Page 14 - Police World Edition 1 2014
Basic HTML Version
14
POLICE WORLD
Vol 59 No. 1, 2014
Article
Over the August Bank Holiday the National Motorcycle Group held a ride out in the Derbyshire Peak District.
Group Secretary, Martyn Ripley, tells of their two wheeled adventure.
S
ixteen Motorcycle Group members and
their partners headed for Chesterfield, for
a two day tour of Derbyshire.
This event had been the brain child of Mick Marlow,
who had researched the attractions in the area,
and now his plan was seeing the light of day.
We all met and stayed for two nights in Chesterfield
- over a Sunday and Monday bank holiday. Mick’s
plan was to stay in a local hotel, allowing time to
explore and enjoy a relaxing time, whilst catching
up with friends.
Two new members, Harry and Judith Shone, joined
us for the first time. They quickly went from being
new friends to old friends. Harry’s bike, a Honda
Gold Wing, impressed. It was a massive machine
built to eat continents, which was surprisingly
nimble on the country lanes.
We were joined by locals, Bill Storey, Phil Goodwin
and his wife Jean. The atmosphere at the evening
meal became lively with banter - with Mick
Marlow’s red shorts being the target of much leg
pulling. It was accepted that at some point in the
future Mick will exact some friendly revenge on
some of us.
The following day began with a leisurely breakfast
in the hotel and then we left in convoy for our
day’s ride. We set off from Baslow and began our
six hour adventure. Phil led the way. Baslow is
adjacent to Chatsworth house - the iconic stately
home of the Duke of Devonshire.
The day was warm and sunny, and perfect for the
day’s riding in the spectacular hills and dales of
the Peak District. We were joined by other Group
members and our ranks grew to 19 bikes with 26
of us in total.
Phil has lived and served all his life in Derbyshire
and knows the roads and byways like the back
of his hand. He rides his BMW 1200 Adventure
around lanes which you would never discover
without him.
He skilfully led us away from bank holiday traffic
jams, which we smugly viewed from nearby
hillsides and vantage points. The countryside was
magnificent and he took us via uncongested back
roads to many of the traditional places the area is
famous for, including the Blue John mine and the
High Peak.
“Why go abroad when you have all this on your
doorstep?”
There is certainly no need if you get the
weather we were now enjoying. The Peak District
provided us with rugged wild geography at one
point and gentle sloping hills later on. This area
can offer some of the best riding in England, which
will compete with Wales, Scotland and Northern
Ireland.
We stopped, some two hours later, at a lovely
moors pub just outside Buxton, in Upper Hulme.
We stretched our legs and had a cuppa while
enjoying each other’s company.
The day finished in Bakewell, and most of us
headed off into town to sample one of the original
Bakewell puddings at a local tea house. This dish
was served with fresh cream and custard. Note
that these are Bakewell puddings and not tarts.
The traditional dish is not like the tart you buy at
your local bakers. You must try one at least once if
you are in the area.
It was then back to Chesterfield for our evening
out in a local restaurant where the ‘Red Shorts’
made a further appearance. Friendships were
strengthened as we regaled each other with biker
tales and memories of the
day’s ride.
The following morning it
was all over. After months
of planning and 48 hours
the weekend would move
from the present to a fond
memory. After breakfast
and a final chat about the
weekend and its success,
we all started to ride off
home - star bursting off
North, South, East and West.
We all vowed to meet up
again soon.
The IPA is all about
friendships, and this Special
Interest Group has led to
some very sound and deep
friendships being formed.
Motorcycling is often seen as a solitary
hobby, which is to some extent where the
phrase ‘Riding Solo’ comes from. But as
a Group we have proved that it actually
is a great way to make friends and an
excuse to combine the riding with an
enjoyable social event.
We plan to repeat this type of event next
year - so if your are interested get in
touch:
Martyn Ripley
,
Secretary, National Motorcycle Group
A
New Peak
for the
Motorcycle Group
To view
more pictures
from this event
visit:
/
Motorcycling-Group-
Chesterfield-Tour
National Motorcycle Group members enjoy the summer sun
