@13 rider and Me Go Cycling
Day One
As
@13 rider has mentioned, we had a bit of a mad weekend just gone.
Back in April
@ColinJ announced a 100 mile forum ride from York to the Humber Bridge and back to York. Being from up there I quickly threw my hat into the ring and persuaded 13 rider and
@tallliman to show more than an interest. In the end tallliman couldn't make the date.
Train times were stupid to get to York for the start time, even worse getting back and I didn't fancy driving there and back, so only one option was to ride up
Friday came and I left the house just before 5am to ride 7 miles or so to the meet point with 13 rider, it was cloudy but warm enough for short sleeves from the off, but just in case I had woolly gloves, a rain jacket and a long sleeve top in my pockets but thankfully I didn't need them.
The route was pretty much straight up to York and as we headed north the rain clouds loomed and the roads were wet, very wet in places and we had a headwind all the way, but we weren't at work so that was okay.
We got to Newark pretty quickly, probably due to the fact that normally whenever I ride that way it is via the scenic route. Grabbed a few explorer squares just to the north of the town and onwards towards Gainsborough. Thanks to cafe network I had found a garden centre right on the route a few miles from Gainsborough. We turned into the wrong place at first but soon found the right place. Saundby Garden Centre on the A620 for those who might be tempted for a visit.
They obviously get a fair few cyclists in there as they had but a bar in one of the poly tunnels for bikes to be locked up. A coffee and fry up later and we are on our way again and to the bit of the ride I had secretly been looking forward to.
11 miles of road winding along right next to the River Trent. I was expecting a very quiet road, which it was, and fantastic views of the river, unfortunately the bank was very high and we saw very little of it plus the headwind was hard work.
We stopped when we got to Goole, we found a very peaceful memorial garden for a break off the bikes and a bit of chocolate.
Once out of Goole we were back into lovely countryside and shortly after we arrived at the B&B, too early to check in! So we rode up the road to meet 13 riders sister for a coffee before heading back to the B&B, quick shower out for food and day one was done.
134.55 miles done
Day Two
Fry up for breakfast and on the road before 8:30 to get to York train station for a 9am start. We thought we would be late so we went straight down the main road, 6 miles at an average of over 19mph saw us there in plenty of time.
@Oldfentiger was already there quickly followed by
@ColinJ @Moodyman and
@Pale Rider and we were off.
Around 23 miles we got buzzed by two planes as they came right over the hedges to land at a local airport, I was near the back and got a great view as they flew very low over the ones at the front. Quick stop to take a picture:
View attachment 413842
Soon we were at Howden were we were supposed to be meeting
@EasyPeez. He soon turned up after he was called on one of those mobile phone things, he thought he had missed us and was ahead trying to catch us up.
A few miles later we were meeting
@Soltydog. He was quite easy to spot as was decked out in a cycle chat jersey and was on a lovely Van Nichs.
ColinJ as we all know lives in a hilly area and likes his climbing, so he decided to throw in a climb at Swanland. I dragged my arse up it in my lowest gear, ColinJ and EasyPeez did it on singlespeed and I'm pretty sure that Colinj's front ring was bigger than my big ring, the man must have mountain goat blood in him.
Down the other side and we are soon at the bridge
A few of the riders posing on the bridge:
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Over the bridge and to the cafe stop before back over the bridge and some easier climbs before dropping back onto the flat. On one of the climbs oldfentiger came shooting by as if he was descending. Mind you he is from the proper hilly areas as well, so these big mountains us flatlanders were contending with were mere bumps to the likes of him and colinj.
We said goodbye to soltydog and easypeez near Market Weighton and before long we hit Stamford Bridge, the real Stamford Bridge in the middle of Gods Own Country:
View attachment 413848
At some point I realised I would be 9 miles short of another double metric and mentioned it to Colinj who quite rightly said I just had to do it, 13 rider didn't look convinced.
Back at the station and we all said our goodbyes and 13 rider was up for the double metric, would be a first for us both, back to back double metrics.
By the time we got back we decided to stop at a local shop and grab a sandwich rather than find somewhere to eat hot food. Was a nice evening so sat outside the B&B drinking tea and coffee
Days mileage 126.36 miles, cumulative 260.91 miles
Day Three
Another fry up and a pretty direct but flat route to the Humber Bridge for a third crossing in three days. There was a sportive going on and there were loads doing it, the best bit being loads of them were kids.
The profile for the ride showed a pretty steep climb into the Lincolnshire Wolds so we stopped before it started for a comfort break which was perfect timing as at least a 100 bikes came tearing by.
Anyway onto the climb which turned out to be very easy, it was long but nothing too steep and before long we were just outside Market Rasen and at another cafe found on cafe network. Was a farm shop called sunnyside up and the cake was fantastic and the staff were extremely friendly.
Eventually jumped on the train, got of at Loughborough and rode to @13 riders house to grab my rucksack which his sister had brought back for me and then home for tea.
Days mileage 94.91 miles Cumulative miles 355.82 miles.
Big thanks to 13 rider and his sister who took kit up for us and arranged the B&B which was excellent.
Big thanks to ColinJ for arranging the forum ride and everyone else for being so welcoming.
As usual everyone we met were brilliant, I'm yet to meet a cyclechatter that I've not got on with but then I've not met...............
If I've missed anything important out I apologise, but I don't have the best memory and a lot happened in the three days
https://www.strava.com/activities/1630303454
https://www.strava.com/activities/1630322230
https://www.strava.com/activities/1630332336
https://www.strava.com/activities/1630326353
. We ended up following parts of Fridays and Saturdays route but we took the cyclespath alongside the main road back to the bridge . Over the bridge again to discover the Humber bridge sportive was on the next 10 miles we were constantly acknowledging riders coming the other way . Nice to see plenty of young kids doing the ride with their families . After 2 hour we had a quick break and with 34 miles in the bag we could relax now .More lovely countryside heading to the Lincolnshire Wolds . We head 1 long climb to do just before the climb I stopped for a call of nature break when over 100 Harley Davidsons went by . Onto the climb I started steady it was a nice steady gradient then @Supersuperleeds went on the front and we were doing 20mph up hill and average speed is going up
. I would have gone by and done a turn but he was too quick then he tried the oh look at that trick . As I looked at a Motocross race he accelerated and I lost his wheel
. Thanks if you managed to read all my ramblings
Ergo sore / numb hands.
at you . But thanks to the half century monthly challenge and all the encouragement on here and meeting other local ccers my fitness and milage has grown . You have been warned this cycling lark is quite addictive
It sounded like brilliant fun, although my knees appear to be in disagreement with the rest of me. 
