by craigdabrown
Mon Dec 11, 2017 11:40 am
Rather ominously, I arrived at the Square on Saturday to find an ice sculpture by the fountain. I checked to make sure that it wasn’t JamesM, as he’s normally there before everyone else.
Five of us – Alison (back up North for the weekend), Claire, me, Kevin and the self-proclaimed, and suitably attired, “Santa’s little helper” chose the K-Ride. Initially, Kevin wasn’t too keen on risking anything too far off the main roads or with a bit of elevation but, after some gentle persuasion, we talked him into leading us into the Wolds with a “we’ll just see how it goes” ethos.
Pretty darn cold was how it went on the way out through Stockton and Bossall and it was Howsham before I felt my toes again. There was a bit of ice at the edge of the roads but conditions were actually really good and when we climbed out of Birdsall Claire and I took a chance on Thixendale while the others chose the slightly more direct route to a cafe stop at Millington.
I was my usual, overly-cautions self on the descents but a “You can really feel the cold when you stop pedalling” comment from my companion was a sufficient nudge to be slightly more adventurous and we were soon through the village and climbing back out towards Huggate. Only one car and no mud, the ride through Millington Pastures was absolute bliss and we arrived at the cafe just behind the others and definitely ready for some food.
I know it’s often our default destination but the Rambler’s Rest does take a bit of beating when you need some decent nosh, comfy seats and a bit of warming up.
Leaving the open fires behind, we ventured back out to find the only dodgy section we encountered all day, a bit of ice where the water had frozen as it flowed across the road. Then a nice, non-eventful ride back to York and the chaos of the real world and the Christmas shopper. How fortunate we’d been to enjoy 60 miles of safe, December cycling on quiet, winter roads.
Thanks to my four amigos for the day, we were never very naughty - Bakewell cake at the cafe aside - and really nice to one and all. So hopefully a glowing report to Santa from his little helper.
Five of us – Alison (back up North for the weekend), Claire, me, Kevin and the self-proclaimed, and suitably attired, “Santa’s little helper” chose the K-Ride. Initially, Kevin wasn’t too keen on risking anything too far off the main roads or with a bit of elevation but, after some gentle persuasion, we talked him into leading us into the Wolds with a “we’ll just see how it goes” ethos.
Pretty darn cold was how it went on the way out through Stockton and Bossall and it was Howsham before I felt my toes again. There was a bit of ice at the edge of the roads but conditions were actually really good and when we climbed out of Birdsall Claire and I took a chance on Thixendale while the others chose the slightly more direct route to a cafe stop at Millington.
I was my usual, overly-cautions self on the descents but a “You can really feel the cold when you stop pedalling” comment from my companion was a sufficient nudge to be slightly more adventurous and we were soon through the village and climbing back out towards Huggate. Only one car and no mud, the ride through Millington Pastures was absolute bliss and we arrived at the cafe just behind the others and definitely ready for some food.
I know it’s often our default destination but the Rambler’s Rest does take a bit of beating when you need some decent nosh, comfy seats and a bit of warming up.
Leaving the open fires behind, we ventured back out to find the only dodgy section we encountered all day, a bit of ice where the water had frozen as it flowed across the road. Then a nice, non-eventful ride back to York and the chaos of the real world and the Christmas shopper. How fortunate we’d been to enjoy 60 miles of safe, December cycling on quiet, winter roads.
Thanks to my four amigos for the day, we were never very naughty - Bakewell cake at the cafe aside - and really nice to one and all. So hopefully a glowing report to Santa from his little helper.