I started the journey North from sunny South Wales on Thursday with Gerry H who was on his little Bonnie
Leaving sunny Wales behind
our route was cross country avoiding motorways and taking in as many National Parks as possible, we travelled through the peak district but didn't take any pics because it was raining-a f...ing lot, oh wait......I took this one
"take the road over Strine Moor" said JB "it's a cracker" it was
We stopped at a B&B in Masham, not advertised as "biker friendly" mate, but they are indeed very friendly and hospitable, they serve a fine breakfast and the house is steeped in history, they even let us put our soggy bikes in the garage and former home of the villages horse drawn fire appliance, how much more biker friendly can you get
Small (only 1 x double & 1 x twin room) biker friendly and biker safe, recommended
Contact details for Tripadvisor Award winning Milgate B&B Masham;
http://www.millgate-masham.co.uk/
We met JB for a bite to eat in a local hostelry Thursday evening and JB returned again Friday morning-this time on his bike, he led us along some his favourite routes through the Yorkshire Dales National Park and beyond, the roads were blissfully quiet save for the odd gathering of Tetley Tea Folk and groups of whippets.....there were many places ending with "dale" and some that didn't.....
The road from Hawes is apparently a favourite of one Jeremy Clarkson a local informed us, and a cracker it is too
It's fair to say it was a bit damp for most of the day but the roads were quiet
The rain eased and in case we might be missing the water JB had thoughtfully included a ford on the route
Which Gerry and I tackled but he and his iconic Adventure bike avoided........
Located in the Cumbria National Park we arrived at Belligham, home of the UKGSer Borders Bash
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=524
We had booked bunkhouse accommodation which is among the very best i have experienced, it's clean, modern and well equipped and can be seen in the background, not to be confused with the chicken shed full of hay (which might have proved a quieter place to sleep on Saturday night
)
Lots of Tossers were in evidence and a variety of transport and accommodation solutions were to be found....
The Cheviot Hotel provided generous portions of good food for breakfast and evening dinner, Whale and Chips anyone?
As well as FREE Wi-Fi
http://www.thecheviothotel.co.uk/
On Saturday we tagged onto a great ride out group led by Fran to Berwick upon Tweed
via Kielder and Kelso, Gerry, JB and myself had planned to visit Scotland after the event, this was as far North as we got
Gerry and I split from the group and followed the coast road past Holy Island to Alnwick where we happened upon.....Ash, what is it with truck drivers and lay by's
Ash aboard his new steed, Alnwick castle in the background, pic complete with dozy pensioner wandering into shot
Gerry and I stopped for Lunch at The White Swan Hotel in Alnwick whose Olympic lounge features wood panelling, chandeliers, stained glass and fireplace from the scrapped S.S. Olympic, sister ship to the ill fated Titanic.
A personal "tick in the box" for me
Our plan had been to leave on Sunday and head for the West coast of Scotland for 2 nights, however, being Southern Softies and taking heed of the storms forecast we decided to postpone this visit and try again at a later date-which means I'll have to come back
Gerry and I again followed JB's advice and included in our route to a re-scheduled overnight stop in the lake district a route across Alston Moor and Hartside Top, outstanding
We arrived at the Lake District about 10 minutes before the rain
Thanks to; all who organised and attended the Border raiders bash especially Colin and Mort, not forgetting JB for his encyclopedic road knowledge
Here's to the next one
Leaving sunny Wales behind
our route was cross country avoiding motorways and taking in as many National Parks as possible, we travelled through the peak district but didn't take any pics because it was raining-a f...ing lot, oh wait......I took this one"take the road over Strine Moor" said JB "it's a cracker" it was
We stopped at a B&B in Masham, not advertised as "biker friendly" mate, but they are indeed very friendly and hospitable, they serve a fine breakfast and the house is steeped in history, they even let us put our soggy bikes in the garage and former home of the villages horse drawn fire appliance, how much more biker friendly can you get
Small (only 1 x double & 1 x twin room) biker friendly and biker safe, recommended
Contact details for Tripadvisor Award winning Milgate B&B Masham;
http://www.millgate-masham.co.uk/
We met JB for a bite to eat in a local hostelry Thursday evening and JB returned again Friday morning-this time on his bike, he led us along some his favourite routes through the Yorkshire Dales National Park and beyond, the roads were blissfully quiet save for the odd gathering of Tetley Tea Folk and groups of whippets.....there were many places ending with "dale" and some that didn't.....
The road from Hawes is apparently a favourite of one Jeremy Clarkson a local informed us, and a cracker it is too
It's fair to say it was a bit damp for most of the day but the roads were quiet
The rain eased and in case we might be missing the water JB had thoughtfully included a ford on the route
Which Gerry and I tackled but he and his iconic Adventure bike avoided........
Located in the Cumbria National Park we arrived at Belligham, home of the UKGSer Borders Bash
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=524
We had booked bunkhouse accommodation which is among the very best i have experienced, it's clean, modern and well equipped and can be seen in the background, not to be confused with the chicken shed full of hay (which might have proved a quieter place to sleep on Saturday night
)
Lots of Tossers were in evidence and a variety of transport and accommodation solutions were to be found....
The Cheviot Hotel provided generous portions of good food for breakfast and evening dinner, Whale and Chips anyone?
As well as FREE Wi-Fi
http://www.thecheviothotel.co.uk/
On Saturday we tagged onto a great ride out group led by Fran to Berwick upon Tweed
via Kielder and Kelso, Gerry, JB and myself had planned to visit Scotland after the event, this was as far North as we got
Gerry and I split from the group and followed the coast road past Holy Island
to Alnwick where we happened upon.....Ash, what is it with truck drivers and lay by's Ash aboard his new steed, Alnwick castle in the background, pic complete with dozy pensioner wandering into shot
Gerry and I stopped for Lunch at The White Swan Hotel in Alnwick whose Olympic lounge features wood panelling, chandeliers, stained glass and fireplace from the scrapped S.S. Olympic, sister ship to the ill fated Titanic.
A personal "tick in the box" for me
Our plan had been to leave on Sunday and head for the West coast of Scotland for 2 nights, however, being Southern Softies and taking heed of the storms forecast we decided to postpone this visit and try again at a later date-which means I'll have to come back
Gerry and I again followed JB's advice and included in our route to a re-scheduled overnight stop in the lake district a route across Alston Moor and Hartside Top, outstanding
We arrived at the Lake District about 10 minutes before the rain
Thanks to; all who organised and attended the Border raiders bash especially Colin and Mort, not forgetting JB for his encyclopedic road knowledge
Here's to the next one
I've made a note of some of the roads, and WILL be going up in the summer.
