Humber Bridge from Hotel

It is the first long weekend of the year and it seems to have been even longer arriving as Easter was so late this year.

The weather was set good for the weekend so quite a few of us met up at McDonalds Tankersley; it was a first chance to meet up with new comers Alan and Jill Yandall, before a bimble to the hotel.

On the way there was the usual chatter on the CB, until a spooky thing happened, Fireman Al, went silent, now those who know Al, know that this is very unusual, he then begun to slow down so Roy and I pulled up to see what his problem was. He had lost all his electrics!!!. Roy pushed him trying to get a bump start, which worked, but only for a very short time. Ian and Denise came back to help, leaving John Farmer to lead the pack to the afternoon tea stop and on to the hotel. Soon Al’s wing was being stripped down but still no sign of what the problem was, after about an hour, in the boiling sun with no shade, it was decided that the AA should be called. Ian and Denise set off to catch the main group while Roy and I stayed with Alan and Anne (her first trip with Elite, what a start?) The “Roy’s Recovery” (its real name) van arrived after another hour and half and Al’s wing was hauled abroad and taken back home. Roy and I decide to miss the route and make our way straight to the hotel.

Roy tells Jim a tall story

By the time we arrived, after an interesting trip under the Humber Bridge (a mistake) most of the others had arrived with wings being washed down and people getting ready for dinner.

Al and Anne arrived just in time for Dinner on his Fazer, Anne looking very uncomfortable with a heavy rucksack on her back and clinging on. During dinner which was a noisy affair with everyone catching up, new members Steve and Sandra Corbishley arrived, they had to work so could not get away as early as some of us.

I ran a small easy quiz and Richard and Françoise were the winners knowing more car badges than everyone else.

Saturday

An early start as we had several miles to travel, Den’s bike had mysteriously moved over night to another position, well he had left it unlocked so Roy and Ian moved it down a little, it is important to lock the bikes up!! As Alan had not had time to fill up Roy and I stayed behind with him while he looked for fuel, we would then both catch up the rest of the group. This would have been before the coffee stop if Roy hadn’t decided to follow the “sat nav” instruction “ turn left, off route”. So he swung the bike around and lowered us to the ground. Roy on his back like a beetle unable to get up, me on my side thinking “ I am on the ground, why am I on the ground?” Luckily Alan and Anne were with us and Al leapt into true fireman action, lifted Snowy up, and checked we were okay. Snowy had a smashed mirror and casing, Roy had bruised pride and I a sore shoulder, but all was well. I did mention to Roy “ I wonder if Ian has a mirror in his garage? “ and he did as we found out later 2 chrome ones, Ian Del Boy to the rescue!!

We caught the rest of the group up at the garden center enjoying coffee; Alison had bought her promised flapjacks for Roy, which were very nice although I think a bit too healthy for Roy.

Back  onto the bikes with a quick repair to Snowy’s mirror (white tape), rode on across the beautiful North Yorkshire country side, with bright yellow dandelions and white fluffy lambs, with did a circle drive round Flam borough head Lighthouse and on to Scarborough. Ian’s route was great as we missed all the holiday traffic except for the last mile or so. This route took us past the “Royal” hospital, but was only recognisable if you watched the programme!

Flamborough Head is around here somewhere

Scarborough was full of scooters (as last year) they were everywhere with there 2 stroke smell, noisy engines and numerous mirrors. Still we all managed to park up, except for John and Alison who missed a turning and then spent ages trying to get back to us (a CB is very helpful in these cases).

After lunch, ice creams and a mooch round (Françoise was deposited on by a huge sea gull, that’s lucky) we all mounted up ready for the afternoon ride. This again was across beautiful countryside and woodlands, to the afternoon stop, where Ian had arranged a “coach party” deal for us, scones and tea!!  John’s problem with losing his way was solved, when Ian adjusted his sat nav so he could see and hear it!!  Technology is a wonderful thing!

Back to the hotel after a fuel stop, ready for tomorrow and time to get ready for dinner. Again lots of chatter about the days trip, another quiz this time won by Jill Yandall who knew Joan River’s catch phase!! The knowledge within the group is amazing better than Google.

 Sunday

Easter Sunday and Denise came round as the Easter Bunny making sure everyone had a chocolate egg from her special Easter box.

Once all on the bikes we rode across the magnificent Humber Bridge, spanning the wide Humber river, on through the flatter but non the less beautiful Lincolnshire Wolds. After coffee we managed to get split up so Roy raced after John farmer and Steve Corbishly to round them up as they had missed a turning, we could hear a load of chatter on the CB some one had problems. After a short detour the 3 bikes came across half of the Group who had stopped to help Joe with a puncture. For safety reasons Roy asked Norman to lead the group and catch up with the front group, Dennis would be tail man, while Mick and Netty would stay, with their bike parked protecting the tyre repairer. Norman, proud to be leading the group set off, unbeknown to us the front group were parked up 400 yards away, round the next corner, never mind Norman, you can lead on the Scottish trip!

Hands off Janets eclair

Roy soon fixed Joe’s puncture and we were on our way, we decided to go straight to Sutton –on-Sea, with Joe leading, checking his tyre’s responses and meet the rest there.

Sutton- on – Sea was bracing the weather had turned quite cool with a strong wind. Rob, Colleen, Dave and Janet decided to try out Skegness, as Dave and Janet had not been there, so they headed off.  Denis and Lorraine Green, who were trying out his smaller bike, met us on the car park; on hearing about Snowy’s mirror problem he offered Roy a new one for a very reasonable price.

Izzy was busy taking photos and has promised to do a calendar for 2012, so keep an eye on the website!!

Sun bathing elite style

Back on the bikes, as we were riding along I asked Roy if he had seen Joe check his tyre pressure, “No” said Roy, “ well” I said” Joe is too clever not to have checked it”

The route to the afternoon coffee stop had long sweeping bends and straights, ideal biking roads. Lincoln Cathedral could be seen in the distance

At the coffee stop Joe let me down, he had not checked his tyre pressure before leaving Sutton-on-Sea, my faith in men is shattered. Rob, Colleen, Dave and Janet joined us, Skegness had been visited, ticked off the list of places to go and not go again. Denise ordered a Chocolate Easter nest, as everyone else was enjoying one with 3 little eggs and two fluffy yellow toy chicks. Her face dropped when it arrived with one egg and one chick!! (Well it was the last one on display)

Ann and Denise hold up their Easter chicks

It was then once more time on the bikes and to head for the hotel, back across the Humber Bridge.

John and Alison would not be stopping the night as they had to go home and relieve the dog sitters, so we said good-bye we will see them in June

We had a swap round at dinner so we could sit with different people, the quiz that evening was won by Alan (with help from the waiter). After dinner, Denise organised a prize giving for the winners of each nights quiz. Alan Yandall was amazed at how much “stuff” we carry on the bikes. We just know how to pack!!

 Monday

Richard Chatham had tried to take pictures of us leaving the hotel, but he went to the right and we all turned left, never mind Richard it was a nice thought!! Most of us stayed together until the coffee stop and then we went our separate ways.

Thanks to Ian and Denise for a lovely weekend and for the amazing trick of keeping 20 odd bikes together!! And Snowy now has two shiny chrome mirrors!!