Our day started not too badly, with a bit of a late start from home meaning that we just had time to sign on and get a couple of pictures before our start time of 09.11.
Once we got away it was a superb run down to Bainbridge for the lunch break. The TA was on song and climbed the hills with no trouble at all. We did try to take some video on the way to Bainbridge but somebody forgot to check the batteries in the camera. I can't say who in case I incriminate myself. We were in the company of some superb machinery ranging from a BSA Bantam to a Rolls Royce. The weather was a bit of a mixed bag with cold rain one minute and bright sunshine and warmth the next. The hood never goes up on my TA so no prizes for guessing what made us happiest.
Once at Bainbridge I changed the batteries in the camera and managed a few shots whilst eating lunch and chatting to other entrants. There are also a lot of visitors who come to see the cars and ask loads of questions. All in all an entertaining break.
Once at Bainbridge I changed the batteries in the camera and managed a few shots whilst eating lunch and chatting to other entrants. There are also a lot of visitors who come to see the cars and ask loads of questions. All in all an entertaining break.
Having left Bainbridge in bright sunshine, which stayed with us all afternoon, we tackled the first of the observed afternoon climbs, Askrigg Bank.
The next was Silver Hill, which was done with ease.
Following Silver hill we had quite a distance before the next observed hill and it was on this leg of the journey that disaster struck. Most of the day we had been in amongst other cars but for some reason we were the only car on the road for a while. We were barrelling along merrily at our own pace when a misfire developed. There was about five miles to go to the next checkpoint so I decided to keep going and investigate there. Unfortunately that was not to be as the misfire became no fire and we ground to a halt. I had just started to investigate the problem when the first good samaritan stopped to help. With all that was going on I can't remember how many stopped to help but it must have been close to a dozen people who offered advice and parts. You know who you are so if you are reading this Thank You. Your willingness to help a total stranger and the support you offered does you credit and maintains my faith in human nature. The problem turned out to be a failed rotor arm and many were offered but none was the right one. Whilst I was on the phone to the RAC, the end of course marshall happened along, closely followed by the event sponsor, who happened to have the correct rotor arm. With the engine now running again, the RAC was cancelled and we were on our way. Sadly we were now so late that all the following checkpoints would have closed, and even if we went directly to the finish there would have been nobody there. We accepted our fate as non finishers and made our way home. Despite the problems, it was a marvellous day and a big Thank You goes to George Jolley and his team of volunteers for all the work and planning that goes into such a great event, and all the work that actually goes into the day.
Our final Thank You goes to Ken of North East Motorcycles, Ivanhoe Terrace, Chester-le-Street, Durham, DH3 3JB, The sponsor of the event and the man who came up with the gold in the form of a rotor arm which fitted. All in all a superb day in every way and I look forward to next year. I'll be carrying a spare rotor arm next year so if we do hit trouble you can guarantee it will be something different.
Our final Thank You goes to Ken of North East Motorcycles, Ivanhoe Terrace, Chester-le-Street, Durham, DH3 3JB, The sponsor of the event and the man who came up with the gold in the form of a rotor arm which fitted. All in all a superb day in every way and I look forward to next year. I'll be carrying a spare rotor arm next year so if we do hit trouble you can guarantee it will be something different.
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