No buckets and spades on this ride, just moorland and the seaside

I was part of a trio of early arrivals at Strawberry Fields cafe. As such, under instruction from Paul Rushton, I got the task of opening and securing the gates (possible job for the future). Sitting back, we waited for the doors to open and the others to arrive. And arrive they did, fairly sure half of Yorkshire bikers turned up.

The noise of banter, supping tea, and enjoying breakfast rolls mounted as did some very loud exhausts. Come time for departure, we mounted up and gently manoeuvred past some badly parked bikes to the exit. Turning left, we made for the traffic lights and Wheldrake. Settling down to an enjoyable pace, we continued on to Elvington. From there, we turned west and then on to cross the A1079 making for Dunnington. Now the sun was up, it was warm and the skies were blue, all the makings of a great day ahead. The Road Captain for today Paul Rushton had actually checked a map to put today's ride together a first, that meant we had a glorious day of riding ahead of us. In the group we had Glyn Venables and Eunice (she has a fascinating interest in old grave stones 😲), Ross Cameron, Steve Eaton, Ian McNeill, Mick Elsworth and Elaine, Dave Burton and Heather, PJ, Brian Lydamore, and I was doing back marker 🤔. Before the bridge, we took a small lane up to Buttercrambe bypassing the River Derwent. Now out in the countryside proper, we turned north then west into the Howardian hills. Bypassing Howsham, through the village of Barton le Willows and on to cross the A64, heading further north with a few zigzags along the way we passed through Ganthorpe and Terrington going west to Terrington Bank we turned north again heading for Hovingham. At the junction, we swung right to head for the Avenue, a delightful steep twisty of the courtyard, over drinks and some cakes. We had been joined by another rider to swell our ranks, now numbering 10 bikes in the group, we mounted and set off for the lunchtime stop at the seaside, Sandsend with crab sandwiches was something to look forward to. As we left Nunnington, we crossed the river Rye on our way to The A170 and nearby Kirbymoorside. At the main crossing, we were helped by a kind motorist holding up traffic, finding ourselves on quiet lanes as we zigzaged climbing further into the countryside. After Fadmoor came Gillamoor and on the bend, we had a quick but open view of what lay ahead. Spread out in all her glory was a blanket of purple Heather. The moors on a day like today was a sight to behold. From there, we cut through Hutton-le-Hole on our way to Lastingham, Lower Askew, Cropton all taking us to the east. Next up was a run over the open moorland. The hills and deep valleys covered either in purple heather or different shades of green was a spectacular sight. After Egton Bridge, we reached the A170 and the final stage before Sandsend. Luckily, we all found parking spaces and were soon relaxing with lovely sea views to enjoy. Over lunch, we had much to discuss with our tasty meals. Eventually, it was time to move on, we bid farewells to a few riders, some were heading home, and others were taking a more direct route to the final stop at Fimber.

A smaller group was heading on the final adventure stage of Paul Rushton's social ride. Leaving the outskirts of Whitby behind, we went through Ruswarp over the iron bridge and the river Esk. We turned off the sensible B1416 onto the very steep descent into Littlebeck, then without a pause, the twisty steep ascent back up to civilisation and the A169 going south. On the way, we went past RAF Fylingdales, around the Hole of Horcum, and all the way down to Thornton-le-Dale. On the way, other riders pealed off to head home. The final stage had a bit of the A170, Wilton, road closure, Yedingham, across the quiet A64, Winteringham, Sledmere, and finally, Fimber 🥵.

Finally, all back together again, we enjoyed chilling out and refreshing tea with our fun banter. A breathtaking brilliant day out with much to enjoy. Great company, a fantastic experience, and an awesome route. A big thank you to the road captain Paul Rushton, I'm sure everyone will agree to 'a job well done 👏.'