Touring on the Royal Enfield Classic 500 Vol1. The Mules day out, and the Road of Stones!

Part one of my little tour around the Yorkshire dales on the little bullet. A small detour off road almost leads to am emergency change of underwear!
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PATREON. / stuartfillingham
MUSIC Credit. Kevin McCleod, "Lord of the Feast"

[@geraldscott4302]

I started riding off road at age 8, back in the late 60s, on a Bultaco Lobito 100. I continued riding off road and on farm roads for 8 years, improving my skills. I learned to do wheelies, jumps, and slides. I crashed several times but never got seriously injured Then at 16 I got my license and my first street bike, a 1972 Suzuki GT380 2 stroke triple. Then at age 21 in 1980 I got my first new street bike, a Suzuki GS450L. Since then I have had over 50 bikes and ridden slightly over a million street miles without a single accident. I have been to 49 U.S. states and ridden in Canada and Mexico. But I still ride off road, and on dirt roads on a small trail bike, a 2001 Yamaha XT225. At my age I don't do anything crazy anymore, but I still love riding on dirt.

[@clunkygearbox]

The RE has encouraged a really civilised and relaxed style of adventure biking! Great soundtrack as well.

[@MrTeriyakiman]

I think the little mule should be proud of itself. It’s just done more off-roading than most GS’s will ever do (mine included), and handled it with aplomb!

[@whatsstefon]

Absolutely. Mine goes off-road a lot. Along with my friend on his BMW.

[@bencarpenter3785]

Exactly 😂😂🇦🇺👍

[@manishbhoola]

Tough but amazing ride. The gentle thump of the muhle just makes it all the more engaging!

[@andymoore683]

Great video. I rode a 350 bullet from the bottom of India to to top of Pakistan and back in the 90s. 2 up with tons of camping gear, a big bag of weed, sandles, no helmets or vehicle documents, or spare parts.. It was the best time ever! Love those bikes xx

[@adamcordeiro4459]

What a beautiful place! This is the kind of adventure I like, relaxing, contemplative. Your videos are always a pleasure to watch. Thanks, Stuart!

[@stratpod]

Stu the quality of your video's is just astounding, especially the waterfall, thanks so much for the time and effort you put into them, looking forward to the next one, cheers mate

[@ZachjamesELA]

Got the biggest smile when after listing all of the reasons not to go down that steep road an expecting you to turn around…. then for you to go for it anyway! 😎

[@themoog3889]

I bet there have been more adventures and roads less travelled done on that style of bike than there has been on modern 1200cc behemoths that most people think they need for adventure ! I own an "adventure" style 650 and she never leaves the black stuff really because I know if she went down fully laden I'm too feeble to get her up ! A bit like that fat girl I got drunk on the 80's but that's a different adventure 😉 I think you did pretty well as did the Mule ! Great film as always !

[@bernardbusch6729]

Now in my mid seventies, a few months ago I bought a R/E "Desert storm' and to my very pleasant surprise I find I have joined what could be described as a Giant 'club' of R/E enthusiasts. Although I once owned a British 500 back in the 60's I was never an experienced motorcyclist. I'd like to thank you for posting these very pleasant to watch rides you do, especially as we in Australia are also in this covid madness.

[@philbachmann6398]

Fabulous. The bash - plate being more as a result of clairvoyance than for sight.

[@patrickmathews1646]

That was a most enjoyable video. Viewing those backroads and countryside made my morning. Thanks.

[@derekwarner6898]

Great video, with humorous and well structured narration, our Stuart is no Itchyboots, but enjoyed the trip anyway!!!

[@marcjohnson7734]

Been in new Zealand near on 30 years...not once have I been homesick...until I saw this video,I'm not from Yorkshire but the Cotswolds it looks very similar...great video loving the classic 500 👌

[@steveaustin62]

I've been in NZ nearly all my life and it made me homesick too! What a delightful video, pulse rate and blood pressure lowered.

[@brikfiend]

It's not the destination ,it's the journey . I often turn off onto an unfamiliar road ,sometimes it's a dead end and sometimes it leads to all sorts of shenanigans . Great film SF .

[@kevintracey4644]

Just goes to show the durability of the RE Bullet and as has already been said there is no need for monster touring bikes if you’re sensible. Looking forward to part 2.

[@motosnape]

What a great video. Beautiful scenery (it's not Wales or Scotland, but it's good, nonetheless). Cheerful, celtic music, and a great narration mixing humour and mounting drama for impending peril, that happily never happened. ....and not a single word of Euro bashing. Excellent video.

[@agelaonsoikea]

This video is a real classic! Nice music and engine sound along with a good narrative. Thanks!

[@davidcoudriet8439]

A great little motorcycle! It makes a very nice sound. Thank you for showing the beautiful scenery, roads, and villages.

[@vijgai3]

The bullet can handle that track easy as long as the rider is sensible just like you are. Well done!!! From Sydney, Australia.

[@pauldaviesvoiceover]

Wonderful, thanks for bringing us along Stuart.

[@geoffparkes]

And this is why I bought the trials replica. Well done on the off road section, Stu. Brilliant video!

[@sanatandharma4435]

Really lovely and that medieval music is a favourite of mine. Much appreciated indeed!

[@AndrewSmith-hy8gl]

Absolutely fantastic Stu, really well done off road - loved every second, really looking forward to part 2. Thank you, stay safe.

[@ClassicRides]

Have to admire the courage of knowing the odds are stacked against you, but going down that track anyway. 👏🏻

[@patrickzanotti1452]

Great video! I’m a new RE Classic 500 owner, it’s the most amazing and TRUE motorbike I’ve ever tried. Patrick from Switzerland🙂

[@ericweber1969]

That road looks like a greener version of all the dirt roads out here in Arizona! Beautiful scenery, I’d love to visit someday!

[@Don-lw4cb]

Great stuff Stuart as usual, I bet you were glad to get off that track with man and machine unscathed. Well done.

[@raydean9330]

Well done Stuart, kept shiny side up And you enjoyed the days ride

[@SteveInskip]

A grand day out! Off-road is the new on-road Stuart…..embrace it! 😉😉🚜🚜🚜.

[@birbeck87]

My part of the country great video and quite brave under talking the mountain roads👍 well done great vidio

[@disco41]

Excellent sir nice bit of off roading 👌 fair play to the bullet. 👍

[@vishnuhs6439]

Royal Enfield makes every ride different & memorable...

[@garycarr2530]

Another great video Stuart I think Mr Spielberg would have been happy with the opening waterfall sequence

[@miserablemongoose1670]

Great vid Stu, very relaxing to watch. Just shows (as has been said) you really don't need a huge adventure bike to enjoy touring!

[@TheChrysler56]

Great video Stuart. At least it didn’t pour down. Myself and “she who cracks the whip” love Leyburn. The dive to Hawes from there is not bad either. I used to deliver the fuel to that Gulf garage in Leyburn. Yeah! I enjoyed that video as usual. Glad you made it through safely to that tarmac road too. I doubt you’d of gone down that steep track if it had been raining. Thanks to all your patrons for your trip to the Dale’s. 😊

[@rumblin_cynth_rampo374]

Superb stuff. And thank you for bring back memories of when that area of Yorkshire was my biking playground.

[@xperiakppxperiaphone2807]

Phew!! Held my breath all the way down the hill

[@bonza167]

I can relate to this. take a side detour to do some exploring knowing full well that things could easily turn to $hit. the road soon becomes a billy goat track, but there's no turning back. being way out of ones comfort zone fills you up with a cold sweat. but once completed, a good memory providing one has survived

[@bushy1962]

Lovely video Stuart, cracking little ride up and down a very rough and narrow memory lane . 😊👍

[@BilgemasterBill]

I'd say you and "The Mule" acquitted yourselves quite well--I'd even say "adeptly". It's good to see a Bullet's still got "mixed surfaces" in the blood even a generation or three along. Yours sounds particularly gratifying too.

[@wscottald]

I don't know about others but I like seeing this type of video where you are just riding through the country. Since I can't be there, at least I can get a feel and see the area that I'd love to be able to ride some day. In regards to off-road type riding, when I was younger I realized that I didn't have the self control to limit riding to safe levels, so I sold my beautiful 1985 Honda 550 Nighthawk, which I loved the engine and everything about that bike, and instead went pure off road with a Honda CR125 and learned how to ride and race off road. I figured I'd rather deal a tree or rocks instead of other cars and putting others into danger. Eventually I bought a 1998 Suzuki DR350SE and got back on the road after years of staying off the street and learning how a motorcycle can be handled under a lot of different conditions. My RE 650 is my first real street bike in a lot of years and the effortless and smooth nature of the bike reminded me so much of my Honda's of the past which is one of the reasons I was drawn to it. I know off-road riding isn't for everyone, but some people have different reasons for what they ride and I think what matters most is that you just get out and enjoy life while you can.

[@antonionorbertopetti3081]

Es única, genuina y noble. Tengo una RE Classic 500cc Pegasus Edition 2018 militar, estoy feliz con ella. La uso todos los días. Llevo 10.700 kmts. De felicidad. No la venderé jamás. Un saludo cordial desde Buenos Aires, Argentina.

[@canopus101]

I loved this, for much of the ride it was like something Noraly 'Itchy Boots' had published. I'm not a great off road rider either but cannot resist taking my bikes on dodgy roads when there is an interesting destination in mind. I also say, "what can go wrong..."

[@wscottald]

I'm a Noraly fan too! She is awesome and I wish I could be just a fraction of adventurous as her...

[@waffleridersmoto4191]

Good morning Stuart, wonderful video sir, really enjoyed riding along through the country roads and villages. The Mule is surely at home in these conditions for sure.

[@vonsprague7913]

Royal Enfield to Hull and back with the bearded biker. Simply elegant!

[@adrianstrand1120]

A very enjoyable Volume One, foot tapping backing music good too 👍🏻

[@stevewalker2047]

Nice one Stu. Glad you made it safely. Like you, riding off road fills me with dread. But the last couple of times I have been on a fully laden Blackbird. The more I see you riding the little Enfield the more I’m encouraged to downsize to one.

[@michaelglynn2638]

Unafraid to expose the Bullet to a bit of rough and tumble. I admire that. Nice spot too. 👍

[@Tubespoet]

As a very small scale ' bloody farmer' I agree that a modern high horsepower tractor can cut up a track to the level of impassability in just a couple of passes! We'll done for staying upright and great respect for the frightening descent.

[@martinowl]

A cracking lane to explore. For myself it would have to be on foot. The RE behaved beautifully.

[@stevewicks9718]

Well done Stuart, you made a better job of it then I would have done, kept me on the edge of my seat till you got to the bottom,

[@josemathew3916]

Geart for using classic 500 for your adventures eventhough you have costly bikes in your garage. Thanks dear Stuart Sir may God bless you.

[@PharaohDeathMask]

A perfect video. It was most enjoyable, and I thank you.

[@1990-t1j]

I can see the relaxed appeal of this bike. In the 80s I went to Portugal three times and Greece once from England and back on a two valve air-cooled single.

[@chriswillis6941]

Great video, Stuart. I'm hoping to get an RE soon but watching you riding that track has convinced me to stick to hard black stuff. Listening to that lovely motor thumping away takes me back to my youth on an RE Crusader where it was a pleasure to just ride for miles with the steady beat of a one-potter for company. Looking forward to the next installment in this series, stay safe.

[@geraldineold3641]

Great vid as usual Stewart.That catchy tune will be my ear worm for months lol .

[@ScampAitken]

This was one of your best uploads! Loved it.

[@fernandomagalhaes2957]

Lovely roads and places; exactly the same kind as those I currently like to ride with my Classc Mule in Portugal. Thank you.

[@MrJpb2000]

I think you deserved a medal to have completed that off road track without a scratch! Even at low speed I think I’d have face planted something somewhere!!

[@jlh2701]

Well done Stu As a Yorkshireman these are the roads and views of the first half of my life.....I've had to live elsewhere since but I'm now planning on returning as soon as I can, as retirement looms....and one reason for doing so is those roads and views which I'm looking forward to riding on my RE 500.

[@chrisc5275]

Tremendous video! The intrepid, off roading reminds my of similar on the BSA B40 that I rode in the Army in the ‘70’s. 😁😁

[@peterhobbs7609]

Nice one Stu, a great adventure

[@donschneider3687]

Super ride Stu!! For a while on that downhill, it reminded me of six day trials ride. My old BSA Victor would have enjoyed that ride a lot!!!!

[@geraldtakala1721]

Well done to you and the RE

[@daveyblakeney]

Bless ya, lol, Fish outta water there Stuart lol but Kudos for staying upright ! I did a similar;at with a 500 Electra, and thats what lead to me getting the Himalayan I have alongside the Interceptor your video talked me into !!! Heehee

[@sleepyrider]

Good stuff! A desperate endeavour in parts perhaps, but these are the ones we remember for years to come. Don't know about the Bullet, but popping the appropriate fuse out on the Himalayan disables the abs

[@PrateekMishra1]

I just did a 600 miles trip around Wales on my Classic 500. Most of the time I loved it, except the steep inclines where it struggled to maintain 50mph or when overtaking vehicles

[@robertadams4415]

Nice tour can't wait for the rest of it

[@naveendinakaran5656]

Lovely video with a touch of Celtic music

[@raygale4198]

The Bullet is a seriously underrated machine, if folk lore is to be believed the Indian made Classics are almost identical frame geometry wise to late 1940's British made Enfields that were quite successful in off road trials of the day. They are an amazing bike that although far from perfect in almost every aspect, fails at nothing.

[@cliffsimpson1211]

Great video as always. Excellent job of getting The Mule along that track and you've given me an idea that I should ride my RE Himalayan there to give it a go. Maybe next year though as it's not even done 100 miles yet and still being run in!

[@Andythenurse]

Went up a track like that on a suzuki m800 (by accident, it was in no way deliberate) and lost my back brake just before I hit valley bottom. I have a lot more confidence in my bullet when I go exploring. Nice little bike.

[@MrAaronLarking]

The way to keep us hanging, push start The music suits the mule

[@davidbgraham461]

Hi, Uncle Stu, most enjoyable ride, thank you. Your off road adventure reminded me of a three day ride through the Southern part of the Australian Alps, fairly close to where I live. At the time, on a grossly overloaded Kawasaki GTR1000 on a freshly 'repaired' (?)road, complete with wall to wall fist sized. stones . I didn't actually drop it but, it was hairy. I particularly enjoyed the sound track of this movie; possibly early Spanish? Keep up the good work, especially the Dales. Love driving through there!

[@whatsstefon]

Things change so much. I remember reading Jupiters travels, followed by the second book where Ted Simon traced his steps, a lot had changed. I remember going back to the US after growing up there. Nothing was familiar 30 years later.

[@bobjones8864]

I always imagine the UK as cities and towns wall to wall. What’s pretty country you have. Thanks for the video.

[@someguitarguy.]

Great vid and stunning scenery. Love the stone walls. Cheers from a fellow thumper (S40)!

[@laurenblodgett7197]

I’m envious of your 2 lane roads you get to ride. Here in the states I have to search out lesser traveled roads to meander at slower speeds. Have to ride some 4-lane interstates getting battered around by 70+mph semi-trucks to get to desired roads, so I can putter at 40mph and enjoy the ride

[@alanmurphy9231]

I'm more and more thinking that the mule would be ideal for me here in the Alpujjara mountains!! 👍😃

[@stevec-b6214]

top marks for cracking on down the steep track, no prob for the bike, though- i have some trials bars on mine and they make so much difference.

[@listentowhatihear]

19 hours to go. Love the anticipation.

[@dseagull3567]

Great video Stuart. I know the feeling of getting too deep in with no turning back. Had that happen recently on my T120 and had to turn around and backtrack 14 miles of forest road. Just way too stressful at this age, so like you, I'll stick to tarmac.

[@jboy2621]

Man that place is beautiful.

[@ROLYAN850]

Well done Uncle Stu, rather you than me, i think i would have come off!!

[@henryhartley9993]

Nice one Stuart, been trying to buy a tank bag from lomo but it's constantly sold out, as are their panniers, I think this is because you gave them such a great review...

[@richardbarry1360]

You done cracking job off road mate, I know I wouldn’t be able to tackle that hill as well as that.

[@chrisvredenbregt5952]

Hello stuart have you ever checked the spokes as to my surprise several spokes in the front and rearwheel were loose. I came to checking as I felt something unstable in the frontend and saw that the frontrim was swinging slightly but was after checking I foundation out that at one point it was about 2 mm .I managed to get the swing out after tightning several loose spokes. The rear wheel was not swinging but showed several loose spokes as well that needed adjusting to prevent snapping in longer term. I think its worthwhile checking as I cannot imagine that I am the only one with this problem

[@desmcleod2604]

Absolutely brilliant mate really enjoyed it love the country side from expat in wa Australia hard work on them lanes 👍

[@Fred-zc8lt]

You take the high road 🎶 I'll take the low road...🎵

[@darrellmeganfoxall8830]

Absolutely brilliant, love your videos.. 👍👍👍

[@syedasim6666]

Ur voice and accent is amazing 👍

[@davomccranko]

I love riding my 2007 RE Machismo in India. I just wish it was still smooth over 70 kmh. Considering going up to the INT 650

[@crumpet_]

Stu it would be fantastic if you included a bit of live commentary in your vids as well as the voiceover. Would love to have heard your choice words as you rumbled over that rocky path! haha Fantastic vid, looking forward to part 2

[@stuartfillingham]

It was mostly swear words and grunts.

[@brianperry]

Intrepid or what... Its a fact Stu that the some of best views of many beautiful landscapes are from roads more reminiscent for the use of pack Mules..Same here in Spain. .... I had many holiday breaks in Yorkshire, mostly based from Halifax or York, I loved it. If I had not retired to Spain where you live would be my choice. certainly not the southeast where I used to live, it has now become so congested. Glad you didn't fall off, bet you sighed with relief when you found your way back to a metalled road..

[@hartley383]

Very good Stuart, ive been fortunate enough to ride a Bullet in the Himalayas and i can tell you those great little bikes can really soak up some abuse. That said, not sure id be happy to take a beautiful classic such as yours along there. May i suggest Royal Enfield No4 for Fillingham towers in the shape of a Himalayan, i absolutely love mine.

[@stanm654]

Shake, rattle, and roll Uncle Stu. I wondered about the mules shocks? Were they any worse for the wear? I can't remember if you upgraded the mules shocks in the past? I think I remember you upgrading the Interceptor's shocks. While I took this virtual ride with you, I found myself watching the rocks and ruts in the road instead of enjoying the countryside. Quite a challenging ride! Must of given you a real work out!

[@kyotosal]

Great video Sir, thank you. Perhaps a Himalayan is in your future....LOL......Sal : )

[@michaelmahon8896]

I'm pretty certain, if you had dropped the bike going down that hill,,, we'd have both been in tears 😭😭

[@gtptvanbuuren3795]

And you looked good doing it.

[@markb5985]

Loved your ride out 👍