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Recycled Ride to The Ropery, Barton on Friday, 30th March 2018 Cyclists: Dave Williamson, Steve Watts, John Boddice, Adrian Benson, Paul Bonell, Chris Eagleton, Phil MacMullen, Chris Szafran, Bob Watson, Ian Metcalfe, Geoff Martindale and Bob Savage Outward Route: Skidby - Eppleworth - Swanland (break at the village pond) - North Ferriby - Humber Bridge and Barton on Humber (lunch at The Ropery Café) Return Route; Humber Bridge - Hessle - Anlaby - West Ella - Willerby - Skidby (coffee at The Sails Café) – Beverley Mileage: 33.53 Weather conditions: Cloudy morning but fairing up with occasional sunshine. “Good Friday, what a good day for a bike ride” – as the late Ken Dodd might have said. I once saw him at Brid and didn’t get home until two in the morning! We were a little late ourselves as Paul had gone to the roundabout at Molescroft instead of at Morrisons but caught up with us along the way. We generally seem to be lucky with the weather (the odd Beast from the East excepted), Fridays for some reason seem to turn out better than the rest of the week. The forecast was for rain and blustery winds all day, but it was pleasant, even sunny as we continued for our obligatory photo-shoot at Skidby Mill. 1 A few short hills which required one or two to dismount on the way to Swanland, again for a photo stop at the pond, but pleasantly rewarded with a Scots bagpiper playing abide with me. We had to check that it wasn’t Nick. On to North Ferriby and the muddy path along the river to the Humber Bridge. 2 Steve, Dave and Chris were reminiscing about the times they watched it being built. We probably all have our own fond memories of the first time we saw the bridge. For my part I was playing rugby almost below the bridge at Hessle just as the last section was being lifted into place, something of a distraction from the game and little realising as a “Wessy” how familiar it would be in years to come. I always enjoy the ride over the bridge but the new loudspeakers fixed along the pedestrian path sound a sad reflection of the potential realities of its height above the water. It was very busy though this Good Friday with lots of cyclists as well as pedestrians. We are spoilt for choice for good food in Barton, the Tileyard and Waters Edge both popular venues, as is the Ropery, today’s stop for lunch. Steve did a spot of market research as he waited to order, deciding while checking with other diners that the Ploughman’s was the best offer. Looked a good decision! The Ropery once provided a large amount of ropes from locally grown hemp and flaxes to the trawler industries and made significant contributions to the war effort in both world wars, but trade gradually declined and the Ropery closed in 1989. At about the same time, the area around here and up to the Humber was developed as a country park and we took the opportunity to cycle along the boatyard to the Waters Edge visitor centre. Some visitors were serenaded by 3 Chris and Dave with a fine rendition of Stout Hearted Men, from the Beverley male voice choir’s repertoire, of which they were very appreciative. Most of the team finished up at the café at Skidby for coffee. Steve proposed that we might cycle up to the Wolds Inn at Huggate one Sunday with partners joining us for lunch travelling in shared cars. Sounds like a great idea, further details to follow from Steve. IM 4 .

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