Passes All Expectations
The Ferrets prepared to bake in the sun were, from L-R: Nige (Nigs), Kit (Mrs Clive), Jane (MeeMee), Andy (XXAndy), Davey (Freebird), Paul (Roxxo), Drew, Simon (Chimes), Lauren (daughter to Lensman), Steve (SteveG) and Paul (Lensman) - and Clive taking the shot.
What was supposed to be a short, sub-100 mile laid-back day was somewhat extended by the Snake Pass being closed for resurfacing, thereby introducing an additional 40 miles of diversion and putting the day back by a couple of hours. But, what the hell, the weather was just simply perfect - hot and sunny but not humid - and the company splendid. Up until a short while before the run, it seemed that we were only going to have three or four bikes, but in the week running up to the day it blossomed into ten bikes and a dozen Ferrets. Read on, and see how we had one extra Ferret for a short while.....
Just before 09:00, already baking hot, Clive & Kit, Simon, Drew, Davey and Steve arrived at the Trafford Retail Park meet-up ready for an easy-going day just taking in a few of the Pennine passes. As Simon's 'Bird had suffered a rear tyre puncture on the previous Ferret's run out, and he hadn't yet got around to having a new one fitted, he was unfortunately on his Yamaha Warrior! Drew, on the other hand, was on his relatively new Triumph Sprint ST. So, come 09:15, we were all trying to pick up a bit of cool air on the M60, heading for the Hattersley meet-up.
Off the end of the M67, and once refuelled, we were pulling into the meet-up at Hattersley where the two Pauls, and Paul (Lensman)'s daughter Lauren, were already waiting. Unfortunately, Steve, our Sweeper for the day, was delayed at the petrol station and missed where we'd turned off for the meet-up and blithely carried on down the road. "Err, where's Steve?". On the radio, and before too long he was back with us. It wasn't long before Nigs & Jane, and then Andy rolled into the car park, and the group was quorate.
It was not long afterwards, having got ourselves coffees, and the like, that Davey noticed a screw stuck right in the centre of his rear tyre!!! And yep, sure enough, the old spittle-test showed it to be leaking merrily. Fortunately, Clive had a puncture repair kit, and it wasn't long before the screw had been removed, a plug fitted, and Davey was off back to the garage to check the air pressure. 23 psi isn't quite up to what Mr. Honda recommends, and showed that the screw had been doing its worst for some time.
There were quite a few people who'd not seen each other for quite a while, in particular Nige & Jane who nobody had seen since their wedding in early May, mainly because of Nige's very unfortunate old back injury that flared up again, needing further serious medical attention. Nige did look to be suffering somewhat, and we weren't at all surprised that he wisely decided to leave us for home after the Snake Pass. It was great seeing them again, as it was to see the likes of Roxxo and Lensman, who'd not been able to get on a run recently as they'd been touring on the continent on their bikes, and Steve who'd not been able to join us since Scotland. And, of course, even though we'd seen them only a couple of weeks ago, it was nice to see Simon, Andy and Davey. And we mustn't forget Drew, who we'd not seen since last year, and who was no longer on an R1 but a Trumpet!
New to a Ferret's run, and who's company we enjoyed, we'd like to say welcome to Lauren, pillion to her dad Lensman. We trust that you enjoyed the day, despite being amongst so many old nutters (excluding the ladies, of course).
Having all caught up on the water under their various bridges, it was out onto the road for the first of the five passes - the Snake. However, as we drew near to Glossop advance warning signs appeared declaring the Snake Pass to be closed for maintenance, and that diversions were in operation. And here began a forty mile loop to the south, through New Mills and out on the run to Chesterfield as far as Tidewell, where we cut back north to the Derwent Valley. Although very pleasant, in its own way, the diversion just didn't match what the Snake can deliver, in particular on the progress front, so as we approached Ladybower Reservoir a leg-stretch and fag break was well in order.
The Ladybower Reservoir & North Derwent Valley visitor centre provided the ideal stop. Beautiful views across the valley and the reservoir, shady trees, toilets and an ice cream van.
There was even a tame young robin that hopped around by the bikes.
The order of the day was obviously being forged, one of going with the flow. Nobody was fussed that we were now running late, that we weren't where we'd planned to be, and that we'd missed the sublime Snake Pass bends.
The weather was great, the company superb and the line of gleaming bikes a joy to behold - even the Warrior.
It was also essential to devote sufficient time to cooling down, for even at high speed it was impossible to keep cool in the leathers. So, by the time we'd re-mounted and re-joined the original route at the eastern end of the Snake Pass, just before the turn onto Mortimer Road, we were already running an hour and a half late. Now, this shouldn't have been a problem, but .....
... little did we know that Tim had been scouring the Holmfirth area for us for the past couple of hours, having decided on his way home from work to join up with us. Had we been able to keep to the schedule, then he'd have stayed with us for the Saddleworth Moor crossing and return to Ripponden. However, he was now running late himself and left for home when we moved on from the Holme Moss break. Well, at least we did meet up, even if it was only for a short while - nice to see you again Tim, and a shame that the Snake Pass delayed us.
And what a belting view you get from Holme Moss. Although it was not at all humid, there was a distinct heat haze obscuring the furthest reaches, but a hell of a lot of the beautiful Yorkshire countryside lay spread out below us, in all its glory.
Whilst we were there a chap, who's name we overlooked getting, came over and chatted to Simon, and explained that he'd very recently become a Blackbird owner himself, and lived relatively locally. It was explained that we weren't a club exactly, but a group of mainly 'Bird owners who just liked getting together to enjoy ride-outs, and the like, and the details of our website were passed to him. If you fancy joining us on any future events, and becoming a Ferret, then you'd be most welcome - just let us know who you are.
Lauren gets to grips with the R1. How long 'til she can take her test???
Even at the top of Holme Moss, despite it being at an elevation of around 1600ft, it was still stiflingly hot, and a few people were obviously getting a bit peckish! So, saying farewell to Tim, who was to continue on the way we had arrived, we dropped the couple of three miles down into Holmfirth, where we followed Clive's nose and found a wonderful cafe up a back alley, a place that took their food very seriously, using generous portions yet at very reasonable prices. This was the Penny Lane Cafe, a place we would all freely recommend - good honest Yorkshire hospitality and service.
We spent about an hour or so in Holmfirth, most of it stuffing ourselves leisurely, with a gentle walk back to the bikes through a small park by the river. Then, once again driven to find a cool respite, we mounted up to tackle the last two passes. From Holmfirth we climbed west out of the village and onto Saddleworth Moor, with its swooping climb up onto the tops, where the road shoots almost as straight as an arrow on into Lancashire and the environs of Oldham. The drop from the tops down to Upper Mill is a gorgeous series of swooping easy bends that can be taken with real gusto. A pure joy, eh, Drew?
From Upper Mill we wended our way up to the pretty village of Delph, yet another village where the entire population seemed to be basking in the beer gardens of the numerous pubs! From Delph we climbed steadily up to Denshaw where we found the Lancashire side of the Rishworth Moor recently restricted to a 50mph limit, of all things! What a damned shame! However, once over the border and into Yorkshire it became the National Speed Limit again, and a last chance to have ones head before the end of the ride.
And the end came at Ripponden, a small and quiet place little moved to cater much for visitors, so a place off the main road was found, near the bowling greens, where we could have our final break before everyone was to make their separate ways home. This was where the group shot at the foot of this report was taken, and from where Andy, the Pauls and Lauren left to pick up the M62 to get them back east and Simon, Steve, Davey, Drew, Clive & Kit cut off over another pass to Littleborough, and a small detour to a stop at Hollingworth Lake.
As usual, Hollingworth Lake was awash with visitors, many of them bikers, especially at The Wine Press where we stopped for a bitter shandy, or lemonade. Despite it then being 17:30, the day was still baking hot, the sky a clear blue and everyone just enjoying the northern Mediterranean feel!
The route couldn't have been better, for the weather as it turned out to be, for there was no pressure to keep up a pace, or to meet a tight schedule. The unplanned detour was easily absorbed and accommodated by an unplanned stop that was thoroughly enjoyed, and the zig-zag nature of the route lent itself very well to Nige & Jane being able to cut off home early. For most, they had the pleasure of going on roads that they had never before taken, and which yielded a whole variety of views and scenery - now the valleys running down to Sheffield, now the plains holding the Manchester conurbation, now moor land, now forest, field and village, all bathed in a golden and hazy summer glow. Add great people, aboard good bikes, and who could seriously want for more.
Photographs courtesy of Lensman, Roxxo & Clive
Page Updated
28/06/2008 23:54