Untitled Post

Post date: Jun 11, 2012 11:56:29 AM

Day 1

Preston to Hawes

I’m sure this route was chosen in order to facilitate Whores jokes.

I went and watched the tearful good bye as the riders left Preston. I then headed to relax and have some dinner at home. I was just about to start eating when the phone rang, the team had run out of petrol just entering Lancaster. I drove up and met the boys they were in good spirits having enjoyed the run up the fylde coast. We topped the fuel up on the bikes and off they roared!

The rest of the ride went well with the only incident being Rob who met a hedge just outside of Kendal. We spent our first night under canvas at the camp site behind the Green Dragon Inn at Hardraw (not just a place but a description of a scooter rider’s backside by day 3).

Quotes so far:

“When I rock up with a minor and start to tinker”

“Everything on my bike is slightly bent”

“Let the rabbit see the chicken”

Day 2

Hawes to Whitby

Woke after a wild wet windy night but was instantly cheered as I watched Rick (younger) empty water out of his trainers, tent and sleeping bag. Not one to say told you so but the £5 tent was somewhat lacking in performance.

The scooter boys set off into Hawes for breakfast while I collected the deposit from the camp site. You can enter your own comments about the thriftiness of Yorkshire people but it took 45 minutes to get the cash back.

After a good breakfast we all set off for the coast. The road had some great hills and views. Every time I passed the signs stating hill 45% I smiled thinking about the bikes either struggling to make it up the hills or speeding down the hills with dodgy brakes. Chris and Rick went for swim and gained several admirers full points awarded as they did go in past the thermometer!

Unfortunately Rob’s bike had a fault and he was forced to spend time as my co pilot. We found a great campsite overlooking Robin Hoods Bay and I had a play with my kite. Chris had a go but was concerned he would crash it into a nearby vehicle or be lifted off his feet and dropped into the sea. Rick really enjoyed the kite and soon got the hang of it. While we played Rob made an attempt to resolve the electrical issue on his bike. That evening we ventured into town to complete the beer challenge and found several inviting pubs. Rick spent the night in a substitute tent and described it as like having your room painted.

DAY 3

Whitby – Leyburn (A condition that you get after spending a night in Hawes)

We packed up and the skies opened. It was heavy rain all the ways to Scarborough were agreed to meet for breakfast. Chris had forgotten that unlike a scooter you can’t drive a car and trailer up a footpath and leave it outside the cafe. After another good breakfast the rain slowed and we set off to Leyburn. Rick gave his bike a kick and it reared like an angry stallion and attempted to mount an adjacent car. Unfortunately Rob’s bike again decided it wanted a rest while the other two hummed along happily.

We camped outside of Hawes on a site with 1cm of soil over bedrock. The weather stayed dry and a good night sleep was had.

Quote of the day “Rick your underpants are tucked into your brakelight.

Day 4

Leyburn – Home

Short trip to Hawes for breakfast and to acquire chocolates for the ones we love (and who grant permission for us to play out). Robs electrical fault returned and despite his valiant efforts it refused to play. Rob joined me in the Vo and we headed out of Hawes and met Chris in need of fluids for his scooter. We headed past the impressive viaduct and soon reached the Lancashire border.

On the A59 outside Clitheroe Chris gave his bike a kick and it started without hesitation he headed off to Ribchester. Ricks bike was now donating clouds of white smoke into the atmosphere and the vo. The bikes ran well to within 5 miles of home when Robs bike needed a rest. I left the boys and headed for tour headquarters as there was a good chance of a brew.

The boys all made it back with only limited injuries but 2 questions remained,

• 1. Who won the points challenge?

  2. What are we doing next?

I must thank H for letting me play out and the boys for inviting me along. It was a credit to their skills that the bikes covered the miles they did. More importantly it says a lot about their friendship that there was not a cross word during the trip (except when they all cheated me at cards).