OP
@happy_wanderer avatar
UTC

Hooked
LML 125 4t & LML 200 4t
Joined: UTC
Posts: 132
Location: Durham, England, U.K
 
Hooked
@happy_wanderer avatar
LML 125 4t & LML 200 4t
Joined: UTC
Posts: 132
Location: Durham, England, U.K
UTC quote
A bright sunny morning today, so off I set on the LML to explore some of my favourite local country lanes just a few minutes ride from my home. The area is mostly farmland with mixed hedgerows instead of fencing and a great range of mature, established trees. Scattered settlements abound, such as the pretty villages of Bishopton, Carlton, Thorpe Thewles and many others, some with their ancient churches and village pubs of character.
The roads themselves are narrow and beautifully twisty but as maintenance of them tends to be a low priority, surfaces can be rough in places with grooves and potholes so care is always needed, particularly on bends and when approaching junctions. Speeds were low of course and I rarely exceeded 50mph (the road limit is 60mph outside of villages) but that is fast enough for this little scooter and gives the rider the opportunity to actually see the countryside!
A view near Trimdon, not far from home
A view near Trimdon, not far from home
Straight and narrow, near Fishburn
Straight and narrow, near Fishburn
Sedgefield village green, where some years ago President Bush had a meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair
Sedgefield village green, where some years ago President Bush had a meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair
Sedgefield Church entrance and War Memorial
Sedgefield Church entrance and War Memorial
A quiet lane near Bishopton
A quiet lane near Bishopton
The pretty village of Bishopton - an old chap passed by on  a bicycle and shouted "is that a Lambretta mate!"
The pretty village of Bishopton - an old chap passed by on a bicycle and shouted "is that a Lambretta mate!"
Verdant countryside near Thorpe Thewles
Verdant countryside near Thorpe Thewles
A wind farm near home
A wind farm near home
@somerset avatar
UTC

Addicted
2019 Honda - The Monkey 2023 Honda - The Super Cub
Joined: UTC
Posts: 648
Location: Somerset England
 
Addicted
@somerset avatar
2019 Honda - The Monkey 2023 Honda - The Super Cub
Joined: UTC
Posts: 648
Location: Somerset England
UTC quote
Looks like you had a great day.

somerset
OP
@happy_wanderer avatar
UTC

Hooked
LML 125 4t & LML 200 4t
Joined: UTC
Posts: 132
Location: Durham, England, U.K
 
Hooked
@happy_wanderer avatar
LML 125 4t & LML 200 4t
Joined: UTC
Posts: 132
Location: Durham, England, U.K
UTC quote
Thanks Somerset. Yes, a fine day, sunny with little breeze and delightful rural roads, almost traffic-free. I was out riding for around two-and-half hours covering about forty miles. Had I taken a picnic, I would have probably spent the whole day!
@bob_copeland avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2013 Vespa 300 Super, 2022 Kymco AK 550
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3807
Location: Minneapolis USA
 
Ossessionato
@bob_copeland avatar
2013 Vespa 300 Super, 2022 Kymco AK 550
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3807
Location: Minneapolis USA
UTC quote
Happy,

Thanks for the photos. Just the English countryside I wanted to see.
I regret that I have not had the good fortune of visiting England
since 1974.

Question, due the pubs still have the two sides? I remember one
side for "The good old boys club" and the other side for the general
public. This question may really date me as an oldster.

You really have an excellent area to ride in.

Bob Copeland
OP
@happy_wanderer avatar
UTC

Hooked
LML 125 4t & LML 200 4t
Joined: UTC
Posts: 132
Location: Durham, England, U.K
 
Hooked
@happy_wanderer avatar
LML 125 4t & LML 200 4t
Joined: UTC
Posts: 132
Location: Durham, England, U.K
UTC quote
Hello there Bob! Yes, the English countryside can be very attractive and despite some areas of intensive agriculture, much remains little changed since WWII. It is an area of stark contrast too. If you head twenty miles to the west of where I am in Trimdon, it becomes much more hilly and the fields change to open, stony moorland populated by roaming sheep! It is still criss-crossed by numerous rural roads and pebbled tracks though, so great for two-wheels, but do fill-up your fuel tank before heading out!
Your pub question is interesting. I can recall pubs with that somewhat unwelcoming layout, but I would say it must be quite a rarity now. Pubs have had to change to suit their customers, generally are much more inclusive, welcoming families, serving food and even providing coffee which would have been unheard of just a couple of decades ago. Sunday is now a popular day for a family drive into the country, having a stroll followed by Sunday lunch with perhaps a glass of wine or a coffee in a welcoming, characterful pub, often with a roaring open fire. Sounds idyllic!

Geoffrey
OP
@happy_wanderer avatar
UTC

Hooked
LML 125 4t & LML 200 4t
Joined: UTC
Posts: 132
Location: Durham, England, U.K
 
Hooked
@happy_wanderer avatar
LML 125 4t & LML 200 4t
Joined: UTC
Posts: 132
Location: Durham, England, U.K
UTC quote
Bob - County Durham postcard!
Forum member supplied image with no explanatory text
@wbdvt avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
'16 Sprint S 150, 2 x '06 GTS 250, '12 GTS 300, '74 Vespa 150 Super
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1633
Location: Vermont
 
Molto Verboso
@wbdvt avatar
'16 Sprint S 150, 2 x '06 GTS 250, '12 GTS 300, '74 Vespa 150 Super
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1633
Location: Vermont
UTC quote
Thanks for the ride report and pics! Very enjoyable
OP
@happy_wanderer avatar
UTC

Hooked
LML 125 4t & LML 200 4t
Joined: UTC
Posts: 132
Location: Durham, England, U.K
 
Hooked
@happy_wanderer avatar
LML 125 4t & LML 200 4t
Joined: UTC
Posts: 132
Location: Durham, England, U.K
UTC quote
Thank you wbdvt, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
UTC

Hooked
PX150E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 258
Location: Florida, USA
 
Hooked
PX150E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 258
Location: Florida, USA
UTC quote
Thank you for posting those photos of the beautiful English country side. They bring back my wonderful time in Oxfordshire from 1974-1977 when I served in the US military.

I did not have Vespas back then, but rode motorcycles for several hours on weekends, along peaceful traffic-free roads just like you are doing now, and could never get enough of those rides. Fun times!
OP
@happy_wanderer avatar
UTC

Hooked
LML 125 4t & LML 200 4t
Joined: UTC
Posts: 132
Location: Durham, England, U.K
 
Hooked
@happy_wanderer avatar
LML 125 4t & LML 200 4t
Joined: UTC
Posts: 132
Location: Durham, England, U.K
UTC quote
thank you sp949, it is so nice to know that you have good memories of your stay in England.

Modern Vespa is the premier site for modern Vespa and Piaggio scooters. Vespa GTS300, GTS250, GTV, GT200, LX150, LXS, ET4, ET2, MP3, Fuoco, Elettrica and more.

Modern Vespa is made possible by our generous supporters.

Buy Me A Coffee
 

Shop on Amazon with Modern Vespa

Modern Vespa is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com


All Content Copyright 2005-2025 by Modern Vespa.
All Rights Reserved.


[ Time: 0.0127s ][ Queries: 4 (0.0053s) ][ live ][ 334 ][ ThingOne ]