We were expecting to wake up to "sunny intervals" and about 5 degrees C Wednesday morning, instead of which we were immersed in fog and lower temperatures.
Despite this, 11 robust riders met to cycle from Ellerton Cafe, aiming to acquire Richard H and Peter K at North Cowton crossroads at 10.40am.
Stephen C helpfully volunteered to back mark (thank you Stephen).
On reaching Streetlam, Mike P suggested that we would be wise to split into two groups when the other two cyclists joined us. Soon after Mike's wise words, Greg M realised he had a puncture .... so we then divided into two groups anyway, the puncture repair team stayed behind.
Having pedalled our way along wet and muddy lanes, we were pleased to arrive at "Leila's Autentico Italiano" near Dinsdale railway station in Middleton St George and lock up our bikes down the side of the building. Keith M left us at this point, so we were now a group of 12. I had booked a table for 10 people, however! In order to maintain our comradely togetherness and banter opportunity, we all bunched up on the table reserved for us, with Richard H and myself eating from a tray on our laps at the end of the table.
After enjoying a congenial lunch with an Italian theme, we had a much brighter afternoon, as the fog had gone and the sun appeared.
The route for the ride meant retracing the road back to Neasham, continuing via Hurworth, Croft and Middleton Tyas towards Scorton and finishing at Ellerton.
Thank you to Mike P and Richard H for remembering to take photos.
Berni