Skegness Ride Out

RIDE OUT SUNDAY 30th APRIL

This was John's first time as leader of a ride, and my first time as last man.
So we set out with some trepidation on a dampish morning.
On our ride down to the first meeting point at Newark clouds gathered then parted in rapid succession.
At Newark 8 bikes quickly gathered and we set off for our second pick-up at the Cherry Tree Café, Lincoln.
We arrived in good time and during the half hour before our next departure, we drank tea, chatted and greeted other groups and individuals as they rode in.
EJ was out for the first time on her newly acquired 1100 Virago.
Another member (whose name I didn't catch - sorry!) was out for his first ride-out with the club.
A large contingent had ridden up from Leicester & Northants, and last but not least the Derbyshire guys and gals arrived led by Ken.
We were informed by little Malc (liaison) who had had a message from Malc N, that the C4 group camping at Friskney had in fact decided to go out elsewhere for the day, so we wouldn't actually be meeting and spending time with them at Friskney as planned.
But because others were joining us there for the ride onwards to Skegness we decided to only have a brief stop there and spend more time at Skeg.
Finally rounding the troops, we left the café at 11.10 with 38 bikes plus 1 car (Shelagh) following heading for Friskney.
Our ride would take us the most direct route via B roads and missing large towns, and with both of us originally from Lincoln we knew some good roads that strangers would not have travelled before.
With the roads dry and the weather brightening we wound through the villages of Reepham and Fiskerton then on to Bardney and through Bucknall bends.
We waved to villagers in the quaint thatched village of Thimbleby, and to avoid Horncastle we took a single track road across the back and over a small bridge. The oncoming vehicles stopped in the passing places for us and didn't seem to mind waiting while our impressive convoy passed by.
Shelagh was still behind me at this point but after a quick right then left I lost her and never saw her again … .. .
The bends now behind us, we headed off towards Revesby and onto the long straights to Stickney and Friskney following the deep drainage dykes and arriving in bright sunshine and on schedule at the Anchor Inn.
After a 15 minute or so stop, we continued to Skegness where a slight detour by some (living up to our names!) provided an opportunity to promenade along the front before parking up.
The wind was chilly (known as 'bracing' around these parts) but it was all smiles as we set off in search of Fish'n'chips, Ice creams and . .. …Shelagh, who'd turned up at a pub there.
Various groups drifted off during the afternoon and made their way back to their own region.
We left as planned at 4.30 with a group of about 9 and took the A158 back to Lincoln and beyond splitting off here and there as we headed for home.
I hope everyone was as lucky as we were, not encountering a drop of rain all day despite a forecast of 'sharp showers'.
Lets do it again before the end of the summer.

Pictures