Day 1: Great North Loop

The previous evening was spent enjoying my sister and brother-in-law's hospitality, so it was through rum soaked eyes I viewed the world this morning.

Despite the dull ache in my head I covered just over 200km. That's 20% of the route and it took six hours. Quite a lot was road though. I've highlighted it on the map at the bottom of the page.

Starting at the east coast.

In the Moors I pass a monastery and stop for a moment of quiet contemplation.

Dalby forest was a highlight as the road just turned to a track in places. It's a popular place with cyclists, I must revisit.

A village in the Moors, can you tell what year it is?

My second river crossing of the day, this looked a bit deep and I didn't fancy drowning the bike. Luckily there was wooden foot bridge that the light weight KTM took instead!

The main Moors track that goes on for miles...

Scenery either side is stunning 👌

Once though the moors I head north on smaller roads until I reached Derwent Reservoir.   There was Trials ride taking place with 90 riders and the older chaps suggested I come and stay with them at the Baa.

 My camp for the night in the field at the back of the Baa.  I was flipping cold last night, had to pile on the layers...where's my warm company?

The owners of the Baa were catering for the  competition riders so I'm being well taken care of (Brilliant! Landed on my feet again!)  The lads here know the TET in the area and showed me some quite challenging photos. They love it, obviously, as they're on tiny trials bikes from 1965.

 Breakfast done 👍 time to go...


Start (green) and end points (red) for day one.