Ride Reports

12th July 2026 to Skegness

A visit to the seaside town on the Lincolnshire coast.

It was an earlier start from McDonalds at Hyde with the riders heading into the heat of the day with an average temperature of 25 degrees, which was to remain all day. There was hardly any wind, dry with excellent good roads. It was idyllic summer riding, moving to keep cool!

Heading over the spectacular Woodhead Pass through the Peak District and a quick trip on the M1, it was time for a coffee stop at the Lock Keeper. Then, onwards to Skegness on some fast A and B roads we reached our destination.

In the centre, Gary had found a free bike park where there was “Street Food”. We found seats under an umbrella, where we enjoyed some lunch. Then, after donning alarming shorts for some, they walked down to the beach, while others enjoyed ice cream in the shade.

Back on the bikes, time was quickly disappearing with eta at Pops at a surprising 7.40pm, we had a long way home to enjoy. Southwards down the coast at Boston, then across to Clipstone, it was time for another coffee stop at the Fox Inn. Over the Cat and Fiddle we arrived at Pops at 9pm still with a temperature of 25 degrees.

With final coffees, cakes and hugs, we “smiling” bikers headed home tired, but what a great days riding. Again, special thanks to our Shepherd, with a mileage for the day's route of 262 - wow!!

21st June ride to the International Model Air Show

As requested, it was a repeat of our last years successful visit.

It was an early start from Poplar at 9.30am. Set in the gorgeous Shropshire countryside in the grounds of the 15th Century stately home covering over 1,000 acres. The Weston Park International Model Air Show is now in its 29th year and has established itself as one of the foremost model air shows in the country and holds its own on the world stage. The show attracts visitors and pilots from all over the world and continues to grow year on year. There was a massive number of jets and their pilots showing their magnificent aerobatic skills with many stalls where you could purchase these exciting models with their RC gear.

Weather was very hot and dry and our Shepherd took us on excellent biking roads there and back, with a final stop for coffees, cakes and hugs at the Cock Inn on the A49, then home. The air show was an excellent display in magnificent grounds. With a good exciting bike run on surprising quiet roads we are hoping for another repeat next year and hoping more can join in.

It was great to see Lynn and Geoff there, who left their bikes at home and motored down

7th June ride around the Lake District passes

It was a route of stunning scenery and roads. Also, beautiful weather with no hint of the forecasted heavy rain for the Lakes and surprisingly, hardly any traffic.

Starting from Lancaster Services M6 at an earlier 9.30am, it was up to Windermere and Ambleside, across to Skelwith Bridge for the challenging Hardknott Pass. However, there was an alternative, with a southern loop meeting up at Gosforth for lunch at the very posh Kelbank Pub for a round of Cumberland curly sausage, veg, mash and gravy!

Following lunch it was northwards through Cockermouth and easier passes, past Buttermere and onto the passes of Honister and Borrowdale. Through Keswick, with a stop for coffees and cakes at the Filling Station. Then, over to Ullswater and the Kirkstone Pass back to Windermere.

Here, our Shepherd took a diversion to follow the lakeside, and following a left turn to Kendal found The Ship pub for another round of drinks.

Here, we said our goodbyes and onto Lancaster and home after another great Manhoc day's ride.

Ride to Filling Station Cafe at Keswick

Starting from Rising Bridge at 10.30am, it was hot, and the day continued at a sunny 22 degrees.

It was across to Nelson, via Gisburn where we unfortunately lost Rich no 2 and Peter at the roundabout. We tried shouting, then waited, but they were long gone. Following mobile phone calls, they were located and we saw them later at Keswick.

Continuing on, up the A65, edging the Yorkshire Dales, to a busy Devils Bridge and Kendal. Filtering through Windermere and on to Keswick for an excellent lunch. A great biker's cafe with much atmosphere and menu choices.

Return was across to Pooley Bridge for a coffee and cakes, but the place was heaving with bank holiday folk, so we passed through. A change of route was proposed and agreed and we headed for the A6 and over Shap ( a favourite race track of our's Mr Sharkey's)!! Just before turning for the start, a welcome drinks visit to the Crown Pub was required.

A great full day, but with time just disappearing, we pulled over in a layby at Kendal, for final hugs goodbyes and headed for home on the M6.

Another fab very warm, Manhoc day's ride – what a change from our recent winter rides!!!

Sunday10th May 2026 to the Shropshire Hills

Starting from Poplar at 10.30am it was one big circle on great roads. The weather was perfect with a warming sun on a cool day.

With dry roads and hardly any traffic we were to enjoy the beautiful rolling scenery on the exciting twisting roads. Down the A49 to Whitchurch and onto Oswestry for a hearty pub lunch, at the Olde Boote Inn, then onto Knighton.

The return northwards was back to Shrewsbury, with a stop for coffees at The Lion in their gardens sat by the river, then onto Tarporley and back to Pops for final coffee, cakes and hugs.

A marvellous, long, enjoyable day, it was a struggle to head home with the photos telling it all. Another great Manhoc ride out.

Sunday 12th April 2026 ride to Settle & Hawes

Starting from McDonalds at Haslingdon at 10.30am, this was to be a “true classic run” on the best roads up, into, and around the Forest of Bowland to Settle, Ribblesdale valley.

Then to Hawes, where we consumed a large portion of delicious fish and chips - across to Sedbergh and finally down to Devils Bridge. We had all completed this run many times, albeit some time ago. Memories came flooding back as this had been the first major ride out that some of us had had on their bikes.

It was final coffees, cakes & hugs at the Bridge but as the warm sunny day was still quite young it was decided to “gary-vant” in our different directions back home. A great dry riding day missing all the forecasted showers. Also, a hearty welcome to Terry and Rod, “newbies” to the gang.

22nd March ride to the Yonderman Cafe

Starting from Poplar at 10.30am on a dry and clear day was a magnificent keen turnout of 12 bikers with one pillion. A warm welcome was given to the new riders in the group.

It was then onto the biking roads through Knutsford and Macclesfield and over the tops to the cafe. The famous and busy biker's Cafe/Takeaway, overlooking impressive vistas, serving locally sourced breakfasts, paninis, burgers and home-made meals with outdoor and indoor seating.

After being fed, it was back on the bikes to continue riding through the Peak District on some of the best twisties towards Congleton. On stopping at the Winking Man, on the Leek road, we found that we were ahead of schedule with most of the afternoon to spare!! So, straight back on the bikes for one of those famous “Gary-vants” and our Shepherd treated us to an extra excursion on some of his best 'home' back roads to Stone before heading onto more twisties for final coffee, cakes and hugs at Delamere.

A special mention was noted for Manhoc saving our countryside wildlife, as proceedings were nearly halted late afternoon, when a pheasant alarming flew from the hedge row to nearly wipe out the bird and our leader. Thankfully both were saved !!!

Over150 excellent miles were covered eventually that day, thanks to Gary, our Shepherd, and in great company,

1st March ride to explore the Trough

“Chased by a bull and Lost”.

Starting from McDonalds at Haslingdon at 10.30am, it was a run up, into and around the beautiful countryside of the Forest of Bowland and as the title suggests, exploring the many great small roads that we haven't been on for such a long time. The weather was fine, and dry, and the country road surface clean, which was a bonus for the twisting narrow country lanes we were quickly riding on. As we followed our amazing Shepherd, who never took a wrong turn, we ended the morning at The Black Pig, at High Bentham, for an excellent lunch stop.

However, the morning run was not without its tales, and almost disastrous, soon after we set off, as there was a large road traffic blockage. We overtook the stationary cars and got to the scene, where a loose bullock was running all over the road. At careful opportunities each of us eventually passed with hesitation and before the animal gave chase.

Then, later on the moors we came across the usual sheep but also a small band of wild horses, who luckily, were not interested in us, but nervously too close to the road for comfort. Also, not forgetting a bunch of rabbits crossing right in front of the bikes earlier, which had to be avoided.

So, continuing after lunch, it was off again, passing Caton and taking a left back south onto further new country Trough roads. However, after a while we very surprisingly passed the same walker twice going in different directions on the same road. Our Shepherd, amazingly announced that he and we were all lost!!. Instructions were given to break out “Matilda”, my sat nav. who guided us along on more twisting back-roads to Longridge and the Market Street pub for final coffees, cakes and hugs before departing for the M6 home.

An eventful, fairytale day out for Manhoc, along great country back roads – special thanks to Gary for a great day.

8th Feb ride to the Chain and Sprocket at Ruthin

Starting from Poplar at 10.30am it was slightly down the A49 to turn right at Ridley and over the hills to Ruthin.

The weather was good, better than first forecasted as we only met the rain on the way home with a splash at 2pm.

At the biker's Cafe/Takeaway they were serving locally sourced breakfasts, paninis, burgers and homemade meals with outdoor and indoor seating. We can recommend this one with a huge breakfast menu.

Back on the bikes to continue riding the great Welsh roads, we headed to Rhydlydan but there was a change of plan from Andrew and we were then on some fab twisty backroads to Betws-y-Coed and on to the A548 Llanrwst to Abergele – wow what a road !!!. Now on the coast, the highlight of the diversion could have been to have coffees on the pier at Rhyl. But we couldn't find it!!! However, we did find the Bells of St Mary's pub.

With final coffees, cakes and hugs we headed home after another great Manhoc Day's ride

Ride to Billy Bob's parlour

We started from McDonalds at Haslingdon at 10.30am. It was a run up and over on to the A59 just past Skipton then left up to the new Billy Bob's Parlour, an exciting American Diner.

Quite a large complex and very Americano with delicious food and with tummys full, we all looked forward to a revisit.

Return was up & over in to the Yorkshire Dales National Park to Hawes. Turning south it was back through the park to Clitheroe. with final cakes & hugs at Macs.

Yes, the weather was as bad as forecasted, with light rain, mist and a bit on the cool side, but, as our Shepherd said , he had never heard such rubbish and claimed that you didn't know that you could have so much fun on a wet day!!!

Great company and day and looking forward to the next ride in what ever the weather . “Dream dare and live it”.

21st Dec 2025 to Knott End

We started from Mac’s at Rising Bridge, Haslingdon at a start of 10.30am. The weather looked good with maybe a little rain in the morning, but it missed us. Though somewhat cool the roads were relatively dry.

It was an inverted route than was shown on the Manhoc web map. We now headed first through The Forest of Bowland, via Dunsop Bridge with a coffee stop at the Post office café. Then continuing through the Trough on to Knott End for an excellent lunch at the biker’s pub The Bourne Arms.

Return was south and our Sheperd then surprised us with a change of plan, to take us on some excellent country backroads to Guys Hamlet, just south of Garstang, for final hugs and wishes for a merry Christmas.

7th June ride around the Lake District passes