Masham

Saturday PM - the phone rings. It's Keith. "I've done my back in and I won't be on the ride tomorrow". PANIC. This means I have to lead and I need a route. OMG - quickly onto the computer, work out where Theakston Brewery is (it's in Masham) and then spend 30 minutes working out a (I hope) decent ride for everyone to enjoy. I check the weather before I go to bed - not bad at all.

Wake up Sunday morning to find the BBC has done it's normal accurate forecast - yes, it's pissing down. But I have to go - so on with the wet weather gear, pray that my brand new tyres will work OK and head for Haslingden to see who else is braving the elements. As it turns out, we have 13 bikes and one pillion (welcome Mrs Mark - sorry I didn't catch your name). So, after a lengthy brew stop (before we start, complete with lengthy quips regarding Keiths misfortune) we set of a measly 20 minutes late and head off up the A56 to catch the nice weather.

Which we do. The rain stops and the roads begin to dry out. My tyres start to grip and we make steady progress towards Masham. Once past Skipton, the sun comes out (just for a bit) and we made really good progress over the back roads to Pately Bridge. The road into Masham was fine until we hit the outskirts - where we saw the sign "Sheep Fair Today - no parking". Wonderful! We crawled into Masham looking for the brewery, with very little luck. One U turn later and a sharp left and I found a sign. So we parked up somewhere vaguely nearby and walked up a snicket (Rob calls them Ginnels, but I know better) to find it.

We got inside only to find the tour wasn't until 2pm and we were there before 12:30. OK, no problems, we'll have some food. Not here though. And it's raining again. Bugger! But, we are a hardy lot at MANHOC so we troop off to find the recommended pub, with Gary leading us - completely the wrong way, as it happens (but that's normal for him). Eventually we do find the Bears Head and settle in for some lovely grub. By this time we ahd realised that Wobbly Bob (he with the Kwak GTR1400) was missing, so phone calls ensued. It turns out he's in Ripon. "How did he get there?" we asked. "Gary told him to turn left and he just carried on". Oops. We didn't see him again for the rest of the journey - a shame because the next but of the ried was superb.

Once we had eaten, it was 1:50. No-one seemed inclined to do the brewery tour, they all wanted to get back on the bikes (see, that's what biking is all about!). Back to the bikes, wait for Joe and Alan to turn up (they had gone wandering), give Tony a push start to help his ailing battery and we were off. Once out of Masham, the roads cleared, the traffic faded away and it was probably one of the best rides of the year. Since we had very few turns (Left at Leyburn, left at Hawes and stop in Ingelton), I didn't hang about. Neither did any of the others and I wasn't alone on the road for very long. Over hills, down dales, round sweeping bends and long zoomy straights; we just simply had FUN (apart from when a car pulled out just as I was overtaking - luckily CBF brakes are good).

We got to the refreshment stop at Ingelton where I checked out my new tyres (BT023's if anyone is interested). Sure enough, there was nice new wear right over to the end (OK, maybe 1/16" away), which is better than I have ever managed before with the BT057's. Of course, this meant we had to check all the others. Neil was close to me; Phil somewhat less (but he has wide tyres). But enough of the boasting; time for more refreshments. By this time, we had also lost Richard and John who needed to get back so there were less of us for the final run.

Once out of Ingleton and refuelled (for those with small tanks or no confidence in their mpg), we headed over the hills to Slaidburn. This was a more sedate ride since there were many cattle grids and loads of sheep wandering around. But it was still pleasant. Then, back along our normal ride home (including some spirited riding along the dual carriageway as I tried in vain to get away from Bob on his Triumph 675) to Haslingden and a final brew before home.

So, thanks to all who came - it was a great day out. And, here are some pictures to remind you.

When I arrived, there was just the one bike. Neil couldn't remember what time we were to meet and had been there since 9:45.
But others soon joined us.
And inside, we enjoyed the first of many refreshment stops
Outside again. I have no idea why Mark was setting up his sat-nav. He had no idea where we were going.
Once at Masham, we parked up and wandered into the pub.
Where we found this impromptu folk session going.
Back outside, and over to the other pub where food was soon ordered and consumed.
Oh dear, Tonys bike won't start. Look who volunteered to push (while the others just looked on).
Then, onto the next brew stop in Ingleton. I got to take pictures of some of them arriving.
And we sat around drinking and discussing the great roads.