by Simon Robertson

Setting off for the Northern Sunbeam meet-up, I was just a little apprehensive. On my ride down to the Cotton rally earlier in the Summer, I had broken down and the bike had to face an embarrassing ride on the back of a break down truck to get us back home. But with a few more miles under the tyres since that disappointing day in July, things seemed to be OK. But then just the week before the trip up to Redmire the ‘Beam stopped charging, well it would, wouldn’t it? Anyway with a battery charger and spare battery in my backpack and Esther behind, in convoy, we set off from Leeds, up through Wetherby, Harrogate, Ripon, onto Leyburn and finally into Redmire station. It was a fair ride up, about two hours, with the last stretch, from Ripon onwards, along very pleasant country roads.

Redmire station was easily found with map from Peter and we pulled up alongside the other four ‘Beams already in attendance. I had only just dismounted and picked the flies out of my teeth, before the kettle was on and a cuppa was on its way.

The early arrivers, and those who had already been there one night were stood around Steve Bensons bike, looking over the dynamo, it wasn’t charging. His bikes’ problem seemed to be one loose wire, simple and it was charging again. It seems at any old bike meet up a crowd will always develop around a broken machine, my non-charging bike was next. Half an hour of testing and monitoring only developed long faces, so it was on with the battery charger for twenty minutes and then off out for our first run around Redmire. Esther, now with helmet and gear on was pillion and we set off out over Redmire Moor. It’s a beautifully bleak bit of countryside and the ‘Beam was happy pulling up the large hills, we were happy taking in the scenery. Coming down the hills was more of a challenge, with the ‘Beams brakes not so restraining. Apparently we had flames coming out of the exhaust! But blissfully unaware we wound our way down into Reeth.

Yorkshire Buttertubs pass

The weather was becoming a little more inclement as we wove our way across to Buttertubs pass. As we were snaking up this picturesque peak we stopped to look down the ‘Buttertubs’ - some very large naturally formed shafts. Very impressive and very slippery, not somewhere you could look down in high winds. Luckily for us it was only a light drizzle and we could peer over the edges into the voids below. Peter Knight, our host and guide for the weekend was explaining how he’d chosen this route because of the tremendous view, however the low clouds had stymied that plan! We all geared up again and headed down into Hawes for lunch.

Hawes appears to be a bit of a magnet for bikers in the area and there were many more modern bikes parked up outside the café we headed into for refreshment.

After our lazy lunch and last minute provisions were purchased for the barbeque, we wound our way back to Redmire to see if more happy campers had arrived. More tea was drunk and the weather cleared into a beautiful afternoon and it was soon time to head out on the bikes again. The expected arrive of the Preston Posse didn’t occur in time for them to want to head straight back out, so a smaller group of us proceeded off in the direction of the Ribblehead Viaduct. Esther also choice to stay at the station and rest after a good mornings pillioning. It was a nice run of about twenty-five miles, back through Hawes and on upwards towards Ingleton. The run up to the viaduct had a strong headwind, but it was a pleasant ride and the viaduct stands spanning the valley at the end of it. It’s as a hugely impressive monument to the men who must have worked in isolated surroundings to build (in about 1875 I’d have thought). See the Yorkshire 2004 picture gallery for a visual flavour of the weekend.

The ride back from the viaduct to Hawes is about twelve miles, mostly downhill and all long sweeping bends, with few tight corner and we did the whole run with a tail wind. Well I’ve only had my ‘Beam just over a year and previously the most fun I’ve had riding was the limbo competition at the main SOF summer rally. The limbo has always held an allure and has always been favourite of mine – probably my main motivation for buying a ‘Beam in the first place! But on the run down into Hawes the bike purred along and swept round the corners in such style. Needless to say when we stopped in Hawes for fuel, I was smiling like a Cheshire cat.

Having topped up with petrol we sped back to base, parked the ‘Beams up on the lawn overlooking the station platform and wider valley beyond.

The barbeque was lit and it was soon piled high with delicious smelling food. We sat outside watching the sun go down, talking about bikes, about the SOF as Mike our new Rotor had popped back for the evening (without a ‘Beam) and the days rides. Later we moved inside to the warmth of the fireside to enjoy more of Nigel Wrae ‘jokes’ and to burn some bread.

In the morning it was admitted that during the night snoring had been an issue in the men’s dorm.

Redmire station

Sunday morning was bright and sunny and Peter and helpers cooked a marvellous meal, bacon, eggs and sausages all round. A spot on way to start the day, and all enjoyed whilst looking out over the lovely Yorkshire scenery. Before we set off on another run Sunday morning Dave (from Hull on a newly neatly restored S8) needed to tighten his head nuts, once again a small swarm of ready helpers formed to tighten the nuts in the order as advised in the book, all details memorised by the more experienced ‘Beamers. And with Esther back on the back of my ‘Beam, we were away to Hardraw, the Green Dragon pub and it’s Hardraw Force Waterfall. It’s the highest single drop fall in England and access is gained through the pub. You will have seen the waterfall if you’ve seen the film ‘Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves’. It’s a spectacular sight, worth seeing for it’s bizarre inn entry if nothing else. After the waterfall trip, a few ‘Beamers left us to continue back home, those who remained continued on towards Tan Hill. We had a run along side a railway track, that was being buzzed by a helicopter which was swooping down across the road upon which were travelling (at such low heights that traffic lights controlled our passage!) The helicopter was dipping into a pit to fill it’s bucket and then dropping it’s cargo about two miles away up on a hillside, quite what it was carrying we could only wonder.

The road up to Tarn Hill was quite tight and a little bumpy, but worth it for the lovely view and a trip to the highest pub in England. We lunched and lazed on the picnic tables outside in the sunshine. Peter our hard working guide took a well earned forty winks on a peaceful stretch of moorland (and wasn’t woken by snoring). Nigel Wrae explained his thoughts on how to set the world to right as we finished our drinks and were glad we were not young layabouts and didn’t have Nigel in charge of the country.

The afternoon run took us further over Tarn Hill, with Esther having to cling on tight over the bumps and lumps as we twisted our way back down the hill, through little villages and mining outposts and dropping down into Reeth for an ice-cream and a spark plug polish.

We returned to Redmire Station at mid-afternoon and collected our things, said our goodbyes and thankyous to Peter for organising us all and arranging such a fine range of runs out. Thanks again Peter.

If Peter can be persuaded to reconvene again next year, we’ll definitely be there. I’d recommend you try and get there too.