Since only Rob Drohan and I (Martin Crapper) turned out as the Blue Ride fast bubble it was immaterial really. But after a discussion and show of hands we opted for the Belton Kitchen between Belton and Epworth. We left first, not wanting to embarrass anyone by overtaking the red ride, and headed for Bawtry.
We became the slow bubble as we went up the hill just beyond Stripe Road. Recovering on the flat and downhill into Bawtry - who doesn’t - we were able to zoom through the centre and out towards Misson. There was just enough traffic to keep us in single file along Bank End Road and with Rob in front we turned left in WWS along Park Lane and then right passed the pond and up Upperthorpe Hill.
We emerged in Haxey and looked left as we passed Nick Kay’s mansion- no cars so probably out.
We were sticking to a well trodden route wandering, er sorry we were back in the fast bubble, speeding though Low Burnham and Epworth then into the spacious car park. We found a tree with shade, it was hot, and secured the bikes before heading inside the café. There were no outside seats with shade.
Coffee and buns consumed and we were off again - Rob in the fast bubble me in the slow one! Where does energy go? If you could see it life would be so much less embarrassing. Anyway we headed for Belton and took the back lanes to come out near the Happy Café. No stop though, we had only just started off.
There wasn’t much of a breeze and we made reasonable progress with Rob having joined the slow bubble! Idle Bank seems a long way even with the wind behind you and even half way can be torture. But with me close on Robs wheel we peddled along turning right to Wroot and managing conversation as we went.
We opted for the Bawtry rather than Rossington route from there, not sure why as there is no advantage either way. Junctions seemed to see us held up and setting off when safe seemed to work against me. I can say though that in a police line up I can identify Rob’s back!
He waited at the Plumtree trading estate and we said our goodbyes, he heading off to Firbeck, me to Tickhill. An interesting ride but hopefully we will have increased numbers next Sunday for the joint ride to Retford. Oh and maybe someone will take a photo or two!
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