The 'National Parks Ride' is a ride organised by Robert Roalfe, a fellow long distance rider. The idea behind the ride is to raise money for charity (Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance) by visiting some of the 15 National Parks of Britain.

Have a look at Robert's website here to find all details on the ride and how to join in.

National Parks Ride - Statistics

Wednesday the 9th of September

I've got 5 days off work, the September weather is amazing and I manage to get away on the bike for 2 days. I have already visited 8 of the 15 National Parks and plan to spend the next 2 days visiting the remaining 7. The 2 day ride would be around 1,300 miles and would take in the following Parks.

• The South Downs
• The New Forest
• Dartmoor
• Exmoor
• Brecon Beacons
• Pembrokeshire Coast
• Snowdonia

I'd finished in Snowdonia, which is a good 3.5 hour ride from home by 7.00 pm. On the way home I thought I could take a ride over the M62 or go over the top of the Peak District in the dark. I decide on the later and really enjoy the ride. I'm cautious of any wildlife that may be lurking around every corner and take a 5 minute break on the very top. There is a very spooky feel when I take my helmet off and there is no traffic, no people, no noise and no light - with no lights on you could not see 5 feet away. I enjoy the silence for 5 minutes, take the following photo and then move on.

I'm home and tired by 10.30pm having covered 1,300 miles in 2 days. Really enjoyed the ride and feel well chuffed that I have visited all 15 National Parks.

Monday the 8th of June

I have a few days off work so planned to visit the Scottish National Parks of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and the Cairngorms National Park. Scanning my maps to determine a good route I decide to also visit Fraserburgh and Peterhead, which should make a good 2 day ride. Fraserburgh and Peterhead are fishing ports which I find facinating, especially when the fishing boats arrive back into port after a few weeks at sea. The first photo that I needed is the Loch Lomond Gateway centre.

The second photo that I take is the Cairngorms National Park, which can be found a few miles east of Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands

After the above 2 parks were photographed I then headed upto the North East coast to Fraserburgh and Peterhead. The towns can appear a bit bleak at times but I'm really interested in what is going on and I enjoy the visit. Its early evening by the time I leave and I check into a hotel in Aberdeen by 8pm.

I check out the hotel by 8am and look forward to a nice ride home. There are a few places that I want to see on the way. First is the Forth road bridge at Edinburgh, I've been over the bridge hundreds of times but I'd always wanted to explore the area and the viewing areas. I managed a few good photos.

From here I picked a pleasant ride through the Scottish borders coming out near Newcastle. I then decided to jump on the A19 and go through the Tyne Tunnel and head home from there. This would allow me to pick up the North Yorkshire Moors National Park near Whitby.

The Scottish ride was 1200 miles.

Monday the 27th of April

Well today I have a day off work and with 2 good rides over the weekend I'm ready for another ride. No early start as I waited until Mel had left for work but I was out on the bike by 8.30 am. After doing over 700 miles on the Blackbird over the weekend I decided to take the BMW GS today and the plan was to visit the Broads National Park.

As a 14 year old I went to the Norfolk Broads on Holiday with my parents and Sister. I could not miss the opportunity to visit a few places such as Potter Heigham and Ludham, it brought memories flooding back.

The photo that I needed to take for the Broads was not clear, so I took the following 2.

Todays ride was 300 miles.

Sunday the 26th of April

After Yesterdays ride I am ready to do it all again. Out by 6am and a fast ride upto to Northumberland. I arrive at the visitor centre near Haltwhistle before they even open and take a photo. After the photo I then have a quick look around the area and a small part of Hadrian's wall before taking another fast ride home.

Again, I was home for Lunch and an afternoon with Mel. Todays ride was 400 miles.

Saturday the 25th of April

I've decided this weekend to ride a few miles in preperation for the upcoming Britt Butt Rally. Along the way I thought it would be a good opportunity to visit a few of the National Parks. On Saturday I used the Honda Blackbird and was out by 6am, I rode out to the Lake District only stopping for a quick coffee at Devils Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale. Devils Bridge is a place where bikers gather, a couple on a Pan European spot my Blackbird and he seems keen on having one - he is soon sat on mine trying it out for size and by the time I leave he seems well hooked.

The next stop is the Lake Districk visitor centre.

I do not even switch the engine off in the Lakes and I'm on my way again. The A684 runs from the M6 at Kendal through to the A1, this road takes in some great views of the Yorkshire Dales.

The roads are great and I'm really enjoying my first long ride on the new Blackbird. Next stop is the Museum in Hawes.

From here its a blast home arriving just after lunch and an afternoon with Mel. The days ride was 340 miles.

Saturday the 11th of April

Today would be my first chance to visit a National Park as I had the morning spare. I was out on the bike by 7am and had a ride out to the Peak District National Park. To claim this park I had to take the following photo, which was at a visitor centre alongside the ladybower reservoir. While in the peaks I took the opportunity to have a ride around Castleton, over Mam Tor and on the way home popped into Rainbow BMW in Rotherham. The mornings ride was just over 200 miles.