TET - North Yorkshire Dales

Its 6:30am and i've just devoured a wholly unsatisfying breakfast sourced from a Shell petrol station.  The reason for this culinary delight is that im meeting Six Bikes Rich and Bad Lee 28 miles west of Scotch Corner at 9am and i've got some miles cover.    Rich had been given a  GPS track from one of his TRF chums that follows some of the TET in the North Yorkshire Dales. Given that the last time i was in that area i really liked it, i wasn't about to turn down the opportunity to cover new ground with like minded friends.
We met just outside Kirkby Stephen and had 200KM to cover, including a detour to Dead Man's Hill.

Arriving in good time, Bad Lee strides towards me with a big a smile and an outstretched hand and says "Alreet Big Fella".  :o)   The three of us kit up and set off and within minutes the countryside opens  up for us, it's really beautiful.

The first lane tracks along the valley following the river and the next lane climbs up the Moorland.

 Half way along this lane and whist traversing a gate that Six Bikes Rich is holding open i notice my bike is leaking oil.   

The first break down of the day is due to bad workmanship on my part! (Thanks for making that comment Enduro Tony ;)  )  I'd nipped the top engine gasket whilst reseating the rocker arm cover after a recent valve check.  Took about 10 minutes to sort and we were off again. 

 We weren't the only people on the lanes this day, nor were we the only people enjoying the area.  On one particular hill these mad bugger's were launching themselves into the air.   Must take some goliath size testicles to make that first jump, on your own, with your new rig. 

It was at about this point we stopped for a breather after a great lane with big 'whoops' for jumping over.  Bad Lee's forearms were so pumped from hanging onto the bike that he looked like the Hulk and lent him his veiny throbbing (*cough) arms for the day.  I took the opportunity to look over my bike and noticed i'd lost a bolt from the exhaust silencer!  This flipping thumper vibrates more than an Ann Summers warehouse!

 The next lane was steep and rocky, Rich just zipped up it, Lee and I found it challenging, and when we reached the end, true to form,  i'd lost another two bolts!  Unfortunately, these particular bolts hold the subframe to the mainframe and left my bike looking something like an inverted banana. Game over.  

 Rather than attempt a trail fix i thought it better to get the right parts and headed towards the car, leaving the other two chaps to continue. Rich suggested i buy a Honda. 

Don't cry Rich, you own six bikes! 

Bad Lee, looking like a bad off road biker in an area of natural beauty. 

Probably just stomped on a rare flower in his boots.

I put the car coordinates into the GPS, it was 26miles away by road and because the rear subframe was hangin off i wouldn't be able to sit down!  No worries, i thought to myself, 26 miles travelling on the road standing up, its probably legal and safe, right?

I passed Pendragon Castle, a 12th Century Norman keep, on the way back and just had to stop for a few snaps. I was the only person there, the whole site was my own to explore. Awe inspiring. 

View of the local area from the castle site.

 I had a couple of hours drive to mull over the events of the day.  This KTM sheds bolts like a German Shepherd sheds fur.  I'm going to have to strip it and loctite everything.  How will it fair in a rally covering 100kms everyday for two weeks?  New bike time? I am a little worried...

On the flip side, i'm pleased this happened now rather than in Slovenia next month! 

In the evening i went to a festival for petrol heads called Piston Slap, it seemed like a fitting end to a petrol fueled day...

 My daughter and niece hiding in a camper pop top bunk bed. 

The evening was bright and clear and the air was cool, so i warmed up with rum.