The met office and all the hangers on were a bit indecisive; it might rain or it might not! But for some of us this was going to be a blue ride - no rain I was feeling lucky so arrived at the cricket club with no rain jacket and fingers crossed. Unnecessary as it turned out.
There were loads of photogenic riders already assembled, hoping to get their best side facing the camera, so I did my best to get to the back!
Announcing that the blue ride was about to set off didn’t work. We had to gather round, and scowl for the photographer and only then were we allowed to set off. We had a destination and an ETA in mind so set off slowly. This of course made the Red ride fast bubble look good as they shot passed us.
The Red ride comfort bubble was a bit different, Lawrence passed us first and an age later the rest of them in ones and twos. Obviously still getting their mojo working.
“We” were Robin Heyward, Peter Hanks, Rob Drohan, Diane Jordan and Diana Simpson. Oh, and me, Martin Crapper
We six went on through Serlby, clipped the edge of Ranskill and headed off towards Mattersey. Pete went ahead and disappeared from view (which was a good thing) and we followed. Job Lane is easy to find so right hand out and mid turn seeing Pete ahead when!!!!!
“No straight up” and other really unhelpful advice came fro the rear. So some confusion clearly and we more or less stopped where we were - all over the road. We had a back seat driver who clearly didn’t know where he was. But not just that - he wasn’t even on the blue ride. Martin Bagshaw has now been banned from speaking on future blue rides!
Not sure where he came from and he didn’t know where he was going so he tagged on at the back. I had visions of a leaderless and perpetually lost red comfort bubble but wasn’t going to worry.
We carried on towards the sun turning left into Lound and then back to join the main road in Sutton. We were a bit ahead of time when we reached the main road so being gamblers we went straight over in the hope we were not blocked by a train. The barriers were up so we carried on turning left when we reached the straight mile.
From there it was straight in. We were going to be first. Errr, No we were last but we found a table or two and claimed our spot. The two young ladies behind the counter were almost overwhelmed but didn’t panic - not even when the chairman asked for a club discount! It may happen wait and hope.
More photos and then again more photos - even I took one. Mind you the two cyclists we coerced into doing a blue ride snap shot did a better job than me.
We had our drinks and snacks and chatted before setting off. There was confusion in my mind- we were going via the Cannon. But that was in Worksop! For the first time ever I was trying to navigate by pubs. I followed the others and we passed the cannon by the roadside just round the corner and headed directly east along Leverton road turning left through Weham and on towards Clarborough and Hatton.
No random confusing calls from the back we were back to 6 again. In Clayworth we said goodbye to Pete who was going directly home. It’s been a very hectic week since Sunday so if I send you home at the wrong junction, smile knowingly and put it down to my age.
We continued on to Drakeholes with Robin and his dozens of gears leading up the odd hill and dropping back on the flats. We had a bit of a breeze but the journey into Ranskill seemed easy and here Rob left us to go home. We turned north towards Scrooby Top and there said goodbye to the two “D”s - Diane and Diana.
Robin and I wandered slightly more slowly through Serlby and he had to wait for me at the top of the hill where the industrial estate starts. It was then an easy ride back to Tickhill with me leaving Robin to find his car somewhere on Sunderland Street.
