill of the chase. “Tally Ho” he cried as he made his way to the front. His stint did not last long though, as his exhilaration deflated along with his rear tyre and he slowly trickled back through the pack like a Pooh Stick drifting downstream. “Carry on” he said as he stopped to inspect the damage. While Barry stayed to help out, the lead group unaware of what happened continued to the next junction before returning to see if help was needed.

Once repairs were completed it was time to hit the road again, unfortunately the ‘repair’ only lasted two minutes before going flat again. While making another tube replacement there was a lot of banter about the ‘dodgy shop keeper’ that sold him the tyres. “You’ll never have another puncture” he was told confidently. “Ooh look here, I’ve only got these left” 😂. It’s never any fun to suffer a puncture but…. four in two rides? 🤔

Once on our way again we returned to Beverley through Brandesburton, Leven and along the cycle path to Tickton. It was a chilly day but with the sun shining brightly it made for a pleasant outing with some great company.

The Beverley Knights Summer Solstice 2015

By admin Leave a Comment Jun 25

Ok, so it wasn’t quite the longest day of the year but that didn’t stop people from the Beverley Cycling club the knights turning out for the annual Summer Solstice ride. The weather had been on and off all day with it threatening to rain however when the clock got to 6.30pm and the Knights began to congregate at Market Square the sun came out and a beautiful British summer evening emerged.

Attendance was high with 22 riders turning up to join in on the leisurely jaunt to Hornsea sea front and back. A nice flat ride with a decent average speed (my Strava said 18.2mph) the conditions were perfect as we took in some of the gorgeous scenery this part of the country can offer. We really are lucky to live where we live and the abundance of country lanes in the area are just asking to be ridden by any keen cyclist.

Forty miles later and we were back at the pub met by partners and some funny looks from the locals (not you Mike) there was curry and chilli on offer and of course plenty of ale for everyone. But the star of the show had to be the complimentary cheese board at the end!

Many thanks to the staff at the Royal Oak not only for accommodating a load of sweaty cyclists in lycra but for the great food and full stomachs!

Now, I’m sure there is a cycling event starting next week?? Allez!

Hornsea July 2014

By admin Leave a Comment Jul 27

Following on from our summer solstice ride I thought I would write a quick post about our latest ride out to Hornsea. As you can see from the pictures (all 12 of them) there weren’t as many out on this ride as there was on the summer solstice one. We asked a local council worker to take a picture of us in the same spot as the last one and he took 12 so I though I would upload them all (some good photography work!!!). The ride did start off with 4 of us but a mechanical forced two knights to retire early leaving the two remaining knights the opportunity to sample the eggs benedict at Hornsea Mere.

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