Thanks to everyone who turned up today despite the rather mixed weather forecast.
There were 9 of us.
Myself, Lindsey, Martin B, Robin,Nathan,Patricia, Jonathan, Martin J, Adrian.
Myself and Lindsey opted to meet the ride at Bawtry after a steady ride in from Cantley. Jonathan joined us here too sporting a lovely new gravel bike...which unfortunately suffered a couple of punctures and Martin B suffered the same fate early on too. I could now mention the huge benefits of going tubeless....but think I made my point verbally on the ride.
So the "gravel" started near Scafworth as we took a left near Barrow Hills and down to the River Idle before cutting (being appropriate in some places) our way towards the Chesterfield Canal and on to Walkeringham.
Robin also had a lovely new gravel bike...a tad lighter than his trusty old bike.
So it was on to Rosie's Café in Beckingham....only Martin's kind suggestion of using this café was to no avail as Rosie hung up her apron in 2022.
We all avoided being savaged by a pack of dogs and decided to crack on anyway as the weather had been so kind....so far .
It was at this point I got confused and went the wrong way. Thankfully realised quite quickly so we could back track onto the correct course.
We saw the same farmer who I had a chat with last week as it's officially footpath along the track to his house before it turns into bridleway. Thankfully he had no issues then or now about us riding through to the bridleway (are horses dropped by Chinook? ) but was quick to point out that riding through his yard wasn't ok and we had to do a rather silly diversion to follow the exact path around the side of his yard through a rutted ankle snapping field.....but hey ho, I wouldn't want hoards of folk through my garden either.
Fantastic views followed and made sure everyone stopped to admire the wonderful scenery. What I was actually doing was getting everyone's "loving this ride" meters to 10.....as I knew what was coming.
Patricia agreed with me....these ancient green lanes are a privilege to ride on and it's our duty to keep riding them before they are all lost! To Adrian - sorry mate that you were streaming blood from your arm after arguing with a large dog rose. Robin too...your legs were also not good, and everyone else who like me are now still "tingling".
With a sigh of relief I knew the rest of the route wouldn't favour a strimmer rather than a bike as we pressed on through Clayworth, back on the canal to Drakeholes.....where our previous luck with the weather came to an end. 
We picked up trails now behind Everton eventually ending up back on the road near Scafworth with myself Lindsey, Patricia and Robin opting for food and drink whilst everyone else pushed on back to Tickhill.
So a pint of Jeremy Clarkson Hawkstone and hot sandwiches, cups of tea, and puddings revived us and eventually Robins lips turned from blue to red....he was bonked.
Next ride in 2 weeks time...lead by Robin this time.
Thanks All
