23rd March 2025 - Ride to Ruskington Garden Centre - Ian Cain

Our ride today was meant to be to Byard's Leap Cafe on the A17 near RAF Cranwell. However, we discovered that the cafe has closed so our destination was changed to a garden centre in the nearby village of Ruskington. Secretary Elke found this and a good choice it was, easy parking and a really nice cafe.

It wasn't a bad day. 12 riders turned out so we rode in three groups of four. Thanks to Steve C and Dave R for leading the other two groups. Despite the change of destination, our planned route didn't change much, but we passed the RAF College at Cranwell, a really impressive building in well kept grounds. This brought back memories for me. I was in the RAF and Cranwell was my first posting after finishing my apprenticeship. I didn't get to go into the College though. That was for officers only. Other ranks worked on the airfield side of the station.

Our ride was a mix of the busy A17 and quieter A roads once we got nearer our destination. You don't have to go far to find nice roads in Lincolnshire and they're all well maintained. Not too much traffic on Sunday morning, but there were opportunities to practice a bit of overtaking.

After the obligatory cakes/sandwiches/tea & coffee we came home by a more direct route with people peeling off to their different parts of the Fenriders area. Another good ride in good company so thanks to all who turned out.

Ian Cain