Lakes and Dales... for the few!

[Madmountainman]

Hi All, got Jim to post the photo's through so here they are.
Having been told all about Hawes, two years previously, i was kind of expecting a bigger turnout. Where were you? I wasn't aware that Northerners had all turned into soft shandy drinking Tossers!!! Perhaps my posted route proved a bit too scary for some of you!!!???

It was getting into early evening on the Friday and i was getting a tad worried... no sign of anyone. Not a good sign for my first attempt at arranging an event.

Then, as if by magic, a GS'er appeared

 

[Madmountainman]

then, a few more...

 

[Madmountainman]

Friday evening and we had a small group, enough for plenty of beer and bollox. MontyDog regaled us with entertaining stories of his biking adventures... ok, bike crashes and subsequent dealings with the Yorkshire constabulary. Many thanks for your tales of daring do, they kept us laughing well into the night. The Old Peculiar was especially more-ish, though i expect Jim wished he hadn't drunk so many come Saturday morning! Complaints of his stomach lining feeling like it had been etched away, sadly, fell on deaf ears!

Saturdays ride around the dales began on a slightly overcast note with some dampness to focus our concentration. North of Sedburgh things began to dry up and we stopped for a look at the scenery.

 

[Madmountainman]

Overcast skies and damp roads

 

[Madmountainman]

After a quick check on the route (i can't afford the luxuries of GPS), we continued on our way...

 

[Madmountainman]

At Jims behest, we stopped for a wander round High Force and took in the spectacular waterfall. I said that next time i'll lead a route to possibly take in Cauldron Snout, another spectacular water feature in the locale.

 

[Madmountainman]

On top of the falls it gets a bit tricky. Watch your step there Monty!

 

[Madmountainman]

It was getting quite warm at this point and the surroundings seemed to prompt certain GS'ers into philisophical debate...

 

[Madmountainman]

Time was ticking on so we cracked on with the route and made it to the Tan Hill Inn, Englands highest pub. Unfortunately, due to Jim pfaffing with the camera, we just missed last food orders. This came as a bit of a blow, especially as Jim had fired us up with his comments on how good the food was! Oh well, maybe next year

 

[Madmountainman]

Another of the pub...

 

[Madmountainman]

After beer and beef jerky we headed on to Reeth. This section of the route proved rather popular, with airborne moments, suicidal sheep, loose gravel and dry stone crash barriers... entertaining stuff that had me whooping with delight!.
From Reeth to Hawes and then back to Horton, we took it a bit steadier, making it back in good time for grabbing some dinner and beer. Another sociable evening ensued, with Ian sporting his shiney new trainers he'd bought at Shap!

Sundays ride out was a much smaller affair. A couple of the guys had to make their way home and Simon wasn't feeling at his best, so we left him kipping away in his tent

That left myself and IanB and a couple from the Yorkshire area (whose names i forgot) to hit the Lakes.

It was another mostly overcast day, especially on the high fells over Hardknott. We stopped briefly for tea and a bacon buttie at Kirkby Lonsdale and then cracked on with the route. The small group made it easy to negotiate the winding passes, though i did have to educate one or two tin box drivers in the contents of the highway code and good road manners!!! I must say i was somewhat shocked by the foul mouthed torrent of abuse i received from the female passenger of a certain Mazda consideriing, as she quite clearly pointed out, she had a child in the car with her!!! Still, these episodes didn't detract from another cracking ride, i just wish the views had been as good as when i researched the route.

We parted company back at the M6, with Ian heading south and myself and the other couple heading down the A65. Fortunately we took it fairly steady... Plod was about and on an unmarked Fireblade. Fortunately he was easy to spot, something to do with a great big dayglo yellow jacket on a warm sunny afternoon gave him away!!!

I then headed off to Jims and basked in his hospitality and a few pints of Hoegarden at his local watering hole. A great way to finish the weekend.

My thanks go to those that turned up and made the event. Those that didn't make it missed out on some great roads, brilliant company, fantastic countryside, oh so smooth beer and a general all round good crack.

I will arrange to do this again next year but will most likely stick to the Dales area for both days, and involve a bit of easy off road.

 

[Madmountainman]

Yes, i know there's no photo's of Sundays ride, i havent got a digi camera and Jim was only around for the Saturday rideout. I guess you all should have come on the ride

Many thanks jim for your assistance and your hospitality and i look forward to seeing a few more at next years run.

 

[Jim McSharry]

Well Rich - as the saying goes; "The best parties are the ones you missed!"

Thanks again for the weekend - belly now suffering from footballities - no doubt this will continue for the next few days on the Picos trip

See you next time

 

[montydog]

...excellent Richie a truely memorable trip look forward to seeing you around and for sure this trip next year...ride safely