I met strangers in the car park, a Scot and A N Other. I should know A N Other because he rode with me for a while on the way back from Scarborough. Fortunately you can believe me when I say “it’s an age thing”!
So if you are him sorry and thanks!
We waited for a respectable few seconds past 9am and then shot off. To get warm really.
By the time we got to the top of Apy Hill Lane me and Rob Roy were so far behind ANO had to wait to make sure we were alright! By the time we got to the quarry it was clear we couldn’t keep up so we parted company.
That just left me and Scott of the Antarctic to carry on alone. It was a lot colder than I expected but these northern folk don’t seem to notice. And he had a proper TVC winter jacket on, that’s virtually cheating! Highly recommended though.
Braithwell, Micklebring and then Hellaby came and went along with the feeling in my fingers of my right hand. Did we know it was winter? Oh no not us.
I admit to riding on the footpath once we left the industrial estate and turned onto Cumberland Lane and headed for Thurcroft. So much safer and I could watch William Wallace dodging cars as we made our way along that short bit of dual carriageway. He got his own back though by getting a wee break at the top of every single hill we encountered.
Thurcoft, Brampton, North Anston, South Anston, Kiverton Park, name dropping as we went. Before I knew we were in Thorpe Salvin. Robby Burns knew the area he was probably a historical illegal immigrant.
It was a great relief to get into the café and out of the wind. The first thing I did was to apologise on your behalf for staying in bed on this lovely clear (ok cold) day. Sadly they weren’t expecting me so there were no scones. Andy Stewart was OK he devoured a bacon sandwich whilst I had to make do with an energy bar.
A couple of photos later and Kenneth McKellar and I were back on the road heading for Shireoaks. We got to the dual carriageway and crossed it on foot between the massed ranks of Sunday shoppers in 4 wheel drives. The Big Yin lead the way along the footpath round the roundabout (still on the footpath). We crossed the next bit of dual carriageway and I lead one of the Krankies along to Woodsets.
Well before we got to Shireoaks Jimmy Shand, who had lost his band, stepped up to the front and took us on to Letwell. I was looking forward now to the freewheel down Kid Lane. I was still second, but then leading from the back is apparently the way the pros do it.
I was still second going up Thornbury Hill Lane, but Robert the Bruce was waiting at the farm and we rode together back to the cricket club.
I had a really good ride, thanks Rob Stephenson. We made it back before the snow started!
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