My Dent(d) Experience

SteveT

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UKGSer Dent Meet –May 2017

Seeing as I’d not wandered round the Yorkshire Dales or the Lake district for some time, I thought I’d tag onto the UKGSer meet based in Dent and make the most of a long weekend by taking in as many lanes and other off-road routes. Eldest son decided that he’d tag along as well, seeing as he & I have F800GS’s, we’d blend in at said event.

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Leaving as early as was decent, we were blessed with great weather all the way down country, taking in some local sites en-route

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We took our time and took a very meandering route south, with eldest stopping me from taking in a few lanes on the way.
Got to the site after getting some supplies for the weekend at Kirkby Stephen, as well as a very nice sausage supper. Several camper vans on site as well as about 8 or 10 tents meant we were not first to arrive.

Friday and I’d decided to “do” the Lake districts trails after many hours pawing over maps and taking notes whilst chatting with a knowledgeable ex-local – Cheers Tony. And I thought the Lakes would be quieter on a Friday when compared to a Saturday.

Headed for a lane near to Kendal, one that passes Durrs reservoir. Nice easy introduction to the trails – must have been legal as we passed 2 park rangers on our way up and on our way down (the trail is a dead end).

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One of the longer trails I’d spotted on the maps was a little further north, so after a leisurely ride in fairly light, but slow, traffic, we headed for Threlkeld Common. During my conversation with the ex-local, this trail was mentioned, but the man had not done it for some time (years and years ago), so I only had the TRF report that was on the Cumbrian council’s web site for up-to-date-ish info on it. It mentioned it being rocky and rutted at the western end, but flat and easy at the eastern end, so I took us to the easy end as a start point. Easy it was, lulling us into a false sense of happiness.

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And then we came to the first of several heavily rutted sections – ruts as deep as a F800GS is tall!
We picked a line and Dad went first, with eldest filming from the rear.

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One dab and I was through and parked up on a slightly level, rut free bit.
I then videoed eldest’s attempt, and continued to video as he lent the bike against the side of the rut after slowing down a bit too much. And continued to video as he stalled it and then started it and slithered around a bit more! Being a good Dad, I eventually stopped recording his playtime and went to lend a hand. He got it out without much further-ado and parked up next to my bike.

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What followed this introduction to big uphill muddy ruts, were more muddy uphill ruts, followed by really narrow and rocky deep downhill ruts. Dad led after scouting ahead and picking a line, with eldest attempting to follow my line . . . . . . only to have the front slide out on him on 2 occasions.

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The second rubbly off saw him attempt some sort of triple salco with a half tuck, none of which was captured on film, as I was right there should the worst happen . . . which it did. No damage to bike or rider on either off, so on we went to the end of the lane.

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Both of us were really glad to get to the end in one piece . . . . . but we were both really knackered after what was for us both, the hardest bit of dirt we’d ever done. Time for food and refreshments, so into and out of Ambleside we rode, and onto Coniston for a lake side feed.
Whilst feeding our faces, we decided that as we’d survived this far, we’d call it a day in the Lakes and head for Dent, a hot shower and some nice pub grub.
It stayed dry all day whilst we played in the dirt, only deciding to do what the weather in the Lake district does best – rain – as we headed back to camp.
On dis-mounting from our steeds, who should we meet but neighbours from home – Mike and Maureen

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The evening was spent meeting some old acquaintances and making some new ones, all over some rather special home brew.

Saturday was going to be Yorkshire Dales trails day, but the weather had taken a damper turn than the day before, so I was busy plotting up some road miles when who should show up but Rederic.

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He’d offered to take me around some of the lesser known trails in the area during an on-line communication session earlier in the week, but Dent being Dent, I’d no phone signal on site to update him on our plans. He agreed to show us some of the trail access points via a nice road ride, so orf we popped, passing Eric favourite showering point not more than ½ a mile from the camp site.

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Within no more than another two miles, after we’d got over the hill from Dent, the roads were dry and the sun was shining! What’s that all about? So instead of road miles, we went and did some more dirt. We had been joined on our little wander by a man named Jeff, on his rather unique R80RT Scrambler

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He’s been using this machine for trail competition for 12 years, so as you can imagine, he’s quite handy on the dirt.

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Here are a few pictures of the hero that is Rederic and his WR540.

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And here’s me wandering off the trail . . .

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We settled on Settle for lunch, with Jeff stealing the lime light by leaning his machine against a local monument (he has the side stand jubilee clipped up, cos it rattles too much) for support and wedging his welders gloves under the back of the front wheel to stop the machine from wandering off!

Eldest and I took our leave of the very experienced off-roaders, who went on to cover over 25 more miles of off road routes before heading back to Dent,
We, on the other hand, covered many enjoyable dry road miles, taking in several local landmarks . . . .

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Only as we headed for Dent from Kirkby Stephen did we encounter more precipitation.

Ace day out, mainly due to Eric’s local knowledge – cheers muccer

Sunday = Rain from Sedburgh to Hawes, then showers as we got past Perth and into the hills.

My favourite home shot – Royal Lochnagar as seen from the road to Gairnsheil

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Last picture – the final mileage covered over the 4 days

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And to Micky for setting the whole weekend meet up - Cheers fella - TOP JOB :bow :thumby:

THE END

SteveT

:cool:
 
Cracking report Steve. Honest, that was my first beer as we had more or less just arrived, if you look carefully at Maureen's glass it definitely contains less volume than mine :D

It only takes 10,000 signatures on an online petition to get the government involved so I think it's time that we kicked one off and push for some form of motorised 'right to roam' access (green lanesque) in Scotland...nothing ventured :D
I'll look into it!

Mike.
 
Great report :clap

I enjoyed hearing a few tales from your day out with Rederic at the pub on Saturday night . That was me in the grey tent next to yours :thumb
 
Nice one Steve. Sorry I missed you - I was on the P, also in the lakes, but with some friends from a previous life.
 
Your pictures and report have wetted the appetite for getting back down to god's own country on the bike. Used to escape from the wrong side of the Pennines up the various dales and into the Land of the Prince Bishops before returning back home.
 
Thanks for the kind comments folks :thumb2

Geoff - sorry I've been spelling your name incorrectly ;)

Was our pleasure to ride with you, as you gave the old beast a hand full whenever the opportunity arose :thumby:

If I had the space I'd love to do what you've done with that bike and what your doing with the RS version as well. All the best for the future.

Steve T

:cool:
 
A great report with some ace pics, makes me realise I literally do fuck all on my GS! Time to give myself a kick up the arse and get to understand this off road malarkey. Thanks for sharing your weekend and glad you got hone safe.
 


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