Day 1 - Swindon to Keld (Yorkshire)

 Day 1 - Swindon to Keld (Yorkshire)

Monday 09/05/2022

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After the manic preparation and concerns around a tight-spot on Konrad's chain, we had a good night's sleep and left home after rush hour. As we had a fair distance to cover, we just put our heads down and covered the miles in fine weather, knowing full well that we were heading into much worse weather up North.....

Konrad hasn't ridden a motorbike since this time last year and I have only done the odd short ride on my old bike, so neither of us are 'bike fit'. That said, we enjoyed rhe ride up, chatting and listening to music on our Intercoms, stopping for fuel and snacks.

We stayed on the Motorway until around Lancaster before heading-off onto the smaller and more scenic routes. All good apart from there being an oil leak from Konrad's oil filter cover. Not too bad though, just need to keep an eye on it. I will leave Konrad to continue to story.... 

We headed into the Forest of Bowland through the Trough of Bowland and up to the Cross of Greet on amazing single-lane roads, before crossing over to the Yorkshire Dales, taking the roller coaster like road between Horton in Ribbledale and Hawes. 


Making pace while there wasn't


any rain we also headed over the Buttertubs Pass- taking in the amazing views and great roads. Despite the chain not being in great shape the bike is as good as ever and Dad seems to be enjoying his too. 


After pulling into a campsite west of Keld (Hogarths Farm) we pitched our tents by the side of a river and headed to the highest pub in the UK at the Tan Hill Inn (528m) where we're  enjoying a pint and evening grub. So far relatively dry bar some spitting rain- day one was great so far and more distance to cover tomorrow.

Mileage: 295
Beers: 2
Fines: 0
Bribes: 0
Ass pain: 3/10
Mechanical issues: 2 (Konrad's dodgy chain + oil leak)
Accidents: 0
Wetness: 2/10
Coldness: 2/10
Theft count: 0

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