As Jim is suffering from Epistaxis (OK nose bleed!) he delegated to Rob. We met at Springwood Picnic area, just outside Whalley. Only 5 bikes turned up (was it something we said?) There where AMC 2 singles, 2 AMC twins and Alan’s 850 Moto Guzzi. Alan’s pillion for the day was his daughter Mary.
Rob led us off towards Reid and Barrowford, and we stopped at the canal-side café at Foulridge (great name). After a coffee and a game of ‘guess the industrial relic’ we rode on through Rothersdale, Cononley and Addington before crossing the A59 towards Bolton Abbey. Eventually we could see the fantastic overhanging rock near Kettlewell and we crossed the river and approached down the other side of the valley. Lunch at Kettelwell is always pleasant, sat on the stone wall watching the ducks and floundering children in the river.
On the return journey Rob took us through Arncliffe and down the superb valley to Malham where we encountered traffic, lots of it. As soon as we left Malham it was quiet lanes again. At Long Preston Peter left us to take an easier route back to Morecambe. We dropped down into Slaidburn for coffee and a chat to the other motorcyclists. 2 immaculate Lambrettas model D arrived. Fully restored and very nicely painted, one 1955 the other 54. Not my thing but they were very well restored.
We had a police escort back to Waddington (had we walked on the cracks in the pavement?). Many thanks Rob/Jim for a great day out. It made a change to ride in warm sun without rain-gear. Slightly dis-appointing turn-out especially after last week’s 16 bikes. Was it the Bank Holiday, or the different starting place?
Dave Ashcroft