Everyone was feeling chirpy on the way out, lots of blue sky above and plenty of banter. Near Bossall, we were riding along a single lane in the wheel corridors when somehow in the middle of the peloton, Dave hit a rock as big as a Paris-Roubaix cobble and went down hard, smashing his right elbow. After calling an ambulance, a paramedic turned up on his motorbike with lights flashing and said the ambulance was only a few minutes behind. It was very bad luck for Dave and we all wish him a quick recovery. It would be nice to hear some news of current well-being.
Then followed a long slog through some very fresh tarmac, leaving 32 wheel impressions in front of a guy in a bulldozer who suddenly had some extra work to do – he had waved us through btw. There were a few draggy bits further out before we hit the climb between North Grimston and Duggleby where everyone went into ‘batter-each other’ mode. Neil peeled off here as he was on an early one.
After Cowlam, we began what can only be described as an absolute hammerfest for the 5 mile sprint along the valley floor to Driffield. The pace was gi-normous, no prisoners taken - the best session I’ve had on a bike for ages! After a breather in Driffield, play resumed after lunch on the way back through Skerne and Huggate. Somewhere here, John had his own personal domestic dispute with his bike, a triple blow out and tyre failure – humour was only restored when someone mimed a tyre puncture noise behind John soon after we got going.
All this standing around kept the spinters fresh and in the game (I wrote that for Stu’s benefit
). We repeated the Driffield hammerfest through the valley at Millington pastures before literally sprinting for every village sign thereafter. Stu was a clear winner of the green jersey but he didn’t have it all his own way, with a growing posse of snipers joining in to rob him. At one point when I was on the front with Dave C, I wondered aloud where Stu was. I then heard ‘Here!’ as Stu seemed to jump out of my left armpit and motor away. My massive attempt to chase lasted about two pedal revolutions before the simple message came up from the engine room below: “Nope”. Just short of Stockton Lane on a wide road, a psycho-idiot pulled in behind us in a horse box and left his hand on his horn for minutes. When he got around us, he slammed on his brakes in front of us – I think this sort of thing verges on a reportable incident to the Police tbh. We then hit our second lot of fresh tarmac in Stockton Lane – two in one day!…unheard of.
The day had its low points, as described, but some huge high points as well – probably the best fun I’ve had on a bike for a long time. Everyone knew what they were doing and joined in the spirit of the day – it was sensational! Big thanks to everyone for an enjoyable day out…and hope Dave gets better quickly.
I can’t come out on the next two Saturdays due to family commitments so enjoy yourselves!
D.
PS. I had some members ask me yesterday whether the Clifton Road Challenge Series will be conducted this year because nothing has been published – I presumed it would be but this is more a question for Bernard? Rob? At the very least, if the Fountains Monk’y business Audax held on Sunday 24th March 2013 is included in the series, entries are due by 10th March, which is only a week away.
) Ian and Steen.
Personal Furthests (PFs) recorded for at least two of the group and well done to Joe for getting up before the count and keeping at it. Great ride.
, the only downside is the coffee in bridlington !! note to self; next time have tea !!
