So a short while ago a few of us decided to go on a SKCC mini tour, that being a homage to the early tours we did 2011 - 2014 uk based before some decided to go to the Europe and some to stay in the Uk for various reason.
These were originally based on a 4/5 night stays at different hotels, the start being at Lakeside Thurrock in Essex and end point being Stoneleigh kit car show for those who liked shows or homeward bound for the rest, so these being in May around the bank holiday.
Captain Mark Greenwood now based further North had a go at messing with the routes he had for 2011/12, but based on a 3 day ( 2 night ) window to visit some of the keys areas / roads, making suitable itn. routes to be used on various Tom Tom models as used on Sunday breckie runs and other events.
We decided to use some pre-booked leave for a three day mini tour including stays at Scarborough and Holmfirth, both being previous locations, with the riders being
Mark in his MX5, Duncan in his Caterham, Chris in his MK1 Elise and me in my Robin Hood and the start point would be a cafe / garden centre on Chatteris, Cambridgeshire.
Few discussions took place the week before hand and i was to travel up to kings lynn to see my parents a few days before the start before going to the start point on the day. unfortunately i had issue with the kit car enroute so had to get it taken back home and return to kings lynn in my road car instead, followed by a few discussions on me riding shotgun for the trip (sorted )
So after a few day rest with the parents i travelled to Chatteris arriving early as usual and once i had the tin top parked securely for a few days waited a short while for the other three cars to join me for breakfast, once that was done and tom tom and two way radios were shared out, my bag stored in a boot and me in Mark's car we headed off following the routes as planned on the tomtom, we encounted a few bits of traffic and aftermath of a RTA, but the radios come into use at these stages discussing best options, along the 200 mile route for the day we encounter some lovely weather, took in the sounds and sights of what i am led to believe were typhons taking off and landing at the base at Congingsby as the traffic is stopped on the road alongside, stop off at another garden centre at Horncastle for a cuppa before going over then under for some pics of the Humber bridge, we did manage to find a few single lane tracks but what would a road trip be without a few, took a break at Thornton le dale where Bangers and Cash is filmed for a few more pics before pushing on through Pickering and some great roads with views to match, after applying the 'fill up before you park up' rule we arrive at Scarborough and some car jiggling by the contractors working in the hotel to let us park off the road at the Central Hotel, wash and brush up and a stroll down to the harbour and some tucca but left it too late for ice cream but did manage some goes in the arcade.
A good nights kip and breakfast up the road before getting locked and loaded for the second day with me squeezed into the Caterham as i have never really experienced a ride in one on a road. Well it is certainly cosy and not somewhere to have a falling out with your buddy, Holmfirth was the destination after another drive past Bangers and Cash across moorlands and darker skies we did get a little damp so Duncan deployed the tomtom waterproofing ( freezer bag and bulldog clip), various towns came and went till we happen upon tea ( and cake stop ) after a couple hours. I think the others were laughing too much to get their cameras out as i struggled to prize my backside out the passengers seat. After a pot of tea and carrot cake for me i decide to try to get some dignity back and get back in the mx5 for the rest of the day as the roof on the Elise looked a challenge for me as well.
We found some challenging and surprising hump back bridges where we did not quite get some air towards the lunch stop by the viaduct at Carnforth- ingleton after some pic opportunities. Plenty of wildlife, rivers and reservoirs to be seen as we made our way under grey skies towards, luckily the sheep seem to be pretty happy with the activity and rarely stop eating the scenery as you pass.
We picked our way into Holmfirth ( where last of the summer wine was filmed ) to the same hotel that the club stayed at last time ( i failed to make it this far last time ), again parked up in front of the hotel and relaxed for a while before finding our rooms and then going out for a local curry.
Breakfast in the hotel as we start the third day, today i get a chance to sample the passengers seat of the Elise as we head out under murky skies, giving me the first chance to gaze in ore at Chris's home brew Tom tom holder
A planned stop at the dam at Hope Valley - Ronksley, where the dam busters trained, then through Casleton and Peak Forest, through Sheffield, Bakewell, little longstone to grab a tea and cake stop. Prior to this we had lost contact with Duncan as his tomtom was twinned to traffic and had taken a diversion unseen, so we used one of the watts app features to see exactly where he had stopped so we could make sure we did not pass him unseen. once we got back together we managed to squeeze in a pit stop at pub/canal stop near Derby.
We had planned to say our good byes at Rutland water but as Duncan had a fair way to go he departed after a joint top up, myself, Chris and Mark made it there for a last cuppa before we all went the last few miles back to Chatteris where my car was parked up.
Few handshakes and sorting out of bits and bobs before we part ways after what has been a very enjoyable few days away and more memories made.
it is always a challenge getting fair to good weather on trips particularly in this country, company is always a pleasure, the extra dimension of extended days and evenings add to the experience.
As i said earlier the main group split a few years ago and the rogues runners do 2/3 UK trips a year as well as others that venture to Europe.
would encourage others to try a small trip or few days away to make the most of the countries and company you can.
, so it was A1, M11 and M25 again and I arrived home at 7.45.
