At last the 2013 riding season begins!

After a long, cold and wet winter which ran through Easter and beyond, today's warm weather was too good an opportunity to miss, so I decided to go for my first long distance ride of 2013. I left it to the last moment to decide on the destination, watching the forecast and judging the temperature etc outside. So it was over an early breakfast that I chose to go home to Scotland!

The Panigale and I left home just after 7 under overcast sky and hit the A42 and M1 for Yorkshire. Not long after passing Sheffield the sun came out and it remained that way until I arrived in Hawes. I left the A1 at Ripon and went through Wensleydale to the Penny Garth cafe in Hawes via Leyburn. It was good to get off the Motorway and onto the twisting Yorkshire Dales roads, which were mainly dry.

After a reviving cuppa and a chat about Panigales I headed off towards Penrith just as the heavens opened! It absolutely bucketed it down all the way to the Scottish border. So I accepted the challenge of riding the remaining Dales roads in wet conditions, and sitting out the motorway blat in pouring rain. Apart from stopping to change into my Rukka gloves my kit worked well and I was snug and dry inside.

Next stop was in Longton on the A7 for petrol, and as I entered Scotland out came the sun! A great blast up the A7 to Hawick and then over to Jedburgh where I stopped for a late lunch and more fuel.

After lunch etc it was A68 time. I love the A68, I've been up and down it so many times in my life. The first time as 5 year old being driven by my dad in his Morris Minor. It never fails to give pleasure. Today it was dry and empty to Corbridge, so I really did enjoy it. After that although it didnt rain the road was wet and despite taking it easy I still enjoyed myself.

Next stop was at Scotch Corner for more petrol and a coffee. After that it was a motorway blat home by way of the A1, M1 and A38. Safely back just 12 hours and 540 miles later. The 2013 riding season is now underway! :)