In spite of early snow flurries and near zero temperatures eight hardy souls met at Skidby Mill at 9.30am.

Those with the will power to crawl out from under the duvet were Les Barratt, Mike Thompson, Mike (Billy Whizz) Sheridan, Matt Johnson, Mark and Billy Robinson, Steve Guymer and myself.

Mike Thompson, not long back from his travels in New Zealand and clearly expecting snow on his mountain bike was soon in trouble and dropped back on the climb to High Hunsley.

The remaining “magnificent seven” pressed on through Newbald, Sancton, Cliffe, Beechwood, Allerthorpe where Les foolishly mistook Steve shaking his right hand (to get some circulation back) as a hand signal to turn right into the cafe. Unfortunately for him we were off to Millington for a warm by the fire!

After lunch Les had a Mother’s Day date with his mum and sped off even before Billy Whizz could get his cleats in. We eventually caught them up on Trundlegate: the last col of the day chosen by Billy Robinson, where Matt finally ran out of steam when he hit the wall after climbing well with Billy on the earlier climb of Nunburnholme.

He’ll be back next week to prove a point after riding the 2-up on Saturday.

Steve, not satisfied with 56 miles, did an hour on the rollers when we got home. For me, it was a hot bath and a coffee, whilst watching Chris and Ritchie doing their thing for Sky.

If you want to swell the numbers as the weather warms up be at the Mill, Skidby at 9.30 on Sundays.

Regards, Richard