Twenty participants on seventeen bikes met at Stork Lodge Tea Rooms on Sunday 24th August for our monthly rideout. We were joined by Bob & Neil from our 'Buddy' branch, Barnsley MAG, and is was great to see these guys along. We set off slightly later than planned to allow Barnsley Bob to change his bike as his Honda was playing up a little (or protesting about the amount of rain we have had this summer, more like !!).
We took the scenic route to the A64, via Towton, and the scene of the Battle of Towton in the Wars of the Roses, which was (and still is), the largest and bloodiest battle ever fought on British soil. Nowerdays, it's a very pleasant country road through rolling farmland.
Progress was good until we got near the first roundabout at York on the A64, where we hit solid bank holiday traffic. Fortunately, we could filter through and then made a quick stop at the Highwayman Cafe, for the smokers amongst us to get a fix, and the rest of us to make use of the watering facilities. Whilst stopped, the heavens opened and it absolutely poured down for about 10 minutes, before clearing up and remaining warm and sunny for the rest of the day.
We left the A64 to head towards Pickering and the scenic road through the North York Moors National Park to Whitby. Bank holiday roadwork's at Sleights held us up slightly, but we were in no great rush as it was a most pleasant ride just enjoying the scenery. We arrived in Whitby for lunchtime and the obligatory fish & chips. Whitby was absolutely heaving and anybody would have thought it was a bank holiday weekend !?!
We had a look around Whitby, a few 'team' photos with Whitby Abbey as the picturesque backdrop, then repeated the whole trip in reverse on our return to Wakefield.
A hugely pleasant day was had by all and a tremendous turnout from the Wakefield & Barnsley branches.
Our next rideout destination is the Tan Hill Inn, England's highest pub, and star of the Everest double glazing TV commercials. I'll let you know the exact date for the rideout when we have set it.