Time to bump this one up for any newbies (or oldies) that want to come along.
Firstly this isn't a sitting round the campfire, toasting marsh mallows and singing 'ging gang goolie' rally, it's about the riding.
The rides will be 150-200 miles, scenic, mostly B roads and pretty much traffic free. It will not be a high speed ride so if you're a new rider, on a smaller bike (or even a scooter) you'll be fine. (The usual proviso of being road legal and having recovery insurance in case you need it applies).
Accommodation is a mix of hotels, B&Bs, a couple of campsites and a park bench or two. You'll need to sort that yourself.
There is a game of "Spot The Shaz" through the weekend with a (very) small prize for the first to see this shy and elusive creature 😀
I was going to talk to Strom closer to time about riding up, because I'm booked into the hotel at Cambridge Services on the Thursday night, just to break my journey up from London.
So I think a break for a mug of tea at Squires on the way up to Teesdale would be a good thing.
You've got about 130 miles to Squires from Cambs Services and you're 10 minutes from me but can't get off the A14 at my junction but I am happy to sort something out for a ride up to Squires.. You'll enjoy Susis route to Middleton as she usually goes past Thorpe Arch 🤣
SWMBO and I had a feed out at the Teesdale on Friday, I can confirm the menu is now back up to standard 😋 The Forresters of course always has been. If you're wanting to eat out book yourself a table, you won't be able to get fed ad hoc in either pub over the bank holiday weekend. The other feeding options are the chippie, the pizza place (both takeaways) or riding out to one of the nearby villages.
TBH, I'd never heard of Thorpe Arch. So it was interesting to see it has a church that dates back to the 12th century. And had an Royal Ordnance Filling Factory in 1940-41.
But the area went down the pan in the 90's when the only investment in the area would come from a tin pot football club.
I just rang the Teesdale to book a table for 4 on Friday 18th April(those of us in the cottage). If we all want to eat together as usual the chap asked us to decide on either 6pm or 8pm and confirm numbers. The menu is about to change so I agreed to post the new menu on here when it is confirmed so we can pre-order to make it easier for the kitchen. Hope I am not treading on your patch Steve? I think 6pm would be ok for our travelling group and 8pm may be a bit late? Thoughts anyone?
6pm is fine Susi but if they are changing the menu again I would need to check what they are changing it too🤔
And yes, I have ordered a new toy.. Unfortunately as it is coming all the way from Leicestershire to a neighbouring county it takes 6 weeks or more. I hope to have it for, Moffat
I'm not bothering with arranging a big meal for everyone Susi, the logistics easily get out of hand when the pub has to try and cater for a bunch of us at one time. It is easier for all concerned if people organise their own tables. I don't know what the new menu is but I expect it will be similar to the current one, some people might find it a bit high-brow. Dunno whether I'm going to be eating in the pub Friday or not, but I will be down for a beer... just to be polite 🙂