50th Goldwing weekend
 

So I have reached more than the half way mark.
My daughters have hired a Goldwing for me for this weekend from Hunts in Manchester. I could play safe and go to Wales and all the rods I know well or go north?

North it is then.

Manchester, Dunsop Bridge, Ingleton, Ribblehead Viaduct,Haws, Kirkby Stephen, A66 to Penrith or Keswick for the night.

Sunday meander around the lakes

Monday return to Manchester.

That's the rough outline of a route I have seldom been down so if any of you have some good roads or places to see on the way please shout before Friday night.

anywhere around the Lake District will be nice but just be careful as the good wing just isn't as light/flickable as an xt

This is a nice ride from Ingleton to Penrith with some interesting stuff to see along the way...

Ingleton > (Ribble Head Viaduct) > Hawes > (Hardraw Force) > (Buttertubs Pass) > Thwaite > Tan Hill (highest Pub in England) > Barras > Kirby Stephen > Appleby > Penrith

Some of it might be a bit tight on a Wing, but it would be a satisfying challenge.

Are you sure a weekend is long enough to get to grips with all those knobs, switches and buttons? It would take me a whole week to RTFM! ;)

http://www.arrse.co.uk/attachment.ph...1&d=1330032865

The road from Hawes to Thwaite past the Buttertubs is one of my favourites in the world. If you have a spare hour in Hawes, stop for a pint in the pub (think its called the Green Dragon or similar) and take a 20 minute walk up to Hardraw Force, which can only be accessed through the pub (my kinda waterfall). Well worth a detour if you are in the area.

+1 on this also get yourself into the Hawes creamery for some cracking "cheese gromit"

Thanks. Not sure about Kirby after Tan Hill but that's the way I'll go.

Dam! There's a lot of buttons on there, Lights, Camera, Action. etc.

I know what you mean. The temptation to go straight on to Brough from Tan Hill and join the A66 to Penrith is natural, but the A66 at best is bit dull. Where as the ride from Kirby Stephen to Appleby, if you take the back road to the Village of Soulby first (turn west off the roundabout in the centre of KS), is a delight going along the opposite side of the Eden Valley. Don't follow the signposted Appleby Road because that just joins, and forms part of the A66.

Have a good trip - which ever way you go! :D

Not wanting to diss anyone's choices, but ...

That pic just reminds me of an Austin Allegro. I can't for the life of me see why anyone would want a stereo on a bike. Ashtrays, too.

No, fair enough, if someone said I could spend a weekend on one, I'd be off like a shot, and I'm sure it would be great fun. Awesome bikes, but ... GoldWing owners are a bit strange.

Not to bore anyone too much but thanks for the route advice. The roads must have been made with bikes in mind.
http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/...3/IMG_0948.jpg
http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/...3/IMG_0950.jpg

Many thanks.

Glad you had a good weekend.

How did you get on with the old barge then - never ridden one myself?