Calling Stoney

[jeznewsome]

Room for one more? I have permission from SWMBO so assuming that the weather remains as forecast I am game

Riding up from Preston. I have some stuff to do later in the afternoon so might run away a little early depending on how things go.

[stoney]

What way will you be heading up Jez?

[boxerscott]

Great. I'll be tekking pack up.

[Blackal]

Great. I'll be tekking pack up.

I’ve run that through Google-Translate-Yorkie............

Nothing!

[stoney]

Think he’s putting something in the loft?

[jeznewsome]

What way will you be heading up Jez?

Via Sedbergh and Kirkby Stephen then Brough ..... then following whatever Google says....as it is then off my mental map

And I'll have my 'piece'

[simon]

There's a Greggs and Subway at the BP filling station at Hexham...
which appear to be open..

[simon]

Via Sedbergh and Kirkby Stephen then Brough ..... :

A66 to Bowes A67 to Barney A688 to Staindrop West Auckland then up A68 to meeting point

[BoxerCup R]

Carolyn is concerned about access to ladies loos for a full days ride and She's done very little on the bike and feels it will be too much for the first proper ride of the year - bloody June fear christ sake, wheres the biking year gone - so we're gonna give it a miss this time. Have a great meet up lads and enjoy

Catch ya's later

[stoney]

Chris and Al where are you?

[stoney]

Just got home. 310 miles! Thanks for showing the way Chris and Simon...let’s do that again sometime

[jeznewsome]

Also just home. Didn't check mileage but been to the pumps 3 times today. Some very nice roads and cracking scenery.

Good to.meet you all and thanks to Chris and Simon for the guidance

[simon]

Today was what it's about!...
Well, this is where we're meant to start..

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Stoney got here first, then Jez then me...
But where's Chris and Al?

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They did turn up, after they'd been to Darlington and back

Away we went on the the back roads by Derwent Reservoir to Blanchland.. Yes, the sign says right for Blanchland, satnav says right for Blanchland Me.. "doesn't feel right" DOH!
Through Hexhamshire to Hexham filled up & on to Chollerford where Chris took the lead.
Negotiated some daytrippers towards Kielder, half way along Chris indicated for me to lead..
No day trippers along the reservoir (whoop).. I remember thinking as I enjoyed the sweeping road "It wasn't this long when I came up last week "

Stopped by Kielder Castle where Stoney demonstrated the carrying capacity of a GS..

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A group shot courtesy of a Triumph rider from Ashington who has an R1100S "project".. educated him wrt Boxertrix!

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Jez & Stoney headed back south, Chris, Al & me headed north (past the place of one of my tarmac close encounters) on the B6357 (sweet) and to Carter Bar for a chat and view appreciation before Chris and Al went up and I came down the A68..

Good weather, Good roads and good company...
Cheers,
Simon.

[Blackal]

In my defence - I was following Mr “Local Knowledge”

As said - good to meet up with you all, and enjoy some great roads and scenery.

Lots of large bike groups out.

[stoney]

Oh yeah, hadn’t occurred to me that the group with pillions was considerably larger than 6 people.

I had a blast today....first Boxertrix ride since 2012 I think. I loved it and can’t wait to do more - still dialling in and getting used to being back on a bike. If there’s any momentum for a Back end Buccy I’m well up for it!!