First rate Weekend, fantastic camp site ,on the banks of the Esk, river.
The site was found through some adversity suffered by a couple of local lads at a Byway that has a ford over the river on the Farmers land, apparently, one of the guys drowned his motor in the ford, and the farmer was exceedingly helpful in the process of getting the bike running again.
Being keen TRF guys a deal was struck to use the level field in question, and too offset the farmers trouble ,some Jury crop dispensed
Also on this particular farm, the Pickering to Battersby? North York's Steam Line still runs through and is used regularly for steam runs, we saw the Flying Scotsman, and also the brand new? £3m Tornado.
O/k, so, what of the riding, well, in a word, Awesome.
In this area, the TRF guys have been very active for a long time, and the results are clear from the amount and variation in riding still available, from snotty technical climbs, to Moor Top, 15mile runs.
The evidence of their work with local Farmers was obvious from the friendly waves, as opposed to waved fist in other areas.
And it's all fairly simple stuff, from a bottle of whisky and box of chocolates at Xmas, to a new gate fitted, courtesy, of the TRF, which has allowed the use of some private tracks, and no hassle on legal tracks.
I opted for the middle ground, and moderately hard routes, not really fancying the thought of dragging the AR out of bottom less pits all day.
I would like to go again and re-ride some of the Technical lanes that led up to the tops of the Moors , and gave some of the most impressive views for 50 miles in all directions, 2 days was just not enough.
I did see one other CRM a MK3 I think, but it was only a very brief stop, and i was unable to attract his attention.
This event is repeated in August, when the weather should be spot on, we had rain briefly on both afternoons.
If you can make the time, then i would highly recommend it, the organisation was superb, and the whole team were so friendly and welcoming, you were instantly at your ease, and comfortable in their company, don't worry about your riding ability, they can tailor a group that you WILL be comfortable in, some in the Green Group were retired.
I am genuinely unable to fault the event, other than, if they could move it 300 miles south
.
It is worth the effort of getting there, oh and the Fish and Chips at Sleights are glorious.
Mike
