Trans Northern Trail

 There's a facebook group of the same as this blog post. Within, the friendly chaps have created an 800mile track spanning coast to coast in North England. 

We had a few days to ourselves to check it out. 

The snaps below are from a section through the Forest of Boland.

 

My first time taking the Tenere off tarmac.  Very capable for a big bike, certainly better than the previous Africa Twin.

Running parallel to the track, a mile or so south, is a small road that hugs the banks of a river and passes though Sykes and Marshaw. 

 Much of it is like a postcard, campervans taking advantage of the stopping points. 

Wasnt just campers though! We passed loads of bikers and had lunch with a Blood Biker and his friend. 

Below, the fountain inn, Linton. Near Grassington, this route  bypasses all the traffic. 

Swinsty Reservoir. 

 Our home for the evening was a really dated, yet quirky and endearing , B&B in Kirkby Lonsdale, the Copper Kettle.  

The proprietor is a nice old lady who let us park our bikes in her garage.  Her husband is a frizzy white haired, smiling,  mumbling delight.  Just like the grounds keeper from Clarksons Farm, I could not understand a word he spoke to me.  I laughed along all the same. 

The walls were so thin we could hear the neighbors farting.  They laughed, probably understanding we were part the journey too. 

Above, a private castle at Hornby. Clearly the owners are not skint!.

 

Kirkby Lonsdale.  The brewery, below, was our pick of the local establishments. Well worth a visit. They definitely can organize a piss up!