I've been to Dent many times and never tire of the scenery. The only ball breaker is that industrial band across the country that is a nightmare to navigate through without going on motorways. This trip was no exception. The ride up through the Cotswolds and on into the Derbyshire Dales was all I could have wished for but my attempt to pass on into Yorkshire and on into Cumbria was a mess. I planned to head for Stockport to pick up the M60 and cut through, but this proved troublesome. I hit the evening commute and to add to my woes my lack of any sense of direction had me in the centre of Rochdale! A stop to check the map and it was off toward Hebdon Bridge, Haworth, Kiethley then Skipton heading for Kendal. A quick pasty at the last petrol before Dent and I was away over the moors passed the Ribble Viaduct and into the campsite.
The afternoon was fast disappearing by the time I was clear of the towns and it was dark when I finally arrived at the site. It was gone 8pm before camp was made and I was entering the pub. "Where the hell have you been?" was the cry. "We thought you might have crashed!" Charming! I told my tales for the price of a pint and had the pub in fits of laughter.
Next morning SteveH and I set off on a hill hike planned to last all day. We covered about 18 miles and every topic of conversation (mainly bikey), building up a quite considerable thirst by the time we returned to base at 6pm. The views are just breath taking and no photo can do them justice. Another cracking night of booze and banter followed in the pub until closing time then continued under the shelter of the club marque with braziers glowing and the whiskey doing the rounds. Met some great guys (hi shedbrewed) who I will no doubt bump into again at similar events or at the Dragon rally in February.
Sunday morning was damp and lazy. I broke camp after several restoritive cups of tea, a bowl of porridge and a hot shower. SteveH and I decided to travel back together and as I had the map (for all the good it does!) I lead the first leg. I usually take a more direct route for the home run and chose to stick to my regular exit strategy. Over the Dales to Preston, down the M6, briefly onto the M56 then south through Wales on the A49. A cracking road which allows a fast pace without hauling arse down a motorway. Steve took over the lead after lunch as we started down the A49 and set a spirited pace. Not one for hanging around is our Steve. Our route split at Hereford, so we said our goodbyes and I headed for Monmouth. From there, its Chepstow down the B roads, then Usk and Caerleon before heading to the M4 at Newport for the final 20 miles.
Got off Lucy after over 8 hours in the saddle as fresh as I started out. She is truely a great bike for this kind of stuff. She carries the wieght very well never strains even when hauling some serious A road riding speeds. Love her to bits.
