Monday 9th May and I had a blank afternoon and the weather was glorious so what better way to spend it than a trip out on my new bike - F 700 GS.
The first hour was tedious but necessary - South Liverpool to Preston via the M57, M58 & M6. A better run along the A59 brought me to Sawley where the fun began.
This is the view of Sawley Bridge from the road heading to Grindleton
From Grindleton it is a exciting trip up and over the top to Slaidburn,
just in time for a late lunch and a coffee at the Cafe by the Car Park
alas, being Monday the Cafe was closed so the emergency contingency plan was actioned not before a short stop by the War Memorial in the centre of Slaidburn
Stocks Reservoir for a Bacon Bap and a Coffee
From Stocks heading towards Bentham is one of the finest biking roads around here
At the top you can see the grouse butts on the moor ready for the 'Glorious Twelfth'
Down into Bentham and on to Ingleton. Up through the Limestone Escarpment to the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct
I headed on towards Hawes but turned off into Dentdale and visited the highest mainline station in England - Dent
As I headed towards the village of Dent I stopped at The Church of St John the Evangelist in Cowgill. It is nearly 180 years old.
Not a bad location to end your days
Spotted on the bridge outside the church
Then onto Dent, a truly lovely village
From Dent I travelled down my favourite dale - Barbondale
My next stop was an obligatory one at Devils Bridge. Quiet then but it was 6.00pm. There were teenagers swimming in the river!!!
Before I left Kirkby Lonsdale I went to St Mary's Church to pay my respects to a dear pal who is buried there.
And a look out across Ruskin's View from the graveyard
I made for home via The Trough of Bowland stopping at the lookout tower
for an early evening view across Morecambe Bay.
All too soon I had gone through Chipping and Longridge and I was back on the M6 for the blast south. I arrived home at exactly 8.00pm after 200 miles of the most enjoyable rides I can remember.
The first hour was tedious but necessary - South Liverpool to Preston via the M57, M58 & M6. A better run along the A59 brought me to Sawley where the fun began.
This is the view of Sawley Bridge from the road heading to Grindleton
From Grindleton it is a exciting trip up and over the top to Slaidburn,
just in time for a late lunch and a coffee at the Cafe by the Car Park
alas, being Monday the Cafe was closed so the emergency contingency plan was actioned not before a short stop by the War Memorial in the centre of Slaidburn
Stocks Reservoir for a Bacon Bap and a Coffee
From Stocks heading towards Bentham is one of the finest biking roads around here
At the top you can see the grouse butts on the moor ready for the 'Glorious Twelfth'
Down into Bentham and on to Ingleton. Up through the Limestone Escarpment to the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct
I headed on towards Hawes but turned off into Dentdale and visited the highest mainline station in England - Dent
As I headed towards the village of Dent I stopped at The Church of St John the Evangelist in Cowgill. It is nearly 180 years old.
Not a bad location to end your days
Spotted on the bridge outside the church
Then onto Dent, a truly lovely village
From Dent I travelled down my favourite dale - Barbondale
My next stop was an obligatory one at Devils Bridge. Quiet then but it was 6.00pm. There were teenagers swimming in the river!!!
Before I left Kirkby Lonsdale I went to St Mary's Church to pay my respects to a dear pal who is buried there.
And a look out across Ruskin's View from the graveyard
I made for home via The Trough of Bowland stopping at the lookout tower
for an early evening view across Morecambe Bay.
All too soon I had gone through Chipping and Longridge and I was back on the M6 for the blast south. I arrived home at exactly 8.00pm after 200 miles of the most enjoyable rides I can remember.
