Photos galore: A magical journey around 9 fords in the Cotswolds, England

[stephenwc]

Time for a summer’s day group ride to 9 Cotswold fords last Sunday.

In February two of us had a look at 17 fords but had to discount 8 as wholly unsuitable for motorcycles. Didn’t stop us having a go though...

This is the ford at Kineton which was taken off the list as it’s full of large pebbles and rocks and is demanding to say the least.

Kineton ford 24 Jul 12 - YouTube

This is the final route we chose:


On the day we had 19 bikes and 20 people – a fabulous turnout.

[Click on photos for larger versions]

At Staverton Airport start point



John and his injured bike, complete with plasters...


A quick briefing with tips on how to cross fords


And we were off




Some fantastic scenery and great fords.

Shipton Oliffe http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shipton,_Gloucestershire


Sevenhampton http://www.sevenhampton.org/


A few shots of the riders at Sevenhampton ford

Andy


Angus

[stephenwc]

John A


On the way to Lower Harford ford and our first proper photo opportunity


Information sign at Lower Harford


We parked up to go and check out the ford


The ford at Lower Harford


Gary checked it out 100%


The Lower Harford Huddle


Stephen at Lower Harford (taken during the recce)


Dave at Lower Harford (taken during the recce)


“But the satnav said turn right...”


Stephen


Andy


Angus


Roy

[stephenwc]

On the way to Broadwell


Blockley http://www.cotswolds.info/places/blockley.shtml


Broadwell http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadwell,_Oxfordshire


Broadwell


Stephen


Rupert


Ian


Ray


Upper Slaughter http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Slaughter


Upper Slaughter (taken during the recce)


Roy


Nigel (There’s an R1200RT under that spray)


Ray


There was a bypass option at most of the fords

[stephenwc]

Lunch at the Lamb Inn near Bourton on the Water






Swinbrook http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swinbrook (taken during the recce)


Shilton http://www.shilton.info/Home/Shilton.html


The calm before the storm


Gary and Karen








Nigel








Paul


Dave and I took some film of my trip through the Shilton ford during the second recce 5 days prior to the group ride.

http://youtu.be/bjcWfN4BePA

[stephenwc]

Roy


Richard




I decided to call it a day at Shilton and set off (I’m in the distance) but was on my own for a while...


On the way to Middle Duntisbourne


Middle Duntisbourne http://www.photographers-resource.co...ourne_ford.htm

Taken during the recce (the tractor has now disappeared – pity)


Dave at Middle Duntisbourne


Duntisbourne Leer (listed in the Domesday Book AD1066) http://domesdaymap.co.uk/place/SO970...isbourne-leer/


Duntisbourne Leer


Duntisbourne Leer


Back at Staverton Airport comparing notes






A thoroughly enjoyable ride which I intend to repeat some time fairly soon. Watch this space...

Stephen

[Gojira]

Wow, what a fun lookin' ride!

Are all the white helmets a requirement?

[stephenwc]

Originally Posted by Gojira

Wow, what a fun lookin' ride!

Are all the white helmets a requirement?

It was fun Paul.

White helmets are not compulsory except if you ride a 'blood bike' that delivers blood products and organs to various medical establishments and hospitals.

A lot of our riders, in what is an advanced rider group, are blood bike riders and see no point in buying more than one helmet.

Stephen

[Tyler]

Like a bunch of kids playing in puddles... Some of those suckers were pretty deep too!! No stalled bikes or anything??

[stephenwc]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Like a bunch of kids playing in puddles... Some of those suckers were pretty deep too!! No stalled bikes or anything??

Nothing like that at all - all bikes made it through all fords fine.

Mind you the BMW1200GS couldn't attempt the deeper ones as its air intake is substantially lower than you'd expect for an adventure bike. Odd that.

it was a great day. Average age of the group must have been somewhere near 59 but all of us were playing at being 18 again. Why not grow old disgracefully eh?

Great fun.

Stephen

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by stephenwc

Average age of the group must have been somewhere near 59 but all of us were playing at being 18 again. Why not grow old disgracefully eh?

I was thinking closer to 5... And I wouldn't calling it disgraceful at all... I think entertaining your "inner child" is a very healthy thing.