Beverley U3A Recycled ride to Huggate & Cherry Burton 18-5-18

Cyclists: Dave (Big Wheel) Williamson, Martin Bell, Adrian Benson, Nick Hart, Helen Kitson, Ian Metcalfe, George Sweeting, Steve Watts, Rod Webster, Alan Beecroft, John Boddice, Geoff Martindale and Bob Watson

Mileage: 38.85 miles

Conditions: sunny with no wind!

10.00 on Friday morning saw me panting up towards the Molescroft Inn, starting late as usual (forgot to feed the chickens!); fortunately “chocks away” hadn’t yet been called.

It was a bit cool but pleasant as we took our familiar route along the smooth recently -refurbished cycle track, up to Cherry Burton where we met George Sweeting.

On up to Etton, then South Dalton, with the magnificent spire of the church piercing the horizon as we approached the village.

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Outside the church, waiting patiently to join the group was Geoff, who had decided on this occasion to transport his cycle by car to thus enable a quick getaway on our return to the village. Grandparent duties were calling!

It warmed up as we approached Middleton-on-the Wolds. Martin joined us somewhere roundabout here, having cycled from

Then on to . The wild flowers were in full bloom, much to the delight of Helen.

The climb up to Huggate was as relentless as ever, but we were rewarded by tasty pub lunches at the Wolds Inn, and the best pint of Timothy Taylor’s Landlord I had ever tasted.

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Our grind up to Huggate was rewarded by an easy freewheel down to Tibthorpe. On the way, we encountered a cottage garden full of gnomes, two plastic parrots, model trucks and all kinds of paraphernalia. While we were taking photographs, the occupier emerged and told us she was eighty and had been widowed for 20 years. “That’s my husband over there” she said, pointing to a dummy wearing trousers, jacket and flat cap standing in the corner.

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It reminded me of an episode of Roald Dahl’s “Tales of the Unexpected,” where the landlady of an hotel stuffed her guests and members of her family. This lady recognized Adrian, whose work had involved visiting many farms- a potato harvester was mentioned, but I digress….

After Tibthorpe, we pressed onward to Southburn and Kilnwick, crossing the site of the former Market Weighton to railway line, which is marked by an old bridge with a sign on it saying “Brackenberg” . Brackenberg was a German industrial conglomerate that entered Britain not long after WW2 and dealt with farm machinery. My internet search has failed to reveal why the sign is on the bridge.

Finally, after cycling on a short but perilous section of the B1248, we arrived at Etton for the familiar route to Cherry Burton, where St. Michael’s has recently opened a café. The cake had gone by the time I arrived, so I had a great toasted teacake and coffee. It was there we met Shirl, who is looking well - hope she can join us again soon!

From there back to .

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I was very happy to find that our cyclists passed round the hat and gave me a substantial donation for the Bridge walk I did for my charity, the Overseas Plastic Surgery Appeal. There will be many poor kids with cleft lip and palate in Pakistan who will be benefitting from your kindness when our team return there in October. Thanks, folks!

Nick Hart

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