We started from Mac’s at Rising Bridge, Haslingdon at a start of 10.30am. The weather looked good with maybe a little rain in the morning, but it missed us. Though somewhat cool the roads were relatively dry.
It was an inverted route than was shown on the Manhoc web map. We now headed first through The Forest of Bowland, via Dunsop Bridge with a coffee stop at the Post office café. Then continuing through the Trough on to Knott End for an excellent lunch at the biker’s pub The Bourne Arms.
Return was south and our Sheperd then surprised us with a change of plan, to take us on some excellent country backroads to Guys Hamlet, just south of Garstang, for final hugs and wishes for a merry Christmas.
30th Nov 2025 to Hetty's Tea Rooms
We started from Poplar Services at 10.30am. It was a replacement ride for the closed Ponderosa. However, the early week’s forecasted weather was wintery, so our Shepherd may have had alternative route plans to take us into warmer Wales but it was not that bad on the day, dry and quite often with a very bright sun.
So, following discussions, the original plans stayed the same. It was a ride to Hetty’s Café in the beautiful Peak District, down to Macclesfield, over the misty Cat and Fiddle, past Buxton and south to the café, especially famous for its scones, according to Lyn! Yes, a café to visit again with huge breakfast barms.
Return continued in the Peak District to Leek, past Congleton, and up to Pops for final coffee, cakes and hugs. Again, a shorter overall ride than usual taking in account the Autumn conditions. Great to be out and in good company. You just had to get wrapped up and enjoy.
Another excellent day Manhoc ride out.
9th Nov 2025 to Victorian Museum at Blists Hill
Starting from a sunny, dry Poplar Services at 10.30am, our Shepherd advised us of a change of plan!! So, it was the scheduled run down on the bikers A49 to Whitchurch and turning left southbound past Blists Hill, which is just before Ironbridge, and to the Water Rat pub.
What a great venue with landscaped gardens overlooking a small river and what a fab meal in their dining room.
It was then back to the bike park to meet the forecasted rain. A decision was then made to go back the same way and up to our famous Gary’s village of Whitchurch again. A coffee and cake stop here at McDonalds and final hugs before departing home.
It was a shorter overall ride than usual, as this was our first autumn ride. Another excellent day Manhoc ride out.
To Castle Howard - 19th October
We started from Rising Bridge Haslingdon at 10.30am.
It was an early morning surprise of a warm sun and no previously forecasted rain. However, on checking, rain was now forecasted at 3pm.
It was a run over the tops to A59 and over the moors, passing York, to the famous and majestic Castle Howard and its beautiful landscaped grounds. There was a coffee and cake stop half way at the Kestrel pub. By now we had run out of time with our stops so made the café at Castle Howard much later than expected.
After finishing lunch at 2.30pm there wasn't enough time left for a house or garden visit, so a decision was made to head home to beat the darkness and forecasted rain. It was up to Thirsk in constant light rain, skirting the North Moors, on to Ripon and a stop at the A49 cafe for final goodbyes and hugs and onto the motorway for home.
A special welcome was given to our new riders, Jason Bradley, Steve Bailey and pillion Susan Austin. An excellent blast with a promise that the ride will be rerun in next years calendar, giving time to visit the house and gardens and return over the Dales.
28th September - Laurel and Hardy Museum
Starting from Rising Bridge at 10.30am.
It was a run north through the Trough of Bowland for a coffee stop at Devils Bridge, then through the south Lakes to Ulverston. On to the museum, where they show films and documentaries all day - very funny.
Following a good lunch in town, it was then back on the bikes, returning first north, to pass Coniston Lake, but including a slight detour towards Whitehaven - Oops! After 30mins on the beautiful A595, we U turned. It was then over the hills on some great narrow twisties to be back on track. Right to Windermere and south where there was a stop for final coffees, cakes and hugs.
Another great Manhoc ride out on dry roads with a welcome warm sun on a cool day.
17th August 2025 to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park
We started from Birch Services East at the earlier time of 10am in warm sunshine and perfect biking weather.
It was eastward bound over scenic Saddleworth Moor and the northern Peak District to West Bretton and the Park.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a pioneering large place that aims to challenge, inspire, inform and delight, welcoming over 300,000 visitors, each year, and inspiring walking trails visiting the openair galleries.
Following lunch and a walk round, it was a change in heart of our shepherd, as we had time in hand. So, the planned route back was disregarded and it was a Gary-vant deep south and west into the Shrines woods and a mid-stop for coffee and cakes at Chapel en le Firth.
Onwards to Buxton and the snake pass and Poplar for final coffee, cakes and hugs. Good company and a good ride.
Manhoc ride out Sunday 3rd August 2025
Waking up to rain is not a pleasant start to the day, but the forecast was good and the afternoon was completely dry with the temperature actually rising to 20 degrees.
Starting from Poplar at the early time of 10am it was down the fab A49 to Tarporley, and onto A51 to the biker’s café for lunch. Return was through the Peak District bypassing Ashbourne. Then with a change of direction from our shepherd, we now headed towards Buxton.
High in the beautiful countryside we found a new café, The Flash Bar, with its magnificence vistas and cakes.
Then back on the bikes to Congleton, via the twisty Cat and Fiddle pass and back to Pops for final coffee, cakes and hugs. Another great Manhoc day out.
Below is a video of the magnificence vistas from the Flash Bar biking café near Buxton yesterday.
6th July 2025 to Pencil Museum, Keswick
Starting from Mac’s at Rising Bridge Haslingden at an earlier start of 10am. The glorious weather during the week, failed slightly for our ride. Though light rain in the morning, the sun was welcome in the afternoon in the Lakes, for our homeward bound journey. It was up to Burnley, then onto the fab roads of the Yorkshire Dales, onto the A65, and Devils Bridge for a coffee stop.
Back on the bikes into the Lakes National Park for lunch at the Pencil Museum at Keswick. With the famous trade name Derwent, it has a proud heritage dating back to 1832 and now manufactures materials for all artist’s needs. A very interesting and informative museum. Home of the first pencil with graphite from a nearby mine.
Return journey, was east and down to Glenridding and over the Kirkstone pass onto Kendal, and another coffee and cake stop before heading to Lancaster on to the A6. Then onto the M6 a short way down to Lancaster Services for final coffees, cakes and hugs.
Another great Manhoc ride out and a warm welcome to our new member Peter.
15th June 2025 to Model Air Show at Western Park
Four riders left Poplar services heading down the A49 to the Model Air show near Telford on the A5. A part of the A49 was shut for roadworks. After a quick diversion round some country lanes, we got back on track. We made good progress until we got behind a large group of what looked Harleys. We stayed behind them for a while until they turned off and shortly after, we arrived at the airshow.
Watched some great model aircraft flying and doing stunts. On return journey after Stafford, we found some nice twisty roads through Eccleshall and Woore.
Had a short stop at The Falcon Inn in Woore before heading home. Great weather. Great show. Great roads. Great company.
25th May 2025 to Barnard Castle
Starting from Mac’s at Rising Bridge Haslingdon for an earlier start of 10am. The weather continued to be good following the glorious week, and only let us down with a rain shower later in the afternoon.
It was up to Skipton, then onto the fab roads of the Yorkshire Dales via Leyburn and the Manor café where the smell of bacon butties was too much, so it was to be an early lunch. On to Richmond, and then to Barnard Castle. A charming, historic old town named after and built around a medieval castle on the northern banks of the River Tees. Here the squares and surrounding roads where full of lovely horses and carts from the travelling community. It was their National Whit bank holiday meet.
Following some large ice-creams, the returning ride westward, continued again in the heart of the National Park and then south to Sedbergh, Devils Bridge, passing Lancaster and a short ride down the motorway to Lancaster Services for final coffees, cakes and hugs.
Another great Manhoc ride out.
4th May 2025 to Newark Air Museum
. The weather kept dry after a glorious week, but with a cool 12 degrees. It was a run over the Woodhead Pass through the stunning northern Peak District, then directly to Newark on Trent to the Aircraft Museum. Here, we explored the history of Aviation located on a former World War Two airfield with some 76 aircraft to see. After lunch, with some excellent paninis, it was then back on the bikes. Returning through the striking southern Peak District, through Mansfield and Chesterfield with a stopover at The Highway, where Rich treated us to a hot brownies and ice creams!! This was the final stop with final hugs. Then it was homeward bound.
Video below shows where we ended up.
13th April 2025 to Statfold Railway
The weather was good and a great turnout of 13 bikes were ready and departed on time from Poplar Services at 10.30am for one of the long runs in the year. It was a warm and hearty welcome to the club for 3 new riders. So, it was down the great A49 and right onto the biking road of A51 to Lichfield, a coffee stop, then onto Tamworth Statfold Country Park. Home to an award-winning narrow-gauge railway which runs both steam and diesel trains. A heritage museum housing over 20 working engines and lots more static engines which had been gathered from all over the world – a very impressive place, with the country park and an exciting ride on the steam train ending the visit. “There is also Toby’s Barn, with roller disco, Play & Climb, Toby’s Dig It, or Strawberry Play Park to our woodland nature walk and Fellumpa Mini Golf!” Our return skirted the Peak District on the A50 to Macclesfield via Leek for a petrol and coffee and cake stop. Our final coffees, cakes and hugs was at Pops. Another great fun manhoc run.
B-Road Blast - 23rd March
Gary’ excelled himself again with the first B-Road Blast which took in the best biking roads in the North Yorkshire Moors, starting from Mac’s at Rising Bridge, Haslingden at 10.30am.
The morning started damp after the heavy overnight rain, but things cleared quickly with a welcome warming sun, the day produced perfect biking. It was via the B roads to Slaidburn on to the fab Ribblesdale valley to Hawes for a hearty ‘English breakfast’ dinner for all. Then, onto the famous “Buttertubs Pass”, where a stop cannot be resisted to enjoy and take a video of the stunning vistas (see movie below). Back on the bikes, with a slight detour from Andrew, to take in more gorgeous views over the mountainous moors. Then back on route across the top moors to Leyburn, Bridge Inn, and a coffee stop. Finally, back down to our Shepherds favourite road to Skipton and to Mac’s at Clitheroe for final coffees, cakes and hugs.
The route was back by popular demand from last year and, wow, did not disappoint. Gary, our faithful shepherd, can you please include this classic route again next year. Thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Sunday 2nd March 2025 to Swallow Falls
We set off from Poplar, with a great turnout of 11 riders and 2 pillions, for the second ride of the year. Taking in a full circle in North Wales on the best biking roads to the final destination stop at the Falls. However, at Corwen, which is just before Betws-y-Coed and the Falls, we approached the posh Rhug Estate farm shop & grill, where we initially stopped for coffee only. But, after seeing their excellent menu, couldn’t resist trying it out! With stomachs very full now, it was back on the bikes with a short ride to the Falls where some ventured in. Return, was back to Betws for afternoon coffee and cakes with some good exciting back roads that our Shepherd had only just discovered (A544 wow!!) The return route included Denbigh and Mold. It was a completely dry day with hints of spring sun. Another fun Manhoc rideout, and not forgetting a warm welcome to our new pillion Janet.
To Pately Bridge - 9th Feb
Manhoc ride Sunday 9th February 2025 to Pateley Bridge, which took in a full day’s circle of the North Yorkshire Moors, on its best biking roads. The lunch stop was at Wildings Riverside Café, Pateley Bridge, with great homemade meals, as recommended by Andy. A hearty welcome was given to our new member Andy, riding his new black Goldwing – and, as noted by Rich, that’s now 5 Goldwings in the club! The day’s weather was generally poor, but with stunning scenery as always over the moors. Good road surfaces with glimmers of sunshine and a slight mist, not stopping the gangs’ enthusiasm. There was a further coffee and cake stop at the Kingshead at Leyburn, before heading south for a final stop in Colne at Macs. An excellent fun day’s riding with full tummies.
To Yonderman Café (or not) - 19th Jan
We left Poplar services onto very damp roads. So the pace was much slower than usual. Everything was fine until we got Macclesfiel and the route to Whaley Bridge. The road was closed due subsidence, so we re-routed and went over the Cat and Fiddle.
It was cold with icy fog and patches of ice on the road. I decided not to aim for the Yonderman and turned towards Leek, and the Flash café.
After a lovely meal and chat with some Peak district rangers, we left in opposite directions, with Mark and Dave going back into Buxton and heading for Stockport, while Richard and Gary headed for J&S via Leek, Congleton and Winsford.
After more drinks and cake, Richard and Gary went their separate ways home.
A great day was had with great company but not so great roads.
