Just a little jolly out up to the Yorkshire Dales for the Russian Bike Rally, for those who haven't heard of Russian bikes don't worry as there will be pictures later.
Normal route up North; A49 then M56 to M6. This time though I wanted to get an ice cream and some sweets and I knew of a cracking little sweet shop in Gargrave. Up the A59 a way then, past Clitheroe and Gisburn. I never knew there was a viaduct along that way. I was wanting my ice cream though, so didn't stop.
At the sweet shop and ice cream in hand I allowed myself to relax a little.
Delicious chocolate ice cream. A quarter of Army and Navy were purchased for me, quarter of Sparkles for the girlfriend and a quarter of liquorice torpedoes for her mum as a thanks for letting me borrow her sewing machine to make a performance blanket.
From Gargrave along Eshton Road to Malham and then up to the Tarn.
There was a bridleway that ran to the Tarn, but I was on road tyres and didn't fancy taking a chance after the rain we'd had. Plus I was on my tod. It was so big and empty up there. Proper bleak scenery that makes you feel rather insignificant.
It's good to be reminded that you're not all that once in a while.
The road from the Tarn down to Stainforth was a rather enjoyable singletrack, in good condition and with plenty of crests. The sort of crests that will have the front wheel kicking up in fourth. All a jolly good wheeze until you meet a car coming over the blind crest. I toned it down briefly after that.
Stopping briefly in Helwith Bridge for postcards the weather was still blowing hard. Thankfully the misty drizzle that had blighted the journey from home and through parts of Wales had disappeared, and although the skies were a little grey they never amounted to much.
Up then past the Ribblehead viaduct, though not stopping this time, then more moor until the Dent turn off. Along the Cowgill road and this time I stopped to snap the Dent viaduct, which you have to pass under and then alongside after you've dropped down the blind road.
The thing with singletrack roads is that unless you are really lucky you'll meet a car. I met an M5. They were crawling along as they had the width that I was bereft of. After pulling over twice for oncoming traffic, they kindly waved me past and I was able to travel unslowed. This of course meant I was able to admire the road that wove through the countryside like a small grey thread, and keep sight of the river alongside. The river that was wider than the road.
at one point there was an obvious ford, which should absolutely be used for photographic purposes. One cannot have an Adventure bike and not put them in Adventure situations after all.
After taking the photo I was faced with the task of turning the bike around, as the exit into the field was gated. This meant a sharp left turn on the bedrock.
On road tyres.
Wet and muddy road tyres.
I managed to get stuck twice. Once had the rear tyre spinning up enough to shed the wet mud, and the second I had to dismount and wheel the bike backwards to avoid getting it stuck in a sizable fissure.
So somewhat blunted I rejoined the road and toddled down into Dent, along the cobbles and into the farm campsite.
Crikey there were a lot of bikes here this year. Three times the previous.
That extra number was made up mainly of BMW GS's.
After being collared by a fellow TC member I pitched up alongside his tent and Tenere, and soon enough the Tipi was up. Mat and sleeping bag inside and performance blanket distributed. I was going to be comfortable tonight.
