19th June 2024 - Rideout to Scarborough - Ian Cain

On Wednesday 19th June, almost midsummer’s day, 4 of us motorcyclists had a midweek ride to Scarborough on the North Yorkshire coast. The weather had taken a turn for the better, so mild and dry. Perfect biking weather.

We left our usual meeting place at MacDonald's on the Pullover Roundabout at 0900 and headed off up the A17. There was a lot of traffic on the A17 as usual, and the group got split as we made progress through the traffic. Two of us went one way across the Fens near Boston, the other two went a different way. Both pairs had to cross Langrick Bridge, so we all met up in a car park just over the bridge. From there it was through Horncastle and onto the road known locally as the Caister High Road. I've raved about this road before. It climbs and dives across the Lincolnshire Wolds and is beautifully surfaced. A real rider/driver's road. This took us to Brigg and then it was dual carriageway to the Humber Bridge. I'm not good with heights, and being able to see over the edge of the bridge concerned me a bit.

Over the bridge, free for bikes, and we stopped in the viewing area car park for drinks and cake from the charity portacabin located there. Best bit was that they only had the last of the home baked cake there and thought they might have to throw it away as they were near to closing, so we got if for free. And as we all know there are no calories in free cake.

The road around Hull towards Beverly is in the process of being dualled, so lots of roadworks and temporary traffic lights. Once clear of those we had a good run to Driffield and then over the edge of the Nth Yorks moors on another lovely B road which took us virtually to Scarborough. There is free bike parking at the end of the promenade which was very busy on such a nice day. I did wonder why all these people weren't at work on a Wednesday, perhaps like me they are retired. Obligatory fish and chips and a walk around the harbour and it was time to come home.

We came back the same way because, Hull ring road aside, it's a good route. I'm sure we all got onto the bridge at the same time, but when we got to Brigg we had lost Elke and Paul Southwell again! We waited a while in a layby, but decided they were grown up enough to find their own way home and left them to it. Bob Walker and I stopped in Horncastle on the way back for a drink and then made our way home.

A good day, about 300 miles round trip. Thanks to Elke, Paul, and Bob for their company, and Lincolnshire County Council for their roads.

Ian Cain