Alan Broom's half day ride 25th March

It looked like there wasn't going to be a half day ride posted this weekend so at the last minute I decided to post one as an option for anyone who felt like a ride but didn't have all day. The plan I had in mind would share the same first stop as Mark's all day'er at Seaways but via a different route. Despite the very short notice I had two takers so once Mark and his team had left we had a brief discussion and the three of us set off with David taking the back marker role by default and Jude playing the rose between two thorns. It was right out of the gate through Sherburn, Cawood, Kelfield and Ricall. Then a change of direction taking a right on the A19 as far as Barlby then left onto the Market Weighton road. After passing through Bubwith and Foggathorp we took a left onto some twisty roads passing through some quiet villages then Pocklington and eventually turning east onto the 166 towards our destination.t Just time for a scenic detour so we turned left in Fridaythorpe then onto the single track road that took us onto the lane that runs along the valley into Fimber. Just a quick blast now back to Fridaythorpe and Seaways to meet up with Mark's crew just in time to beat a motley bunch of fancy dressed 'egg run' bikers, and get our refreshments. Here endeth the first half.

Part two. We now headed back west along the 166 until we took a left and headed for Huggate, Warter and Nunburnholme. We then did a short zig zag to cross the 1079, retraced some of our earlier route before turning to Holme on Spalding moor and then on to Howden. On this stretch we could all be seen looking to our right at the ominous dark sky in the general direction of our destination and sure enough, as we skirted through the edge of Howden, the rain came. It wasn't quite as bad as it had threatened and the three of us arrived at our destination, Selby garden centre, only slightly damp with no leaks reported.

We found a nice table with a view over nearby fields and watched the sun come back out as we enjoyed our food and a good chat.

Despite breaching much of the guidance about planning and preparation when proposing a ride, it goes to show that, with the right company, it can still turn out to be a great way to spend a few hours with friends.