Looking across to the snow capped alpine mountains seen from the back seat of a motorcycle

Home Travel Stories

Ride Outs Over May Bank Holiday 2004 - By Ren Withnell

Saturday. The gf is working so I can only pick her up after 1, which I do. We feed and set off with no more of a plan than to go-see. Somehow we end up in a place called Hoddlesden and as is often the case I see a track and wonder "What's up there?" I am very fortunate to have an equally inquisitive gf whom actively encourages to "go look!". Off we go down another track, but it's a good one. It's very steep, rough in places and runs past some awesome houses. We finally pop out the other end in Belthorn. One to remember if I need a challenging ride. We cover the roads to Rivington at hyper-speed, I've got a touch of the red-mist and I'm on a mission. I'm brought quickly back to my senses when I pass a car on a narrow road fast and close. I don't wanna die, and I doubt the gf does too.

a bike with my gf by a ford on a dirt track The ford across the trail

We follow another trail that gets steep with a difficult rocky surface between Tockholes and Withnell, and stop to take piccies of a small ford on the trail. On to rivvie and the usual suspects are all there and in fine whitty form. We drink tea, I smoke and relax. Time for home and to collect my son for the evening.

Monday. Bank holiday and no work for the gf, playtime. Again we've no real plan, we're just going out on the roads to see where my wheels take us. This time again for no apparent reason we end up heading west into the Parbold, Wrightington and Skelmersdale area. Skelmersdale, or Skem, is a very strange place. I'm told there are no traffic lights in the whole town save for pedestrian crossings. Every junction seems to be a roundabout, and an odd or confusing one at that. Skem has no soul. It was built in the 1960's as an overflow for Liverpool around a small village. Everything is in the cold utilitarian 60's and 70's style. It's a crying shame as the surrounding villages and countryside is quite pleasing.

We head back to Parbold and curiosity leads us down another set of simgle lane roads and past some fine houses. Oh how the other half live! Still, not for me even if I had the cash, I like my urban comforts. We stope for a drink from the ice-cream van on the top of Parbold Hill and admire the view along with many other day-trippers.

We get home at tea time and the gf make me super tasty burgers on a bun with lettuce, onions and salad cream. I have to go and deliver a laptop to a friend so I kiss her goodbye at about 6.15. This was the last time I saw Cath alive.

Cath and I shared some very good times together. We rode out together, were lovers and good friends. I miss her terribly. Life is short, make the most of it.

Cath at Criccieth

Cath Morris, beautiful and sadly missed

Reader's Comments

Post Your Comment Posts/Links Rules

Name

Comment

Add a RELEVANT link (not required)

Upload an image (not required) -

No uploaded image
Real Person Number
Please enter the above number below




Home Travel Stories

Admin -- -- Service Records Ren's Nerding Blog
KeyperWriter
IO