While some of our number were enjoying themselves in France and Belgium, those who could not get the time off to go abroad visited the Peak District. Braving the petrol blockades were Doc Sarah, Adrian Butcher, Adrian's mate Pete, Aran Gillespie (who finally made it to a QQ meeting!), Mike and Alison Gann, Bulldog (re-named Badger for some reason), Brian Smith, and Sarah's Stephen (still in a car - too busy to take bike test again!). Jeanne and Bonny were due to come, but sadly Bon was unwell, and they couldn't join us for the fun.
We stayed at the excellent Izaak Walton Hotel in Dovedale. Meeting at lunchtime, we headed into Matlock for chips and to look at the other bikes before heading North for a run through Hathersage and over Featherbed Top to Glossop, and a run down Winnatts Pass to Castleton. Doc Sarah was feeling a bit fragile, so met with the group in Castleton, having a slightly more leisurely run through Hathersage, Hope and Castleton. The main group then headed for Buxton and the Cat and Fiddle, before contending with some mud-strewn roads through Longnor and back to the hotel.
One particular bend proved a bit of a problem on the final section, with Aran ending up in a field (good job the Africa Twin is a bit of an all-rounder!), and Doc Sarah having a slippery moment on a cow pat resulting in quite a spectacular Haga-style powerslide round the same left hander, although managing to avoid an exploration of the off-road capabilities of the NC30.
So, thanks to Adrian for sorting out the route, Pete for leading the "ballistic" group, Stephen for navigating Doc S round the more sedate route, and the Izaak Walton Hotel for putting up with us, and providing us with an excellent dinner on the Saturday night.
Roll on Yorkshire in May 2001