Day Seven – The Road Winds Ever On
We woke to a light misting rain which cleared away early leaving the morning cool but overcast. We decided we needed one more trip to Hadrian’s Wall, and used the vans to shuttle the group a mile up the road to Steely Rigg, one of the most famous sections. The wall here comes over a hill, dives down the other side, then goes up a 45% ascent up a craggy cliff on the next hill. While we checked out the wall, we were checked out by a curious group of cows. 20 cows staring down 22 bikers – was it the leather? It’s not like it was anyone they knew………
Back on the bikes we began to head south, on a beautiful twisty road through dark green forests, before we started climbing higher to the moors. The scenery changed constantly – thick trees, castles, little stone villages, then the open expanse of the moor, with broad sweeping curves just made for motorcycling. The temperature dropped dramatically as we climbed, so we were glad for more than one reason to start our descent, riding switchbacks in the road and down to warmer temperatures.
We rode through Penrith and the mother of all roundabouts, losing Karina in one but she popped out shortly afterwards. We know how much she likes twisties and figured she had gone back for another ride up that hill!
Then the road narrowed and we started through the Lakes District, starting by riding along the the beautiful Ullswater. One of the most beautiful spots in the country, it inspired William Worsdworth’s famous poem about Daffodils. We rode into the tiny town of Glenridding on the lake, and stopped for petrol. The woman behind the counter remembered us from our very first ride and made a ten pound donation – she said on the first ride when she found out who we were she rang her sister and her mother in tears, so moved by our stories and our mission. She was so glad to see us back again!
Lunch at cute cafes in Glenridding, and then up the famous Kirkstone Pass. A twisty narrow road with sharply riding peaks on either side of us, and stone walls all around. Over the top and down more twisties into the incredibly beautiful Lakes District – water, green hills, forest, gorgeous houses.
We didn’t make our planned stop at Windermere as we were running behind schedule, but pushed on to our final destination of Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales. There truly isn’t a bad road on this ride – all meant for motorcycling, and the scenery shifts both subtly and dramatically in just a few miles. We rode through more beautiful little villages on the way to Hawes, dodging sheep in the road, and arrived ahead of schedule at 3.30pm.
The village had markets in the main street, so we parked the bikes and wandered off in search of a bargain. Hawes is famous as the home of Wensleydale Cheese, not only delicious but a star in the Wallace and Grommit films. Some of the girls picked up local cheeses, fruit and dips, and we held our own feast at the Youth Hostel that night.
Thank you again for the great description of your journey, yes the Lakes District is so picturesque, no wonder it inspired Wordsworth and beatrix Potter. i remember Glenridding,(and the old steamer on the lake) so glad the lady remembered Amazon Heart too, keep the donations rolling in!!! Enjoying the trip with you - safe riding sisters, lol, Ruth
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OK Ange, Ian here, you know, the one that slaloms behind lifeboats?
Well the road now leads to London ( I can't wait to read the chronicle of the next two days), and the stories of friendship and the bonds that you have developed along the route of this adventure will endure way beyond the chaos that you and your friends will bring to the great streets. I want to dare a wheelie, but Messers Davidson & Co will not approve. So have a blast, be kind to the Police escort, and to all furry animals.
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