National 2007 - proposed route from Salisbury

[Cie]

I'd like to get to the National Meet without sitting on mind numbing motorways for almost 7 hours.

This route will keep us pretty much off the motorways, but google reckons it'll take over 10 hours.

Anyone have any comments or suggestions, anyone want to join me on the way up?

[Xander]

Well it is a bit early.. . but yeah I am game! Well from coventry up anyway.

[Richie B]

Count me in Cie

[Colin]

Yep you can count me in for the long haul route as well .

[Richie B]

Yep you can count me in for the long haul route as well .

Will your bike make it up the hills Col ?

[Colin]

My new 1100 gs will follow you up most hills

[Richie B]

My new 1100 gs will follow you up most hills

oooh, tell me more! Not another defection to the dark side?

[Cie]

Having looked at the timings on that route plan, it's not going to take all that time. For example, it says 26 mins from Salisbury to Amesbury, it's more like 15, Amesbury to Pewsey is about 25, not 45.

Colin, assuming you'll be the furthest away, what time do you think you'll be in Salisbury? Just so we can think about time and whether we'll be pitching tents in the dark

[Colin]

You give me a start time and I can be there. Not a problem to me.

[Austin]

OK Dent isn't that far from me and I have been there a few times, but not that recently. nevertheless a few highlights from memory:

Dent is a picturesque and quaint yorkshire village - cobbled streets, stone houses, set in a quiet steep sided valley. Usual array of tea shops, wool/art/craft places and the usual tourists. But it is off the beaten track and is normally quiet. It is not a honeypot and it is still VERY rural. The road into Dent on Cie's route map is a gated road and a gradient of about 1:5! Best thing - the Pub with own Brewery "Dent Ale". It is superb.

Other things near by:

• Marton Arms - Thornton in Lonsdale - on Cie's route as you turn off the A65. About 20 different real ales and cider and reasonable food.
  
  Ribblehead viaduct for the train spotters. there is another spectacular viaduct (IMHO) at Dent Head.
  
  Legit Green Lanes see here http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/byw...fic_2.1.07.pdf I will try and ride or Landrover a couple beforehand to check suitability - unless others know anyway.
  
  Bike meets at Devil's Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale and Hawes. Popular rideout route Devil's Bridge - Sedburgh - Kirkby Stephen - Hawes - ribblehead viaduct - ingleton - Devil's Bridge. Popular with power rangers though coz they are fast roads.
  
  Altberg factory shop about 45 mins away
  
  real Wensleydale Cheese from Wensleydale available everywhere
  
  Best countryside in the world.

More sheep than you can count

That's all I can remember. It will be good.