First Ride............

[JohnnyBoxer]

Only joking.................

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

on the road this year and it felt bloody fantastic..............the sun was shining and the roads were dry, for a mere 85 miles around Yorkshire's fabulous Dales

I love the Dales, especially midweek when they are virtually traffic free and the views are never tiresome, they are sublime

Today's bike was the 650, pictured in East Witton

With the recent talk about the discovery of the remains of Richard III, I took a detour up to his castle, at Middleham............well worth a look around

Onwards to Wensley, great views of Pen Hill

Spring, creates some spectacular images - not least the shape of this tree on the green @ Redmire, against the azure blue sky

At Castle Bolton, I came across this river with massive boulders in it and the scene was reminiscent of an Alpine snow melt stream in Europe

Castle Bolton is another landmark, which is nearly a 1000 years old, privately owned and still lived in by the family

Stunning

After Castle Bolton, I climbed up over Apedale Moor towards Swaledale and as I got higher, snow was still evident

Obligatory snow pic

Twisty road ahead

Grinton Moor

Lunch was at Dales bike barn at Fremington, a familiar haunt and one of my favs - home made food at its best and all in the shadow of Fremington Edge

After Reeth, the destination was Buttertubs

Beautiful river view

Typical Swaledale

Plenty of snow on Buttertubs Pass

Down into Hawes for a pot of tea and then home by 4, just 85 short miles

Bike washed off and dried

Perfect day............................

 

[David Nimrod]

Looks like a great day out...

 

[y2blade]

Cool pics JB

 

[CuzGS]

Do you mind me asking what pack that is on the rear rack, looks neat and I need one

Nice day out, I had similar on my new XC yesterday, what a great engine

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

Nice.

I need to sort out a bike.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Do you mind me asking what pack that is on the rear rack, looks neat and I need one

Nice day out, I had similar on my new XC yesterday, what a great engine

Rack is a TT small rack (all you need)

Pack is a Wolfman tailpack - specially designed for that rack and this bike

I agree good bikes

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Nice.

I need to sort out a bike.

It's a great way to pootle around

 

[CuzGS]

Got the TT rack so will source the pack,, tHanks a lot

 

[martinvrs]

Nice pics. i remember watching an old Top Gear where Clarkson was driving an Escort Cosworth, think he said Buttertubs was the best road in the UK

 

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

JB thanks for posting, good pictures. Lovely area you live in.

Just hatching a plot to escape tomorrow for a ride out to who knows where.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

JB thanks for posting, good pictures. Lovely area you live in.

Just hatching a plot to escape tomorrow for a ride out to who knows where.

Cheers Andrew

Always good to get out & yesterday I managed to do some roads that I've not done for a while

The boulder stream area really could have been a little bit of the Italian alps or Dolomites - it was so unlike Britain

Little gems like that make the day & lead to thoughts of past & future touring trips

 

[dave hendy]

Looks good and you were so lucky with the weather

Well done

 

[Nutty]

Nice report and pics JB The only thing missing was the food piccies I'll be in your neck of the woods on the new steed in the summer, will drop you a PM nearer the time so you can show me some decent roads

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Nice report and pics JB The only thing missing was the food piccies I'll be in your neck of the woods on the new steed in the summer, will drop you a PM nearer the time so you can show me some decent roads

Definitely and hopefully we can meet up

Roads - we have some stunners up here