Dear All,
Now we have left deepest winter and a cold wet spring, it is good to look forward to summer with its long warm days, beautiful sunshine, good company and the enjoyment of riding our Velocettes. How do you fancy joining us for a few fine days riding in the North York Moors? Our plan is to repeat what we did in 2022 when six of our Lancashire Members took part in our very enjoyable first Centre Trip to Pickering. It will be slightly later this year to avoid major Velocette Owners Club events. An account of this 2022 trip can be found in Fishtail 486 and a group photo is attached.
A few details and a tentative itinerary for this year's trip, based at Pickering, are below.
North York Moors Monday July 17th to Thursday July 20th, 2023
Visiting and motorcycling in the North York Moors National Park is to experience some of the 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.
People coming on the trip should book their own accommodation. Pickering has a choice of 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. Last year, most of us stayed at the Black Bull Inn, Tel 01751 471590, which functioned as our "focal point". They have five double/twin rooms ensuite, one being a family room. There is a saving if you book directly with the Inn by telephone.
In the evenings, the group will meet at one of the cafes/bistros/restaurants in and around Pickering for an evening meal and to discuss the next day’s activities.
The two riding days will have a led group, but route instructions will be available for those wishing a shorter, more relaxed day.
Non-riders, car drivers, wives, partners and girlfriends are all welcome.
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. Don’t forget your bus pass.
A suggested itinerary is as follows:-
Riding Itinerary
Monday July 17th.
Pickering is approximately one hundred miles from Manchester by motorway and fast dual carriageway, or more leisurely, along pleasant A roads.
We plan to arrive mid-day at the Black Bull.
After we have offloaded and checked in, at 3.00pm we are visiting Matthewsons at Pickering and nearby Thornton-le-Dale where the TV programme “Bangers and Cash” is filmed. Viewing of their vehicles is not usually open to the general public but we have been given special permission to visit their Pickering warehouse. It is not exactly clear what we will see as their July auction takes place a few days after we leave Pickering. We assume they will have many vehicles being inspected by potential bidders. There is also a shop at their Thornton-le-Dale Showroom. Thornton is very pretty with nice cafes for afternoon tea.
Unfortunately only six people at a time are allowed to visit the warehouse and all the places are now taken (as of 4.7.23). The shop and Thornton-le-Dale Showroom are still available to be visited.
Finally, at approximately 5 pm, a visit has been arranged to the workshop of Andy, the well-known Pickering motorcycle petrol tank dent repair specialist.
7.30 pm, evening meal at the Black Bull Inn.
Tuesday July 18th
After breakfast, we set off from the Black Bull at 10.00 am and ride to the Shell Middleton petrol station on the A170, 1 mile west of Pickering town centre to fill up with petrol. This is probably the best place for us all to meet before we set off on our ride proper, say 10.15 am, following attached Route 1 to "Apple Stores and Tea Rooms", Rosedale Abbey for morning coffee, say 10.25 to 11.10 am. We continue across the moors to Grosmont where we stop to inspect the steam locomotives and the engine shed. Next on to Whitby for lunch and an exploration of this historic town, say 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm. Finally, on to Robin Hood's Bay for afternoon tea, 3.50pm to 4.35 pm. before returning to Pickering via Dalby Forest. Total distance 72 miles.
7.30 pm, evening meal at a restaurant in Pickering (Indian, Spice 4 U)
Wednesday July 19th
After breakfast, we set off from the Black Bull at 10.00 am and ride to the Shell Middleton petrol station on the A170, 1 mile west of Pickering town centre to fill up with petrol. This is probably the best place for us all to meet before we set off on our ride proper, say 10.15 am, following attached Route 2 and have morning coffee at "Graze on the Green", Rosedale Abbey, say 10.40 to 11.25 am. Leaving Rosedale Abbey, we climb the famous 1 in 3 Rosedale Chimney Bank. This tarmacked highway shares the title of the steepest road in England (the other is Hardknott Pass in Cumbria). Then we continue to Hawnby Tea Rooms for lunch, say 12:15pm to 1:15 pm. After lunch we ride across the moors to Swainby before climbing Carlton Bank to Lordstones for afternoon tea, say 2:40pm to 3:30pm, Finally, an easy relatively fast ride back to Pickering via Helmsley. Total distance 89 miles.
8.00 pm, evening meal at a restaurant in Pickering (Italian, Figaro’s)
Thursday, 20th July,
Set off for home after breakfast (unless you want to stay for Matthewsons' Auction on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd July !)
Routes
Tuesday July 18th
Wednesday July 19th
Photographs
What to do next
If you are interested in coming, please contact Mike Hamilton, mick.hamilton66@gmail.com
As navigating the routes may be a little tricky and some of the stops for morning coffee and afternoon tea are quaint and not very big, plus the fact this will only be the second time Lancashire Centre has organised anything like this, we are a bit nervous of having a very large group. We have in mind a cap of the number of riders in the party, so before booking any accommodation, please contact Mike to make sure we have room for you.
Next book your accommodation. As we plan to have two evening meals in Pickering itself, having accommodation within walking distance of the town centre is good.
Finally, please fill in the Entry Form below. The main purpose of the Form is to give us contact details if we need to speak to your family for any reason.