Captain Alex cannot be a***d to write the report this week, and so it falls to me. He has assured me that he will fill in the blanks as I did not make a list of everybody who attended. However, here is my best recollection: me, of course, Alex, Mike, Becky, Milly, Mike the “ex ref”, Jack, Alastair, John, Fry up Phil, and Bolty. Also, making his first appearance was Colin, who travelled from Greater Manchester, as apparently the Ravensthopre CC is worth the journey. Hope you come back and ride again, Colin. I just have a feeling that I have missed one person off the list, but no offence intended. I had thought about missing Bolty off, but he was there, large as life, again; and twice as loud.

Today was a very good ride indeed. The weather was cold, but sunny and dry with no discernable wind. We had a fast ride out to Lotherton Hall and covered the 30  miles in under two hours. The first bit of the route was a tough climb up to the A642 from Mirfield. A baptism of fire, you might say. We regrouped for a fast ride into Wakefield where Alastair almost fell off having hit a patch of ice on the descent. It was a fair old wobble, and a bit feminine really, but he recovered well. We then headed through Normanton to Castleford and up Mary Pannal Hill, turning off to Lotherton Hall.

Everybody was in the mood for a few more miles, so we took the long route back via South Milford, Byram-cum-Sutton, Darrington, East Hardwick, and Ackworth. We then continued through Wakefield and finished off with the long hill from Horbury Bridge. 72 miles at an average of 15.2 mph were covered, which is an excellent distance and time for the winter.

Bolty and Phil pulled out early, and a couple suffered; but this was a thoroughly enjoyable day and a route which I suggest we do again in the future. I hope that the turn out continues to be high as the routes just seem to be getting better and better each week.

 Doug