Eshton Caravan Park, Gargrave (N53.9876 W2.101484) contd

 Wednesday, 2nd July 2025

Well, today is the day we have a further test ride appointment at JD Tandems, Gargrave.

True to form, considering we have had weeks without rain, today, it is raining (heavily).

Fortunately, the rain stops around 10:00 and we make our way to JD Tandems, to meet up with Jamie. After a bit of a "refresher course" around the car park, and, a short distance along Eshton Road, we are turned loose on their "Demonstration Model".

Bearing in mind we are not familiar with the area, and, we need quiet roads to hone our Tandem skills, Jamie recommends a ride to Airton Farm Shop.

The route is rather "undulating" and, some up the "ups" are rather large. But, just over 4.5 miles later, we arrive in one piece.

There are several other cyclists there, including another couple who are test riding a conventional tandem, from JD Tandems.

Coffee and scones consumed, we set off on the return trip. Kathleen was not too happy on the way here, "too many hills", but, Jamie has assured us that the return trip is generally downhill (although, it is still "undulating'). Sure enough, we return in significantly less time than the "to", and, Kathleen declares herself suitably pleased with our "maiden voyage".

One final thing to check, a small, but, essential point, will it fit in the garage of the Motorhome. The only way to be sure is to do it!, which we do. It goes in no problem, subject to us lowering the handlebar extensions. This is not a problem, and, it may well be that when we "tweet" the riding position to suit me more fully, it will not actually be necessary.

A little bit of time to consider, do we want to do this, followed by an offer by Jamie to sell us the demonstration model we have been riding, or, a brand new version (lead time 4-6 weeks), we conclude deal to buy the demonstration model, we collect it tomorrow!

Thursday, 3rd July 2025

The Hase Pino is duly collected, just after lunch, and loaded in the garage.

Friday, 4th July 2025

Home, after an enjoyable and fruitful 5 days, except, we, or, to be more precise, I, have a speeding Ticket, 35mph on a 30mph zone.

 

Eshton Caravan Park, Gargrave (N53.9876 W2.101484)

 Monday, 30th June 2025

A scorching hot day today, rising to 27c, not ideal for travelling, but, approximately 100 trouble free miles, traffic more or less moving well. Still a contra-flow near Skipton, where some massive road works ae still in progress. It looks as if they are re-routing the existing road, out of the valley to halfway up the hill side. 

We are early to arrive at Eshton Caravan Park, Gargrave, N53.9876, W2.101484, ie 11:30, but, the owner seems a jovial chap, and, raises no objections. Easy approach and well signposted.

After lunch we stroll into Gargrave only about half a mile, it seems quite a pleasant small place, a riverside park all very well kept. We locate the supermarket (COOP) and the two pubs (Masons

Arms and Old Swan), but, it is too hot at 27c to walk very much.

It is only a short stroll, over the Leeds-Liverpool Canal bridge, to J D Tandems where we have an appointment on Wednesday to further try out the Hase Pino Steps E6100, semi-recumbent tandem.

  

Tuesday 1st July 2025

A major change in the weather, but, for the better, on balance, temperature has dropped to around 19c, and, it is overcast. Much more pleasant for moving around.

My ankle / achilles tendon is still giving me grief, so, cannot walk far, but, we stroll along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal for a bit over a mile, in the direction of Skipton.

We would once have thought nothing of walking all the way to Skipton, at just over 4 miles, quite "doable". 

But, in present circumstances, a little over a mile along the canal is enough.

We see only one narrow boat, moored up. 

I am surprised, I would have thought the canal would have been much more busy, with people enjoying cruising along in their narrow boats.

We do see quite a few cyclists and dog walkers, but, again, not as many as I would have expected, given the pleasant weather, and, time of year.

We arrive back at Gargrave a little too early for lunch, so, a sit in the Riverside Park, to rest our legs after our stroll. Then, off to the Old Swan for lunch, and, very nice it was too.

Rain late afternoon.