THE LOST LAKES RIDE OUT
As has come to be expected of the weather this year Sunday 23 July should have been a scorcher or so the predictors said. As has become the norm in North Notts it was dull overcast and didn't look good at all. Having set the clock for 06:00 I got up anyway looked out and thought I feel like it looks outside maybe I wont bother riding all the way to Forton Services to meet up with the erstwhile members of the BTBC. I was either suffering from a dose of Hay Fever or had a rotten head cold whichever of the two I felt crap. Any way having got out of bed after remonstrations that I must be tired from my significant other I said to myself F*** It I'm going.
I had decided the night before that I would cross the ridge between East and West via the Cat & Fiddle as most will know it's quite a nice road and the view is not to bad either providing the weather is fine. However as I've already stated it wasn't fine. By the time I'd got out to the M1 I re-thought my decision on the basis that I will maintain a higher average speed on the motorway at this time in the morning with only 2 hours to get to the meeting point for the 09:30 off. "Not that I think I'm a slouch" even at the youngish age of 47, I'm really still a boy by comparison to some of the retired members who don't hang about either. (Better leave that for the time being).
Anyway I needn't have worried too much as I made it by 09:08 seen a number of bikes already and went straight to fill up. Then round to the service shop. On the way into the shop I met Burky who was on his way out to the toilet. I was on my way there as well. As it happened, most of those who had already partaken in the Granada Fayre, were on their way out to sort themselves out. So I passed on a warming cup of tea at this point. I would add also the weather still didn't look up to much but already there was some banter flying around which was warming. Had a few words with the gang leader of BTBC PC shot the shit with Frazer who told me about all the tricks to clocking AT's sorry making adjustments to the workings of the speedo and so on. Remind me to never buy one of his ex bikes sold as "Genuine reason for Sale" Sorry Frazer. Lastly or at last made my acquaintance with Leigh@cathouse9.??? Very amiable. No coats off, ready for holders. He did say something about a distinctive accent but, I can't say I've ever noticed!! Nice to meet you Leigh.
As everyone was mounting up another couple of late starters turned up. Don' know who they were but they said they were ok for fuel so a quick headcount came up with 17 in total and off we went. A short blast up the motorway to the first exit and we were virtually straight into the twisties. I made an early decision that I wanted to be near the front as experience tells that if your at the rear there is more chance of getting misplaced after a turn or two and we had not had any briefings initially. Assuming that we all knew the procedure. Has anyone ever heard the adage never assume, as it will make? AN- ASS- U-ME (assume). Sorry I'm full of shit like that. It's my past life coming out. However as it turned out it was a good decision. We were getting into the rhythm passing most obstacles dosy drivers at that time in the morning. (I'd also heard about PC's advance skills having been coached by an old Constabulary friend of his. So having had similar coaching I wanted to play a bit. The other club I am a member off is great but they can be wee bit too serious some times and forget that it's all about having fun. Something I've learned very quickly BTBC'er'S do have in humungus amounts).
Anyway PC had obviously seen two crotch rockets as I had in the distance and we collectively were closing on them fast. They were behind a tractor when we caught up with them and approaching a 30 MPH limit in a village at which PC decided do park on the other side of the road, so we all pulled in behind and we did a head count. All present and correct. Those two on the crotch rockets don't know how lucky they were. Can you imagine being overtaken by 17 BTBC er'S. Particulary when Fraz would have passed them with his front wheel in the air as he continually tries to loft the front end over every little bump. Something to do with reducing tyre wear. As I was saying, off we went and onto some lovely little trails. At one point passing through what looked like a bike meeting and Car Boot Sale. Of course we were the centre off attention. You can't fail to get noticed when there's 17 of you can you! A few more tracks and we pulled up again. This time we had to report not all-present and correct Sir. Our 2 late arrivals that no one knows yet had disappeared. We waited a few minutes still no sign of them. Burky went off to back track but they were lost. Now I know why it was called the Lost Lakes. We still hadn't seen any lakes though. At this point it was 10:30ish and we were all parked up outside the local church with the bells tolling. (Esmarelda, Esmarelda, shouted Quasie Modo, paper bag paper bag). Decision taken time to move on. Win some Lose some. If anyone knows who the guys were tell them not to be put off and come back for more next time.
The map reading seemed to be very good but as the day wore on I realised that PC almost knew this area as well as his native South Yorkshire and if my memory is correct we only turned round twice the whole day. Remarkable! As might be expected we had a stop or two for those that need the weed and of course to relieve bladders.
Expectations so far had been met in full the tracks were not too difficult, providing the challenge to keep it upright and at a very sensible pace. The weather had also improved greatly as we were all sweating and stopping to remove the layers of cold weather clothing. So it was down to tee shirts. The impromptu stops provided PC lots of opportunities for his camera and there was the odd posed shot.
By now it was getting on for lunchtime and some of the more portly were wondering when we would partake in some sustenance. PC said we were no more than a few miles away from where he had planned to stop but we had a river crossing to make first. (I may be getting the story so far, a little mixed with regard to the chronology but I'm sure you'll understand) We had a trip around Lake Windemere very nice and through Ambleside, very congested. At which point PC scared the shit out of some innocent woman driving her car. As we rounded a right hand and then left hand PC was reading his map. Now it is not possible to do both when the map is on the tank and if anyone has ever watched Paul reading his map he probably would advise seeing an optician. He gets his nose to within 6 inches. Anyway she nearly kacked herself and took no avoiding action whatsoever. Luckily Paul's sixth sense was working and he manoeuvred quickly out of her path.. I almost split my sides laughing. Later he says to me, I must stop trying to read the map on main roads. I'm sure we all do it. We pulled up again as Tony Brammagh had a mate to meet up with who wanted to see how well his Fazer did with trail bikes, but he was disappointed that he couldn't get through the river. Everyone else got through without any mishaps and then it was on up the hill to a lovely pub. Where, we imbibed ourselves with food and drink. Ted Scott liked it so much he asked the land lord if he had a room for the night and much to his disappointment was turned away. No room in the stable either. They had been turned into a brewery.
Whilst at the pub we took a look at Dave(Tiger) Bonsalls bike which seemed to be running out of rear brakes. Dave told me this set of pads had only been put in the Friday. You would never have believed it. You would have thought the pads and disc had done around 10k miles. In addition the floating lever bar was wearing against the disc. We couldn't do much other than reassemble the calliper and tell him to take it easy. I should have known better. Taking it easy in this club is not a commonly used phrase.
As the remainder of the day progressed, the terrain got more hilly and the roads got tighter. It seemed the tighter the roads got the quicker we tried to go. The only problem was the number of gates that we encountered. There certainly was a number of them and I'm sure both PC and Burky got fed up stopping to open them. Eventually a natural routine took over and whoever seemed to be behind the trailblazers would drive through pull up and let all the others through closing the gate again and joining the rear.
A second and third river crossing had been planned. The second was no problem at all for anyone and the third was apparently completely redesigned and was no more than 3-foot stream. Shame because you could see how it had been in the past, I'm sure it would have been a challenge. Having got everyone safely over both of these we were pulling forward on the other side when I for no reason other that not looking where I was going at no more that 5 mph hit a hidden rock in the grass and promptly fell off. Laying the bike on its side in the process. I did a very similar thing in front of Ted Scott on last years Rally of Discovery on my Husqvarna. Anyway I quickly picked myself up and then struggled, being a short arse to lift the AT. I did manage only to feel the bike was falling away the other way and thought I hadn't got that far up yet that it should fall the other way. I quickly looked over my shoulder to see Paul they're holding my bike upright laughing and asking if I was ok. Apart from feeling a berk I was fine. The handlebars were slightly askew but not a problem. So on we went.
People started to depart either just before or shortly thereafter, which reduced the pack to around 12. A quick look at the maps showed that there were only 2/3 more trails to be ridden and then a run out to the A & B class roads and that would see an end to the planned run. The rest of the trails were great and then the B class roads were awesome. One or two people had minor changes in direction during the course of the day, me included whilst following PC. Had a laugh about it, the best one I remember was the big lad on the Suzuki who I was following at one point down a very steep hill. The road went tight left and there was a tractor making a very slow decent, he'd decided he was going to overtake and I don't think he'd appreciated just how tight it was. To his credit he saved it from what looked like a definite off. Rode round the grass bank and back on to the road. Well done. We had a laugh about it the next time we stopped.
To all those who have not yet sampled the joys of the BTBC rides I fully recommend you join in sooner rather than later. They are well-prepared and great fun.
The ride ended we all filled up and joined the throngs onto the motorway south. By the time a got home I'd been in the saddle for 13 hours and I now understand why everyone who has an AT complains about being sore. Suffice to say I might try a long-term test on a beemer if I can get Pidcocks to lend me one for a day.
See you all soon on Ted Scotts' Bash in Wales on the 13th August
Archie Henderson
Hi All.
Just got back after a leisurely o/night at Kirby Lonsdale.It seems to be bit of a real-ale desert, which was a great pity. Had a nice lazy ride today,down non-motorway(mostly). Thanks Paul, and Birky, for another great day and some new trails. We even managed not to lose anyone, this time. Shame about that double river crossing, onto the island though. ( someone has "IMPROVED" it!) I have done it before and I didn't recognise it. We missed you Garty, it was incredibly quiet, and we had no toys to admire(ridicule?). I hope the BTBC weather genie,holds for the 13th.
Ted Scott.