Reindeer Bull's-Eye Run

A mid-November perfect day dawned for the ferrets who made it on this very pleasant and enjoyable run to Squires Cafe, and who all made it so enjoyable:  Our latest Ferrets, Baggy and Jock, met up at the cafe with the usual crowd.  From L-R we have:  Precious Metal (Garf), Kit, Clive, Jock (Debbie & Stuart), Stu, Sue, Baggy (Paul), Lainey, and Canary (Julie & Rob).  Chimes (Simon) took the photo.  Unfortunately, Lensman (Paul & Polly), and Lauren & Richard had already left as Polly was on shift in the afternoon.  Unable to make it, and who were greatly missed were Grey Wolf (Del) and Tim.  Where did ya get to Tim?

This run was thought up quite late in the day, with the aim of getting a last run in before the Winter really starts to bite.  It was a kind of re-run of the early season Bull's Eye Run, the intention being to have three ride-ins from the Northwest, North East and East to Squires Cafe, near Leeds.  However, there being so little time for organising things meant that we ended up with just the one ride-in from the Northwest, with everyone else making their own ways to the Cafe.

A mid-November perfect day dawned clear and blue, the weather forecast being spot-on.  Although it was only around two degrees C, the sky was a cloudless pale blue, and the sun slanted in through the trees devoid of its usual warmth, but promising a great day.  And it certainly was.

Clive's 'Bird eagerly waited for the arrival of Chimes (Simon & Debbie), when it could purr into life for the half hour blast up the motorway to the meet-up at the Tickled Trout.  However, it and Clive & Kit were sadly disappointed when Simon turned up alone.  Debbie wasn't well enough to join us, so we just had to suffer Simon undiluted!  You swine Debbie!  Seriously though, we do hope that you're feeling much better now.

At the appointed hour, Clive & Kit, and Simon met up with Garf & Sue at the Tickled Trout.  And was it cold!  Bloody freezing it was.  Clive & Kit, perhaps not completely sensibly, had opted for leathers alone, albeit with thermals underneath.  But they hadn't donned their oversuits, and as a consequence were feeling a bit cooled to the core.  Still, the sun was beginning to show some warmth, and there still wasn't a cloud in the sky.

After fuelling up and gassing for a while, we were able to leave on time to meet-up with Stu & Lainey along the way somewhere - they'd sensibly decided not to start at the Trout and then have to retrace their steps, leaving them a bit more sleeping-in time J  So it was that Stu & Lainey hove into view as we were passing through Gisburn, just a few miles before the breakfast break at the West Marton Cafe ..... which turned out to be closed!  Fortunately, as we pulled onto the forecourt, they were starting to open up.

Teas, coffees, toast, teacakes and whatnots were consumed, and warmth was beginning to return to Clive & Kit.  It didn't help that the Electric Couples, Stu & Lainey and Garf & Sue, kept going on about how hot they were, and that they'd need to remove some layers ... they all have electrically heated under-garments, the swines!  Mind you, Kit does sincerely thank Garf for the kind loan of a wind-jammer under-jacket that he had spare - a life saver - many thanks mate.  Act of a true Ferret J

However, by the time we were back on the road with warm food and drinks swilling around in us all, and with the sun warming the day a bit, the climb up onto Blubberhouses Moor was thoroughly and pleasantly enjoyed.  A detour, for a closed road around Lindley Wood Reservoir, got us back onto route for Poole in Wharfedale, and the rest of a most enjoyable run through Tadcaster, and down to Squires Cafe for about 12:20.

Rob & Julie (Canary) had been there since about 11:45, and Lensman (Paul & Polly) were a bit early and were waiting for their orders. In fact, Lensman's bike was dismantled for remedial work, so he and Polly came along in their car, and so were able to have their daughter Lauren and her 'good friend' Richard along.  It was great seeing them again, and would have been a shame for them to have missed joining us if we'd imposed a 'bike only' condition!  It was also good to see Lauren again, and to meet Richard.  Grey Wolf pulled out at the last moment as he couldn't avoid having to go into work today, to sort some things out.  Unfortunately, this did mean that we had no North East Ferrets there - shame.

We all had the great pleasure of welcoming our two new Ferrets, Baggy and Jock, who were in the car park when we arrived.  Paul (Baggy) had met up with the Ferrets on the Passes All Expectations Run earlier in the year, but this was the first opportunity for him to get on one of our runs.  In the meantime, he'd mentioned us to his long standing friend Stuart (Jock) who also obviously liked the look of the Group, prompting him to register recently.  Paul came on his Blackbird (a red one, naturally) and Stuart, and his better half Debbie, were there on their VFR800.  It was great to have a chance to meet Paul again properly, and with some time to chat, and to meet Stuart & Debbie for the first time.  It was genuinely great meeting you, and we all look forward to seeing you at the Social in January, and then on some runs next season.  Once again - Welcome.

Unfortunately, Polly was on duty in the afternoon, so Paul and her, and Lauren & Richard, had to leave a bit earlier than the rest of the group - ya missed the group photo tha knows!!!  Still, although only a short bit of socialising, it was lovely for us all to see you again, and January isn't that far off.

Keeping in mind the shortness of the days at this time of year, we reluctantly gathered up our stuff, and moved out into the car park to get ready for the return runs.  Rob & Julie were leaving with Paul, Stuart & Debbie, to share some of their circuitous ride back to Wakefield, making their own way back to Sheffield.  The Northwest group were going to return via Ilkley, a more direct route back.  However, before saying our farewells, everybody was press-ganged into a group photograph (see the head of this report).

Stu & Lainey, Garf & Sue, Clive & Kit and Simon had a most pleasant and uneventful return, with Garf & Sue cutting off directly for home at Skipton, leaving the rest to carry on to Earby nearby, at chez Stuey, where a very quick cuppa and some cake was partaken of - very welcomed, warming, and most kind of you two.  But, knowing that there was heavy rain and strong winds forecast to come in at the end of the afternoon, it wasn't long before Simon and Clive & Kit were waving goodbye to Stu & Lainey for the darkening run back to Manchester.

Now!  How's this for timing; having spent the entire day bone dry, and with just a bit of rising wind coming in on the way home under a warmer new covering of cloud, Clive was just finishing off shampooing the bike, about to do the rinse, when the heavens opened and the rain poured right on the forecast's cue!  The perfect rinse ... well, sort off.

So, apart from the pretty cold start to the day, the whole event (likely to be the last of this season) was nigh on perfect.  Lovely dry roads, bright sunshine, crystal clear views of some of the country's most beautiful parts of the countryside, excellent fellowship and faultless bikes.  Who could really ask for more?  This was in actual fact, a most warming event in all the important aspects.

Photographs courtesy of Chimes & Clive

Page Updated

28/06/2008 23:54