Last week I rode up from South West England to North West England to spend a few days in North Yorkshire, a place I had only passed through briefly on a bike many years ago. It turned out to be a wonderful 4 days away, starting with riding to work and then going on to Bristol for an overnight stay in a motel, before pushing on to Hawes next day via Wales, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire. I did not take "the slab" if I could avoid it. Once I got to my accommodation I checked out the picture perfect village of Hawes. The road from Ingleton to Hawes is a great one, and features a rather famous viaduct....
On Friday I rode about 90 miles over the high fells, places with names like Wild Boar Fell, High Seat, and Great Shunner...magnifice
nt scenery. I got lost a bit rode past Britains highest pub at Tan Hill (it looked packed) and ended up in a cafe in the hamlet of Keld for a perfect Lemon Drizzle Cake, that tasted of...lemons. Unlike Jills recent mysterious effort! Eventually got back to base, changed and walkd into the village for fish and chips, which was very good. The rest of the evening was spend reading Mellissa Holbrook Piersons book "The Man Who Would Stop At Nothing" about long distance endurance motorcycle rides. Not for me I think.
Saturday I did a southern loop over the high moors to Grassington where I met "Harley Adrian" who gave me excellent route advice. He was not riding due to a snapped achilles tendon. I know how that feels. Had lunch there and the people were so friendly as was Adrian. Grassington swarmed with tourists, this was the real James Herriot Country. Siegfried had his house just on the village square. From there to Patelely Bridge where I turned left to go past Gouthwaite, Roundhill, and Leighton Reservoirs...all looking a bit low. Stopped for coffee and icecream in Masham before hoofing it back to Hawes and Pennygarth Cafe for a cold drink. Finally I went over the Buttertubs Pass but saw none of the Buttertubs! I did meet some(again) friendly folk one on an FJ1200 who was a local, and an MX5 enthusiast. Finally round the back and through Mallerstang to home, dinner and bed. 112 miles all up.
The ride home was a 397.2 mile haul using as little motorway as possible. The Wye Valley was the nicest bit, the rest was a bit of a chore due to the heat and tiredness. 8 hours in the saddle.
Here are a few pics from the trip. I have my first digital camera, a second had Fuji XT-1, and this was its first outing. Lots to learn, and I am a film guy.
I will definately be going back, and for longer.
PS - if the names seem odd, I believe this was part of the Danelaw, ruled by the Northmen for some time.
