Dales Discovery - TRF jolly

g00ner

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Following on from JB’s happy tale of The Bear eating his way around northern England, late April some friends together with meself travelled up from Kent to be taken around the Dales finest green lanes by Chris (2gses)

The event was the organised by the Teeside & North Yorks TRF over the Saturday and Sunday - being Southern and therefore working to provide for the rest of the country we had to travel up early so could get back before Birmingham went bankrupt.

Chris kindly agreed to being our own personal guide

Here he is :thumb2

Untitled by Mike Little, on Flickr

We set up camp at Swan Farm campsite in Redburn, within strolling distance of the Bolton Arms pub.... we didn’t know at this point how feckin cold it would get

Untitled by Mike Little, on Flickr

Bright and early Friday (we’ll it wasn’t raining) having checked on our experience (limited) and ability (more limited) Chris set off like it was nearly closing time at the Bolton Arms with us chasing after him. He can make a Honda 250 shift :bow

Thereafter followed a succession of lanes of a kind not found anywhere in the Home Counties, punctuated by Tea and cake

Untitled by Mike Little, on Flickr

I’d managed to drive off the trail shortly before this stop, finding myself caught in a fence and hanging over a drop into the river a metre or two below. I was too far over to haul myself upright and had nothing to step onto. I was therefore firmly stuck. Helpfully, Chris ignored me and went to order scones with cream and jam

A short while later having been rescued I arrived in time for Tea and a nice view

Untitled by Mike Little, on Flickr

More lanes, more views, great route ably swept by Chris’ mate Phil since Chris was generally so far ahead I couldn't see him anymore.

Untitled by Mike Little, on Flickr

Untitled by Mike Little, on Flickr

Doing a rain dance, it worked

Untitled by Mike Little, on Flickr

Back to the camp and then pub Got mugged by the bar chap who after funding out we were from Kent served us Shandy and charged £5 each to enter their quiz :eek: Being pissed already on Shandy we graciously came second and got our money back. Got free chip butties too

Untitled by Mike Little, on Flickr

Chris led us up this hill, named Bastard Hill I believe. Not my pic - I was too knackered to stand up

Untitled by Mike Little, on Flickr

As mentioned it got a bit cold in the night but I’d planned ahead- sleeping bag, duvet, woolly hat and merino wool socks meant I was warm and toasty. Woke up to find

1. The milk had frozen
2. Si from our group had found it so cold in his van he had gone for a walk instead - all night

So day two, without Si as he was knackered and went home and Mark because his wife wouldn't let him stay :D

Day two was as good as day one, faster and more open without Bastard Hill Chris had led us up on the first day. I think it is called Bastard Hill actually

Take the opportunity while you can if Chris is leading

Untitled by Mike Little, on Flickr

Untitled by Mike Little, on Flickr

Untitled by Mike Little, on Flickr

(These may have been day one but who cares)

Noisy bastard camping neighbours

Untitled by Mike Little, on Flickr

More views

Untitled by Mike Little, on Flickr

Untitled by Mike Little, on Flickr

Untitled by Mike Little, on Flickr

Overall a cracking weekend made possible by the TRF and expertly led by Chris - top top bloke . If he mentions it next year get in quick. Cheers Chris, had a toast to you once home

Untitled by Mike Little, on Flickr

Finally

Untitled by Mike Little, on Flickr
 
Thanks Mike anytime, we will be in Kent sometime this year, I will give you a bit of notice if that's ok, just one thing we will need is beer with a head on it.
 
Enjoyed that, lucky the fence was there to save a watery end to bike & rider..
 


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