Upping my annual mileage 4 - Visiting old haunts
Discussion
Well, I woke up yesterday morning in a bit of a mood - no particular reason why, just in a mood 
. Looking out the window the weather looked better than I thought it was meant to be so thought lets get out on the bike and see if things improve. Didn't have a particular plan so took the waterproofs and the paddock jacket in case it got wet/cold and just went. Having mentioned previously that we used to occasionally go to Devils Bridge I thought that would be the direction of travel and see how far I got.
I took a slightly different route out, taking the back roads past the airport, a little bit of A69 then through Corbridge and Hexham then up towards Alston. Now - I thought when cows lie down it is meant to indicate rain? What if half the cows are lying down/half the cows are standing? The clouds did look heavy but looking East the sun was shining through so decided to push on.
Having looked at the photo's, they camera really doesn't show how dark the clouds were. Just after taking this picture (after going down the hairpins & over the bridge), the roads got damp then wet. This got me thinking that its an age since I have been out in wet conditions (have I really become that fair weather rider?). But it wasn't raining so I pushed on.
I filled up at the first garage as you enter Alston (still 1p/litre cheaper!) - didn't really need to, had half a tank left but didn't know where the next fuel stop would be, and as I went up to Hartside the mist really closed in. There were a fair number of cyclists on the roads yesterday - I don't have a problem with this, but please use lights when conditions are poor. And possibly ride in single file, eh? Luckily the mist was only on the summit and quickly cleared.
Which reminds me now I think about it - on the first left hand hairpin past the top there was a guy standing on the outside with a big camera taking photos. A little unusual I thought.
Anyway, going down the other side I took the opportunity to stop at the Village Bakery in Melmesby for a brew and toasted tea cake.
When the cafe at the top used to close for winter, this used to be our place to go. In fact I remember once following a car up to Hartside as it cut tyre tracks through the snow and down to Melmesby.
It was still before lunchtime, the sun was sometimes trying to shine through and the roads were drying up so I pushed on down towards Penrith and took the A6 turn off the roundabout. Stopping to look back at where I'd come from, we really do have some wonderful scenery here in the UK, even the 'moody' clouds add something to the views.
The A6 really does hug the M6 and the West coast mainline very closely at times and I vaguely remembered some of the villages the road takes you through, that is until I got here:
See where the road goes in the distance (off the the left turning right around the hill in a left hander)? The road goes into three lanes here - two going South/double white lines/one lane North. I remember this bit well - we used to make.... good progress here, with the open sight lines and reasonable surface. This stretch of road is to the West of the nice bit of the M6 where it goes through the big hills (I'm sure you know where I'm on about with that excellent description!), and just a few miles further on from this spot is a large layby again offering lovely views.
On entering Kendal I couldn't quite remember the route. Looking at the map I chose the A684 towards Sedburgh. A guy (who I presume is also a biker) driving a VW van waved me through quite early on, on the road. I'm glad he did! What a lovely road this is - flowing corners (not good sight lines though, and with junctions on the apexes) and a decent surface. Not for the first time this year I noticed I'd been caught up by someone on a GS. I pulled over and let him past only to see he also had a pillion on who was filming the ride on a GoPro! They were riding nice and smoothly but too fast for me on that road.
On seeing the signpost for Kirby Lonsdale I realised that's where I wanted to be so followed the signposts for there. Now, again I realise it was Saturday and Sunday's were always the busier day but Devil's Bridge was quieter than I thought it would be.
It's also telling the types of bikes that prevail these days - not too many sports bikes and many more naked/Adventure bikes.
While contemplating having a brew from the butty van the rain started from the heavy clouds so I decided to push on (and the rain stopped) following the A65 East. Having gotten this far I thought about trying to find the Buttertubb Pass, but there was heavy black clouds on my left (North), sunshine on my right (South) but I came across a signpost at Thornton (I think) for Hawes (following the B6255) which would see me heading straight for the clouds. At this point I felt a prang of guilt - I've carried my waterproofs with me on every long ride and not used them once this year (can't really remember the last time I did use them). I'm NOT that fair weather rider - let's do this!
So with the first heavy drops I pulled over and fought my way into my heavyweight, luminous yellow/black one piece waterproof. (Now I was suitably hot and sweaty it occurred to me maybe I should've found a bush and paid a visit before trying to fold myself into the waterproofs! Oh well - too late).
Buoyed by the fact that the oncoming cars were all using wipers I decided I'd made the right decision. There was a reasonable amount of traffic and cars parked - it turns out the Three Peaks Challenge was this weekend, this road being one of the routes/checkpoints. And I never knew this was the route past the Ribblehead viaduct. If you look carefully through the rain you can see it in the next photo:
It was shortly after taking this photo that I came across the low point of the day - not far past the station there is car parking on either side of the road. It looked as if a car had pulled out in front of a bike, knocking the rider off. I stopped to see if any help was needed. All in hand, so not wanting to gawp I carried on. By the time I reached Hawes (somewhere I've never been before despite living not too far away for a while), the sun was out again and I was starting to get very warm. I filled up at the petrol station before having a chat with a guy sat outside his house while I wrestled getting out of my waterproof, succeeding in getting even more hot & sweaty. After packing kit away I went in search of a drink - it was good to see a fair number of bikers out here amongst other visitors
The guy in the petrol station told me how to get to the Buttertubbs (follow the signs for Simonstone Hall). Is this the nearest we've got in this country to an Alpine pass?
Looking South:
Looking North (look at that sun):
Going down the North side I kind of followed my nose, following signs for Richmond. This was a small tight, torturous (on the wrists) road but again with some lovely views as you follow the valley. Further along this road I saw a sign for Barnard Castle so decided to follow this road. Further along this road I saw another signpost for somewhere else I recognised, somewhere I hadn't been since around 1993/94:
It really is in the middle of nowhere, the place looked to be quite busy with both cars and bikes (and the odd camper van too) so I didn't hang around to long. Don't think I'd fancy camping here though at this time of year - I remember the weather can be pretty raw out here from my last visit.
Riding on the views were spectacular - I stopped to take this next photo because the clods were pitch black contrasting with the bright sunshine either side. I'm a little disappointed that the picture doesn't quite show this:
Further down this road I could see the A66. Time was marching on and my wrists were complaining at the now many slow miles so I headed out for this, knowing the A66 to itself being quite a nice road. Accelerating hard to join the duel carriageway I missed a shift. Next thing, the red Fuel injection light comes on. Now this has happened a couple of times before in the last 24 years - luckily there was a layby very soon after and switching off/back on cleared the fault (I should've worked in IT - 'Have you tried turning it off and back on?')
The A66 splits, the North fork going to Barnard Castle (eye test anyone). I did think of taking a photo of the castle but the best view was while sat at the traffic lights so couldn't. Going through the centre of town, there was a chapter of the Blue Angels enjoying a drink (hadn't heard of them before, had to google when I got back). I carried on North East (A688?) before seeing a sign for Corbridge on the A68. I decided to follow that thinking it would make for a somewhat misshapen circle to the ride, before following the A69 back to Newcastle and home.
It seems the weather back at home had been glorious all day (perhaps I should've headed North!) but that's another 285 miles covered (I'd covered a few miles before remembering to reset the trip):
This leaves me only around 300 miles short of 24k miles so reaching the 1000 miles for each year of ownership should be in reach this year after all as I'm planning to go to the 'Ride to the Wall', at the National Arboretum early in October. Despite my wrists and knees complaining I'm loving my bike more than ever:
If you're the rider who ended up on the deck reading this - I hope you're okay. And if you're out and about on your bike hope you all stay safe and I can thoroughly recommend this part of the world. It certainly lifted my mood - rain and all!
(And the new back tyres now well and truly scrubbed in
)
. Looking out the window the weather looked better than I thought it was meant to be so thought lets get out on the bike and see if things improve. Didn't have a particular plan so took the waterproofs and the paddock jacket in case it got wet/cold and just went. Having mentioned previously that we used to occasionally go to Devils Bridge I thought that would be the direction of travel and see how far I got.I took a slightly different route out, taking the back roads past the airport, a little bit of A69 then through Corbridge and Hexham then up towards Alston. Now - I thought when cows lie down it is meant to indicate rain? What if half the cows are lying down/half the cows are standing? The clouds did look heavy but looking East the sun was shining through so decided to push on.
Having looked at the photo's, they camera really doesn't show how dark the clouds were. Just after taking this picture (after going down the hairpins & over the bridge), the roads got damp then wet. This got me thinking that its an age since I have been out in wet conditions (have I really become that fair weather rider?). But it wasn't raining so I pushed on.
I filled up at the first garage as you enter Alston (still 1p/litre cheaper!) - didn't really need to, had half a tank left but didn't know where the next fuel stop would be, and as I went up to Hartside the mist really closed in. There were a fair number of cyclists on the roads yesterday - I don't have a problem with this, but please use lights when conditions are poor. And possibly ride in single file, eh? Luckily the mist was only on the summit and quickly cleared.
Which reminds me now I think about it - on the first left hand hairpin past the top there was a guy standing on the outside with a big camera taking photos. A little unusual I thought.
Anyway, going down the other side I took the opportunity to stop at the Village Bakery in Melmesby for a brew and toasted tea cake.
When the cafe at the top used to close for winter, this used to be our place to go. In fact I remember once following a car up to Hartside as it cut tyre tracks through the snow and down to Melmesby.
It was still before lunchtime, the sun was sometimes trying to shine through and the roads were drying up so I pushed on down towards Penrith and took the A6 turn off the roundabout. Stopping to look back at where I'd come from, we really do have some wonderful scenery here in the UK, even the 'moody' clouds add something to the views.
The A6 really does hug the M6 and the West coast mainline very closely at times and I vaguely remembered some of the villages the road takes you through, that is until I got here:
See where the road goes in the distance (off the the left turning right around the hill in a left hander)? The road goes into three lanes here - two going South/double white lines/one lane North. I remember this bit well - we used to make.... good progress here, with the open sight lines and reasonable surface. This stretch of road is to the West of the nice bit of the M6 where it goes through the big hills (I'm sure you know where I'm on about with that excellent description!), and just a few miles further on from this spot is a large layby again offering lovely views.
On entering Kendal I couldn't quite remember the route. Looking at the map I chose the A684 towards Sedburgh. A guy (who I presume is also a biker) driving a VW van waved me through quite early on, on the road. I'm glad he did! What a lovely road this is - flowing corners (not good sight lines though, and with junctions on the apexes) and a decent surface. Not for the first time this year I noticed I'd been caught up by someone on a GS. I pulled over and let him past only to see he also had a pillion on who was filming the ride on a GoPro! They were riding nice and smoothly but too fast for me on that road.
On seeing the signpost for Kirby Lonsdale I realised that's where I wanted to be so followed the signposts for there. Now, again I realise it was Saturday and Sunday's were always the busier day but Devil's Bridge was quieter than I thought it would be.
It's also telling the types of bikes that prevail these days - not too many sports bikes and many more naked/Adventure bikes.
While contemplating having a brew from the butty van the rain started from the heavy clouds so I decided to push on (and the rain stopped) following the A65 East. Having gotten this far I thought about trying to find the Buttertubb Pass, but there was heavy black clouds on my left (North), sunshine on my right (South) but I came across a signpost at Thornton (I think) for Hawes (following the B6255) which would see me heading straight for the clouds. At this point I felt a prang of guilt - I've carried my waterproofs with me on every long ride and not used them once this year (can't really remember the last time I did use them). I'm NOT that fair weather rider - let's do this!
So with the first heavy drops I pulled over and fought my way into my heavyweight, luminous yellow/black one piece waterproof. (Now I was suitably hot and sweaty it occurred to me maybe I should've found a bush and paid a visit before trying to fold myself into the waterproofs! Oh well - too late).
Buoyed by the fact that the oncoming cars were all using wipers I decided I'd made the right decision. There was a reasonable amount of traffic and cars parked - it turns out the Three Peaks Challenge was this weekend, this road being one of the routes/checkpoints. And I never knew this was the route past the Ribblehead viaduct. If you look carefully through the rain you can see it in the next photo:
It was shortly after taking this photo that I came across the low point of the day - not far past the station there is car parking on either side of the road. It looked as if a car had pulled out in front of a bike, knocking the rider off. I stopped to see if any help was needed. All in hand, so not wanting to gawp I carried on. By the time I reached Hawes (somewhere I've never been before despite living not too far away for a while), the sun was out again and I was starting to get very warm. I filled up at the petrol station before having a chat with a guy sat outside his house while I wrestled getting out of my waterproof, succeeding in getting even more hot & sweaty. After packing kit away I went in search of a drink - it was good to see a fair number of bikers out here amongst other visitors
The guy in the petrol station told me how to get to the Buttertubbs (follow the signs for Simonstone Hall). Is this the nearest we've got in this country to an Alpine pass?
Looking South:
Looking North (look at that sun):
Going down the North side I kind of followed my nose, following signs for Richmond. This was a small tight, torturous (on the wrists) road but again with some lovely views as you follow the valley. Further along this road I saw a sign for Barnard Castle so decided to follow this road. Further along this road I saw another signpost for somewhere else I recognised, somewhere I hadn't been since around 1993/94:
It really is in the middle of nowhere, the place looked to be quite busy with both cars and bikes (and the odd camper van too) so I didn't hang around to long. Don't think I'd fancy camping here though at this time of year - I remember the weather can be pretty raw out here from my last visit.
Riding on the views were spectacular - I stopped to take this next photo because the clods were pitch black contrasting with the bright sunshine either side. I'm a little disappointed that the picture doesn't quite show this:
Further down this road I could see the A66. Time was marching on and my wrists were complaining at the now many slow miles so I headed out for this, knowing the A66 to itself being quite a nice road. Accelerating hard to join the duel carriageway I missed a shift. Next thing, the red Fuel injection light comes on. Now this has happened a couple of times before in the last 24 years - luckily there was a layby very soon after and switching off/back on cleared the fault (I should've worked in IT - 'Have you tried turning it off and back on?')
The A66 splits, the North fork going to Barnard Castle (eye test anyone). I did think of taking a photo of the castle but the best view was while sat at the traffic lights so couldn't. Going through the centre of town, there was a chapter of the Blue Angels enjoying a drink (hadn't heard of them before, had to google when I got back). I carried on North East (A688?) before seeing a sign for Corbridge on the A68. I decided to follow that thinking it would make for a somewhat misshapen circle to the ride, before following the A69 back to Newcastle and home.
It seems the weather back at home had been glorious all day (perhaps I should've headed North!) but that's another 285 miles covered (I'd covered a few miles before remembering to reset the trip):
This leaves me only around 300 miles short of 24k miles so reaching the 1000 miles for each year of ownership should be in reach this year after all as I'm planning to go to the 'Ride to the Wall', at the National Arboretum early in October. Despite my wrists and knees complaining I'm loving my bike more than ever:
If you're the rider who ended up on the deck reading this - I hope you're okay. And if you're out and about on your bike hope you all stay safe and I can thoroughly recommend this part of the world. It certainly lifted my mood - rain and all!
(And the new back tyres now well and truly scrubbed in
)
Yes, the TL did get a bad reputation based around the rotary rear damper and the rear suspension geometry. But to be honest it's a short, powerful bike (not these days, of course) with steep head angle.
I've taken the bike on track many times (albeit the last track day I did was Castle Coombe back in 2010). I remember the bike used to get a little squirrelly out of corners when getting hard on the power after 4 or 5 laps as the oil in the damper got hot. This didn't really bother me - it was a sign for me not to push any harder.
I've taken the bike on track many times (albeit the last track day I did was Castle Coombe back in 2010). I remember the bike used to get a little squirrelly out of corners when getting hard on the power after 4 or 5 laps as the oil in the damper got hot. This didn't really bother me - it was a sign for me not to push any harder.
Superb, just been over most of those roads today myself, Richmond through Reeth into Hawes for a bacon buttie. Then over through Kirby Steven onto Middleton Teasdale’s and then then back home through Darlington to home.
Some stunning roads and Buttercup pass is something else, can’t say I enjoyed it with my fear of heights lol…
Some stunning roads and Buttercup pass is something else, can’t say I enjoyed it with my fear of heights lol…
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