Norfolk and Norwich Group of Advanced Motorists
Registered Charity Number 1051282. Affiliated to the Institute of Advanced Motorists Ltd.
On Wednesday 21st June, Midsummer’s day, 7 bikes and 1 pillion had a midweek ride to Scarborough on the North Yorkshire coast. The weather was very warm but as long as we were moving it wasn’t unpleasant.
We left West Lynn at 0900 for a drag of a ride up the busy A17, and then across the Fens to Horncastle. From Horncastle we took the B1225, the Caistor High Rd, across the top of the Lincolnshire Wolds towards Caistor. We’ve ridden this road before and it’s wonderful. It climbs and dive and has enough bends to keep anyone entertained. It’s also beautifully maintained, no potholes or poor surfaces and new looking white lines all along it. I’ve said this before, but someone from Norfolk County Council should go and look at this road and then explain why Norfolk’s roads are so poor in comparison.
At the end of this jewel of a road my mental GPS failed so I had to lead us towards the Humber until we came across a sign for the Humber Bridge. Lost but on nice roads. We crossed the bridge, free for bikes, and stopped for a break at the bridge viewing point car park.
Here we got coffee and cake from a mental health charity portacabin put there to help reduce the high level of suicides on the bridge. They also provide rangers on the bridge walkways who can talk to people and if need be direct them to the cabin. Nice people and good refreshments.
Then it was off around the Hull ring road to Beverly and Driffield where we should have turned onto another B road across the Yorkshire Wolds. But it was closed. So on to Bridlington and then the coast road to Scarborough. There is a dedicated motorbike parking area on Scarborough sea front, conveniently placed next to a fish and chip kiosk. So, fish and chips by the sea, what could be better?
After a walk around the harbour we set off back but it was school leaving time and the roads were very busy. We managed to get split up by the may traffic lights, and although I waited at a petrol station, the rest of the group had obviously gone a different way so I was on my own for the ride home. Once over the Humber Bridge I headed for Brigg and then Caistor to join the B1225 again for a lovely ride home.
A good turnout for a mid week ride, mostly good roads and decent destination. It was about 145 miles each way, as much as I’d want to do in a day. Thanks to all those that turned out, and I’m sorry I lost you on the way back.
Ian Cain
