Graham

Where do you tend to go? Where are these far better roads? Perhaps we could make a trip one Sunday, your way? The roads I ride through the dales, the roads out to the east coast and some around malton are all far better less policed roads than in derby, if its views you want then by all meaqns bimble around the cat but if its just for riding then pick most of yorkshire and cumbria through the lakes, its just better...to me anyway. I couldn't agree more & when I asked I was interested in where you ride. I was thinking about how blessed NW/Yorks/Cumbria bikers are to have the Dales & Cumbria within easy reach. I've not done it for a while (next ride perhaps?) but on a quiet dry day a good ride on the Lakeland roads inparticular is fantastic. The Dales with its variety of roads, generally grippy surface, bru stops & scenery (at times) would take some beating at any time . I've biker friends who live down South & they say they've nothing their way like what we have here, we're very lucky.

Its been a loooong miserable winter & its now the middle of April & biking season. With very little activity in the NW ride out section i'm wondering are people biking or are their bikes tucked away?

Would do Lee, but atm I don't have that free time to get to/from Southport in the evenings. Some years ago there was a good evening meet at Todmorden on the Hebden Bridge Road? Bru/snack caravan etc

Where do you tend to go? Where are these far better roads? Perhaps we could make a trip one Sunday, your way?

Not surprising because of it's popularity. My argument with the figures is did the number of fatalities rise in proportion to the increased number of bikes on the roads?! If so, bikers aren't being any less careful than they were! If you mean in general & of the whole Country regardless of speed restrictions, then the number of motorbike accidents are linked to a general % of motorbikers using the roads, which is somewhat different to motorbike owners. If you mean on restricted roads, then accidents are at a less % in general than previously. If you mean at the Cat n Fiddle road (Macclesfield to The summit), then the restrictions of 50mph average have certainly brought down the number of accidents (of which I will find out exactly how many) but also the number of bikers have diminished. What was apparent on Sunday, was that the 50mph average speed roads & those with other restrictions where very very quiet in biker terms, yet Matlock Bath (a popular bike meet place) was as busy as ever, so much so that all parking spots along the road were taken. This would certainly point out that bikers are/have got to know of the restricted roads & are quite simply not using them because of it, which leads to the falling trade of certain drinking/eating establishments on those roads & in those areas.

Interestingly, the Cat n Fiddle Road from Macclesfield to the Cat n Fiddle pub on the summit, did have the most number of biker fatalities/accidents than any other 7 mile stretch of road in the UK. The thing is though it's always been by far the most popular & busiest stretch of 7 mile tarmac in the UK also. It was a normal & open rural section of twisty road in scenic countryside, to be enjoyed & respected...Now its not

I didn't know which section to put this in for the best exposure & if admin/mods feel its best elsewhere then by all means do so. After a few years of not being, we (our group) decided to go to Derbyshire yesterday to sample the great biking/scratching roads on offer. Fortunately the roads are still there (lol) but unfortunately so are many more speed traps/cameras/average speed cameras/boysinblue etc . Obviously with this being the case less & less bikers are going to venture in the area which is such a shame, given the roads & scenery on offer. After stopping at the Cat n Fiddle Pub, it was noticable how quiet it was compared to my last visit some years ago & after gaining more knowledge this is in parallel to the further enforcements made on the Cat & Fiddle road plus the same on surrounding roads etc. Places like this (all over Derbyshire) have been serving "US" bikers for many many years & have been havens for meet ups, good chat, good food & drink, warmth, etc etc etc. Please if we do venture the area, its still stunningly scenic, then please support these drinking & eating astablishments in order for them to remain there in the future.

Yes cracking ride today over some great roads in good weather I think everyone enjoyed it & you weren't half giving that Shiver full throttle.

I put Bowness on there to see if it was any better than Buxton way. Looked at the map & Tom will have a treck to come & meet us this way so hope he's ok with it. I'll confirm all later today mate

Lee, check out the weather forcasts for tomorrow & see what you think? Macclesfield-Buxton-etc Lancaster-Kendal-Bowness on Windermere-etc

Looks like they won't be on their bike for another month or so then! It is the middle of April, isn't it?

Either sounds good Lee. I'll sort a meeting point out with Tom (& without going too far out of our way ) then confirm the plans a.s.a.p Perhaps theres some from the Aprilia forum again. Here's looking to a good day

That would be ok if it was just us few, but Tom's (Burscough) up for coming out so I said i'll look at the map for a suitable meet point. Perhaps us few should meet up locally & ride to meet Tom? I thought there would be more up for this ride, perhaps most are still in hibernation lol.

It looks like he'll be the kind that attracts attention which is what we don't want

Not done it in years, but Macclesfield, cat&fiddle, Buxton, snake pass? Or something that way, Sparrowpitt etc? If we do, we'd possibly meet elsewhere or people en-route? I'd say for most it'll be a round trip of around 150/180 mls as a rough guide, with a couple of stops, bru/food/toilet etc. Weather permitting a stop at The Cat&Fiddle.

Good pictures from the last ride btw Yes all good for the 15th, this Sunday. Meet Rivington 10.30am for 10.40am set off. The forcast is 10degree, dry/sunny/some cloud. No route in mind as yet? Going list so far. BB3lions Graham Tom

Weathrs against you I think, Sundays favourable.;? Umm, your right the forcast says rain from midnight Sunday for atleast a week (accuweather) so will just see on Monday morning. Hope they're wrong (it won't be the 1st time) Can't make Sunday daytime.

I'm thinking of going out for a 3/4 hour blast starting at 10am from Bury. Need to be back for 2pm. Can decide on route nearer the day. Who's up for it?

As for most enjoyed roads of the day, I feel the Devils Bridge-Sedburg-Hawes-RibbleHead-Settle would take some beating for what is around 45 ish miles of uninterupted (some underlating) grippy,great twisting roads.

Oh yes that was the Devils Bridge-Sedburg road (we stopped around half way along it at the sharp right hander) a great scratching road full of everything to test rider & bike. I've done it a couple of times including from the other direction which is great dropping into Devils Bridge itself . A very short trip to the fuel station on the Saturday to fill up & check the bike was all ok & after almost 12 months lay off (due to back problems) the bike felt like a warp machine. I rang Tom & said i'll ride at the back on the ride. Anyway after getting away on the Sunday morning to meet you guys I nursed myself in OK resulting in a police warning for something. It caused me to be later than expected at Rivington but with such a good group I kinda knew you weren't going anywhere without me A bit rusty as expected & others will be also, but lets remember theres a long season ahead to chip away at our own gains to be had

That was Tom from Burscough on the KTM. Which road did he/you mean? From where to where?

What were peoples most enjoyed stretch of road? & why? Or was it all What were peoples least enjoyed? & why? Just thinking for future reference BIG respect to Lee's friend coming all the way from Carlisle to make the ride & also to Lee for putting him up. Respect to the couple riding two up over the hugely twisty b roads. Well done Dave? on hiz Gpz500, obviously redlining it everywhere. Thanks to everyone for turning up & making it what it was

It was good to meet some new people & hope all got back home safe. I also hope the route was enjoyed by all & as already mentioned just how lucky were we with the weather Thanks to those who turned up, sorry to those who had to wait longer than expected at Caton. The 1st ride of the season for some & good to get it out of the way safely. Graham

On your bike i'm sure he means a cam chain tensioner, as in cam chain not drive train. Best ring him. Either way you'll be fine for the ride so see you & everyone else tomorrow at Rivington 10.30

Prob best stick to that then, i don't think you'll have any problem knowing its us lot with half the group being on boooooming v-twins with Aprilia's & a flashy ktm. I'll be on the most mundane of bikes a black fireblade.