We left Ringwood on Friday morning and headed to the HU meeting at Matlock in the Derbyshire Dales. Basically it rained all the way!
Once we arrived we were met by Glynn who had arranged the event. After a very welcome cup of tea at Glynn's caravan we tried to put up the tents in the rain. The grass was so wet and boggy that vehicles were not allowed on the field. So we lugged to kit over the mud. By the time we finished the tracks around the tents were very soggy. Nothing else for it but to visit the pub for a well deserved pint or two. Then back to the tents to get changed and wait for the evenings gathering - not too many people had arrived on the Friday but most would probably arrive on the Saturday. We managed to find a table near the hot radiator and had a very large burger and chips, before retiring for an early night. By the morning my trainers we soaking wet and covered in mud.
We decided that as the Saturday was going to be without rain, so we decided we would not stay in Matlock for a second mud lark but we would head north to Haggs Bank Bunk House. We had a wonderful scenic ride across the Dales and somehow manage to negotiate the Manchester Ring Road without incident (other than the Satnav shutting down and restarting whilst approaching another junction). Once clear of the chaos and on another tea break we decided that the weather was so good that we would head further north and therefore shorten the distance to ride next day (reportedly a rainy day). We checked the maps and decided on the Camping & Caravan Site at Moffett (north of the Scottish border).
A very clean site with good facilities, we walked into town for a pint but most of the eateries were full or closed, so after just the one beer we headed back to the campsite via the local Pizza shop. And yet another early night but I slept badly again but hey ho that's the way it goes - at least it stayed dry. I did have to wash the mud off my trainers so now they are clean but very very wet.
An early start (8:15) saw us on the road to Crieff - just 3 hours away at a very leisurely pace. We are now at the Guest house and have unpacked to bikes ready for tomorrow (no panniers etc). Looking forward to a proper bed for the next 5 nights. We have just walked into town to get some supplies for the breakfast etc. We are all meeting up for a meal this evening…. Note the trainers are now back on the towel rail and are drying out nicely.
Tomorrow we with be riding one of the Cloverleaf Legs (N,E,W or S)
Good night
