Thanks All, We've had a great day too. A great turn out this early in the season! 
It was exciting and lovely to meet up with old friends that we'd been on runs with before - people we've got to know on previous runs. We're always meeting brilliant people through the Forum and our newbies/first timers today, were just the same - top folk and with a background in motorbiking so impressive on the road.
Although it was a bitterly cold wind, the weather was kind for most of the run. Beautiful blue sky in parts and visibility excellent - until Chezsherman took the lead :? then it started to rain, then sleet - we couldn't see beyond 400 metres at times and the sleet was horizontal
. Just as soon as it started to lie on the road, it disappeared and we came out the storm and back into good weather. Everyone enjoyed this section so thanks Craig 
. (Just a note - we were the only ones that kept their roof down - even through this section - windows up mind!)
First run of the season and we we're lucky with the traffic - the early sections were relatively clear so we were able to press on and enjoy the route - we were hampered by a few vehicles at times on the section to Blanchland but they were soon despatched and we remained free to enjoy the road
A nice stop at the old school house in the Village for tea and coffee where Cherrym made a call on us - nice to see him and his mate (who's started to take part in some of our mid week runs - good to see the pair of them but Mike couldn't join the full day).
On over the Fells we dropped the pace a touch due to the road conditions but the weather was kind and just the loss of 4 Zeds on the very last part of the route into Middleton and lunch, led to a bit of a wait until they read through their route sheets and came back from High Force! - Well the route sheets were useful then!
Lunch was excellent - open fire and good food and a chance to have a good chat. Out into slight rain and Chezsherman took the lead into the storm - and on to Alston. Outside the 1618 Café the decision was made to spend more time on the road and head to Hartside from Alston (and even on through to Melmerby on the other side - good call Brian). So that's what we did and had a clear run right the way over to Melmerby with one car even pulling over to let us press on through - magic!
3 Zeds took the opportunity to head off home from the West side of the Pennines and farewells were said - until the next meet. Then the terrific run back up to Hartside Café - what a road and what a thrill - absolutely terrific. A smooth run back down to Hexham with the last section to the A69 baulked by a couple of bits of traffic - ah well can't all be good!
Everyone was relaxed and happy at the Wentworth in Hexham (Toe-side made his apologies and headed off - thanks for coming so far for the day - much appreciated) and we replayed some of the highlights over tea and coffee and importantly, everyone is keen to get out again.
Yep a very satisfying day in the Zed - thrilling fun and enjoyable time on the road with like minded owners and really nice folks. Thanks all glad you enjoyed it.
I'll post some photos up as soon as (I've run out of space on Photobucket so will have to sort that out first)
It was exciting and lovely to meet up with old friends that we'd been on runs with before - people we've got to know on previous runs. We're always meeting brilliant people through the Forum and our newbies/first timers today, were just the same - top folk and with a background in motorbiking so impressive on the road. Although it was a bitterly cold wind, the weather was kind for most of the run. Beautiful blue sky in parts and visibility excellent - until Chezsherman took the lead :? then it started to rain, then sleet - we couldn't see beyond 400 metres at times and the sleet was horizontal
. Just as soon as it started to lie on the road, it disappeared and we came out the storm and back into good weather. Everyone enjoyed this section so thanks Craig . (Just a note - we were the only ones that kept their roof down - even through this section - windows up mind!)First run of the season and we we're lucky with the traffic - the early sections were relatively clear so we were able to press on and enjoy the route - we were hampered by a few vehicles at times on the section to Blanchland but they were soon despatched and we remained free to enjoy the road
A nice stop at the old school house in the Village for tea and coffee where Cherrym made a call on us - nice to see him and his mate (who's started to take part in some of our mid week runs - good to see the pair of them but Mike couldn't join the full day).
On over the Fells we dropped the pace a touch due to the road conditions but the weather was kind and just the loss of 4 Zeds on the very last part of the route into Middleton and lunch, led to a bit of a wait until they read through their route sheets and came back from High Force! - Well the route sheets were useful then!
Lunch was excellent - open fire and good food and a chance to have a good chat. Out into slight rain and Chezsherman took the lead into the storm - and on to Alston. Outside the 1618 Café the decision was made to spend more time on the road and head to Hartside from Alston (and even on through to Melmerby on the other side - good call Brian). So that's what we did and had a clear run right the way over to Melmerby with one car even pulling over to let us press on through - magic!
3 Zeds took the opportunity to head off home from the West side of the Pennines and farewells were said - until the next meet. Then the terrific run back up to Hartside Café - what a road and what a thrill - absolutely terrific. A smooth run back down to Hexham with the last section to the A69 baulked by a couple of bits of traffic - ah well can't all be good!
Everyone was relaxed and happy at the Wentworth in Hexham (Toe-side made his apologies and headed off - thanks for coming so far for the day - much appreciated) and we replayed some of the highlights over tea and coffee and importantly, everyone is keen to get out again.
Yep a very satisfying day in the Zed - thrilling fun and enjoyable time on the road with like minded owners and really nice folks.
Thanks all glad you enjoyed it. I'll post some photos up as soon as (I've run out of space on Photobucket so will have to sort that out first)
