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June
2009 Karl’s Run Out
– Lincolnshire Leafy Lanes
I was to meet the ‘north of Humber’ riders at the A15/A1077 round about at
1015am. I arrived at 0945 so had a bit of a
wait. At 1015 sharp Karl and Kevin arrived. Karl was on his Bullet and Kevin his 250 Crusader
Sport. I was very disappointed that
only two others had come but those who didn’t were the loser’s.
Karl gave me a route sheet but as there were only the three of us we didn’t
think we would need this. I got my gear back
on and started the bike. Karl and Kevin took
off and my bike stopped, forgot to turn the petrol on.
Off they went into the distance. By
the time I got running again they were nowhere to be seen.
I headed into Barton and, assuming that they would not go through the town,
took an alternative road. The upshot was I
got completely lost. Pulling over to extract
the route sheet and my map I decided to head straight for Binbrook, the first stopping
place. Fortunately Karl had decided to come
and look for me so we both headed back to the correct route where Kevin was waiting.
We all now set off. The route took us through
Thornton Curtis, Wootton, Croxton, Kirkmington, Great Limber, Swallow and into Binbrook. Here we stopped for a comfort break. We chatted for a while and Kevin and I told Karl
that the pace and scenery were just right. He
had certainly done his homework. It was the
off again to the Red Hill Nature Reserve via Kelstern and the beautiful Bluestone Heath
Road. We stopped at the Nature reserve and
read the information board which stated that the hill was made from red chalk. I thought chalk just came in white! Karl then took us to a viewing point on the
Bluestone Heath Road where a geological information board told us that the Wolds were
formed some 20 million years ago during an ice age. I
am not sure if Karl was out on one of his rides at this time! Off again past the red chalk and into Tetford for
a lunch stop at the White Hart Inn.I had sandwiches but Karl and Kevin were going to
purchase some from the pub. Now Kevin had
been mentioning food a couple of times and when he went into order his sandwich, the
landlord said that they only did Sunday roast. He
was disappointed so I offered to share my one remaining roll with them. Anyway when I went in to get my beer I said to the
landlord, “you wouldn’t believe how far we
have come for some of your sandwiches.” At
this point Karl came to the bar and asked him if he remembered him coming on a recce run
for the Saab club. He did and said he would
have a word with the kitchen staff to see what they could do. Suffice to say that Karl and Kevin got their
sandwiches.
It was now time for the homeward run. I had
looked at the map with Karl and decided I would return via Gainsborough. This meant leaving them at Walesby. We set off and went via Salmonby, Fulletby and
Hemingby to join the B1275. This was a faster
road but still reasonable quirt with nice gentle curves.
We headed north until we came to the left turn for Walesby. Here we pulled in and said our goodbyes. Once again I thanked Karl for a superb run out and
said we would meet at club night on the 29th.
I then headed for Gainsborough via Market Rasen. Then
back to Barnby Dun via Walkerington, Misterton, Graiseland, Westwoodside, Blaxton,
Hatfield Woodhouse, Hatfield and Stainforth. I
arrived home at 4pm having covered 164 miles and having had an excellent run out through
some beautiful countryside. |
