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Travel StoriesCamping In Hawes 2013
Hawes For A Novice
By Ren Withnell
In case you don't know the gf has only completed her CBT 2 weeks ago and is presently getting her head around riding a motorcycle. The CBT gives a novice rider a starter for 10, the basics, just and only just enough to get you out there on the road. Once they've done the training course it's up to the rider to get out there and continue the learning process. Hopefully the novice will remember to keep their eyes open, take their time and stay safe while they stall, wobble and mash gears until it all comes to them.
The gf's at that stage. To make things even more interesting she's also got a brand new motorcycle. This of course requires "running in" and being a 125 this means no more than 40 miles per hour. That's fine around town but on the open road we're finding queues of cars developing behind her and this occasionally leads to dubious overtaking manoeuvres by frustrated drivers. To be fair though 99% of drivers on seeing the "L" plates and the slightly nervous novice wobble give her the room and respect she requires.
Last weekend the gf, several bike club members and myself rode out to Southport and Preston. Although we were never far from home we covered 70 miles which pleased the gf no end and gained her valuable experience. This showed with improvements in all aspects of her riding as well as her confidence. There's still a lot to learn but it's coming and coming good. I decided we need a night away on the bikes and 70 miles gives us a reasonable number of options.
At the bike club I talked to DW who'd just spent a long weekend in his caravan at Hawes with his good lady. Although he was without motorcycle he'd enjoyed his visit. Like many bikers he's been through many times, even stopped for a brew or two, but never really taken the time to look about. This time he did and espoused to me the merits and the beauty of the area. I've been looking for a suitable place to visit, Hawes might just fit the bill and it's about 75 miles away. Sorted.
So I find myself on a Sunday morning loading my own CBF 125 up with camping gear. Foolishly I've agreed with the gf I'll take all the camping gear and anything else we require, all she needs to carry is her own stuff. I always, relentlessly and endlessly underestimate what I need. Well there's 2 sleeping bags, a tent, stove and pans and maybe a torch? No problem. Oh, don't forget the air beds. And the cups and teabags and milk and sugar. Maybe some rice and a few tins in case there's no shops. Spare batteries and the cameras. I really should take a change of clothes and something to wash with. And the air pillows. Toothbrush and toothpaste.
My little 125 looks like an overladen donkey.
The gf on the other hand takes an age to ensure a small waterproof bag is correctly and securely bungeed onto her back seat. In fact she's terribly concerned that the bungees may scratch her beautiful shiny new motorcycle. She's going to be one of "those" kind of bikers, evidently. There is good news, according to her owner's handbook she's clocked enough miles now to reach 45mph. I can barely contain my excitement.
The gf's bike. As you can see she has a massive load too...
So at 1220 we set out. The gf's still cautious and frustratingly super safe emerging from my side road onto the main road. It's an odd thing to process in my mind, her "noviceness" if there is such a word. I absolutely completely wholeheartedly do not want her to rush, make a mistake and end up parked in the front of a car. I'd rather wait an hour for a nice safe exit than see her hurt herself. And yet it's there, within me, a tiny twinge of angst, of "come on woman!" I dismiss it, rightly so. She is learning and she needs to learn at her own pace. I shall not let my gripes and frustrations hinder her safe progress.
It seems her first 10 minutes of each ride are the worst. It takes her that time to remember and relearn what the clutch and gears and throttle all do. Maybe it's the time required to re-assert herself and remember that she can do this and relax into the ride. By the time we reach Chorley she's on top of things and it's all looking smoother, more tidy. Maybe it takes that long for me to relax as well and stop fretting about her so much.
Out on the open roads now I wind my little 125 up to the dizzying heights of 43mph. I laugh a little to myself because this is the first time this little 125 has been laden with camping gear and I'm doing a fair amount of wobbling myself. I love my 125's and small bikes with all my heart. They're plucky, fun, challenging and yet so light and so easy and so friendly. 125's are like excitable little yappy puppies, full of bravado, energy and excitement yet at the first sign of wind or a heavy load they buckle. They keep on trying though.
The queue behind the gf causes a double emotion within me. There's a part of me that feels sorry for the cars and trucks dragging along behind us at just over 40 miles per hour when they could legally be doing 60. They feel like a heavy weight pushing us from behind. For the most part the various drivers keep some distance but it never feels enough. What would be nice is a big slow tractor, that way we can blame the vehicle in front. I wonder whether or not we should pull over from time to time to let them pass.
Then there's the other side of me. Stuff 'em, stuff the goddam lot of 'em! I've spent countless thousands of miles stuck behind stupid useless clueless tin box drivers who can't achieve even 50 in a nice straight 60 zone. Who can't navigate a dry corner without dropping to 20 mph. Who can't get through a gap a bus would manage. I've spent 23 years being held up by these trucks, cars, vans and coaches. This is my revenge, this is ME showing THEM how it feels to be made to crawl along roads you could do 10 times quicker. Stuff 'em.
We pull into the McDonalds at Clitheroe on the A59. The gf is white and wired, she's had a "moment" on a roundabout. I've seen nothing in my mirrors but her bike stepped out and scared the be-jeez out of her. According to her it moved several feet and went completely sideways. My experience tells me it probably moved maybe an inch or so, it just feels like 10 feet. However her training paid off, after grabbing the brakes and making things worse she let go and trusted the tyres. She's here telling me this so it seems she made the right choice. She thinks it's luck. Luck plays it's part but it was her that saved it.
After a pee we share our thoughts about the following traffic and we both feel quite the same. There's a guilt about slowing people down but a defiance too. The gf's still learning and the bike's still running in. We often have to show patience to other road users, it's our turn to ask for some in return. We both agree for the most part the drivers are at least keeping their cool but the odd one or two have produced some dubious driving.
We carry on in much the same manner. The A682 cuts between the A59 at Gisburn and the A65 for Settle. I know the gf scared herself the other day in a bend and this road is full of bends, awkward, twisting and angular. After the roundabout slide today I'm expecting her pace to drop and for the queue to explode, there's no chance to overtake at all. While she doesn't exactly carve the tarmac to shreds I am pleasantly impressed with her steady and flowing pace. I keep an eye on my mirrors, she keeps on popping in and out of vision in a satisfactory manner.
We stop at the regular biker haunt of Settle. With a wobble and some back-peddling we both park up and dismount. The gf's still buzzing on a mixed set of emotions. Fear and excitement, shock and self-impressed, tired and focused. She's so pleased that she's got all the way to Settle on her own bike, under her own volition and is now parked alongside all the other bikes and bikers. I recall my first rides, my first trips. That sensation of massive achievement and also the subtle hints of fear about can I make it home too.
The gf looks surprised to be here, to be alive and to be happy!
After a brew and a chat with a chap from my home town about his brand spanking new Triumph we kit up and carry on. Horton In Ribblesdale has a set of tight bends and awkward corners that the gf navigates slowly but successfully. We're off the main roads now which comes with the relief of less traffic and a the queue behind is is only the odd occasional car now. Our next challenge is the wind.
It's been windy all the way today but here it's that little stronger and noticeable. Again I forget just how long I've been riding and how much riding I've done. I notice the wind but I don't notice how I steer and counter the gusts without a single thought or fear. It's just another condition, just something I do. I wonder how the gf's getting along with it?
It seems a long road this road. It can't be much more than 20 miles from Settle to Hawes but it feels a lot further. It twists and winds then wendles and wanders it's way through pretty rolling dales and hills. Sheep munch the grass at the roadside and rabbits relentlessly throw themselves under car tyres judging by the number of furry patches on the road. As we get closer to Hawes our entourage of attending followers increases again. It's a good road this and I'm feeling more guilty and less rebellious. There's still nowhere safe to pull over.
Hawes comes as a relief from the pressure of our queue. No beeps or V signs, everyone just passes us by as we pause on a patch of gravel outside town. The gf's knackered and ready for a rest. I tell here it's not far now. Hawes is nice enough but the road is being dug up and the surface is bad, I keep an eye on the tired gf but she navigates it well and soon the Bainbridge Ings campsite welcomes us for the night.
Our hosts welcome us into the office with a smile and a chat, but they still insist on taking £14.50 off me for the pitch. It's actually rather a pleasant campsite, if not somewhat windswept. Judging by the bend in the trees there's often a strong prevailing wind here. The grass is actually grass and neatly trimmed, It's away from the main road and in proper countryside. I'd argue there's not quite enough drinking water taps around and the toilets are perhaps dated but everything is serviceable and clean. I always like clean.
It's all rather pleasant at the campsite. Basic but clean and functional.
Pitching the tent is fun in the wind. We're well practised now so it's not too much trouble. I watch and chuckle to myself as a young couple fight with their flapping sheets and catch the tent bag as it blows across the open field. They both keep their temper and good humour and eventually complete their shelter with a smile. I make a brew for the gf and I while she locks the bikes up, looking at hers all lovingly.
Have a guess which way the wind usually blows? Our tent is nestled below the trees.
Hawes on a Sunday evening is not a hive of activity. In fact I'm quite concerned that we may not find anywhere to get something to eat. I have of course brought along rice and tinned curry that we can cook but the gf makes it clear that this is merely an absolute last resort only to be used if we're close to starvation. Surprisingly at the far end of the village we find the choice of Pizza or Chippy. We plump for the chippy. I put far too much salt on my chips, I'm going to be thirsty later.
It is a pretty place. I want a tractor too, not a car.
It's a lovely place Hawes. DW was quite right, definitely worth a look. It only takes half an hour to walk around though and soon enough we're back at the campsite and making another brew in the tent. It's been a good day. I know we've got to do it all in reverse tomorrow and listening to the wind rushing through the trees and flapping the tent I wonder what the weather will be like. It's been dry today but tomorrow's quite another thing.
Hawes For A Novice
Having complete her CBT and a couple of ride outs on her own bike it's about time Sharon made her first journey!
This time she can carry her own blinkin stuff.
A Novice Rides The Dales
I look around Hawes then inadvertently take a novice motorcyclist down a terrifying road.
Aren't I a good boy!
Reader's Comments
Tom McQ said :-
Enjoyed reading that - and it's so good to see Sharon gaining experience on the roads. She'll be taking her test before you know it.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
John De ville said :-
Great reading Ren.
Dippy is the same when she first rides out of the drive but usually within a few miles she's doing fine. It is all a learning curve. Great story.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Sharon said :-
Yep I really did feel like I was slip sliding all over the place on the roundabout. I felt the back wheel twitch and I did the very thing I was told over and over by my instructor not to do, I went for the front brake. This caused the bike to swerve all over the place and also straighten up. So the bike was now heading not around the roundabout but towards the trees next to the road. A strange things happens to your mind when you are in danger. It seems to be able to speed up and process information much faster than normal. In what must have only been 3 to 5 seconds my mind was able to have the following dialogue with myself.
Oh shit I am going to hit the tree. This is going to hurt!! I think it will be really bad to hit that tree head on so I wonder if I should try and slide the bike somehow so I hit it an angle? What hit the tree what are you thinking??What are you doing?? I tell you what you are doing...You are doing everything you should not be doing. You are on the front brake you are looking directly at the thing you really, really do not want to hit A TREE!! SO you stupid cow let go of the front brake, look away from the tree and round the bend to where you want to go and trust your bloody bike.
I obeyed my mind and the bike took me safely around the roundabout so I survived my scare and was left only with a hysterical laugh that I took with me all the way to Settle. Hence the grinning village idiot photo above.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Mathew Taylor said :-
So glad I seen this just brought a back box for my cbf
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Hi Mathew. If you've got the CBF 125 don't be put off by distance. That little bike will do 300 miles a day just as well as any 600 or 1000 cc motorcycle. And you'll save a fortune on fuel!
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
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Travel StoriesCamping In Hawes 2013