Taking my test in February and passing the DAS test,
I soon got the fever and was out and about on my
bike as often as possible. My first big ‘out’ was a
week after my test when on a bright and as they say
crisp February morning set off from Manchester to
Liverpool, then Birkenhead (through the Mersey
Tunnel). A simple mixed road route that would total
around 70miles in total. My final call of the day was
in Chester, but having been too excited about the
first big ride ahead, didn’t check the address until I
set out from the previous call. Oops!
Not Chester as in the County of Cheshire, (about 10
miles away), but Chester Le Street as in County
Durham. (about 100 miles away).
I should have cancelled, I should have gone home
for my car. But no, I passed within 5 miles of my
front door and followed a route via Rossendale,
Clitheroe, Skipton, Ripon over the Pennines and
some of the most biker friendly roads in the north
west, and then the A1 to my call.
By 7pm it was minus 3 degrees as I followed a
gritting wagon across the moors and the
inhospitable M62 Saddleworth Moor, in pitch
darkness with only the glow from my nose and the
lights of Manchester on the horizon offering some
comfort. The knowledge I would be home soon gave
me hope. 346 miles on my first ride out, was this a
sign.