We solved the logistics of getting a tandem to Newby Wiske with support from CrinklyUncle and CrinklyAuntie and the use of LNER.
Tandem and pilot despatched on the 8:35 to Northallerton in the company of Kim and her clown bike, the stoker and I made our way to CrinklyAuntie's and caught a lift to the start with the CrinklyCuz, who was greeted with great enthusiasm and much spoffling by several of those present. He was most intrigued by his first encounters with people in cycling helmets, and utterly fascinated with Deano's beard. He then proceeded to do a sterling job of his first attempt at helping at a control.
Once the riders for the 50 were underway we headed off to Thorp Perrow Arboretum where we established ourselves at a table with a partial view of the Arboretum entrance and in full view of the cafe door, where nearly all the riders managed to find us easily and the awkward one or two eventually worked out the automatic door, and decided to get the lunch part of the day out of the way before they all arrived.
AUK's littlest controller decided to delegate the card-stamping duties, taking time for a restorative nap...
...while his assistants prepared for the arrival of the masses with some extra carb-loading.
The first riders to arrive were told they'd better get some cake in, as they were technically slightly ahead of the control opening time but by the time they'd ordered food, including a rather splendid looking bacon buttie, the stamp came out to work with the vast majority of the riders appearing as one slightly damp group then a few odds and sods trickling in over the next hour. The CrinklyCrew were the last to arrive, having stopped en route for some essential play park exploration, and CrinklyUncle had an extra task to complete whilst getting his card stamped.
Once the TECs had been despatched into the drizzle we left the cafe, after thanking the very cheerful and helpful staff and while carefully avoiding looking at any trees, and headed back to the arrivee to be greeted by most of the field and to await the arrival of our valiant comedy bike gang. The littlest controller was again handed round a several of audaxers and had a lovely cuddle from his big cuz when he arrived
.
After suitable amounts of tea and cake (or milk for those a little on the young side for such delights) Kim and CrinklyUncle headed off once more under grey skies to the station and the rest of us piled back in the car for the journey south, with bonus double snoring from the back seat.