Thursday 2 May 2013

Basically a long trip North. Best to stick to A1 as much as you can bear just to get the miles.

Stopped for lunch in Lincoln but didn't get too much opportunity to look around (particularly at the Cathedral). Should do that in future.

Trip over Humber Bridge interesting (and free). But no biggy - just something you gotta do at least once.

Good fast roads from Bridlington to Guisborough.  First good day of Spring. A million bikes heading towards Whitby - but we had to get to Redcar to get to my Mum's house, and then take her out for dinner.

Friday 3 May 2013

Up through Teesdale into the North Pennies. Brilliant run, favorite of the trip.

Using the A66 to get as quickly from Redcar to Barnard Castle was a good idea.

Great pie shop in Barnard Castle and a good selection of coffee shops.

Teesdale itself has some good testing roads and scenery but the fun really starts as soon as you get in to the North Penines.  An area of outstanding natural beauty.  There are no human beings here - and the road just goes up and up and twists its way though the scenery.  Passing into Cumbria and getting within 20miles of Carlisle we decide to head for Corbridge for lunch.

Coming over the top to Corbridge we pass through Alston and see the first signs of life for some time - I think this is where they all hang out when the weather is a bit bad - pubs, hotels and eateries. We were pushing on however to Corbridge.

Made a short pass through Hexham as Kerry had to visit the toilet in Tesco.

The Angel Inn in Corbridge is a great lumch stop - best food for miles (and if you are staying overnight) some good local beers as well.  Never stayed at the Angel but the accommodation is just across the road from the pub and looks good enough.

After a big lunch off to Vindolanda to look at some Roman history, archaeology, artifacts etc. An interesting couple of hours spent there.

This left us with a dilemma - we needed to get to Berwick in quick time.  Reached for the Garmin and asked for the direct route.  A great road was plotted and we set off. Northumberland is great biking country with a mixture of roads and no cars to speak of. Hardly see anyone for 2 hours. Arrive at the hotel in time for dinner and a lot of cider.

Recommend the hotel. although food is over priced for what you get.

Berwick to Kendal

Started by a quick run through Berwick.  An interesting little border town but nothing stunning.

Then to the border for a photo opp.

That done off through Northumberland and then back across the border in to the Scottish borders to follow the River Tweed.

Very pleasant riding and very pleasant countryside.

The next surprise was the road up to Kielder and then to Carlisle. A Forestry commission track (metaled though) and a complete revelation. Definitely one of the top 10 roads in England (pretty sure we were in England by now).

Carlisle for lunch. Stopped at Morrisons for sandwiches and the toilets.  Then off to the lakes.

Time constraints meant we decided to miss out the passes - Hardnott and Wrynoze Pass. A mistake on hindsight as there really was nothing to commend the lakes. Too slow, too much traffic - 40s, double white lines etc. Very pretty but not what we were there for.

This is not really biking country. Great scenery but too much traffic and too many speed restrictions.

Hotel as good although out of town and by the M6 - good for a getaway the following day.

Lakes is not for bikers.

Yorkshire Dales

Weather was foul and so was my mood. We had shortened the route through the dales missing out an awful lot of good roads so we had some chance of making our next overnight stop in Buxton.

The Dales has some wonderful roads an no mistaking Hawes to Ingleton is excellent.

Cut across country to the Peaks and Glossop.

Traffic was light but progress was continuing to be sooo slow.

Peak District

Always holds so much promise but ultimately disappoints because of the speed limits, double white lies and speed traps!

Will miss out the peaks from future trips. Jug and Glass was a good find - good beer and good food at reasonable prices.

Welsh Borders

A483 is a brilliant biking road and should be part of everyone's motorcycling experience.  Starting from New Town.  inds it's way through the borders.

Overnight stop at Plas Derwen was good - definitely a bright spot in Abergavenny.  We were definitely shattered when we reached this overnight stop.  Good accommodation and good parking for the bikes - mine was almost in my bedroom it was that close.