Nice day for a ride.

I passed my (Car) driving test in about 1973, (Yes, 1st time), and since then I have travelled the UK extensively. Both for work and play in various vehicles from a bicycle to a 7.5ton truck. (and on foot). I have been to the North Yorkshire Moors more than once, but today was probably the best and most exciting visit to date.

Weather. Misty and damp, with the odd sunny moment.

Roads. Bit muddy but quiet.

Route: Manchester to Skipton via Clitheroe, Gisburn. Tea and Scones in Skipton. Then: Grassington, (What a fantastic road, if only the sun was out.) Over to Hawes, even better. On towards Ingleton (B6255 Challenging) passing that 'long' viaduct and sweeping left back over the tops towards Settle. Probably the best roads in the North West, if not the UK , and scenery to ride for.

I imagine that on a Sunday, with the 'Joe Public' & 'Plod' all over the place, it would not have been so much fun, but today....... perfic.

Biker Cafe Hawes.

I know for a fact that there a few million Manc's that pass this area on a bank holiday or sunny Sunday to go further north, BUT forget the Lake District, the NYM's are better. If you are a visitor to the UK and want to see James Herriot & Wuthering Heights country. Head North. (Lancaster turn off the M6 turn East. ) Or from Skipton, follow Grassington then your nose.

New Logo. Thanks to http://www.andrewsimpsonadvertising.co.uk/ for the logo. (above) for advertising space and layout, print and stuff contact Andy my old mukka is the man.

Thanks to Mrs J for her company today. XXX

Captains Log, Star Date .......

I have just added a revoling globe to the bottom of the page. This should be a live 'Place your place' feature allowing y'all to add your location, message and picture to the map.
Hope it works, and feeol free to add something.

Twitter page reaches 970 followers with only 30 to go to my 1000 pre-start target. No reason, but it's a goal. Pass me on @Road2Manchester

Quote: "A man going nowhere, usually get there". Harry Stottle, or may have been Popeye (I always get them two mixed up).

Ready for Skegness, just got to wait for the tickets etc

Update

http://www.mcnlive.co.uk/

"We are off to Butlins, Skegness."

A phrase I thought I would never say to anyone, let along Mrs J. But it's true.

The 2011 Motor Cycle News (MCN Live) event, party, biker gathering is an annual 'Season' opener and with all the facilities that Butlins holiday camps enjoy, an ideal all weather location.

I have an invitation to trade stands including Bennetts Bike Insurance.

The party runs from 1st to the fourth of April.

We will get up there Friday evening and will bring along some Road2Manchester badges to give away.

Looking forward to the official launch of the 'BIG TRIP' and introduction to my 'celebrity' riding buddy. (I could tell you, but then ........ it wouldn't be a surprize).

On any Sunday.

One way of being noticed... or not !

Rivington Barn , Horwich, Bolton (today)

What a great day for riding. Sunny, not too warm and bright, clear skies.

I was not the only one thinking the same, as a visit to Rivington Barn near Bolton proved.

I lost count at 120 bikes in the car park, and as more came and went, one thing struck me.

Variety is most definately the spice of life.


Cruisers, (Harley, Goldwings, Moto Guzzi), Sports bikes from every era, the big trialies, and choppers, quads and scooters.


With an age group from lads riding pillion on their dads bikes, teenagers on scooters, to us 'mature' riders and many ladies on their own bikes, fantastic.
No issues about who ride what, everyone with a common interest.

Bike of the day, a Turbo Triumph Rocket (with a very handy, and probably necessary back rest for the pilot). Oh and a nice Harley Chopper, and a nice old BMW Combo.


See Roadto Manchester on facebook, or @Road2Manchester on Twitter for a short vid.


NEWS.
Onwards and upwards. March start for the 'movie' still planned. Things are speeding up a bit, some filming in Manchester soon.... (thats a daft statement innit????).

Keep watching.

If ya gonna go by bike... start here

Go to Horizons Unlimited, the website that's all about motorcycle travel. Travellers Community, Bike Travel information on the Bulletin Board, free Monthly Motorcycle Travel E-zine, Travellers' Stories, and plenty of tips and info!

The HUBB of motorcycle travel no matter where you are in the world. If the answer to that question is not already on the site somewhere, you will soon get a reply from those in the know.

TWITTER NEWS.

If one partakes in a little Twit or two, PLEASE follow the main man of motorcycle travel @sammanicom . (see previous post).

Hints.

The 'producers' are still hinting at a March start, (End of). Thats it ! No more information at the moment. Sorry.

Out and about.

With a couple of spring rides last week (Settle and Cat & Fiddle), I am getting into the flow and stretching some of the muscles not used over the winter.

Despite joining the local gym to get fitter, I pulled my back out, and have been popping pills all week.

I am not sure if it was the gym, the rides or the 30kgs buckets of *Decopierre I was lifting last week, but by Sunday night, only a twinge.

*Decopierre www.decopierre.co.uk my proper work (when I can get some).

Petrol may go up to £2 a litre.

Back in the day (when I were a lad), I can remember petrol going up to £1 a GALLON (4.454 ltrs). The shouts of despair, "No one will ever drive a car again".

"How dare they". Soon whiskey will be cheaper. (remember your length of plastic tube to drain some off ).

"Hey sonny I will swap my E-Type for your mini" (Actually, I was ask that very question, but insurance for a 17yr old in an E-Type..... don't ask).

Time for a bit of action from our truckers, and car drivers me thinks. It would never happen in France.

Rant over. MORE news as it happens, keep watching.

Biking Days

Market Square, Settle.

Lovely day for March 1st, so I put my bad back on hold (thanks to a few tablets), let the list of housework slip out of my mind, (never a hard task),and got the GS' out of wraps.


Having decided on the town of Settle, the small market town nestled in the Yorkshire/Lancs borders, it took a good few miles to get my riding head on. Fifty or so miles across the Lancashire hills is a good way to spend the best biking day this year (so far).


Its a funny thing how riding clears your head. Total concentration in the first and last few miles of any ride, seem essential from a safety and 'into the flow' perpective.


Having not ridden for even a short time, and the odd gear clunk, over banking, and mad braking really wakes one up.


Taking the obligatory M60 & M66 over to Haslingdon, towards Clitheroe, and pass the witches haven of Pendle Hill, the roads were quiet, clear and quick enough. This part of the North West is stunning on a sunny day, and many from the south frantically pass the area on the M6 heading for the Lake District, miss out on some classic vistas.
Settle has a small street market which is limited to a few stalls, and the mixture of cafes, chip shop and pubs mix well within the natural stone buildings. Bah-Gum, Really country-fied, proper "Last of the Summer Wine", meets All Creatures Great and Small.


I parked next to a brand new 30yrs anniversary model R1200GS, and sat opposite talking to owners, John & Jean, enjoyed a brew, and swopping stories about trips to the Pico mountains in Spain, and trips to Portugal and France.


John's new baby was new to the road, as well as to him and Jean, and plans to travel to Holland this month with the TRIUMPH club , were confirmed.
Bikers chat...... always.

Bad back ????? not at the moment, but ................

CAPTAINS LOG......................................... NO NEWS
Tornados and heavy snow, stateside. NUFF SAID.
I am keen, but not crazy.

More if and when.