Sunday 13 March
Ready for the Pennines
The North Pennines is designated an "Area of Natural Beauty" (ANOB), in places it`s remote and extremely wild in winter. On the westerly flank is the Lake District, Carlisle to the North and Penrith further south, both situated close to the M6 motorway.
On the eastern flank is Consett (County Durham), Newcastle upon Tyne to the north and Barnard Castle on the southern tip. The Pennines form the spine of England, but it`s the northern section I like and prefer to ride.
The general idea was to go east from Penrith to Alston and then head due south east to Barnard Castle and then back home via the Yorkshire Dales.
The route taken was via Kirkby Lonsdale on the A65 heading towards the Lake District. I live reasonably near to Devil`s Bridge but rarely have a brew there, I prefer to stop in the town square and have a better choice.
Northern Pennines
The general idea was to go east from Penrith to Alston and then head due south east to Barnard Castle and then back home via the Yorkshire Dales.
"The Bridge"
Left Kirkby using the old road to Kendal and then the A6 to Shap, this was the main road prior to the M6 being built and is a good road for bikes.
Shap Fell Road
The weather can be extreme on the climb to Shap, don`t let the summit height of only 916 feet fool you, it`s wild. This route (A6) in years gone by was the main lorry trunk road between England and Scotland and you can imagine the vehicle technology of the day..... poor brakes, low engine power and crap driver comforts; don`t ask....been there, done that and got the T shirt.
After the summit, you drop down towards quarries and TATA steel works; I`ve spent many hours here with the lorry loading burnt lime for South Wales steel works....you`ve never been cold until you`ve experienced wild weather at Shap.
Lorry Driving Days
Ah.....memories are made of this! I still have a fleeting glance to see if one is under the shed loading burnt lime.
Shap Village
Shap village is a straight through on the A6; there`s a cafe in there somewhere for a brew.
Penrith (A686) to Hartside Top Cafe....the road starts with open views and smooth flowing bends until you start to climb. There are good twisty sections, but others require caution due to blind corners and oncoming traffic,some drivers are trying to prove they are Valentino Rossi.
Penrith to Hartside Cafe
Twisties - Heaven!
Grand...even with a pillion and loaded up.
Hartside Cafe
I may ride a bike, but this takes me back to my BMW days...a very tidy example.
I spotted a guy wearing GS textiles on this Africa Twin....a convert maybe?
The big stuff`s got to find it hard on the tight bends
Nice! The driver was a fat lad, it probably took a couple of seconds off the ascent time.
Does anyone out there know all the different models of the Triumph Tiger 800`s?
Fruity, it did sound sublime!
Another BOXER!
The old girl.....a 65 plate.
After Hartside it`s a short ride to Alston...don`t do this ride in winter under snowy conditions, you could end stranded and end up marrying a local.
Alston
Mind the cobbled streets in the wet boys!
The road from Alston to Middleton (B6277) is a blast....careful, mind the sheep, cars, police and snow poles. It`s a belting road if you know your limits.
High Force Waterfall
A fantastic piece of drone flying over High Force
Middleton in Teesdale
Sunday Lunch
Roast beef and Yorkshire pud...oops, wrong county! A favourite watering hole for push bikers and even the ones with engines in them.
More of Middleton
Lead Mining in Teesdale & Weardale
Middleton in Teesdale to Barnard Castle
Barnard Castle
Market Square and High Street.....all the supplies you`ll need.
Drop down the high street past the market square monument and over the bridge (above) to a set of traffic lights. Turning left takes you up to the A66 and our route over "The Stang" and our homeward bound journey. The route ascends on its way to Feetham, passing through short forested land with good views looking back towards Barnard Castle and surrounding area, the road becomes more open and exposed to weather, so choose your weather carefully.
The Stang to Feetham
Langthwaite to Gunnerside
After Stang the road comes to a T junction, turning right takes you to Tan Hill pub (the highest in England), turning left takes you to Reeth. Just a few hundreds yards and you will see a pub on your left, just beyond this, take your first right up over the moors and over the tops to Feetham.
Lancashire County Council need to take a leaf out of the Yorkshire book of building roads and keeping them maintained; the road is recently surfaced and like a billiard table for the most. For all the smooth surfaces, my pillion does seem to move around, it always seems to be on bends or water...watch the video and see the water splash!
After Gunnerside we are looking for our next over the top experience by turning at Crow Tree Farm off the B6270; the road is steep past the farm with tight bends, but opens up nicely for a run over the tops to Askrigg.
Crow Trees to Askrigg
From Askrigg I dropped on to the A684 at Bainbridge for a fast run in to Hawes and homeward bound using the Hawes to Ribblehead (B6255 road) and down to Settle and back to Waddington
Tired and cold, no that`s the pillion.
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