25th Durham Dales Motorcycle Run

25th Annual Durham Dales Motorcycle Run 9th June 2019

This year’s run was blessed with sunshine and dry roads which made a nice change given the rather unseasonal weather of recent events. The Crown Inn at Manfield saw 60 plus riders setting off on the 73 mile morning session with most arriving at the lunch stop having had a trouble free run. This year the route ventured up to the Derwent Reservoir and Blanchland which was always a traditional part of the route a few years back, so it was nice to incorporate this once again. Westgate Ford, as ever, posed a challenge given the recent rainfall but a couple of brave souls attempted it, with most taking the sensible option of the alternative route. The Strathmore Arms, at Holwick in Teesdale once again served up a splendid buffet lunch to refuel the riders for a somewhat less challenging 38 mile afternoon route taking us back to the Crown via the Grassholme & Balderhead Reservoirs and Egglestone Abbey.

As is now the format for the run, the formal presentation of awards will take place later in the year at the clubs Presentation Evening. For those not able to make it on the night trophies will be posted out.

This year’s winners are as follows –

Spirit of the Dales’ – Trevor Parrot, 1960 BMW R50

Best Small Capacity – Rufus Cant, 1975 Yamaha 90

Best Non-TYMC – Richard Bell, 1951 Sunbeam S8

Best TYMC – Bill Hardy Norton 88 (the ‘red one’)

Marshalls choice – Tony Armstrong, 1961 AJS model 31 CSR

Just a quick thank you to Steve, Ken and Derek for their help on the day, without whom we would struggle to make the run happen. Thanks also go to Leonard for posting information and photos on the website, the owners of the start and lunch venues for once again putting up with us all, but most of all a big thanks to everyone who supported the event and turned out on their bikes for what was hopefully an enjoyable day, spent in good company and doing what we all like best, riding owd’ bikes.

Cheers, Tiggy

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