Friday the 13th, October. I drove over to Hull just before lunch, in increasing rain. On Arrival, I sat in the car listening to the rain hammer down and ate my lunch, for three quarters of an hour. I had parked near but not quite under the Humber Bridge. My plan was to cycle over it. Some call it the bridge to nowhere ! Well inhabitants of Grimsby, Immingham and other places may disagree. The rain reduced, just a little, and I had a cycle around and then over the bridge. Very briefly into Lincolnshire and then came back. Crossing on the East side cycle path, was quite wet and windy. Coming back, ten minutes later, on the same side (the West side was closed) was a little less wet. You could though see the weather front with blue sky behind it, and headed ‘our’ way.

The weather was much improved as I arrived in Beverley in pleasant sunshine at about 5.00 PM. Some had already arrived at the lovely Youth Hostel, which is a fascinating building and a comfortable hostel. But a tight car entrance and parking for only 6 or 8 very small vehicles. You will though then need to play ‘musical cars’ to get out, unless you are in pole position. We said our hello’s, had tea (other drinks were available) and biscuits, claimed our rooms, beds and unpacked. There was a bit of a split for evening meals, some went to the Kings Head, whilst others went to ‘Spoons’ and some possibly to other places. Beverley has no shortage. Saturday morning dawned bright, crisp and clear, note that. There was ice on my car as I sorted my bike and gear. George and Keith arrived from where they were staying with Aamon on his road bike. Aamon was intent and content, to ride alone to Spurn Point and back, a distance of about 80 miles I believe, respect. I cycled from the hostel, on George Nutt’s ride with, Keith, Jim, Jeff, Alan and Mark, via back lanes tracks and some roads to Market Weighton. We then went via the dismantled rail track, now known here as The Hudson Way, taking a brief left after about a mile, in to Goodmanham, (other hams were no doubt available) where we lunched at The Fiddle Drill. A pleasant lunch, then back onto The Hudson Way, all the way back in to Beverley. The track was a little slippy in places. Jeff said it had been worse in the rain the day before. At one point, I stopped for a ‘ ? ‘ (please insert an appropriate letter) and on catching up, it looked like someone had taken a tumble. Getting closer I realised that it was Jim Swan’s bike upside down, that’s unusual ! His chain had…. decided to jam. Looking at the chain sprocket ‘we’ thought there were perhaps some teeth still there, but couldn’t be certain, without a magnifying glass. I think Jim stated ‘there’s many miles left in that yet’ We had managed about 28 relatively flat miles, OK about 900 ft of ascent.
Neville had also ridden but alone on his road bike to Market Weighton and back but all by road I believe. We missed him and he us.

Back to the hostel, still nice and sunny, not so cool as in the morning but still crystal clear. It had been a lovely day to ride and enjoy the views. Geoff had arrived from his gaff, having done my previous days, Humber Bridge crossing on his way. Needless to say (yes I’ve said it) his weather was better than mine had been. The committee meeting started at 5.00 PM, prompt and I’ll leave it to others to publish the minutes. The meeting finished in good time, after which we almost all adjourned to the Kings Head for our 7.00 PM table booking.
Sunday morning, the same nice weather. I think Giles and Janet had been for local-ish cycle rides on their Bromptons, they had come up with them on the train. But I seem to remember Giles mentioning a mileage that wasn’t that local but I’ve forgotten the details, sorry Giles. Some went to Spurn Point, I think they went most of the way by car. But it was a nice day to do the journey down the spit, the tides were right and the lighthouse was open.
I rode with, Jeff, Henk, Ed, Kees, Jim and Mark, on another George ride to the Yorkshire Wolds. Cars were required to get us to Millington where we began, no pedalling required at the start ! As we began by going 200 yds down the hill to The Ramblers Rest Tea Room for, in my case a Bacon Bap (4 rashers) and a cup of tea. I know which side my Baps are Buttered (not at all). We then had a lovely ride through the Wolds, via Millington Dale, Frendal Dale, Tun Dale via the tower near South Wold, briefly via a Roman Road and track to Worm Dale and Thixen Dale. Some took Thixen Dale to its end and then right to Thixendale Village. Others of us took the high road/track to climb the East side of the Dale up towards Gill’s Farm for a buzz of a decent down Huggate Hill and in to the village. And it was a buzz. In the village we visited St Mary’s, which is a lovely church with a very interesting and informative audio visual presentation. From here we looped around East on the minor road to Fridaythorpe then took Holm Dale and climbed up the steep slope at the beginning of Horse Dale before coming into Huggate. Here we stopped for a late lunch at Rachel’s Tea Room. I think George had mentioned Baps again ! but I had the soup.
A relatively easy journey back via Pocklington Lane, Pasture Dale to Millington Dale and back to the cars. Approx 24 miles and 1800 ft of ascent.
It must be mentioned that we had been holding Jeff back and he cycled all the way back to Beverley. And probably beat us all back there, respect.
Neville had ridden to Bridlington and back, 43 miles, ditto.

Washed and with my trousers on plus other garments we split into different groups for our evening meal, I was going to ‘Spoons’ it tonight. I thought that I must have missed everyone, coming into the common room and finding almost everyone gone. So I set off at a gallop! I found John and Irene puzzling for a Pizza Take Away place and having google mapped them in the right direction, chased off again. On passing a restaurant I spotted Caroline, John, Alan and Tish sitting down and thought I‘d found my ‘restaurant’ It was actually Carluccio’s. They did welcome me to join them but I didn’t feel dressed for the establishment, and they were. I was for Spoons, which I then got to first. The rest must have been hiding from me. The rear guard of seven or so arrived five minutes later. For me an excellent mixed grill with a pint of Abbots Ale for £13.49. You don’t get that in Carluccio's, well maybe you can with pasta - and little more expensive I think.

The following day, Monday, was strip the beds and be out of the hostel by 10 a.m. which I think we all were. I had arranged to do another ride with George today, and this time Aamon joined us. We had agreed to meet at Tickton a couple of miles to the East of Beverley at 10. Not quite as sunny a day today, still quite bright but a thin-ish layer of cloud stopped the sun’s slight heat reaching us. It felt a little colder all day as a result but no complaints. We cycled out on the main road cycle tracks but left, actually right, as soon as possible at Routh, onto lanes, down to Wawne Common and a left to Skirlaugh then to New Ellerby. Here we got onto something called the Trans Pennine Trail, which we followed to its end in Horsea. I’ve now done both ends of the TPT and many bits in the middle but never the whole thing. A fish and chips lunch for me on the front alfresco with variations for all. Joining us on the front (for chips etc) or more correctly we joined them, were a group of college students from Barnsley. They were on a geography field trip studying Long Shore Drift etc. It’s their nearest coast and Flamborough Head, Spurn Point are good examples. I liked Hornsea but we didn’t stay long, I must go back. We at first tried to get lost by going around the Mere but realised our error and got back to the TPT and followed it, but only back to by Little Hatfield where we took a right on to the road through to Long Reston. Somewhere along here we came up on two fellow cyclist going the opposite way. They looked remarkably like Henk and Kees, who were staying for a couple of extra days with friends in Beverley. Henk then let it slip that today was his Birthday, he’d kept that quiet!
From Long Riston we went South to near Bennngholme Hall and then reversed our outward leg. Approx 35 miles but only 400 ish feet of ascent. I then drove home.
An excellent weekend, nice weather, good company and some nice food. Some very pleasant cycling was enjoyed by all. Not too strenuous but with the excellent weather and glorious views, a weekend to be remembered well. If you weren’t there you missed a really good time.
A good thing that it wasn’t the following weekend, and the floods of storm Babet. Thanks to Neville and Jane for organising it, the weekend that is, Not Storm Babet