Sir, – I am writing in support of Pauline Butler's letter (D&S Aug 15) proposing that, as a precedent has now been set for the mass invasion of The Dales by a road race and it's supporters, there should be an Isle of Man-style motorcycle TT Race.

This is a wonderful idea, which I have proposed to the Motorcycle Action Group. My own ideal choice of course would take the motorcycles and their supporters up through Coverdale, and past Mr Gary Verity's farm. But he surely won't mind as anything that is good for tourism in the Dales is, as he says, worth a little inconvenience to locals, hence no need to consult them. Any who complain, including himself, would, Mr Verity's words again "just be whingers".

And there is an added bonus of course. Unlike the cycling supporters of the Tour de France, numbers of which continue to infest the Dales, the motorcycling fraternity pay their dues to use the roads they ride on (paying car tax doesn't count, I have a rod licence, but it does not mean I can boat on any river I fish on).

I suspect motorcyclists will also drink more beer and eat more food than the cyclists, all to the greater benefit of Dales pubs and restaurants. Dales residents are even used to the noise of hard-ridden motorcycles, so no change there. What is there not to like?

RICHARD MASCALL

Spennithorne, Leyburn.