Off-road accumulator series

Debbie writes:

On Sunday 6th June we finally had the first part of my much anticipated Accumulator series. Well, that’s not really true. Due to the awful weather at the start of the year I never got round to getting it started. So today instead of starting with a 25-mile ride we jumped in at the deep end with a 50 mile route. (57 to be precise.) I now plan to do the 25 miler as an end of summer ride.

Just four  of us were tempted out by the wonderful June weather. Wonderful for ducks and the garden… I am beginning to think  I have broken a mirror or something, because boy have we been tested by the rain on my last two organised rides. It started well, overcast but warm, but within five minutes it was waterproofs on as the heavens opened. Within a few minutes it eased to a light drizzle, and the waterproofs came off.

Due to the rather poor weather forecast we set off from Scalby rather than out on the moors and rode to Bickley to meet Malton Carl. A good ten miles under our belt and it was only just 9am! Jackie, Carl, TT Tom and myself then rode a route I had last done for a charity ride. Some of the riders on that day were unsure how far they could ride so I decided to keep it as easy as possible until i got them so far away from their cars they had no option to keep on riding. So it was downhill all the way to Robin Hood’s Bay, except for the climb up and through Broxa. From there it was the rather steep and long up hill to the Whitby road. The weather by now was still light drizzle but as a bonus we had now got thick fog too, at least we couldn’t see how long the hill was!

Over 30 miles done and we were starting to get very hungry. Whilst stuffing our faces with energy bars we planned what we would eat for lunch at Jingleby. May Beck, Lilla Cross, and Fylingdales listening station all passed in a blur. A quick climb after Malo Cross and it was a fast blast over Old Wive’s Way to Crosscliffe then Jingleby - and lunch! As we ate a large quantity of sausage rolls, sandwiches, lemon drizzle cake, and drank endless cups of coffee the heavens opened. Carl donned his waterproofs for a quick blast downhill to his car at Low Dalby, promising himself another coffee when he got there. Jackie had already announced she was having a lift back with Matt so that left TT Tom and myself for the swim home.

The rain just got heavier and heavier. Wrench Green was a river, but we were fairly warm so we found ourselves enjoying being out in the elements. Matt, having dropped Jackie off, set out to find us! He had clearly forgotten just how daft I am. Unfortunately our paths didn’t cross. I am rather glad as I felt a bit of a cheat cutting short the Dusk til Dawn ride  last week. This time I could look at myself in the mirror and say ‘well done!’

In two weeks time Jackie, TT Tom, Sandwich Chris and myself do Mountain Mayhem solo (the Bermuda Triangle 4 also ride again), so as soon as that’s over  I will announce the 75 miler. Mind you, with my luck it’s bound to snow!