The Malecon of Hull

An impromptu ride out by the Malecon of Hull. Incredible sun, shimmering water, a very fine beer and a half decent '99'. Oh, and a lock gate that nearly got the better of me.

We waved to a sailing boat with a beautiful proud sail; cycled around Hedon Road Cemetery (with MANY squirrels); tried out a Addizone on Marfleet Lane (pants is too good a term) and returned via the old Hedon Road and empty streets. Hurrah for overpaid men in baggy shorts. Overpaid men in tight shorts is another story.

Flyer for larks and owls ride

Look, they’re cycling

down the high street, twelve or more

hopeful youths in white!

A truck has just jack-knifed
at a risky junction

but they’re still together,

happy as a million larks.

Philippe Z, 'Time Warp'

TODAY
5.30pm
Pave
2 hours
Cycling

Ride to Barton for scampi fries and shandy

A (small) handful met at Pave.

Rode down Spring Bank West and down the cycle trck that comes out on Anlaby Road (opp Tradex).
Weather was fantastic. A little windy once we got on to the bridge but it adds to the thrill.

Thanks Allan, Hannah, Louise and Kat for riding.

August? August was the last ride?

It's true. The last ride was in August. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then. Contracts have been made, curves have been learnt, thinking has been thunk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MFuSMz1zh0
Have a look at this to inspire you to be seen. It's no joke. Get the white paint out now before it's too late.



Let's go for a ride then. Where to? Who knows. You have to look at a map and decide. Let's go next Saturday. Early morning. I have to be somewhere at 11.30am, so let's meet at 9 o'clock. Just a short ride. Get some wind in our sails. I'll see you at the Central Library in Hull then.

But realise that things have changed. This really is for creative types, this really is about different people deciding where to go. This really is pootling. Get your cameras ready, your pencils sharpened, your wit finely tuned and your preconceptions firmly knuckled down.

I don't want to race, I want to have a look. So wrap up warm.
If you agree, you're welcome to join.

For a faster pace, go to the CTC (Cyclist's Touring Club) on Sunday mornings - http://www.hullctc.org.uk/

Here are some images from the August ride round by Cottingham to Dunswell (and the farmer's market) and back by the bumpy track next to the River Hull:

we ended up at skidby: 29.07.08

Stuck at the lights at Chants Ave: gave everyone
a chance to reassemble as a group (and themselves)

Oh what a fine night: setting off at 7.15pm from Pearson Park we had 13 people turn up. Two people came just to say they were full of cold and wanted to come but couldn't!

I arrived with my chips and gravy carefully balanced in my shopping basket; another arrived and then dashed off to collect a tandem and ride with one of the guys from Beech Holme; 2 came from East Hull... fantastic. I think there were about 9 new riders on a crazy range of bikes: from their teenage mountain bike to a Pashley sit-up-and-beg doo-dah.

Not knowing where to head for, a number of suggestions were banded about so by the time the last person turned up we knew we were aiming for Skidby: the Half Moon pub awaited about 5 miles away.

...And then we got there. Hurrah for shandy -

sweet, refreshing and doesn't make you

wobble or lose your energy so

you feel like a lump of lard.

a turn in control and a turn in trusting the front rider...

Hmm, nearly forgot.... on the way home, riding down the cycle path that cuts out the full length of Priory Road and comes out on Spring Bank West, we were joined by 2 youngish lads.

'What are you doin'?'

'Cycling'

'Why?'

''Cos we want to'

'Oh. What charity are you doin' it for?'

*puzzled pause* 'It's not for charity - we're just having a bike ride.'

*puzzled look*

'It's for fun.'

*smiles*

some pictures of cycling - make a comment and add your own

enjoying the shakeyness of images by bike
(York Rally: June 2008)



long straight roads + big skies
(round by Paull with Beech Holme Tandemists: late July 08)

We didn't used to go in a car to the race, we would

cycle to wherever it was, and then do the race.

(cycling round Walkington area:

late August 2007)

determined not to be squashed by a tram
(cycling in Prague: late July 2008)

cycling in Prague is not having a revolution

just yet... but it could do...

(apologies to the artist: a very large painting

in the Kampa Museum in Prague, late July 2008)

midnight ride 05.07.08: Humber Bridge

Well. Time to catch up. Our second ride was to the Humber Bridge, setting off at 11.30pm, on a slightly drizzly evening. Five of us showed on the large ramp to St. Stephens: the more concerned of us dazzling in our rave attire.

We took the back streets and cycle paths up to Hessle where we whipped and walked up Hull's version of K2 (that's saying a lot) to the Humber Bridge. From there we took a few turns past some HE-UGE houses, through the darkness of a meadow, and arrived in the Humber Bridge car park. Then up onto the top of the bridge. Well, not on the actual top (300 feet up perched on top of a breezy tower), but on the cycle path that joins red and yellow bellys (how could that not be mentioned?).

A bottle of pop was consumed at the other side once we had touched ground and climbed back up to the flat where the concrete stays are. A photograph taken, a munch of chocolate and we were back on our way: this time on the east side of the bridge. You see, at half past twelve at night there are limited toilet facilities available and so time was of the essence for some of us.

Having been very busy during the week prior to this ride, I remember saying to one of the riders about how it felt a bit surreal and I didn't feel like I was experiencing the actual ride - more like I was riding in a tunnel. Sometimes it can be like that: you've been so focused prior to riding that it can take a good cycle to become human again and really relax. Can't say I felt that relaxed though when I got home at 2.30am. A different kind of relaxed maybe...

We cycled back via Boothferry Road (well done Grandad) and split at Walton Street after some crazy stunts from some foolhardy owls. Of course, I nearly forgot the cheesy chips in Hessle Square...

'We are cyclists' said an owl (cue bemused look from swaying man)

We have lights... we are midnight cyclists...

Copenhagen Cycle Chic - Streetstyle and Bike Advocacy in High Heels: Like-minded Individuals

Copenhagen Cycle Chic - Streetstyle and Bike Advocacy in High Heels: Like-minded Individuals

What the first ride went like

The first ride on Saturday 28th June had a good turn out - 12 people to be exact. With cakes and coffee stop at the rather plush-looking new East Park pavilion, we trundled on round by the cycle tracks to the Humber and the docks. Some cooed over the huge container-lifting leviathan of a truck before we passed a murder scene (of fish - we hope) and then looked angrily in ABPs(Associated British Ports) direction for blocking a right of way. However, skimming stones (trying to) took our minds off things. Well, it did for me. There was one feistier person amongst us whom shall remain nameless but caused amusement as we tried to detect in his walk back to the group what had actually happened at the dock office.
Anyway, I am wittering about nothing and something. What is actually the beauty of the day is all of it. Lasting much longer than I expected and with one token broken brake cable (much less broken bike than I expected), I had - and I reckon the others too - had a jolly good time. I will be adding photos when the lovely Emily returns from her jaunt to the BIG APPLE (capitals are necessary). Respect to Chris who came with Emily for riding my dad's oversized bike and for risking his future by coping with the rigid 1950s leather saddle.

PS If you're coming on the night ride up to Hessle to see the bridge and Hull's glorious lights, then do bring lights. They only cost a couple of bob and it's not fancy - just good.
See you this Saturday - sooner than I had originally thought, but the next day ride will be a couple of weeks after that. Let us know what's good for you - days, times, etc. I'll put the new email: larksandowls@hotmail.co.uk on the website somewhere too.
Blimey. This is a lot longer than I thought.

09 June 2008 - first thoughts

Well, here we are. The beginning of something good I hope. Or maybe it'll just be me turning out for random rides around the Hull area.
I have been thinking about this idea for months. I love cycling. I am passionate about it. But I do not want to bore you, or put you off. I will not show up in lycra. Or with a bike that resembles a giraffe of the bike world. I am not on a mission to convert. Merely to enjoy cycling with a group of other people. Like-minded is a crappy term - but you probably know what I mean.
I will hold on to this happy feeling I have right now, even if no-one turns up to the meetings. It's the idea of gently nudging people to try this and then enjoying it that is also making me smile right now.
A few important points:

• you need a bike to be able to come along


• you don't need to have cycled more than a couple of miles before


• it would be good to do an 11am ride to begin with - in a while, we could go out for a midnight ride (very very cool)

I will be on my shopper bike aka a shopping bicycle - nothing to do with Choppers. And I think the first ride will be round the old industrial areas of Hull. Not very far out at all. But really interesting. Factories, bridges and places you probably don't see much. I'll think of a date that's in a few weeks time - so I can get this publicised in a variety of places.