Friday 23rd November 2018
Morecambe to Bridlington – 170 Miles West to East coast
4624 Squadron Cycle Expedition 27th-29th Sep 18
The first thing on everyone’s mind was the weather. September can be glorious but it can also be a windswept, wet, foggy month in Yorkshire. We got lucky, it was beautiful. The Way of the Roses cycle route leaves from Morecambe, Lancashire on the west coast, across the Yorkshire Dales and Yorkshire Wolds to Bridlington on the east coast, 170 miles away. Our journey would pass through some of the finest landscape in the country, along traffic free paths, on-road cycle lanes, country lanes and the quieter roads.
Image: Team at the start
Day One * 48 miles * Morecambe to Cracoe * Weather – dry with sunny spells
Once we left Morecambe we were soon passing through a section alongside the River Lune, crossed the M6, and passed through Hornby, with some good off-road trails. We stopped at Clapham, our gateway to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, with beautiful scenery and rolling hills, finishing in Cracoe where we soothed our muscles and stayed the night.
Day Two * 64 miles * Cracoe to York * Weather – dry and sunny
Saying goodbye to Cracoe we carried on through the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park for a couple of hours of riding before heading up to Ripon and Bishop Monkton before entering the grounds of Newbury Hall. Leaving Newbury Hall we headed for Aldborough, crossing the A1 motorway, and late afternoon we passed RAF Linton-on-Ouse before continuing on to the beautiful Georgian mansion Beningbrough Hall, overlooking the River Ouse. Final push was into the city of York where we were met by fellow 4624 Sqn member FS John Biggerstaff who kindly arranged a night’s accommodation at York barracks.
Day Three *62 miles *York to Bridlington *Weather – cloudy with sunny spells
Following a well-earned rest, we headed out of York on our way to Murton, excited in the knowledge this would be our final leg. We cycled through Stanford Bridge and on to Pocklington. Next stop was Driffield before making our way up to Burton Agnes and then our final destination. Bridlington seafront was a fabulous place to finish the journey, coupled with great weather and a real sense of achievement.
Image: Riders and support crew
Our support crew were fantastic; with plenty of snacks and hot cups of tea readily on hand! During the longer stretches we were certainly glad to see them up ahead waiting to greet us. We were a mixed bunch in terms of experience and ability, however that didn’t matter. There were times when those less experienced could have stopped and given up cycling the challenging 20% hill climbs and longer sections but, using teamwork, we supported each other through those difficult sections so no one would be left behind. We started as a team and we were determined to finish as one! Crossing the finish line in Bridlington each one of us had a profound sense of pride and achievement. This ride has shown us all what a team of people can achieve if they support each other and you believe in yourself.
SAC Ryan Moyle, C Flight
Riders: Support Crew:
WO Russ Howarth WO Steve Beaumont
FS Richie Morgan SAC Wendy Wealsby
Sgt Kelly Matthews
Cpl Adam Weaver
SAC Pauline Griffiths-Jeans
SAC Ryan Moyle
SAC Yvonne Sidaway
Top image: Team at the end
