The Norths Ace.

Whitby on day 3

Six hungry bikers descended upon my house like locus. We departed after demolishing twenty rashers of bacon, twenty four sausages, two loaves of bread and punnet of mushrooms. 

Failing miserably to link the intercoms, the front wheels were pointed north and the first of a four day northern tour began. 

Six hundred miles of 'The Norths Ace' route. 

Day 1. 140miles - Nottingham  to skipton. 

Today led us through the Peaks to the Dales. 

It's a route I've done multiple times, the Peak District being the closest national park to my home. It's my backyard, as they say, and i didn't capture many photos. 

... quick pit stop. 

This evening we split the group between different hotels as no single residence could contain all seven of us.  The evenings entertainment came in liquid form from the Timothy Tailors brewery at the ubiquitous Woolly Sheep Inn. Easily my favorite pub for the quality Ale.  In fact we tried them all in sample paddles,  waffling on about how your perception changes depending which order you drink them. I'm sure the bar staff were enthralled by our boring old man bants. 

Day 2. 180 miles - Skipton to Jedburgh 

Route: Dales, Penines and Scottish Borders. 

What a fantastic ride through some of the best scenery North England has to offer. Much of the route had us riding through the low hung cloud clinging damply  to the top of hills.  

Stopping every 50miles at villages distributing money to small businesses and charming the locals...  The team room owner had a lazy eye, but a sharp wit.

Decor straight from the 70s. .. 

Paul Bowser had us detour to his sisters 1000 acre farm in Hassledean.  What a highlight that was! 

We were given a tour of the farm, including horse riding, tractor riding, cow sucking (yep - it sucked us) and an explanation of how farming works. It was the full farm experience and I'm exceptionally grateful for their time and hospitality. 

Jedburgh was our final stop, a lovely old two with a monastery ruin and a restored Castle. 

Wary of the amount of booze that was likely to be on the team agenda, Ken and I slipped off to the chippy for a 'Fish Supper', as they say in these parts.  Best decision of the day as the others went to the local Curry house where they waited 90minutes to be served and then argued, with the proprietor, about the bill.

Below, Alex on the left looking somewhat pissed off. 

Glad I missed the entertainment.

Below, Paul B in the middle dwarfed by Big Will.  Despite the town looking picturesque and there being little to do here other than Farming, breeding and Drinking, the pubs were shite. 

Day 3 180miles Scottish boarders to Whitby. 

Today is my 48th birthday, with me on this trip are Ken and Paul. Two friends I've been touring with since we were in our 20s!  TBH they are the main reason I got my full motorbike license. (They have a lot to answer for! 😉) 

Our route today passed through the kielder forest followed by north and east Yorkshire. They day was damp to start, but our spirits were not. The last two days have been spectacular. I intend to do them again, in reverse... Just need to persuade Sarah!. 

Our final destination this evening is Whitby. I love this place, it's an odd mix of Old Fishing port and Dracula Goth chic.  

Four of us stayed in the YHA at the monastery and museum (below) perched high above the town. It was only £15 pp and I must say that the price made me grin from ear to ear. Since covid you can no longer share with strangers so we had the dorm to ourselves! 

Not wanting to show his testicles to the person below, Paul M refused to climb into a top bunk. He kindly camped on the floor.

This evening we drank until we were kicked out of the Irish bar.

Day 4 - 120miles - Whitby to Nottingham. 

Alex, Big Will and Damo left early this morning despite the latter two having a late night.  Cheers for the laughs gentlemen!! 

The remaining four of us had a rather wet ride back to nottingham. Stopping at the NY500 biker / car racer cafe on route we filled up on saturated fats and started planning next year. Paul B's 50th tour!  Gotta be a good one!