Dutchblog

Yesterday’s day out on the ‘bike turned out to be a fairly long 361 mile run over some of the best ‘biking roads in the north of England.

I left Edinburgh in brilliant sunshine, which endured for most of the day, except for the occasional cloudy spell.

The A68 took me away from Edinburgh, through Lauder & Jedburgh before pausing for bacon rolls & coffee at Carter Bar which due to it’s altitude was shrouded in low cloud.

I then continued on the A68, intending to pass trough Hexham & Alston before stopping at Hartside summit.

Alston moor was spectacular and the decent weather brought out hundreds of ‘bikers, all seemingly headed to the Hartside Cafe.

I pressed on towards Penrith & the Lake District, my intended destination being the well known Lakeland Motor Museum at Holker House, which I’d never visited before.

Here I found a surprisingly extensive & interesting collection of old cars & motorcycles as well as large amounts of motoring memorabilia and not least a significant collection of artefacts connected with world land & water speed record holders Sir Malcolm Campbell & his son Donald Campbell.

The hour I spent here was barely enough to fully appreciate all the exhibits and I’ll probably return once the museum is relocated to larger premises in 2009.

On the road again I pass through Coniston, Ambleside & Keswick before cutting east to pick up the M6 at Penrith for some quick miles to Moffat and the deserted A701 back to Edinburgh.

A really great day out on two wheels.

• Images may be found here.
• Track logs may be found here.