ComedyPilot
Secret Lemonade Drinker
- Location
- The Kingdom of Yorkshire
Whilst riding out last night I got a text from little bro asking to meet up for a ride this morning. I told him the roads were (and still are) very icy, so a flat pootle it would be for me, no massive hills/descents. So I got my gear ready last night and woke in good time this morning to get ready for the 08:00 start.
Opening the shed and deactivating the alarm with it's usual beep set the neighbors dog off - oh well, when I'm up everybody's up. Quick check of pressures front and rear and a blast of track pump air and the bike was ready to go. Clicked the Lezyne lights in front and rear and wheeled the bike to the front garden.
By this time bro had arrived and was man-handling his Trek Madone of of his Ford Focus - 'Bit chilly huh?' I mumbled.
'We must be crackers' ........he agreed.
The roads and ground were white over with frost and a lingering freezing fog clung to the low lying areas, but a clear blue sky above visible through the murk promised at least a thawing of it and a clearing of the fog given time.
Lights on and clipped in we set of gingerly down my road, avoiding any sharp movements - I told bro about wheel spinning out of a junction on ice the night before, and not getting any purchase for the first two pedal strokes - just me, clipped in, wheel spinning - going nowhere.
Into the village we rode, passed almost immediately by a chelsea tractor that set off the 30mph warning signs.....in thick fog. They just don't give a stuff about anyone and sod the consequences.....
Turning right in the village we made our way past the church and onto the country lanes heading east. I could really feel the chill, so settled into a quicker tempo to get the blood flowing and the limbs warmed up. A mile or so of gentle climbs/descents we rose up out of the fog to be greeted with a beautiful misty lanscape.
We now headed south towards Beverley into the rising sun that was tempered slightly by the low-lying mist. Grip-wise the roads weren't too bad as long as you rode anticipating the conditions and avoided obvious wet/puddly/icy patches and stuck to the white frosty parts of the road. All in all the ride wasn't that bad, and I never had any moments - I stuck to the old mantra brake gently/accelerate gently/turn gently and it paid off.
After a 3 mile loop to the south we headed east again, now towards Tophill Low nature reserve, once again on deserted, reasonable condition, single track roads. A few areas of 'off camber' on the road had to be accounted for and eased past, but all in all, not too bad. A few miles later we turned north, and with the sun on our backs we headed to Driffield. A car passed little bro with an element of impatience, but I already spotted their game and took primary till a safe passing point 50m ahead. Bro's relative inexperience allowed the car to come alongside and past him on a singletrack (icy) road. There was no way I was giving my position away till the (safe) passing point, and the driver would have to wait.
It was getting lighter now, and dog walkers were out carrying their little bags of treasure. We met a couple and said hello, also making sure the dog was under control before passing, as a getaway on ice is not on the cards. They were amazed that we were out on bikes, and it must be dangerous/cold/too far.....ya di ya di ya....... I told them no it wasn't, it wasn't, and it wasn't..... I must have missed the lesson at school where such negative thoughts were drummed in to people..?
Now past Cranswick we made reasonable pace to Driffield via Skerne. a few cars past us, but they all did so in a safe manner that got them a cheery wave in thanks. A brief stop in Driffield to go to the bank then we retraced our steps tracks in the frost back to Skerne and Cranswick. Although I finished my first drinks bottle in good time - albeit a little slushy, and the nozzle needed thawing out between my lips, it was too late for the second one which was by now frozen solid...
Then came the one near-miss of the ride, and this year so far. Riding down into Cranswick from Hutton there was a car edging it's way out of a drive. They had to stop for a ped, but once the ped was past they set off into the road - right into my path. 'Whoa!", I shouted....... and it had the desired effect, I remained upright and not sprawled all over their bonnet.
Fueled up on unexpected adrenalin the next half mile to the cafe flew by. Rolling to a stop at the bike park, the re-assuring smoke wafting out of the wood burner chimney in TJ's Cafe meant we were in for a cosy breakfast. The 'Cyclists Welcome' sign at the gate all the more reason to be there.
2 large breakfasts a large coffee and a large hot chocolate rewarded our appetites/efforts, as did the free table right next to the blazing log stove. A couple of old dears at the next table were amazed we'd cycled there, even more amazed when they found we'd ridden 25 miles to get there too (not far, but hey ho).
Fully sated and back on the bikes we immediately felt the chill, so a couple of sprints to get warmed up were reluctantly (and not over-successfully) employed. I doubt Mark Cavendish goes for a sprint straight after a full English.....
A short pootle over the low hills and we were back at the start point.
A nice, cold, but thoroughly enjoyable 29 miles......Not to mention the Lincolnshire sausage, beans, 2 eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast........
Opening the shed and deactivating the alarm with it's usual beep set the neighbors dog off - oh well, when I'm up everybody's up. Quick check of pressures front and rear and a blast of track pump air and the bike was ready to go. Clicked the Lezyne lights in front and rear and wheeled the bike to the front garden.
By this time bro had arrived and was man-handling his Trek Madone of of his Ford Focus - 'Bit chilly huh?' I mumbled.
'We must be crackers' ........he agreed.
The roads and ground were white over with frost and a lingering freezing fog clung to the low lying areas, but a clear blue sky above visible through the murk promised at least a thawing of it and a clearing of the fog given time.
Lights on and clipped in we set of gingerly down my road, avoiding any sharp movements - I told bro about wheel spinning out of a junction on ice the night before, and not getting any purchase for the first two pedal strokes - just me, clipped in, wheel spinning - going nowhere.
Into the village we rode, passed almost immediately by a chelsea tractor that set off the 30mph warning signs.....in thick fog. They just don't give a stuff about anyone and sod the consequences.....
Turning right in the village we made our way past the church and onto the country lanes heading east. I could really feel the chill, so settled into a quicker tempo to get the blood flowing and the limbs warmed up. A mile or so of gentle climbs/descents we rose up out of the fog to be greeted with a beautiful misty lanscape.
We now headed south towards Beverley into the rising sun that was tempered slightly by the low-lying mist. Grip-wise the roads weren't too bad as long as you rode anticipating the conditions and avoided obvious wet/puddly/icy patches and stuck to the white frosty parts of the road. All in all the ride wasn't that bad, and I never had any moments - I stuck to the old mantra brake gently/accelerate gently/turn gently and it paid off.
After a 3 mile loop to the south we headed east again, now towards Tophill Low nature reserve, once again on deserted, reasonable condition, single track roads. A few areas of 'off camber' on the road had to be accounted for and eased past, but all in all, not too bad. A few miles later we turned north, and with the sun on our backs we headed to Driffield. A car passed little bro with an element of impatience, but I already spotted their game and took primary till a safe passing point 50m ahead. Bro's relative inexperience allowed the car to come alongside and past him on a singletrack (icy) road. There was no way I was giving my position away till the (safe) passing point, and the driver would have to wait.
It was getting lighter now, and dog walkers were out carrying their little bags of treasure. We met a couple and said hello, also making sure the dog was under control before passing, as a getaway on ice is not on the cards. They were amazed that we were out on bikes, and it must be dangerous/cold/too far.....ya di ya di ya....... I told them no it wasn't, it wasn't, and it wasn't..... I must have missed the lesson at school where such negative thoughts were drummed in to people..?
Now past Cranswick we made reasonable pace to Driffield via Skerne. a few cars past us, but they all did so in a safe manner that got them a cheery wave in thanks. A brief stop in Driffield to go to the bank then we retraced our steps tracks in the frost back to Skerne and Cranswick. Although I finished my first drinks bottle in good time - albeit a little slushy, and the nozzle needed thawing out between my lips, it was too late for the second one which was by now frozen solid...
Then came the one near-miss of the ride, and this year so far. Riding down into Cranswick from Hutton there was a car edging it's way out of a drive. They had to stop for a ped, but once the ped was past they set off into the road - right into my path. 'Whoa!", I shouted....... and it had the desired effect, I remained upright and not sprawled all over their bonnet.
Fueled up on unexpected adrenalin the next half mile to the cafe flew by. Rolling to a stop at the bike park, the re-assuring smoke wafting out of the wood burner chimney in TJ's Cafe meant we were in for a cosy breakfast. The 'Cyclists Welcome' sign at the gate all the more reason to be there.
2 large breakfasts a large coffee and a large hot chocolate rewarded our appetites/efforts, as did the free table right next to the blazing log stove. A couple of old dears at the next table were amazed we'd cycled there, even more amazed when they found we'd ridden 25 miles to get there too (not far, but hey ho).
Fully sated and back on the bikes we immediately felt the chill, so a couple of sprints to get warmed up were reluctantly (and not over-successfully) employed. I doubt Mark Cavendish goes for a sprint straight after a full English.....
A short pootle over the low hills and we were back at the start point.
A nice, cold, but thoroughly enjoyable 29 miles......Not to mention the Lincolnshire sausage, beans, 2 eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast........
Last edited:
this morning the sun tried to get out but the fog won that battle found a road all iced up decided best head home for coffee and stay safe karon was a brave girl 
