Riders: Adrian Shores, Jonathan Brough, Dave Lee, Jenny Down, Rob Drohan, Shaun O’Neill
6am and it wasn’t looking good weather wise, chucking it down! Unfortunately being a fair weather rider I was considering bailing……however, the rain cleared and I donned my magenta uniform and loaded my bike into the car.
Arriving at club HQ there were no other 9am riders milling round discussing the merits of wet weather gear, maybe no one was coming. Maybe I would be like Martin from 9.30 ride and be doing a solo tour of Tickhill, or I could just jump back into the car and go home to watch Sunday Brunch.
After ‘powdering my nose’ Jonathan and Rob arrived, closely followed by Adrian and new to 9am ride – Dave.
In the absence of Martin, Adrian suggested his Circuit of Retford route. Rob had to give Jonathan a hand folding his waterproof to fit into his pocket - you can tell he’s used to folding sails. With everyone happy we set off.
By the industrial estate at Harworth we saw Shaun heading in the opposite direction, he did a quick U turn to join us, we were then a party of 6. We headed out through Serlby and towards Ranskill, then a left turn towards Lound, from here we headed out towards Gamston airport, up Eaton Woods climb, Upton, Headon and Grove.
At every junction Retford seemed to be signposted either 3 or 4 miles away, we certainly were doing a circuit of the town! Adrian promised some nice downhill sections and we were not disappointed, Jonathan was very excited at managing 34mph down one section, the fastest he’s ever been! Adrian then informed him, there was a faster (40mph) section coming up – not sure what speed he managed down that bit.
Finally we made it to Retford for refreshments at Ten Green Bottles, we chose to sit outside and enjoy the view over the market square. Conversation was initially focused on cake/scone quality (which was very good), the Scarborough Ride (Adrian persuaded Jonathan to join us and maybe Dave), then going out in the 1980’s. I mentioned for my 18th (yes I can remember that far back) we travelled from Barnsley to Rotters Nightclub in Doncaster, both Adrian and Shaun had also been regulars there, Adrian managed to get thrown out before he even got in, but that’s another story……. Shaun then found a photo on his phone of his original Rotters membership card, complete with funky hair photo, which caused much hilarity.
Suitably refreshed we got back on our bikes and headed for home via Clarborough, Clayworth and Mattersey. At Ranskill we waved a fond farewell to Rob who headed directly home. From Scrooby it was usual route home, I faced my nemesis, the climb to the industrial estate – I think me and that hill have a reciprocal hatred for each other!
Once in Harworth we waved goodbye to Shaun and Jonathan. I waved goodbye to Adrian and Dave, as the elastic broke and I couldn’t quite keep their wheel back into Tickhill.
Circuit of Retford was a great ride Adrian and we even managed to stay (mostly) dry.
Chapeau to Rob for his first ride back with 9 o’clockers since his accident last year.
Well done to Dave for his first ride with the 9 o’clockers
Kudos to Shaun for showing us his Rotters membership card complete with 80’s bouffant hair do!
Jenny
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