Snow Glorious Snow

[Fritz]

No way I'd take the BM out in this, too heavy, and too far to fall, but a lightweight overlooked humble gem of a bike....well....you just have to don't you?

No? Shame on you!

The third week of snow, the third week of limited access to the usual exercise, and starting to get stir crazy.

I had managed a run in the initial snow near three weeks back, we’d had a couple of walks to the hills starting and finishing in Thirsk, but no longer walks, and definitely no cycling….starting to feel a little frustration.

And so to a mad plan. The end of the working week, and Friday night we had a beautiful fall of fresh snow that measured around four inches. Definitely no chance for the usual exercise, but hey, what about a motorcycle ride? Now that’s lateral!

The roads were compacted snow, not much traffic passing, and the humble Serow has the perfect temperament! Hadn’t been out on the bikes for months and so had SORNd them, except the old Serow. Ideal for a two-up exploration of the local area, and perhaps attempt some of the trails.

Bev didn’t think it was an insane idea so we dug the garage doors free and checked out the bike. She runs without battery so we had no worries there. A few prods of the kick-start to circulate the lazy oil, petrol on, couple of kicks and, as ever, she fired up and settled into a fast idle. Blathered the chain in gear oil and geared up for our foray.

The main road was fine, and the first off road (Green Lane) was only a quarter of a mile away. It felt a little skittish as both wheels cut into the snow, but an easy throttle and light on the bars and we were away. After passing a few properties that use the lane we were onto almost virgin ground and even two-up the bike was having no difficulties taking us along the lane and up and down a few minor climbs. As long as we stuck to the virgin snow she was happy.

One advantage was the dip that would otherwise be a muddy mire was ‘clean’ and presented no difficulty. The gearing is so low that we could ride, even two-up, in third and forth – what a stalwart machine she is, under-powered after her 24 years of service, but hey, we didn’t need speed anyway.

The lane is only a short one unfortunately (but delightful) and we had to join a minor road to Bagby to continue our White Horse Challenge. The road was white over but offered surprising confidence. The snow this year is definitely different to our usual fare, it’s powdery, and the weather has been cold enough to keep it that way. Much more like you’d find in Norway – but hey, that’s where it’s blown in from. So long as it is only lightly trafficked is inspires more confidence than a semi-clear road, or a black one that might just be sheet ice!

After a few miles it was clear that with care we would be safe to ride on. Before Kilburn we came upon a bright yellow micra on its roof at the bottom of Osgoodby Bank. It had been there a while though (police aware) and there were no hazardous conditions now – provided care was used.

Into Kilburn and the road to White Horse Bank was untreated and completely white compacted snow. No problem whatsoever as I had by now realised I was in a very privileged position grip wise due to Bev sitting on the back. The rear was well planted (and no the wife isn’t fat!) and the tyre was gripping remarkably well. I would think one up it would have actually been more difficult.

The plan was to try and take High Bank Town Road up towards the gliding club on Sutton Bank. It was a struggle up the last of the switchbacks before the start of the lane, but we made it through after a bit of running the bike alongside us for just the last few yards.

High Bank Town Road is not the easiest climb when conditions are against you, and it looked tricky covered in inches of virgin snow, and it was! After a few yards of fruitless fishtailing whether two-up or one-up we decided it wasn’t worth continuing…would have meant a hell of a long push! Maybe white Horse Bank itself? No, again it was most definitely closed and 1in3 on snow is more than the bike would take (or any probably?).

As we were running onto reserve we thought we’d try another route, but first back into Thirsk for fuel, and many a bemused look at the sight of the little bike two-up in such trying conditions.

Re-fuelled we headed out for Felixkirk and more attempts on the hills. Apart from the not infrequent highly elevated (vehicle and occupant) 4x4s there was little on the road. As an aside here I must say listening to the news you’d think a) the council make no attempt to clear the roads and b) there is no road salt left in the country. Both are entirely wrong and it seems so unfair to criticise the very people that are working around the clock to clear our roads. Considering the conditions the previous evening even many of the minor roads were fairly clear, it was our choice to deliberately take some of the very minor routes. The country seems to thrive on negativity.

Again to the top past Felixkirk the grip was full even though the road wasn’t completely clear. There is a small cut through past Cinque Cliff Grange and a tractor had ploughed through. One last route as now it was late afternoon and getting quite chilly and snow clouds were starting to release their wares. The snow was piled three foot high besides the track and as it descended towards the Thirlby side it was quite apparent this might not make the easiest return route, one-way only. A final stop to admire the views before taking a very minor (and treated!) road towards Boltby.

On the way home I decided to try and climb along a completely untreated very small steep road (not that you’d know under it’s white blanket) but near the top the rear wheel started spinning and the hilarious laughter of Bev on the back made me think now was the time to turn and go home.

We’d been out for 3 hours, done all of 42 miles, but had a fantastic adventure; almost got everywhere we wanted to, and had enjoyed spectacular scenery and peaceful country lanes, and not one off! Back home to warm up and indulge in hot chocolate…but not before blathering the bike with some more gear oil on the chain and a quick rubdown.

Yet again, the humble Serow had served us well!

Live a lot

The piccies are :-

The auld Serow and the (white Green Lane), yes Snr Jose de Boxer, the one virtually on our door steep

Your Truly and the Kilburn White Horse (look closely)

The Serow in repose atop Felixkirk

The wonderful pillion and her bike by deep snow

[Trippy]

Cool but nuts

[Johnnyboxer]

One problem...................you never asked me

[Boristhebold]

Great read folks. Good old ballast...oops I mean Bev..
All the best
Dave

[Cogs]

The Serow: the only way to travel in this weather I've been out on mine every day, wouldn't dream of firing up the GS in this.

Only downside: I daren't wire up the Gerbing, I don't think the diminutive battery would stand for it (or heated grips)

[matron]

Originally Posted by Cogs

The Serow: the only way to travel in this weather I've been out on mine every day, wouldn't dream of firing up the GS in this.

Only downside: I daren't wire up the Gerbing, I don't think the diminutive battery would stand for it (or heated grips)

id love to be out on mine... but it aint got a coil at the moment

Originally Posted by matron

id love to be out on mine... but it aint got a coil at the moment

not a natural pairing is it a coil and a midwife

[Boristhebold]

@Judge

[Wraithwrider]

Looks like a whole lot of fun there Fritz.

[mike wright]

Originally Posted by judge

not a natural pairing is it a coil and a midwife

[Fritz]

Well having had snow and cold weather from before Christmas it's now done the usual thing and thawed and turned to kak I must be the only person in UK saddened by this return to 'the usual'.)

Rode me 400/4 and Z250 solidly through the last 'proper' winter in 80's for work, site and pleasure but I appreciate now it wouldn't be so much fun - older and... wiser

John - would have contacted you, but was very short notice, and sure you'd be snowed into your love shack anyway

We must manage a Yorks get together once things improve a bit, been a long old time...and Bev gets to cuff (not in a police restraint way of course) Mr Boulder

Cogs, the Serow would run heated grips, heard of a few with them, though obviously this one couldn't. The Serow is such a good bike for trying conditions, but then probably so is a CG125, but no kudos!

The day after we had a wander around a local nature trail (first chance to get anywere since New Year) and left some minature snow art for those that followed - S' no bank see.

Such talent

Now I can see how it runs in the family...

Looked like great fun... we also had some great snow, but too much on the slippy side for the bikes, as you know...

No bikes but here's a shot looking towards the Mourne Mountains last weekend, before the big thaw...

[Fritz]

ahh...the wonderful land of my fathers....erm....mothers then

Lovely, hope James is improving..

A week later and it's nearly gone here too, though White Horse Bank may still impassable, grey drudgery which ever way

[Cogs]

Ha Ha!

I see you've gone to print!

TRF Trail Feb 2010 No. 378, pp14-16

Well done