Trip up North

I meant to post this when I got back on Sunday but I’ve been a bit busy…

I set off from South London at about 12:00 on Thursday last week. TomTom was set for my parents address in West Yorkshire, no motorways. The journey is about 200 miles, which with no screen or fairing, is about my limit for a comfortable trip.

The no motorways setting only added a few miles to the trip but broke up the journey nicely - there are some fantastic A and B roads and picture post card villages around the A1 motorway sections, though it meant the trip took about 5 hours including a petrol and coffee stop.

I got up late on Friday and headed out into the Peaks National Park. Down through Glossop and on to Buxton. I’ve been very lucky this year, riding in both Australia and the US, but it struck me that it isn’t necessary to go so far from home to seeing jaw dropping scenery. Living in London it is all to easy to forget that it really is so different to the rest of the country. The Peaks really are up there with some of the best views and riding roads.

On to Bakewell, where I did a 1 hour round trip of the local A and B roads. An off road bike would have been better suited on one particular road, but the conditions were generally very good. I then headed North up to the Ladybower reservoir on to the famous Snake Pass. What can I say about this stretch of road…? May be if I just say I got to the end, dropping back down into GLossop, and I turned round and did it again and again. The scenery is stunning, the roads are smooth and there are some lovely bends. Not too much traffic either. Lots of disapproving looks from the golfers on the course just outside GLossop as I went past (with my completely stock pipes :-)).

After another good nights sleep I woke up to find the weather had turned. The rain was heavy and it was very blustery. My route out to the Penines goes up over Home Moss and I know that if the weather was bad at home, it would be much, much worse up on the exposed moors. I decided to leave the bike locked up and popped out for a drive. This confirmed I’d made the right decision - the wind had brought branches down from trees and the conditions really would not have been fun. I did see a couple of other bikers out though - braver than me!

I was due back at work on Monday so whatever the weather I had to set off on Sunday. It was a bit damp but other than that OK. I decided to go the long way round, out over the Peaks again. Up over Home Moss, past the reservoirs and back through Glossop and Buxton. I then keyed in Macclesfield into the TomTom and set off for the Cat and Fiddle. I can see why this road is so famous. Despite being a 50 limit for pretty much the entire length it is still an amazing ride. Wide open bends with great visibility, combined with tight u-bends and Britains highest pub (I read that in a magazine :-)). It was then on to Birmingham for a cup of tea with my sister before heading back to London. 600 miles round trip.

I’ve taken a few things away from this trip. Firstly that I’ve still got lots to learn about riding. I’ve had the FZ6 now for about a year, after riding a 125 for two years, and I’ve been considering upgrading to a bigger bike. What I’ve realised is that I’ve still got a way to go before I’m getting anywhere near the most out of my current bike, and that on a larger bike I think I’d get myself into trouble. I’m going to stick with a 600 for a while yet.

The second thing is that it really is worth making the effort and taking the bike out on a trip, and that you don’t need a touring or sports bike to do it. In particular I thoroughly recommend a trip out to the Peaks and you can’t miss the Cat and Fiddle and Snake Pass. They are both less than 200 miles away.

Im originally from East London ( innit) but I now live in York. I can verify what you say ,…but i can offer one better. I have a number of small houses in York. When a tennant leaves, there is usually a gap of around 1 week while they are repainted etc.

If anyone wants the use of a property- as long as it is not abused- i would be happy to foward on details when they become free.

you can be upto York in under 3 hrs and this allows then for the north Yorkshire moors, etc which is fantastic riding.

pm me if interested

Regards

RodYork

I know what you mean… the wife and I are originally from South Wales (Brynmawr) but for the last 5 years we have been living in Burton-on-Trent (St Albans now) - hardly the north but still right on the door step of some really really stunning roads and rides… (even if it is an hour up to Buxton!)

I’ve really missed the rides up north and REALLY miss the rides over the moors and valleys that Brynmawr and its surrounding valleys have to offer.

Glad you had a great trip home… 200 miles is about my daily allowance too - even on the CBF!

m

well that is very decent of you…but then again we only attract decent people eh!!!

im moving down to Cornwall…even more beautiful

Sounds like a cool trip we’re organising a 4 day “oop” norf trip at the end of the month on another website (I’m probably not allowed to mention the name of said website under LB rulez )