It was so good to ride on the roads where we first started some 20 years ago.

Sometime in the rush to ride abroad we forget just how lovely the countryside is and what great our roads can be found. Of course this is where we first started some 20 years ago, but with Alison & Roy taking most of the UK tours these days I get little opportunity to ride them myself, hence this tour.  

Seems we were in luck with the weather and enjoyed the ride over the North York Moors to Whitby in lovely sunshine. Having resisted Fish and Chips (not easy) we continued northwards to our hotel on the Northumberland Border. Arrived unusually, for a Monday, in the middle of a wedding reception, but they were obviously bike fans as they seem more interested in the bikes than the occasion.

Our route took across to the Northumberland Coast to Seahouses, and Bamburgh Castle to Holy Island. The scenery was stunning and the Farne Islands were clearly visible and judging by the ques for the boats, a popular destination. Although we did not think the tides would be right, we arrived at the Holy Island causeway just at the right time and so took a ride across and back, another off the bucket list.

Heading west we entered Galloway and Dumfries via St. Marys Loch – a low flying cargo plane arriving on schedule , to pass down the loch whilst we enjoyed our afternoon brew.

Two days in Dumfries, the weather forecast was not brilliant, but turned out wrong and we had a great day touring the Galloway Forest and coastline.

Leaving Galloway we headed back east along Hadrian’s Wall before turning southwards to our final destination on the edge of the Lakes.

The weather finally turned on us, however we managed to work round it and enjoyed a ride in the Lakes and Dales, missing the worst of the weather by visiting the Lakes motor Museum. Well worth a visit if you are in that part of the world.

So a very enjoyable tour, a good crowd with old and new faces, and for me a chance to re-visit some of my favourite roads and places.