Scarborough
week - 23rd June to 30th June
2018
(Click
the
photo to see a larger picture in a slide show.)
Thanks to Rob for the notes and photos.
Saturday
23rd
Rob
on
the 53 Velo MAC, Terry on the Honda 200 and Bruce and Diane on the
400/4 and
Brough Superior all went North to do the Scarborough Riding week. Also
there
were Willy and Mady from Belgium and our old friend Paddy who we have
met
before at here, Scotland and Weymouth. The
Lighthouse Run was the first ride on Saturday and Rob, Terry
and Paddy
headed through the edge of the wolds. Bruce and Diane and Willy and
Mady rode separately. On the way we stopped at the memorial for the WW2
RAF Bomber
Command
158 Squadron at Lissett. Reaching Flamborough, we had lunch below the
lighthouse before visiting Flamborough Head and turning inland. We made
our way
north with views of the coast before stopping on Filey seafront for ice
cream.
All the bikes soon attracted a crowd and favourable comments. Finishing
our
cornets we headed back to camp after completing 65 miles.
Sunday
24th
Today
promised fine weather for the Wolds Run. Rob and Terry were joined by
Gareth
Thomas from Swansea riding a 500cc Matchless. The run went
south
from Seamer
and into the rolling hills and quite empty lanes of the wolds. We
passed some
lovely villages on a route we had done before. Skerne was very
attractive with
its red brick cottages many of which had beautiful displays of flowers.
The
lunch stop was at Seaways cafe in Fimber, which always welcomes
motorcyclists. We
thought that since it was a Sunday and the weather was good it would be
packed
so we decided to look for somewhere else. About 6 miles
before lunch we
came across a wolds pub and pulled in for a substantial Sunday lunch of
roast
lamb.
After
lunch we continued on the route eventually riding along a ridgeway with
lovely
views of the Vale of York to our left. We reached the camp site in
glorious
sunny weather after completing 100 miles
Monday
25th
The morning was bright and sunny with a temperature
forecast of 19 degrees. It looked like a good day for "The Ultimate
Hill
Run". The route was measured at 101 miles and would see us heading
north
west into the Yorkshire Moors and Dales. Rob, Terry and Gareth rode
together again and took the main road from Seamer to Pickering before
turning
off onto some lovely country lanes. The high ground gave us some lovely
views of the moors and the valley, as we dropped down into Rosedale
Abbey. We decided to have a break here and a cuppa, as did a few other
riders. From here we continued and turned right for a climb on to the 1
in 3 single
track road known as The Chimney. Luckily there was no traffic to baulk
us and the Velo, Honda and Matchless flew up. (First gear for the
hairpin)
Lunch was only a few miles further on at the Feversham Arms
at Church Houses, a small hamlet at the top of a picturesque dale. It
would probably be less picturesque in the winter though. After lunch
Rob missed one sign but after a detour of about 6 miles we
were back on route. We could have turned around to go back to the
original junction but we had just negotiated 4 miles of newly
stone-chipped
road and didn't fancy that again. We completed a loop around
Westerdale, Kildale and
Comondale, with their pretty York stone cottages and farms, before
pulling up for an ice cream at Lealholm. From here we headed eastward
through Glaisdale and down the 1 in 3 potholed road to Littlebeck(
which really tested the brakes) before gaining the high ground again.
We were
easily able to make out the harbour and Abbey at Whitby on our left and
the North Yorkshire moors on our right. After completing another dale
and newly stone-chipped road at Forge Valley we joined the main road to
the
camp site.
A long run but the sunny weather, wonderful scenery and good
company made the discomfort of riding a rigid Velo worthwhile.
Tuesday
26th
Tuesday morning dawned grey and
misty although sunny weather and 25 degrees was expected later. What
wasn't expected was the strong smell of petrol that greeted Rob when he
stepped out of his camper. It was traced to a split fuel tank on the
MAC. After emptying the tank and taking it off it was decided that a
quick repair was out of the question. Fortunately, Derek Mander, a
friend from the Velo Club offered the loan of his spare MSS which put
Rob back on the road to visit the motorcycles in the Ken Craven
museum.
As well as the usual three we were joined by Derek on his
green MAC and Angelo Conti from W S Wales on a Triumph. The run took us
through some lovely countryside on roads that lacked many of the
potholes of the last few days. We stopped at Kirkham Abbey for photos
and to watch boys jumping off the bridge into the river. At least they
looked cool as our temperatures began to climb.
After lunch we spent a little time looking around the museum
and talking to Ken Craven. We were then joined by Paddy Winters for the
return run. Spotting the sign for Thixendale I knew there was a shop
selling ice cream. Great on a hot day like today. Everyone else had the
same idea as there were bikes parked all along the main road. We sat in
the shade under a tree enjoying a vanilla icecream. From here the roads
were great through the dales and over the hills back to camp.
We all went to the club in the
evening as Bruce was playing. He entertained us for over an hour with
songs and jokes.
Wednesday
27th
Wednesday morning was again misty at Seamer with the promise
of clear weather for the 10.30 start. Rob, Terry and Gareth were joined
by Paddy on his yellow Honda 400/4. Today's run was to Whitby with the
bikes put on show on the harbour for the public to view. All
of us we're looking forward the pensioners' special of fish, chips,
peas, bread and butter and tea in the Captain Quarterdeck. Very good
value at about £7.
The route took us north east towards the high ground with
views of the moors to our left and the coast to our right. Other than
some gravel and speed limit of 20mph on the Forge Valley road all roads
were smooth with little or no potholes. We turned off the main road to
the quaintly named Boggle Hole. This narrow valley led to the sea and
we could glimpse it sparkling in the sunshine below a bank of sea mist
hanging in the air. We also made out the red roofs of the houses in the
fishing village of Robin Hood's Bay.
Approaching Ugglebarnby we were caught up bt a few riders
including Bruce and Diane on the Brough and Willy and Mady on the
Honda. In no time we were in Whitby and threading our way through
tourists and parking up on the West Pier. Bruce who was parked along
side me let out a moan of despair. I thought there was something wrong
with his Brough or my borrowed MSS. It was neither and it was far
worse! With a look if horror Bruce pointed and looking in the direction
of his index finger I spotted that the Captains Quarterdeck was closed!
No pensioners special for us! Terry, Gareth and me decide to try the
Magpie instead and Paddy walked into town. Gareth had the fish pie and
we decided to have the regular haddock and chips as we thought the
small
haddock would be too small. Our faces must have been something to see
as the food arrived as the fish were as long as the plate! They were
nice too.
Meeting back at 2 pm, we decided to cut out the route which
headed north up the coast to Sandsend and over the moors. Instead we
took the main A169 to Pickering and detoured to Goathland for ice
cream. This is the well known Aidensfield from Heartbeat. Our final
stop was Thornton le Dale for a cuppa before heading back to camp and
returning the MSS to it owner Derek with my grateful thanks.
Thursday
28th
Today Rob and Terry decided to forego the run to Paull Fort
near Hull and visit York instead. Catching the bus from outside the
camp site we reached York by 11. The weather was hot so we headed for
the cool of the Shambles and market. After looking around and getting
lunch we headed for an afternoon in the National Railway Museum before
getting the bus back to camp in time for the evening hog roast. Both
Rob and Terry were leaving on Friday, Rob to go to the Velocette
national rally at Chasewater and Terry to go home.
Rob