It was great to get a call from Steve Saturday evening to let me know there was a last minute trip being organised to get a few of the old crew together and about and up to Hawes. Meet up times was 09:30 at the Marriott, Preston with a view to get to Hawes and possibly Alston. Long story short (unusual for me). I turned up a bit late, but in my defence I had just travelled 40 miles south down the M6 to travel forty miles north on roads that are lower graded than a C road, I think it was Al that likened the roads to a goat track. It was great to meet up with the old crew of Steve, Andy, Marion, Gary and Al. First stop was for fuel at my request but we all filled up to put us all on the same full tank range. Well all of us except Gary who was on a great looking SP-1. A quick fill up and we were off, Steve as usual was red leader as he knows the roads, and most obscure routes best. It wasn't too long before Devil's Bridge was upon us. 30 minute break and we were off again to Hawes, via Settle. To start with took another one of Steve's goat tracks but the last few miles into Settle had to be via the main Kirkby Lonsdale to Skipton road. Traffic was quite bad on this road it was about 12:00 and the whole of Cumbria was leaving and going to Skipton via our road. Thank goodness Steve knew the back roads to start with. Sadly once we joined the queues all the best corners were full of tin boxes. We didn't stop in Settle, just turned left and headed to Hawes. Hawes has one of the best fish and chip shops around, everything is cooked to order, so it was the lunchtime choice for all of us. It was at this point we decided Alston might just be a bit too far for Andy and Marion as they had made the trip from Cheshire to join us on our ride around North Yorkshire. Fish and Chips devoured and we made tracks to Kirkby Stephen and a fuel stop at the Ford garage, then back to Devil's Bridge via The Fat Lamb (pub) road to Sedbergh and back to Devil's Bridge. After a quick and much needed ice cream it was back to The Marriott, Preston. Al opted to head in the direction of Long Preston. I opted to go the whole hog and follow them back to The Marriott, even though I could've made it home in about 15 minutes. It was between DB and Preston that we managed to loose each other, but Steve managed to round us all up, no problem. At the Marriott we kissed good bye to Gary. Marion was keen to get a Costas or failing that a decent cuppa coffee and a sit down away from the noisy A6. I recalled from a recent meet up with Manfred, from this forum, there was a Costas just down the road at the Ibis hotel. I was nearly right it was next door to the Ibis. Same car park fortunately. Unfortunately coffee was off the menu due to the water contamination issue in the Preston area. So it was bottled diet coke/coke for us and a Ginger Beer for Steve. It was almost an alcoholic GB but the servers mistake was noticed just in time. We sat outside in the blazing sunshine and telled the tale. Soon Andy and Marion had to make tracks to Cheshire, whilst Steve made his tracks to Southport. I was going to head home via the M6 but I only got as far as Lancaster when the lure of the country roads dew me in the direction of Caton and DB once again. 220 mile later and I was home. I'm not sure how many miles Andy and Marion did but it mustve been more than that. A good time was had by all. Here's a few pics DSC08855 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr DSC08856 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr DSC08858 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr Al's bike DSC08862 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr DSC08863 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr This one wasn't with us DSC08864 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr DSC08865 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr DSC08867 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr DSC08868 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr I'm on this one DSC08870 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr
DSC08871 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr DSC08872 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr DSC08875 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr DSC08878 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr DSC08879 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr DSC08881 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr DSC08882 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr DSC08884 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr Not that one DSC08885 by Kevin Rushforth, on Flickr
Nice write up for a nice ride out. Andy and I did just under 300 miles but well worth it. . The sheep is for Gary's benefit as it was like a mobile chicane for him. Haha .
Eh.........is there a reason why Al was made park his R1 away from the rest of the group??? Al did you offend everyone or summit?
A great day, by the looks. Except the Fox has a face like a smacked arse in most of the pictures. He's normally the most genial of company.
