Last Sunday, the weather conspired to put in a stunning performance........warm summer sun with a light breeze and NO showers
So.............I decided to get out on the XChallenge to explore some of Yorkshire's ancient byways and little used roads.................lost in a timewarp of the hustle and bustle of the 21st century
I was travelling solo
The Xchallenge was the ideal tool...............a proper trail bike for some adventures, light but with good road manners too...................my GS don't do offroad anyway
I started out from home and filled up in Thirsk, ready for the day's relish of trails
Within 1 mile of Thirsk's ancient market place, this little used and unlnown road is located
Easily completed...............I moved on in search of Yorkshire's famous White Horse and found it near Kilburn
One steed in front of another Yorkshire landmark
Next was the postcard pretty village of Kilburn, home of the famous 'Mouseman' Oak furniture
Climbing up White Horse Bank, I moved onto the next trail, near the Hambleton Arms...atop Sutton Bank - this is a really nice trail through a forestry plantation
Next was a trail road near Cold Kirby, I last rode this 20 years ago.......I've forgotten how good the view is
At the end............. I found a AMCA Moto-X meet and wanderd in for a look
There were some lovely old 'aircooled Honda Red Rockets, Yamaha YZ's and Maico's to watch.........memories of my youth
Here's some spectacular views of Bilsdale Moor
Next was the ford at Hawnby...................the sign told of deep water..........but it lied
From this trail near Rievaulx you can get a glimpse of Ryedale's ruined Cistercian Abbey
Now in all its splendour....................it must have been awesome in the Middle Ages
Lunch was taken in Helmsley amongst the sportsbike fraternity
and then onwards via Ampleforth to Malton.
Here's a forgotten road near Amotherby
I decided to ride through Old Malton then towards Eden Camp War museum to do a great old cart road nearby
Some old heroes of yesteryear
Now for some exploration................nobody has used this for years and years, despite being adjacent to the A169 Malton to Pickering road
Back into Malton to ride the gallops near Settrington..............another one I've not ridden for 10 years................an old drove road which has fallen into the overgrown status
Next................another unknown trail, right in the town of Malton
Now it was time to head over to the splendid Yorkshire Wolds and a break at Seaways Cafe @ Fridaythorpe..............the day was getting hot and sticky by now in the mid afternoon. on entering the cafe................. a voice from the nearby table shouts 'Is that Johnnyboxer' - it's another GS'er Sue, a long way from her home in Taunton, but she's up here for the week, visiting family. We have a chat and brew and then go our separate ways
Time to do a few trails in and around Fridaythorpe and Fimber...........to the monument above Sledmere
This is another forgotten ancient highway............now bypassed by modern living
After a great day's ride......................I went back via York.........having thoroughly enjoyed my day out riding some of Yorkshire's least famous, but equally entertaining biking roads
It was great to dig those old trails out of the recesses of my memory.....................no GPS or maps to rely on, I love it when a it all goes to plan
So.............I decided to get out on the XChallenge to explore some of Yorkshire's ancient byways and little used roads.................lost in a timewarp of the hustle and bustle of the 21st century
I was travelling solo
The Xchallenge was the ideal tool...............a proper trail bike for some adventures, light but with good road manners too...................my GS don't do offroad anyway
I started out from home and filled up in Thirsk, ready for the day's relish of trails
Within 1 mile of Thirsk's ancient market place, this little used and unlnown road is located
Easily completed...............I moved on in search of Yorkshire's famous White Horse and found it near Kilburn
One steed in front of another Yorkshire landmark
Next was the postcard pretty village of Kilburn, home of the famous 'Mouseman' Oak furniture
Climbing up White Horse Bank, I moved onto the next trail, near the Hambleton Arms...atop Sutton Bank - this is a really nice trail through a forestry plantation
Next was a trail road near Cold Kirby, I last rode this 20 years ago.......I've forgotten how good the view is
At the end............. I found a AMCA Moto-X meet and wanderd in for a look
There were some lovely old 'aircooled Honda Red Rockets, Yamaha YZ's and Maico's to watch.........memories of my youth
Here's some spectacular views of Bilsdale Moor
Next was the ford at Hawnby...................the sign told of deep water..........but it lied
From this trail near Rievaulx you can get a glimpse of Ryedale's ruined Cistercian Abbey
Now in all its splendour....................it must have been awesome in the Middle Ages
Lunch was taken in Helmsley amongst the sportsbike fraternity
and then onwards via Ampleforth to Malton. Here's a forgotten road near Amotherby
I decided to ride through Old Malton then towards Eden Camp War museum to do a great old cart road nearby
Some old heroes of yesteryear
Now for some exploration................nobody has used this for years and years, despite being adjacent to the A169 Malton to Pickering road
Back into Malton to ride the gallops near Settrington..............another one I've not ridden for 10 years................an old drove road which has fallen into the overgrown status
Next................another unknown trail, right in the town of Malton
Now it was time to head over to the splendid Yorkshire Wolds and a break at Seaways Cafe @ Fridaythorpe..............the day was getting hot and sticky by now in the mid afternoon. on entering the cafe................. a voice from the nearby table shouts 'Is that Johnnyboxer' - it's another GS'er Sue, a long way from her home in Taunton, but she's up here for the week, visiting family. We have a chat and brew and then go our separate ways
Time to do a few trails in and around Fridaythorpe and Fimber...........to the monument above Sledmere
This is another forgotten ancient highway............now bypassed by modern living
After a great day's ride......................I went back via York.........having thoroughly enjoyed my day out riding some of Yorkshire's least famous, but equally entertaining biking roads
It was great to dig those old trails out of the recesses of my memory.....................no GPS or maps to rely on, I love it when a it all goes to plan
Ive an 800GS arriving in about 2 weeks and its already itching to take me out
