A Winter Wednesday Wander to Manby 14-01-26

Ride Report: John Rickett
Today's ride had been planned as a venture to Farmer Brown's near Huttoft. The BBC overnight temperatures were forecast as being no lower that 1C, but it turned out to be -1C. Steve Croton, who had ridden to the Leisure Centre from Alford on his knobbly tyred off-road bike reported that the side roads were not good, with particularly icy stretches around Aby. Indeed my ride from Fotherby confirmed that the sides roads were a bit slippery and the bus route, always an indicator of gritter presence, was also white with frost either side of the road - it would seem that the Highways Dept had also been hoodwinked by BBC Weather and had not sent out the gritters. At the leisure centre, both agreed that Farmer Browns would not be a good idea, but Mimi's could be reached by the main roads so was worth a try. It was only about a half hour ride to get there, at first there was a bit of mild angst as the cafe appeared to be closed; it wasn't, just not many lights on. Inside it was warm and customers were having breakfast so we could get a cup of coffee without disappointment. The sun was out  which quickly thawed the icy bits but the temperature barely rose about 2C all day. Warmed and fortified, we parted company for Steve to return to Alford and me to retrace the main road route back home.At least we had been out for some fresh air even if it felt like we were riding inside a big fridge. Tim, who is on a sojourn to much warmer climes, must be feeling pretty smug not having to be the intrepid leader on such a cold January day.    

Editors Note: Only 19 Degrees Celsius for Tim’s Wednesday Wander … see below for a partly recorded fly through videohttps://www.relive.com/view/vJOKjDmE2wv