Saturday 22nd January 2005. Fraz's Freeze Camp. The venue is the Half Moon pub , situated on the A619, near Worksop. It's exactly 4.75 miles from the M1 Junction 30 (Barlborough) and 7.50 miles from the A1 (A1 / A57 / A614 Roundabout, south of Blyth, north of Markham Moor). I'm pleased to say we've been given permission for a fire in a designated area of the field which must be a good thing at this time of the year. The Landlord seems well up for us to be there, despite it being quite a posh pub with a great restaurant. I don't yet know if he will be making a nominal charge for each tent or whether he thinks the bar take will be enough - I've not told him that we will be staying outside al night if it's fine, just using his bogs and possibly his roof, should it be lagging down, but hey!
All are welcome to come along for our Winter Freeze in. I think we should say
that meeting will be from 2pm onwards, as we all need to
be pitched before it gets dark, probably round 4.30pm by then. Should be a good
doooo and give us all chance to dream about next year. See you there, Fraz...
Saturday 19th March, 'Southern Softies spring warm up'. Time to blow the cobwebs away on the Southern Softies spring warm up run, taking in some of the best bits of last year with a few extras for good measure. There will be a relaxed pub lunch and a couple of coffee/fag stops thrown in.
Meet at the Viewpoint on top of Portsdown Hill (SU662064) at 10:45 for an 11:00
off, finishing in plenty of time for everyone to get home at a reasonable hour.
There may be some very easy off road if conditions allow. Contact A.buswell@btinternet.com
for further details.
MAP
April 9th & 10th 'The Tour of Wales Weekend 2005'. This is it, our first big weekend away of 2005. Always a good excuse to get the bike out and definitely the way to make sure you have an active year on the bike. As always, we'll meet up at the little Chuff on the Whitchurch Bypass, where the A495 turns off for Ellesmere, at 8.45am for a 9am departure. Then we'll take to the back roads and do some stunning little lanes heading across to arrive about 5pm at our digs overlooking the coast on the Lleyn Peninsula. After what is always a good night, we'll head south for a while down the coast road before turning back East on an interesting route towards the boarder in time for everyone to make it home. A great chance to get to know every one early in 2005 and meet old and new members alike. Remember, it's first come, first served with regard to beds....more info
To book your place on The Tour of Wales 2005, hit this link, then print off a booking form. Send this along with your remittance to the address on the form.
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April 30th to May 4th 'THE SCOTTISH HIGHLAND TOUR 2005'. The plan is to meet up as usual North of Penrith at 09:00 prompt on Saturday morning. Away 9.15am from the only services on the A74(North bound) north of Carlisle. If you get as far as the M74 at Gretna you've gone too far (ring me if you want suggestions for Friday night digs on 07768 405222). From the meeting point we'll take an interesting route up through the Scottish Borders before Crossing the Clyde around dinner time. Then it's over some stunning passes to our first Hotel overlooking the shores of Loch Fyne. After a good meal and a wee drink we'll rise the next morning to head up the West Coast via a spectacular route to Applecross. Here we will spend the next three nights one of which will be the Applecross Annual Fancy Dress (So bring your dress cos anythin goes!!). The extra time will give us more opportunity to explore the North of Scotland, trips to Skye, Cape Wrath, or Loch Ness are all within day-trip distance. Wednesday it's more gorgeous scenery as we take a different route south from Applecross eventually getting back to the Clyde before making a dash for home around mid day. This is a truly spectacular trip well worth the effort. It's always over booked and can only take a limited number due to the accommodation used. If you've done it before you know to be quick. If you’ve not done it before you should make an effort to be quicker still and secure your place on this fantastic tour. Most of the roads we use North of Glasgow are grin factor 9+....more info
Who's going in 2005 + all the pictures
and reports from years gone
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May 8th (Sunday) 2005 Day out around Derbyshire. Meet up at Tesco petrol/ cafe A61 - Chesterfield bypass 9 30 am (a social day out around Derbyshire with a possibility of some off-road sections {optional} ).
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May 21st & 22nd 2005, 'Riviron's Memorial Run'. For anyone wishing to stay over, it's been decided the overnight halt will be at Maryport. The format will remain the same ie as much dirt as is possible within the time constraints and restricted access imposed in the Lakes. Accommodation requires booking direct. Curzon Grill Curzon St B&B 01900 819 265, Waverley Hotel B&B 01900 812 115, Riverside B&B 01900 813 595. It is anticipated we will all dine together at the Curzon Grill again The accommodation should be booked direct as soon as possible then let Allen Mitchell know ajmmitch@btinternet.com
The start is McDonalds on the A59 just west of Clitheroe 9.00am
for 9.30 departure, we will pass petrol on route to Salter fell and again
at Caton just before the morning brew stop at Crook'o Lune.
June 9th - 18th 2005. The Posh Pyrenean Passes. A chance to explore in style all the surfaced and many un-surfaced roads and passes in this part of the Pyrenees. A relaxed schedule staying in wonderful locations as we meander down through France to the Extreme sports center of the Pyrenees. If it's the Pyres you want to do then this is the way to do it. Fully sorted and an easy trip for all.
Send a cheque or postal order to BTB.C (Pyres), PO box 1628, Sheffield S20 4BR for £100 per person, payable to BTB.C to secure your place. (This is fully refundable until full prices are published on the site). Very limited places due to our accommodation choices, as always, first come, first served. NOT TO BE MISSED.
To book your place on The Posh Pyrenean Passes 2005, hit this link, then print off a booking form. Send this along with your remittance to the address on the form.
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- Bram's Peak Passes Run
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June 26th 2005 - Paul A's Clwyd
Canter. Come and take a look at the part of North Wales you
probably don't know. This day trip will take in the Clwyd mountain range,
Clocaenog forest (RAC rally country) and a whole ruck of nadgery lanes,
fords, and possibly even a trail or two - weather permitting. A nice lunch
stop will be included and we'll return at a civilised time so we can all
get home before our mums shout. Let me know if you're coming as an estimate
of numbers helps with lunch arrangements etc...
We'll meet at 09.30 for a 10.00 departure at the BP garage next door to
the Chester South Holiday Inn. It's on the A483 1 mile South of Chester
(obviously) on the Chester side of the A55/A483 junction. Please fuel up
on arrival and bring your sunglasses!
MAP
July 8th-16th STELLA ALPINA 2005 + The Swiss Loop of madness. The Stella itself takes place on Sunday 10th July in Bardonecchia, Northern Italy. It is a large trial bike Rally with several thousand Trail and Road bikes turning up over the weekend to ride up the mountain on Sunday morning. It is not a competitive event but more a large gathering of like minded people. A finishers medal can be obtained by reaching a point on the track that the organiser's feel a well ridden road bike can get to. This whole area is Big Bike heaven, with many very small surfaced and UN-surfaced High Alp passes to explore. After this we'll head over to Andermatt for the Swiss Loop of Madness before returning home to the UK. Most definitely a trip not to be missed.
Send a cheque or postal order to BTB.C (Stella), PO box 1628, Sheffield S20 4BR for £100 per person, payable to BTB.C to secure your place. (This is fully refundable until full prices are published on the site). Limited places available, as always, first come, first served.
Stella. Who's going in 2005 + The pictures and stories from years gone.
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July 31st 2005 - "Fraz's
Frash ". We will be meeting as usual at the Little Chuff /
Total Fuel Station which can be found on the A168, towards Thirsk, 4.5 miles
East of J49 of the A1. Please will everyone fill up with fuel as soon as
they arrive. We will be leaving at 9.15am prompt (If you want brekkie, get
there in plenty of time! though don't eat to much coz the lunch stop will
be an early one at about 12.00). This event will be more about appreciating
the scenery, the roads and the area at a slightly more gentle pace. We will
touch on a few faster A's but mainly we will stay on the B's & C's,
oh, and a couple of very very easy unsurfaced bits. After approx. 167.3425
miles, we aim to finish the day where we started, in plenty of time for
all to get home at a reasonable hour. There's nowt too demanding and two's-up's
will find it all a doddle. Look forward to seeing y'all on Sunday 31st.
Bring your waterproofs and a smile!!! Fraz
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August 6th & 7th 2005 - "Caveman's Hotcamp". People can start arriving from the Friday Afternoon onwards. Saturday night, a bonfire in the bottom of the garden and a BBQ and beers.
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August 13th & 14th 2005, 'God's Own Country Run'. GOC 2004, read all about it
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August 21st 2005, Robin Hoods Roost. Lots of easy off road. Meet off J30 M1 @ 9.30am.
September 3rd & 4th 2005,'THE NATIONAL COAST TO COAST RUN'.
Due to a lack of numbers this years event will take the form of a run. Please turn up on the morning as normal and enjoy 2 days riding staying over in Hawes on the Saturday evening. Don't forget to book your digs in Hawes.
This is our premier event and a chance for us all to get together in one place. If you can only do one event in 2005, this is the one to do. All things to all men (and women). As always we'll incorporate the best classic BTB roads along with many new ones, mixed with a little navigational and a bit of clue solving. All wrapped up in the challenge of traveling from the East Coast across to the West on all the little roads, collecting points at pre determined locations along the way. Are YOU up to the challenge?
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