Velocette Owners’ Club, Lancashire Centre
North York Moors 27th of June to 29th of June 2022
Visiting and motorcycling in the North York Moors National Park is to experience some of most dramatic roads in the country. The moors are the largest area of heather in the UK and the coast is famous for its historic and picturesque fishing harbours.
We will explore the area from our base in the market town of Pickering, which is well positioned on the southern edge of the National Park.
Pickering has a choice of accommodation in small bed and breakfast guest houses, historic pubs, and luxury hotels with a range of prices for double rooms, twin rooms, single occupancy rooms etc. Many have car parks or secure storage for bikes. In the evenings, the group will meet at one of the cafes/bistros/restaurants for an evening meal and to discuss the next day’s activities. People coming on the trip should book their own accommodation.
The two riding days will have a led group, but suggested route instructions will be available for those wishing a shorter, more relaxed day.
Non-riders, wives, partners and girlfriends are all welcome. There is talk of two ladies joining us which would be great.
Pickering is a small but fascinating town with interesting shops, a historic church and is the southern terminus of the North York Moors Steam Railway. There are good bus services to Whitby, Scarborough, and Malton (Yorkshire’s Food Capital) and in fact the bus route to Whitby from Pickering is said to be the most scenic in the UK. So, there is plenty for non-riders to do.
This trip will be a first for Lancashire Centre and is very much a pilot trial. The format is based on similar breaks organised by the Scottish Centre and the South Hampshire Centre. The routes and coffee stops are selected on advice and recommendations from members of the North Yorkshire Centre and details are shown below. Everything can be adjusted to suit weather conditions and riders’ wishes. If the trip is a success we can repeat next year. to continue exploring the North York Moors or move on to pasture new.
If you have any questions please ring me, John Booth 07827 796609, or Mike Hamilton 07946 487199.
Enjoy the break!
Riding Itinerary
Monday June 27th.
Journey to Pickering, one hundred miles from Manchester, by motorway and fast dual carriageway or more leisurely, along pleasant A roads.
Tony and I plan to arrive mid-day at the Black Bull. Our two bikes will be on my twin bike trailer and after we have offloaded and checked in, we should have enough time to visit Mathewsons at nearby Thornton-le-Dale where the TV programme “Bangers and Cash” is filmed. It is not clear what can be seen as their museum may be closed and it will be four weeks before their July auction so classic vehicle stocks may be low. There is a shop.
Evening meal at the Black Bull
Tuesday June 28th
After breakfast we set off from the Black Bull at 10.00 am, following attached route 3 to the Glider Club for morning coffee, say 11.00 to 11.30 am, On the way we can stop to view the Kilburn White Horse. Leaving the Glider Club, we continue to Osmotherley for lunch and to explore the village, say 12.30 pm to 2.00 pm. Then on to Helmsley for afternoon tea, 3.00pm to 4.00 pm. before returning to Pickering. Total distance 73 miles.
7.30 pm, evening meal at a restaurant in Pickering (Figaro’s – to be confirmed)
Wednesday June 29th
After breakfast we set off from the Black Bull at 10.00 am and have morning coffee at Rosedale Abbey say 10.30 to 11 am. Then on to Scaling to meet Stuart and friends, members of North Yorkshire Centre VOC, for lunch, say 12 noon at the Jack and Jill Inn. We stay with them for say a couple of hours till 2pm and then continue to Staithes, one of the highlights of the Yorkshire coast. We can explore this picturesque little fishing village from say 2.30 to 4pm, including afternoon tea, before setting off for an easy relatively fast ride back to Pickering via Whitby. Total distance 72 miles
Back at the Black Bull, Tony and I would load up the trailer before driving back to Manchester.
Mike and Stan may set off for home either after lunch from the Jack and Jill or later after having explored Staithes.
Route Maps
· Tuesday’s Route
Wednesday's Route
Useful information.
· Black Bull Inn, Malton Rd, Pickering YO18 8EA, Tel. 01751 471590
· Petrol available at
o Shell Service Station and SPAR convenience store, situated on the Main Street (A170) in Middleton, Pickering, just to the west of the town.
o BP Service Station and shop, Malton Road, Pickering (A169) just north of the Black Bull
· Riders
o John Booth, KSS, 07827 796609
o Brian Gibbon, Norvel
o Tony Green, MAC, 07534 499924
o Mike Hamilton, MSS, 07946 487199
o Stan Woolley, 0161 764 8166
With luck we may be joined by
o local rider Mike Beverley Peach
o David Rice
· Bad Weather
o If the weather is diabolical and riding impossibly unpleasant, we can visit Whitby by bus. Bring your Travel Cards for free travel.
o Alternatively, a day on the North York Moors Railway!