VRA (UK)
Northern
Rob's Back to Basics weekend
Just as the visor was wettest and visibility therefore at it’s worst, we got stuck
behind a couple of Sunday drivers on a stretch of newly “surface-
The weather steadily improved, we got past the slowcoaches and had a great ride to Catterick. Seeing the sign for the pub, we took a left a little earlier than intended and found ourselves on a narrow road that looked rather familiar. “I think this is the road with the ford” I said to Pauline, “never mind, if it’s too deep we’ll turn around”. Approaching the ford it was evident that there was no problem, only a few inches deep and we’d crossed it before, so on we went and off we came!! The cobbled floor of the ford was worse than sheet ice and as the front wheel cleared the stream the rear wheel decided to spin up and shoot sideways, leaving me astride a very heavy VN1500 Classic that was now at 90 degrees to the road and 45 degrees from vertical.
Trailer packed with camping gear, airbed and duvet, two folding chairs and sundry
other items, we set off on Saturday morning wondering how far we’d get before it
rained. Well, we made it as far as Ingleton, dodging some very black-
Pauline, meanwhile, was sitting in the stream wondering why she was there! The trailer was still hitched, but was now at 90 degrees to the bike. Anyway, after a bit of heaving and pushing and a quick removal of both air inlet covers to check for water, we got bike and trailer back on the road and did the final 100 yards to Rob’s base of operations and our overnight camp site. Examining the bike afterwards showed we’d been extremely lucky and there was no evident damage. Pauline and I, however, both had pulled muscles or hamstrings that caused some pain for a few days afterwards.
After a warm welcome from Rob and a cup of tea, we pitched the tent. Meanwhile Andy & Karen arrived, Andy’s VN800 “Caustic” sounding rather rattley (and looking rather ratty!) due to loose exhaust baffles. After cups of tea and erection of tents, Andy & Karen and Pauline & I headed of to Richmond in search of refreshment. Parking in the market square, we decided on fish & chips first, to be followed by tea & cakes. We had a long wait in the chip shop, but the fish & chips were worth it. Then off for a walk to work the appetite back up for the cakes. Last time we came to Richmond we had the best ever cakes in a small café, so we had been looking forward to a repeat. Sadly, that particular café was closed for holidays! Still we found an acceptable substitute and duly consumed tea/coffee/hot chocolate and some suitable confections before heading back to base.
Naturally, the route back was not direct! Heading out of Richmond, we made our way
to Reeth and on into Swaledale. Taking a left signposted Askrigg, we found a lovely
back road, complete with grass growing in the middle in places, that climbed and
climbed, with terrific views over Swaledale, before dropping down into Askrigg and
re-
Back at the camp, we found lot’s of new arrivals, including the camper van section of the club! Cruiser Col on his Meanstreak, Julie on her EN500, with Flo riding pillion, Wag in his camper van, Stirrer & Stitches in their camper van and Klingon, Dawn & kids in their car!
Amanda and Joe had also arrived. There followed the usual VRA activity of standing
in circles (or sitting in circles) drinking and talking bollox, with much good-
Some of the more sporting types took up the arrows for a game of “double one”, that is throwing darts at the dart board until the scores have dropped to 2, then the first one to actually land a dart in the double one wins! I think I’ve captured the essence of the game there. After that there was a very dodgy game of Killer, which on one or two occasions was close to being aptly named, in view of the strange direction some of the darts flew in!
Leaving the pub somewhere near midnight, more sitting in a circle drinking occurred before the weary revellers finally retired to tents, camper vans or offices.
Sunday morning brought more sitting, this time more in lines than circles! Rob was
once again on kitchen duty, cooking an excellent breakfast on the barbeque, supplemented
by beans and tomatoes from the kitchen. Gary & Rainy finally put in an appearance,
having been unable to come on Saturday. Gary had also practised stunt riding in the
ford! Gary’s Nomad suffered a little more than our 1500 Classic, sustaining some
minor damage to the exhaust heat shield, but no real harm done and more fuel for
the leg-
After a couple of hours of eating, drinking and talking it was time to take our leave, Pauline & I led Gary & Rainy through Richmond and Reeth and over the same climb we had done with Andy & Karen on Saturday. By now the weather was really good, with clear blue sky and sunshine, and the views were even more stunning. This time we turned west at Askrigg and headed for Hawes, Ingleton and Kirby Lonsdale. Stopping at Bainbridge, we sat under a tree on the green and had lunch before heading on to the Hideaway Café, where we had promised to treat Rainy to a hot chocolate with marshmallow and cream! Then it was time to say goodbye and head for home.
Another brilliant weekend with our VRA friends. Many thanks to Rob for organising it and providing a great camp site and terrific barbeque. We look forward to the next one!
Nuke