alfalfa Posted December 20, 2022 Share Posted December 20, 2022 After hosting our British buddy, Chris Jones in the US several times now, we thought it was time to return the favor and head over to Merry Ol and see what was so horrible about it that our forefathers snuck out a couple of years ago. First, it was time for language lessons, but the only ones offered seemed to be in English. We were confused as to how it was going to work out but soldiered on anyways. First order of preparation was to get some fancy stickers done up, memorializing the trip: These were especially designed by a buddy of ours so as not to irritate anyone still harboring hard feelings about that whole tea thing in Boston. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the English have airports and roads and things. However, we arent too sure why their cars appear to be manufactured backwards: (how do you all not run into each other!!) We arrived in London the day before the hottest temps ever recorded, 104 F, which is something like 40, or 50, or who knows in that whole C thing. Bet you now wish you were as addicted to ice in your drinks like we are! . It was interesting to see how everyone was reacting to the heat like we do when it finally rains in Southern California - no one knew what to do. The guy in the backwards driving van took us to Woking, where we were going to pick up the rental bikes from RoadTrip Motorcycle, UK. As that wasnt going to happen until the next day, we had booked rooms at The Station hotel and pub, our first time at a real pub. (couldnt find the air conditioner, unfortunately) Our buddy, Chris, who had ridden down from the Lake District. They dont look that heavy, even wrapped in plastic. Was sure glad you laminate your bills, especially when it was as hot as it was! small cars, small streets, buildings close together. it was time to find some countryside! 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfalfa Posted December 20, 2022 Author Share Posted December 20, 2022 After picking up the bikes, we headed out of town. At our very first roundabout, I was quickly reminded why we were glad Chris was there to lead the group. We have some here but have been trained to look left as we enter them, not right. . (I'm happy to report that in 9 days or so of riding all over England and Scotland, we maybe only had one or two "incidents" with traffic circles. And our whole time there, we only heard two car horns. Once at us, and once at someone else.) The first part of the day was on the motorway, thru Birmingham, as we had to get to Hagg's Bank that evening. Living in a desert area, it was really nice to ride thru all the green countryside, with large rolling fields. Stopping for drinks in the heat was an eye opener as most places claimed their ice machines werent working. And, what cold drinks we got were slightly chilled at best. Probably due to the huge demand by everyone, vendors couldnt keep the drinks chilled long enough to get cold. A little north of Birmingham, we finally got off the motorway and onto the fun roads. It was quickly apparent why European riders enjoy races like the Isle of Man and the Northwest TT. The secondary roads are narrow, curvy and have no sight lines! However, they have excellent tarmac and very well trained drivers. We quickly got comfortable enough to maintain our speed around basically blind corners, reminding ourselves to stay LEFT! I just love the fact that you all just paved whatever cart path served the little villages we rode thru, with no attempt to widen or straighten them. Definitely my type of riding! After our indoctrination to TT riding style, we finally stopped to do some touristy stuff: After stretching our legs, it was time to head up further into the hills to the site of the highest pub in England (I'm told). We then headed back down off the mountain, finishing the first day at the Haggs Bank Bunk House. It was a great first full day in England. Weather was very warm, but nothing we dont have back home. The scenery was incredible! The cold drinks werent , and we made all the roundabouts ok! 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTreme Posted December 20, 2022 Share Posted December 20, 2022 Looks great Rick.......and you got decent weather so far! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boboneleg Posted December 20, 2022 Share Posted December 20, 2022 I've never seen Tan Hill in the sun, it's usually shrouded in mist and pissing down when I go there Good start @alfalfa 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six30 Posted December 20, 2022 Share Posted December 20, 2022 3 hours ago, XTreme said: Looks great Rick.......and you got decent weather so far! you do realize , this was a couple of months back 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckster Posted December 20, 2022 Share Posted December 20, 2022 12 minutes ago, Six30 said: you do realize , this was a couple of months back For fucks sake, don’t confuse the ginger twat. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfalfa Posted December 21, 2022 Author Share Posted December 21, 2022 6 hours ago, XTreme said: Looks great Rick.......and you got decent weather so far! We paid extra to have sun on our trip! I would like to apologize for that whole 104F/40C thing we brought with us, tho. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfalfa Posted December 29, 2022 Author Share Posted December 29, 2022 By the end of the day, we had made it to Hagg's Bank Bunkhouse, where we met Danny Taylor, the owner. Great guy, for an Irishman! The man rides the hell out of a GoldWing, too! Danny runs a great biker friendly hostel/campground. The last couple of years he has also been hosting March Moto Madness for those brave and willing enough to chance snow. His place is an ol mill that he has remodeled into a multi-room bunkhouse, with kitchen and shower rooms. His pride in his own handiwork shows the quality of the place. While we were there, he was busy fighting city hall to come back and fix their shoddy road works. Great man, Danny! We cant wait to go back and see him again, or get him to the US. The meals were on another level, too: 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfalfa Posted December 29, 2022 Author Share Posted December 29, 2022 On the second day of the real trip, we kept heading north into Scotland. First stop was Hadrian's Wall: Coming from a relatively young country, it has always been exciting to me to see all those places only read about in school. Its even more interesting to hear the true story from the locals to see how it jives with our school books. One thing the books dont mention is that the wall keeps all the midges in the north . I have to say, I loved the English countryside and back roads, but it was Scotland that has really stuck in my mind. I've always liked places that are sparsely populated as the people tend to be friendlier and the scenery more intense. Scotland didnt disappoint (England really didnt either) Crossing into Scotland: Coffee stop: Got to talking to a lady rider in the plaza. Bikes have a tendency to break down communication barriers. You get to find out those great motorcycle roads! Some other travelers we crossed paths on: Our buddy, Chris, kept the wick turned up so there arent many pics along the way, just when we stopped for coffee or the night. This night's BnB: As you can tell, the weather continued to stay nice! (i'm going to have to pick his brain to get the route info and which towns we stayed in. will update these when i get that) 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTreme Posted December 29, 2022 Share Posted December 29, 2022 1 hour ago, alfalfa said: On the second day of the real trip, we kept heading north into Scotland. First stop was Hadrian's Wall: Coming from a relatively young country, it has always been exciting to me to see all those places only read about in school. Its even more interesting to hear the true story from the locals to see how it jives with our school books. One thing the books dont mention is that the wall keeps all the midges in the north . I have to say, I loved the English countryside and back roads, but it was Scotland that has really stuck in my mind. I've always liked places that are sparsely populated as the people tend to be friendlier and the scenery more intense. Scotland didnt disappoint (England really didnt either) Crossing into Scotland: Coffee stop: Got to talking to a lady rider in the plaza. Bikes have a tendency to break down communication barriers. You get to find out those great motorcycle roads! Some other travelers we crossed paths on: Our buddy, Chris, kept the wick turned up so there arent many pics along the way, just when we stopped for coffee or the night. This night's BnB: As you can tell, the weather continued to stay nice! (i'm going to have to pick his brain to get the route info and which towns we stayed in. will update these when i get that) Great pics Rick! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boboneleg Posted December 29, 2022 Share Posted December 29, 2022 Great photos @alfalfa I've camped for a trail riding event at Haggs Bank , like you say it's a great venue. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfalfa Posted February 28 Author Share Posted February 28 working has interfered with my retirement and completion of this RR, which I will correct soon. Then, there is writing up the trip just finished - 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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