Today we didn't rush off too early. After all, we tackled 70m yesterday so the 30 for today should be easy. We headed north enjoying the late morning sun with not a care in the world. The last few holidays have been marred by broken spokes but this year Bert had a new bike and Alan had his rear wheel rebuilt just before this trip, so nothing to worry about then? SNAP...... yes we have another broken spoke. On a flat, smooth bit of tarmac Alan managed to break one of his new spokes! Now wheel building is as much an art as a science so I made a few enquiries about this shop with the expert wheel-builders. They had also replaced his tyres which were expensive Continental Top Touring (with at least another three thousand miles left in them) with soft Taiwan imports. Well that says it all doesn't it.
The nearest town was Malton, it's not really on the way because we had been heading for a highly recommended pub in Lastingham but would there be a bike shop open on a bank holiday Monday? If not we would have to return to York. When we arrived we made a few enquiries, no bike shop but the DIY shop is open. Without any real hope we went to have a look and found an old fashioned DIY shop with an extensive cycle department. The person who runs the cycle department had taken the day off but we were allowed to go in and use the workshop and fit a new wheel from the good range they stocked. After a late lunch we headed up to the hostel at Lockton. What a fantastic place! After eating we asked about the nearest pub, Jenny, the warden said it would take us too long to walk there and back before lights out. Sad faces all round. But if Jenny drove us to the pub there would be enough time. Happy faces all round. If only all hostel wardens were like her.