Yarmouth to Yarmouth

Martham near Great Yarmouth to Yarmouth IOW was conceived after a few drinks on last year’s Yar to Bar event.  Mike Barrell informed us early on that he would not be able to attend as he has family holiday commitments to consider at that time of year and Keith (his father in law) was also planning on moving (to Suffolk).  Phillip Chenery, a new boy to the moped scene, had made enquires about our big runs and was slotted into the vacant rider’s spot; Matthew Hodder volunteered for backup and support duties.  As for previous events, Travelodges were booked around Christmas time, the cost being split between the five riders to cover the accommodation including back-up man as a thank you for providing support.  The initial plan would have been to stay on the Island, but was dropped.  After a long day riding, arriving to make a ferry crossing including the back-up vehicle seemed like a plan too far.  So three days to get to Lymington and a less strenuous day to cross to Yarmouth (with or without the ’peds) was the master plan.  Dave Wickens was given the job of sorting the three middle days, which left the first two and the last two to me.  Matthew offered his services and spent many hours planning and buying OS maps, however, when he came round with it marked on a road map there were parts I did not agree with and did not see how I could combine his instructions with my amendments so the whole 200 miles were plotted on Google Maps and notes made.  This was very time consuming and did not always work but at least I knew (in my head) where I wanted to be heading.  Matthew’s map was amended and cut into A4 sheets and the notes were all laminated as I was expecting us to be getting wet.  Matthew kindly fitted a tow bar to the Kangoo and Dean added an extra runner to my 2 bike trailer.

Jim Davies arrived with two bikes on the Saturday evening and together with Matthew we enjoyed a meal in the Kings Arms.

Day 1: Sunday, August 2

Sunday morning was manic as first Harold arrived with Phillip and his two bikes.  Then Matthew in the Kangoo with his Ciao and Jim (after his sleepover) arrived.  The spare bikes including my NVT Easy Rider, bags, spares, fuel cans etc were all loaded; David Wickens was dropped off by his wife Sandi who then had the long drive back to Sussex.  Not too long after our intended departure time of 9:00 we were ready to set off.

I did blow the cobwebs off the Honda and I did have a spare old, old stock plug; it is said the only time a PC50 stops is when it runs out of fuel!  That moment happened just five miles into the run, Doh!  Thankfully, MH spotted us and my can had some fuel in it, the kitty was sorted and away we went.  We didn’t bother with actually leaving from Greatt Yarmouth, preferring to take a rural route via Reedham Ferry where Dave Wickens came out with a classic ‘Don’t they know how to build bridges in Norfolk?’  First official meet with MH was after crossing the A140, which went OK.  Although still in Norfolk, I was in an unfamiliar area and was really looking for somebody to lead with me second—this didn't happen and we set off following MH.  Jim had an issue and we were altogether then, don't ask why, but when we came upon MH kneeling to take a picture I thought that was just it and rode straight past him (sorry).  We then made our own way to Thetford and MH went his way.  We met up at the Deer’s Leap pub (in the plan) and a lunch was ordered.  Before the lunch arrived we were met by John Burgess who had ridden from Crewe via an event and overnight stop in Leicester. What a Legend.

JB had ridden some of the route to meet us and lead us on the next leg to Wicken.  The plan was to stop at the Fen but, just before that, they were holding a picnic on the green event so cream scones and teas were enjoyed before a visit to the working mill.  We then carried on the A1123 before turning off onto minor roads that took us via a back entrance to the garage and into the Fenstaton Travelodge avoiding the very busy A14.  The bikes were chained together next to an Africa Overland vehicle—now there’s an idea for a future run!

MH had checked us in and taken the bags to a room and the kettles were hot.  A short walk to the village and a pint and meals were enjoyed in the local pub.

Day 1 pictures at: www.flickr.com/photos/40103650@N04/albums/72157657017940369.

Day 2: Monday, August 3

After breakfast in the adjacent Little Chef, JB was press-ganged into doing lead and we set off to the first scheduled stop at the Shuttleworth Collection.  No reflection on John’s excellent leadership but probably more to do with my notes, we saw more of the road works in Biggleswade than we should have done and surprise, surprise, who should we meet coming in the opposite direction but Sussex Luke.  We then ended up on the A1: that was definitely not in the plan; Shuttleworth was off the next roundabout so we went for it.

Not recommended but we made it to Old Warden.  It was not planned to visit the collection just to call for a coffee break, but the doors to the hangers were open so you could see the exhibits and I did sneak past the barrier to take pictures of the bikes on show.  Luke followed us for a bit then doubled back as he had planned to meet his sister in the afternoon. We carried on past Dunstable Downs and then Whipsnade Zoo to meet up with MH at The New York Diner for lunch. We carried on and my sheets were not working so Dave Wickens stepped up to give JB a break.  Dave ignored my instructions and did an excellent job of leading, just occasional looking at my marked map but leading from his own taped to the tank of his bike.  Just the one hill that was too much for the PC50s and Moby.  Phil and Jim had to get off and push and JB kindly came back to help me.

Just one minor off-piste moment after that, Dave did very well to get us all the way to Reading Travelodge where there was an adjacent pub & eatery that did an excellent carvery at a very reasonable price.

Day 2 pictures at: www.flickr.com/photos/40103650@N04/albums/72157657370532106

Day 3: Tuesday, August 4

Back in the morning at 8:00 for the all you can eat breakfast, which was very good. Dave Wickens had been given the task of route master for this end of the run and discussed with MH meeting points, etc.  We had to cross the M4 then get in the outside of three lanes to turn right off the A33; just as we reached the junction there was a gap in the traffic and we got across, that was close.  It was busy at times passing Aldermaston, then all of a sudden Dave’s normally ultra reliable machine suddenly died.  No spark; MH was contacted to come back for us then with a fiddle of the wires in the mag she fired up again; recovery was cancelled.

Not long after that another stoppage and it was found that the wires on the condenser were loose.  Matthew was not called this time and we set off again only for it to stop again.  Fearing the worse (although it started again) we found a spot and called for MH to return; various options were discussed as to how Dave could get a replacement bike to continue.  Five miles in two hours was not good and we carried on with Matthew following, arriving at Stockbridge for lunch with no more problems.  We had planned an excursion to visit a private collection but this was cancelled as we were running late and in case of further issues.  Stockbridge was a nice break and we wandered along the street where we saw trout and eels in a stream that came under the road.  As we set off again the Puch faulted again, this time it was lack of fuel.  It was concluded that although the first two stoppages were lack of spark, the third and this were put down to the route sheet that Dave had taped to the tank blocking the vent hole on the filler cap and no more problems were encountered.

We followed Dave through some lovely countryside and hamlets with lovely thatched cottages and arrived at the New Forest for a photo shoot, then a gentle ride stopping for the cattle and the ponies that just amble about completely ignoring the traffic.  We arrived at Minstead and stopped for ice-creams and booked in for an evening meal at the local.  Matthew had checked us in at the TL and came to join us on the Ciao.

There was a scary bit to the Stoney Cross and tun left as you have to join the dual carriageway from a blind (to them) side road.  Bags all in the rooms again, it was soon time to set off for the walk back to Minstead.  Bit of an off-piste moment but nobody seems to care as we all get lost together.  Nice pint and meal, then the walk back.

Day 3 pictures at: www.flickr.com/photos/40103650@N04/albums/72157657029197458