MaximumBikes

Donington Park-World Superbikes

Tue, 15 May 2012 20:16:06 +0000

Last weekend Mike, Richard & I headed off to Donington Park to watch the UK round of World Superbikes including camping overnight. Since the tickets were booked it hasnt stopped raining so we wer relieved that finally the better weather arrived just on time. Here we are ready to set off-note Richards shiney new KTM (his replacement for the Varadero I killed)

I kept at the back of the group (out of harms way) and Mike took us quite a direct route with more open roads than usual but were taking the usual twisty route on the way back. After a bite to eat near Stratford and more blasts we finally arrived at the campsite Campsite for WSBK & set up the tents. Great campsite BTW....Headed off to watch some of the qualifying and Superpole for the different races so here are a couple of pics

A cider or two.....

Couldnt resist buying myself this T-Shirt....

So a quick change & out for more ciders plus a top notch meal in the restaurant on the campsite...then Richard said did I fancy a vodka before we went out so as he had brought the bottle all the way along with us it seemed rude to say no. So I said yes..

After a superb meal we headed back to the tents. Mike went to his tent and fell asleep but Richard & finished off the vodka. I managed to make my way to my tent but when I woke up I had left my iPod on so was awoken to some quite loud CLash songs plus I had left my headtorch on my head & it was still turned on so for a while I was very confused where the bright fekin light was coming from. Anyway as I peered outside I found that indeed we had finished the vodka and Richard had left his phone outside all night.

All in all a great night but then the headache started and the field started spinning. Richard stayed in his tent even when Mike and I went for breakfast. Oh dear....

On the way to breakfast I saw another example of the hard hitting recession in the UK-Times for this family sure seem tough.

Richard still feeling a bit delicate so Mike and I headed of to watch the racing. Quite a few bikes here already...

Some pics of Superstock, Supersport & WSBK race 1 & by now Ricahrd had joined us:

Great win in Supersport by Sam Lowes

Race 2-WSBK & perfect view of the lap 1 crash on the first corner Carlos Checa (Althea Racing Ducati) and Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) touched and Checa went down, taking out Jakub Smrz (Liberty Racing Team Effenbert Ducati) and Checa's team-mate Davide Giugliano.

Poor Carlos....

Couple more pics of the race

but missed the crash just before the finish line

Last lap crash

Back to the campsite, 3 tents to take down then pack up the bikes. Mike took the motorway home while Richard & I wanted a twistier route as planned so headed across country to Telford, Shrewsbury, Welshpool, Newtown, Builth Wells etc then home. Fantastic

Great time, great company and great weather too.

Finally got there

Sun, 13 May 2012 18:12:54 +0000

A couple of years ago i set out on a ride in the summer to Dover, for quite a while i wanted to go to the top of the cliffs on a nice sunny day,

so,

set out and by the time i got to the M25 it was closed and i spent the rest of the afternoon sat on top of the Dartford bridge waiting till they reopened it.

By the time i got going it was getting on and by the time i got there the best of the weather would have gone so i turned around and come home. Not to be defeated i said to myself that when ive got some free time and the weather is decent i'll go back there.

Today i finally went back

This was taken on the road toward the White Cliffs visitors centre

Went to the highest point i could get to by road, could go higher if you walked but i was happy where i was plus i wanted to go and get a cup of tea

In that photo if you look you can just start to see France, coincidently whilst sat there admiring the view i got a text from tesco mobile welcoming me to France and telling me how much it costs to phone the UK.

After a while i continued round on the little road the lead to the visitors place, come to a lovely little town hidden away, carried on and ended up in a cove where there was a pub, really beautiful place.

An brilliant days ride down there and chuffed to bit that i finally got there.

Chris

First burger run 2012

Mon, 07 May 2012 13:46:42 +0000

The core group of 5 took a toot. Paul, Bob, frank, Mike, and myself headed out with a good first group ride in mind. Our plan was to take us to Plymouth, MA then over the bridge to Cape Cod in search of burgers and a couple beers. Destinations were The British Beer Company in Cedarville, Falmouth, Hyannis, and possibly Sandwich if there was time and if we were still pacing ourselves to stay out of trouble.

First stop was Cedarville, been to this one a couple times.

Had a pop and chilled out, Red Sox game was just starting. After downing a pint, watching the very attractive bartender and a little of the game we headed out, destination Falmouth.

Over the Bourne bridge and down Rt 28 (double lane divided highway). I point out something in the road, an empty McDonald's bag that Paul leans over and puts his hand out like he's gonna grab it. Next thing I hear the sound of an empty bag being struck, >Fuup!< "Bonehead" mirror check, Mike, Bob, no bag, where's Frank? Look in the other side, he's moved into the high speed lane and trying to kick a bag off his foot. I look at Paul next to me and he's laughing so hard there's tears actually streaming out from behind his shades.

We pulled off to have a good laugh and discuss the durability of the McDonald's bag as it just would not let go. Quick direction check and away we went. Just a hop-skip-and a jump away was the Falmouth BBC, right across the street from the water.

Looking the other way.

Grabbed lunch, I was so hungry I almost forgot to take a pic (still pulled from a Flip video to be exact).

After lunch we visited the former owner of the blue Scout and headed to Hyannis. Sitting out front we talked to a guy who was all dressed up like Santa on vacation. Will have to see if Paul can e-mail me that pic.

At the BBC locations they typically have an older bike on display.

Cedarville

Falmouth

Hyannis

Fought some traffic to get back over the bridge, then B-lined a bit of highway before breaking off from the group to meet the family over at her friend's house.

She'd brought Cam's helmet and they were getting ready to head out so he hopped on the back.

All in all a good day out.

Kidwelly Lanes

Sun, 06 May 2012 20:20:21 +0000

After having a weekend away with the family near Kidwelly a few weeks ago I wanted to go back not because it was a beautiful part of the welsh coastline but because it had a lot of byways shown on the map quite close together.
So a me and a friend Gary met at 8am and set off towards west Wales via the smallest back roads I could find with a few un-surfaced roads thrown in as well
The weather was great but first few lanes reminded me of how much rain we had recently as they were slippery as…well as mud
This lane had running water along its whole length

This one we had difficulty finding somehow riding across a field like this doesn’t seem right but it was legal

Once we went through the gate it looked like we were onto something good

But it soon led to this those rocks are larger than footballs and surrounded by soft mud

We walked ahead to see how it was turned out to be very overgrown

So we had to turn around (a feat in itself) and go back the next few lanes were real good and looked like they had not been used for a long time

Got to our furthest point about 13.00 the next few lanes were all overlooking the coastline bloody great views just wish my camera could have done the views justice

Spring is defiantly here love the smell of gorse in flower

But can’t stand the smell of this stuff (anyone know what it is) Gary tried to convince me unsuccessfully that it was good eating I just let him carry on as I ate my scotch egg

Everything was heading home now there were a lot of lanes shown as Boats on the OS map (byway open to all traffic) downgraded to footpaths and bridleways everything we rode looked unused and pretty much like this

Some had obstructions that were easily overcome

Done allot of lanes on the way back that we have done before as time was getting on we didn’t stop much so no more photos got back about 11.30pm had a great day 14 and half hours and 212 miles no wonder I’m aching a bit today
As for the lanes in Kidwelly their really nice going to be too overgrown to ride in the summer and too far to go for whats down there will most probably go again sometime

A Bonny Wee Ride

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 21:32:10 +0000

Well it finally happened. I’ve managed to have the bike on board the ship when the ship was in Scotland. Not only that but it wasn’t raining and I had a day off! I joined the ship here not far from Dunoon just before Xmas and it was sleet and rain then.

Anyway the sun was shining after a clear frosty night so the first job was to get the bike off the ship, always gets the ring piece twitching.

Looking over towards Bute. The town is Rothesay.

It was then on to Dunoon where I filled up with fuel and then headed west to get round to the other side of the loch to see the ship from there.

Looking south down Loch Striven.

The ship from near Strone Point.

Some Eider Ducks. Could have done with some of their down.

It was bloody cold in the shade or when the sun was obscured, but warm in the sun. I stopped in a village shop for some snacks and to scrounge a carrier bag to stuff inside my leathers, and ended up stuffing Kate Middleton up there.

From Colintraive, where a ferry crosses to Bute, I took the old road along the coastline but not too many views due to trees so no photos.

Looking south down Loch Riddon towards Buttock Point.

There were three bikes parked there so had a chat and one of them was on one of those new Triumph Explorers. Nice bike and a lot lower than I expected. Great guys and one offered me a sweater as he could see how cold I was. They were headed pretty much the same way as me so I sort of followed them at a distance as they knew the roads. All well and good until I realised I’d missed my turning. I did video this bit but the internet connection here is so slow that I got pissed off with waiting

Followed the B8000 up towards Inveraray.

Stopped here to take a photo of this old ruin.

Inveraray

\
Turned north towards Oban. I had meant to stop and take more photos but I was enjoying the road so much....... you know.

Still cold and had intended to stop at the Green Welly at Tyndrum, but it was a bit like Abergavenny bus station so gave it a miss and followed two GSs down along the banks of Loch Lommond until I turned off towards Arrochar. I stopped for a brew and some soup, something I should have done hours earlier. I though I’d videoed some of this part of the route but the bloody batteries had given up, and I’d left the spares on my desk.

Past the Rest and be Thankful and then back towards Dunoon and the ship beyond.

Had a shower for about 30 mins to warm up enough to find my dick for a piss. It was a big mistake leaving the winter kit at home. Then it was out on the town for a mess run. Back by middnight. Threw up. Great day.

205 miles

Blitz on the Barge

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:37:07 +0000

Weather was nothing short of Awesome over last weekend
After making a good dent in my Yardwork on Saturday.....decided to take a break & visit the Upper Clackamas again.....in search of......more Moto-Capsites.

Traveled through the land of "X-mas Tree Farms" on the way there.....

Crisp, Cold, & Clean..... doesn't get much better .....

White-water Rafters wasting NO time gettin' with it! .......

Totally stoked to find yet another choice (Free)spot for some Moto-Camping!

Lookin' 4ward to my birthday this year (rare thing)......as I'm takin' a whole week off just to Ride, Camp & Fish!!

VMX Report

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:36:12 +0000

Ended up driving the YamaHauler to Woodland on Saturday.....as I took a mate of mine who's never been to that track yet.....he's a BMX freak & loves MX in general.....needless to say......he loved it!!

Again, the FrankenBike Hodaka was there.......went well too!

A girl actually raced this old Beast.....

GOT TO BE 1 of the Cleanest old KX's I've ever seen

Evidence of the new class structure is starting to show.....
Not necessarily "Vintage", but a slick bit-o-kit......Rotax powered......& built here in the states

Sez it all ......

Those were the only still shots I took this time (for a change)......
Now for some real action.....

Highlight of the day for us ThumpJunkies......

PE-armed XT500 w/ a sweet pipe......
Rider was GOOD......led his heat from the drop of the gate.....

Spanked all the smokers in his heat & was the only bike to get air here .........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6x5ziGhjNw&list=FL7mub0cjvwejUVn66yn_vFg&index=1&feature=plpp_video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ope_5X3t0os&feature=BFa&list=FL7mub0cjvwejUVn66yn_vFg&lf=plpp_video

My mate & I are now going to try a joint-effort to bring my carcass CR250 project back to life.

NW Wales with Specs

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:36:19 +0000

This last weekend I wanted to maiden the GSX after the restor and brake, clutch, suspension, valve and carb overhaul hoping the throttle lag issues had been solved. I was hoping to ride with someone in case things went a bit haywire as they do. At the last minute Alan called and we agreed to do North Wales and meetup on Junc 35 of the A55 at 11:15.

11:15 am and no Busboy

I was too busy pushing the GSX back a mile from home with a vapour lock in the fuel system. I had phoned and texted Alan to say I was running late but he wasnt getting the messages. Come 11:30 he phones me and I explain that I am just about done rerouting the fuel hoses and am 20 minutes behind schedule (40, but who is counting?). We agrred to meet up in Bala where Alan would catch up on a missed breakfast.
Shortly I was on my way and making good time. 80 miles into the journey and about 4 from Bala the bike started to loose power and run on just 2 of the four cylinders. One bank pair of carbs were starving of fuel again

Limping into Bala I parked up and immediately dived head first into a Full English courtesy of Alan who showed no impatience at my late arrival

mmmm heaven dipped in cholestrol

after licking the plate clean we headed out to Blaneau Ffestiniog with a scheduled stop at the first layby to sort out the fueling issue. 20 minutes later and we were on our way firing on all 4 cylinders. 2 miles later and we were stopped outside a farmers gate repeating the task while Specs chatted to the farmer. The fuel hoses were a bit too long and had softenned with the engine heat and any bow in the length would collapse and crimp off the fuel flow. After several rerouting attempts and shortenning of hose lengths we were off again well behind schedule. Bless Alan, if he was impatient he never showed it

The road to Ffestiniog onto Betws-y-Coed. Brilliant! Even though it bagan to alternately hail and snow.

We stopped in Betws-y-Coed for more grub but didnt linger because either Tossme was there or his bastid double....

round the houses

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 15:29:15 +0000

weather's crap but I managed to persuade myself that I should get out & get some air. Besides, there was nothing on the telly...

I rodeeast from home through St Bris le Vineux, La croix Pilate, Chemilly sur Serein & Béru

Chateau de Béru

from Béru, east & south through Viviers, Yrouerre & Sambourg. Vireaux, Pacy sur Armançon, Argenteuil, Cusy & Ancy le Franc.

You've seen tis one before but this is a better pic
Chateau d'Ancy Le Franc

North from Ancy Le Franc to Maulnes, via Pimelles & Cruzy Le Chatel.

Again, you've seen this house before too, but from afar.

Chateau de Maulnes

I didn't get any closer because I could hardly stand up, let alone walk, it's a hill top chateau & it was blowing a bloody Hooligan up there & on top of that I'd had to climb 100 odd steps to get this far & was blowing like a beached whale...

From Maulnes, onward, North & west through Villon, Rugny, St Martin sur Armançon & Tonnerre. I had planned to take in the Chateau de Tanlay as well but the wind was really blowing now & my feet were getting cold...

Tonnerre, Yrouerre (again), St Vertu, Aigremont, Licheres, towards Chablis then west & home via Courgis, Chitry & St Bris le Vineux.

150 odd km. very windy & overcast, but no rain. Temps I reckon around 8°c. Some cracking roads.

4mile first ride

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 16:20:07 +0000

"Can you take me to school on the bike? Can we go to the birthday party today on the bike? When Mom and Jake go out again can we go for a ride?"

I've created a monster.

A Suwannee Monday

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:24:37 +0000

Moon, on 09 April 2012 - 02:02 AM, said:

got any pics from the ride? Post 'em up in Ride reports & show us your part of the world

A few stops along the Suwannee River... North Florida, USA. We enjoyed a respite from summer like heat the past few days, 10c mornings and clear skies provide this years best riding weather.

Click on small pic to link to large pic.

Anderson Spring 01:

Anderson Spring 02:

Anderson Spring 03:

Ellaville 01: Old bridge across Suwannee River no longer in use, or safe.

Ellaville 02: Vegatation reclaiming abandoned building... Alligator Jacks.

Ellaville 03:

Ellaville 04:

Ellaville 05:

Dowling Park 01: Public boat ramp and public picnic area.

Dowling Park 02: Picnic area

Dowling Park 03:

Campsite ReCon ....

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:12:38 +0000

Spun up the Upper Clackamas yesterday....NObody 'cept Bikes were on the road!

Founds some cool (free) campsites along the way.....

Definitely be back to investigate this a bit more

The Oxley Highway

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 02:19:25 +0000

So Easter did a turn around this year and instead if rain we got perfect weather for the whole four days,decided to go to Walcha and then down the Oxley so I loaded up the bike and for the first time in the four years I've had it used the saddle bags and very handy they were,shoes and toiletries in one and evening clothes in the other,so much easier than jamming it all in the top box.

The ride to Walcha was a fast one as it was 580k's and we wanted to get there in the daylight,stopped only once for a photo op of this,the three photos are left view,center view and right view.

Where we parked at the lookout.

We got to Walcha and stayed the night at what used to be a fun pub but it's now been taken over by a couple who won't be lasting long so no photo's there,up early in the morning we headed down the Oxley only to find that it had rained earlier so it was a slow trip but I took some photo's even though I wasn't going to,the fun part of the road is about 80k and has a reported 147 corners,mostly posted at 35k.

This is the road at Gingers Creek where motorcycles are welcome and indeed encouraged,the road is like this all the way so here are some shots.

All sorts of bikes were there,this big Katie sure was equipped for it.

And so were these guys.

RBL rideout....trying out go pro

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 18:57:34 +0000

went to the Royal British Legion riders meet n greet at Widney Fort,..and thought id try our new camera out on the way back. It took a while to figure out why it wouldnt work....SD card not fitted

my mates were all happy to take the piss,..but all were quick enough to get on film!

so,..it was me Den,.Chris (on a 450 superdream),.and steve on a honda something

at long last

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 17:28:11 +0000

I actually managed to get out for about 3 hours this afternoon;

No plan, just following my nose.

blue skies, but only 10 or 12°c, dry with little or no wind. I headed vaguely for the Morvan on roads I know, then turned right, off the beaten track somewhat. Roughly heading for Clamecy. Riding up through Jussy & Coulanges la Vineuse the Cherry orchards are starting to bloom

up over the top & into the next valley west, some nice single track

a bit through the woods, bloody cold in 'ere out of the sun!

I stopped for a coffee & a cig in Clamecy. I also wanted to see if I could substitute earplugs with the headphones from my 'phone, so's I can listen to some music whilst riding & possible benefit from the speed camera warnings vie the "orange maps" gps function & "wikango". playing with the phone I ascertained that yes, I can put the music on & then fire up orange maps, only way to find out if the gps voics will speak to me over the music is to set it up & ride some... Bugger... no way can I get my lid on with the earphones in. the 'phones are just pulled out by the lid & I can't get them back in again. Also getting the lid off with the 'phones (not properly in me ears) is quite painful. SO that is a no go untill I find another solution earphone/ earplug wise.

Anyway, here's a pic of the strange concrete church at Clamecy, built entirely out of reinforced concrete after the original was destroyed (I think) during the war.

I kinda lost interest in stopping for pics after that, I really neede to just ride & blow the cobwebs away, concentrate on riding & nothing else, just for an hour or so. That is what I did & it was good. Next stop was near the Abbey "la pierre qui vire" way out in the morvan forest, they obviouly reckon that next winter is going to be a cold one, this is just one part of their woodpile...

Mobile phone technology let me down once again up here cos I was very low on fuel & not sure where the nearest pumps were, "no problemo " says I, & fires up the 'phone gps which will tell me the nearest pumps, either via orange maps or mappy or whatever;

No phone signal, & I mean NO phone signal. Not just no "orange" signal, but no signal at all, on any of the networks. ..middle of fuckin' nowhere I'm telling you!

Rode 15 k ish & recognised a place name on a sign post so I knew where I was then & was able to get back to a pump just before hitting the reserve. I ended up back in Avallon & thanks to a road closure, discovered an indirect way home along some really nice single lane roads through the woods. I took no pics cos I was having too much fun on these little roads that could have been made specially for a transalp & closed to all other beings...

DId about 200k in all & bloody good it was too.

Easter came early here today

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 20:19:30 +0000

You all know how it goes....

I met a block in the pub the other week. Right. He mentioned the Wirral Egg Run. It sounded interesting so taking his “10,000 bikes attended last year” with a pinch of salt five of us went for it. Weather was good although cold first thing and later on, but first things first.

We met up outside the pub, the Swinging Arm, but left before any more people arrived as we were starving and in need of coffee.

I staqrted to believe the figures when we arrived at New Brighton. Had a walk around, did coffee, and took some random photos. Lots of bikes.

The spectators reactions were marvelous, with thousands of people lining the 22 mile route around the Wirral. I’ve got a bit of video but need to edit. The run ended at Clatterbridge Hosspital, where we had a tea and burger.

North Wales called so it was over to Ruthin, Betws y Coed, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Bala, Ponderosa , Ruthin again and return. All in all a bloody great day.

Oh. The numbers this year. 12,000 and I can well believe it.

Went for a little ride

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 08:50:13 +0000

Went for a ride to Singleton up in the Hunter,did almost 500k,google Sydney to Singleton,it won't let me post the extension.
If you zoom in on it you'll find a very wriggly road that's as much fun each way,sadly I didn't take any on-road shots but I did take a few of our fellow motorcyclists out for the day,we have just endured the wettest summer for fifty or so years nut now in autumn we are enjoying 26C and clear skies.lots of bikes were out and about and here are my random photo's now with captions,a new type of ride report appears to have generated itself.

Because I used two cameras the software appears to have mixed the shots randomly so that's how I'm going to play them so here's the first one.

I saw this guy pull in to the carpark and park well away from everyone else so I wandered over for a look,cast my eye on it and said "A Bonnie eh?"

Immediately his eyes lit up and he said,"A 66 (with a long list of improvements including magneto ignition,750 barrels etc),this was the love of his life and as clean as any bike I've seen,he was a character too,while we were talking about the bike I mentioned that I was impressed by the size of the springs under the seat and he.with a huge grin noted that he has 3.5" of rear suspension and 2" of front in the springer fork,we both agreed that that was more than adequate for todays conditions,then he gave me more info that I was impressed to hear,the front disc and master cylinder were from a 93 Sportster and he said they were exactly the same as the ones that he had had on his 93 Sportster,"wooden",all delivered deadpan,he told me that he didn't want to change the rear drum brake or alter the springer as he liked to have QD wheels,this information kind of startled me as I usually get other people to do that but I was soundly educated in early Triumph rear hubs and the merits of each variant,it was a wonderful conversation,next time I'll make a wee video of any such future encounter with any interesting bike/r.

A great character and a great bike.

I'm going to post this by itself and then add comments to the other shots in no particular sequence,a new type of ride report seems to have created itself.

Why I need an enduro

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:03:57 +0000

Started out at "thebigbikeshop" Aberdare

Hit the res up grawen then turned back for a better route

These roads ^are now plastered with cops in marked and un-marked cars and super hero's .
So as leader I had a plan ,We turned around .Then headed up through merthyr then up over jipo mountain,over pontlottyn mountain,around tirphil mountain then through abertwsog village and up that mountain road.

The question is "will the other riders follow me " ?

Tirphil mountain end of the tarmark

This guy had the right idea

No turning back now ,Even a beemer rs kicked ass

Food stop after we found a road

Quad ripping past

Went down old tredegar town ,sharp left up that mountain ,over the top .Gabalfa i think we stopped for a coffee ,over another mountain road that came back on the roads over blackwood by the new white bridge .

Home in time for Sunday dinner and cake

This is why i need an enduro !

Two Falls

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:38:17 +0000

Before anyone thinks I am reporting two accidents, I will clarify that no, it’s not about those falls that take you to the emergency room and your bike being totaled by the insurance mofos, but about riding two autumn regions on the same year (2011)

Why?

Because I am not a sponger, and having used this site recently after a long time of absence, I see fit to contribute something motorcycle to it.

So here it goes:

And no again, I didn’t ride them in opposite hemispheres, but in the same and even in the same country, with a difference of two and one half weeks between one and the other.

It all started last year, when I decided it was a tad silly to keep two road bikes in the same garage and rode one of them to East Tennessee, where I have a good friend who lives in Sweetwater, the portal to the Cherohala Skyway, who agreed to board it for me. (Ride Report “Life is good at 70” )

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=628617&page=3

That way, courtesy of Southwest Airlines, I could ride my bikes both in the West and East mountains of this vast country without having to endure the days of interminable flatlands in between.

But I digress… Let me focus in the Northern New Mexico-Southern Colorado area:

I spent the summer chasing trains

Gliders

And old cars there

Based in Chama NM, where I went with my toy hauler and my Duc to escape the smoke and misery of the fires that burned in my neck of the woods.

As the season grew short and the shadows longer, and the grass started to dry

I enjoyed my days riding between Ouray and Antonito watching the aspens turn.

When the first snow hit the peaks,

I decided it was time and towed my junk back to Santa Fe. After a week I jumped into a

And landed in Nashville TN, from where I drove my rental car under a curtain of rain to Sweetwater, in the East of the State where I reunited with my old faithful RT and my older and more faithful buddy who stores it for me.

Following day the rain had moved out, the sky was blue and temps mellow, so we nailed the Cherohala which was dressed in full scarlet livery

Had lunch in Robbinsville NC and rode onto almost Ducktown, cutting into the Cherokee National Forest and ending our loop at Tellico Plains. Motorcycle traffic was intense due to the week-end and the fall color.

Another day, another ride, we rode the ever meandering roads of the area into Reliance, not much else than an old General Store, cabins and campground on the banks of the Hiwassee River.

There we met this object of beauty which, as most objects of beauty, relies solely on its physical appearance and is remiss on substance…

Then we pushed onto the Ocoee Lake hoping to find some bikinis celebrating the 85F temps

But no luck… no volunteers despite Tennessee’s nickname being “The Volunteer State”.

So we had to find 411 and go back to Sweetwater.

Yet another day, we spent along 129 and the Little Tennessee River,

but avoided the squid hordes in The Dragon, turning instead onto the Foothills Parkway, where the colors were nice.

Got off in Townsend and stopped for lunch.

The rest of the time was spent re-visiting the spots where I had lived and ridden in the area when I lived there 30 years ago; unfortunately, one of my favorites, Highway 72 between Kingston and Lenoir was closed due to construction.

Wednesday the weather turned bad on us and I left in the wee hours of yesterday’s morning driving back to Nashville and my plane in another curtain of rain.

Thanks for looking.

Testing a chink

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 00:54:01 +0000

Off road test 1st

Gear on

Sheep mountain 1st day of camping out for a blast
Cocco now got the nsr125r ,Tuned it up with sprockets and de-restricted it and its doing 95 ,got no chance keeping up on the chink

Up brecon way ,only 3 of us went out that day,bit cold for the others .

Started warming up though

Coffee stop at a rare meeting spot ! no white boots and gleaming r1's in site

Fog getting low

Hitting 45 up here flat out being hunted down by a cbr /cbf chink copy

Back to the site

Collected some wood

Knocked up a beef curry with plenty hot powder ,Was ice on our tents in the night .

Sparked the fire up ,Sank some beers

Crawled in here then went to kip

Still enjoy the fun on a 125
And on one on these baby's

Chink bike ran like a watch

Hope every one's well .

Ironbridge and a wooden bridge

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:51:25 +0000

Og has fitted the new can for me and just waiting for the new smaller numberplate to be fitted so when Richard gave me a text to say he was free on Sunday I jumped at the chance.

It turned out to be a longer ride than originally planned but the weather was fantastic (full summer gear in March FFS) so seemed crazy not to make the most of it.

Met on A470 usualpetrol station, over the beacons, then Upper Chapel to Builth Wells. Here is a pitstop pic in Builth

Hundred House, Leominster then picked up the B4361 road to Richards Castle. So Richard where is your castle cos it looks like a village hall to me....

The actual castle

A bit of meandering the lovely roads around Ludlow.....

Here's the wooden bridge

Through Ludlow then headed (again along some cracking roads)to Clee Hill

Around Telford then arrived in Ironbridge. And heres the iron bridge.....

Ironbridge history

Great place to park up the bikes and as you can see it was quite popular

Pic of Richard with lunch on his mind.....

Had a great lunh then started the trip home. Did the twisty route through Clun etc then from Knighton took the Painscastle road.

Here is Richard enjoying the hairpins in Painscastle.......Brill

Parked up before the last blast home.

Great day out, great company, great roads and great weather. Fantastic! BTW the crash bars didnt ground out

VMX from Woodland

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 23:23:54 +0000

Weather was a little damp.....but not too bad actually......
Track didn't seem too slippery ......

This Hodaka was pretty quick.....gave a coupla CR's a run for thier money.....

Just popping over to Paradise

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 21:18:52 +0000

Now that I can post some photos here are a couple of my ride today. It was a toss up between watching Ingurlund and France play rugby or ride. Bruce unfortunately couldn't make it as he was too busy sanding and polishing his parts. A bit cold and misty here in Birkenhead but it just had to be better in Wales

Anyway headed west but was so busy enjoying myself that I missed the bloody turn off on the motorway No probs though as it was probably quicker to Mold than the way I'd intended to go.

From Mold it was over to Ruthin so a couple of pics before I got there. Lots of bikes out many of them in large groups.

Here's Ruthin.

In a field right next to a village I saw this!

Unfortunately this pub was closed and I was getting a bit hot in the glorious Welsh sunshine.

I then went on to Cerrigydrudion and up along the A5 to Pentrefoelas where I turned right for Denbigh. A great road from here over the moors that I last rode with Dawn and Dean on the day of my off last May, but in the opposite direction this time.

Then on to Denbigh for the castle shot.

Another great road from here back to Mold, but I realised that if I cracked on a bit I might be able to watch the game so no more photos. It started getting grey and cold again anyway as soon as I crossed the border. Got back with only 20 mins played of the first half.

Great to be out again and plenty of new roads to explore. Round about 125 miles. Brilliant.

Hill End.

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 23:44:27 +0000

Well we had another nice weekend so I decided to head to Hill End mainly due to the fact that I missed meeting up with the other guys,anyway because of the dirt road not a lot of people were keen to go there the way that I did.

At the turnoff.

Nice house.

Heading up the hill.

Lots of water in the creeks after all the rain that we've had.

Rocky country around here.

And onto the dirt.

I had taken more but the off switch on the camera got bumped.

Very pretty country.

Climbing the hill.

Hard work for the convicts cutting the road through here.

Coming through here every farmer waved at me,friendly folk in these here parts.

Stopped to take a shot of the gates when a random Guzzi went past.

Then I was there,at Hill End,it was a long time ago that I decided to go there and here I was.

Fences,most of them looked like this,no doubt there's a heritage order on them.

Nice cottage,this is in the town by the way,most of them seemed to be inhabited.

Main street.

General store and petrol station.

Not a ride report

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 15:57:27 +0000

As it says not a ride report but didnt know where else to put it. just some photos and words to show you all the group visit to a guy I met a few years ago trail riding to say good bye to him as he is terminally ill with cancer only met him a dozen or so times but the type of guy he is made you think you have known him all your life

A couple of photos showing everyone waiting to shake his hand a say a few words to him

And a photo of the bikes a few turned up in cars as well

This was John last year in Portugal today he is a mere shadow of the man he was a real shame he will be missed by all who new him even as ill as he is he was still making jokes and laughing

Oberon.

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 05:07:53 +0000

Finally got a break in the weather and headed up the hill and decided to go to Oberon.

Where we turned off the main road.

Typical Oz scene.

Note the fake cloud.

And again.

Nice road to ride on.

All that crap in the sky was sprayed from a plane.

Main street of Oberon.

Spotted an SE.

And a 1200 Yamaha.

Then we turned around and went back on the same road.

I think I would like to live here.

Go left.

Then it was time to fill up and head home.

Dorset and Devon

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:40:52 +0000

Or to use the correct venacular, Darzet an Devun Ooooooooooh Arrrrrrrrrrrgh!!

Well it was time to get the Transalp out for a run as I'd hardly ridden it since buying it last year so off we went for a little trundle arond the Dorset and Devon lanes.

It was quite foggy this morning although the swans on chew valley lake didn't seem to care....

As I progressed I tried to get some elevation to see if I could clear the fog, it was a bit clearer up on Ham hill but still misty......

and so it continued, foggy on the valley floors and clearer on the hills.

This is typical of the backroads in this area, a classic sunken holloway....

Eventually I hit the coast at Lyme Regis, it looked like this is where the fog was coming from.......

This is the 'Cobb' at Lyme Regis, made famous in the scene from 'The French Lieutenant's Woman'

A castle for tYm, well it's not a castle really but a gatehouse but it looks cool anyway.......

There used to be lots of these red signposts in this area but they're few and far between now......

I was heading for home now and stopped for a coffee from my flask......

It was a great ride back as the sun had come out and burnt off the fog but there still plenty of snowdrops around just to remind you that winter could still yet bite you arse.....

Australia: Sunday Ride. Goodnight Scrub N.P.

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 06:11:49 +0000

Hot, hot, hot....

gotta be cooler moveing, im sitting doggo saveing and saveing.

This year ( 2012) is the last chance i get, to do so many things

2 rallys comeing up in march. klrr in the Flinders & ill do the Bendemere thingie on the way back.

couple of other local rides ( under 800 miles) to come after that,etc etc...

My old faithfull KLankeR has only 120 km on its new engine,

and i need to put some on her,to be sure she will take me the 3000 plus next month without any dramas.

I mean ! it cost me 106 dollars to do it up,
so it deserves a test ride eh!

So off to the Goodnight Scrub N.P. , Mt Perry and then home via GinGin.

Any way this

Soon turned to this

I seem to be looseing altitude,

And there's a bit a water at the Bottom of this valley,

Burnett River.

I've been catched by these slimey buggar's before , outriggers down , steady as she goes, no quick bursts of power,
which incerdently is markedly improved with the increased compression.

up and away, ive always loved the feel of a grunty motor cycle pulling up hills.

Love this country....

Tart, the road out of the Goodnight Scrub is in the background,

Poser..

on the road to Mt Perry now.

Takes some puttin up with.

This is my back yard, i live on the other side of those hill's.

Mt Perry , the town of mount Perry and the edge of the Goodnight N.P.in the background.

it got to much for me and i turned for home.
bit of slab 30 miles, then a quick hammer down this (cordalba forest) for 20 miles,
and im at my back door.

bit over 500 km on the clock,I'll do her first oil change now,
hasnt used a drop.
i hope the next 3000 km will be as tight.

Thanks.

The Putty Road

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 23:56:46 +0000

Woke up Saturday an lo and behold,a clear blue sky for a change,met da boys at a cafe and after a little discussion we decided to go to the new cafe on the Putty Road,lots of bikes were out as were cops but they were mainly in the urban areas and weren't a problem.

Got to the ga station and waited for Frankk to fill up,saw a bike or two.

Then off up the old highway,a popular spot for riders.

Crossed the Hawkesbury on the Mooney Mooney Bridge.

Then it was off to Kulnura for a bite to eat and a look at what was out riding..

That done it was back on the road.

Got through the windy bits and then on to wine country.

A very pretty part of the world.

My trip to the Dragon 2012

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:40:37 +0000

Ok so it was the dragon rally time again last weekend I had planned to go up for the Friday night and try and get into the rally on Saturday as I didn’t have a ticket but as luck would have it I managed to pick up a ticket from a guy in Cardiff on Thursday night.
Gary had planned a route up through Wales which was a great selection of back roads and old trails he was on his serrow so it was going to be a gentle ride
Chris the other guy we were going with was riding up on the road and meeting us there
We Set off at 08.00 Friday morning it was bloody cold with it doing its best to snow Merthyr Mountain was the usual skating rink and made our ride a little more interesting

Up over to Talybont wasn’t much better but it was fresh so no ice under it but you still had to keep your wits about you

Took the usual roads up to Rhayader stopped on the army ranges to check the bikes over for any movement in our loads everything looked fine then about a dozen small hay stacks started moving about the field alongside us it was soldiers in training bet the feckers were using us as targets we were there a few minutes before we noticed them and boy was it cold up there
Anyway first lane you lot seen it all before

We rode some fantastic roads to Barmouth where we picked up the first of the new to me trails cloud had been low all day so wasn’t expecting much of a view from the top

This was the start real wet and slippery on that grass

On the top was a narrow trail which was quite tricky to ride due to those ruts and not much room for errors as the photo doesn’t really show how steep and far down that drop to the left is

This was on the top and the start of the descent it’s a pity about the cloud cover the views up here are supposed to be spectacular

This was taken after half hour of negotiating a snaking trail of large slippery flat rocks laid in a bog that was bloody hard work to ride on my POS now out of the cloud but still a few miles to any surfaced road from here.

After cooling off on the road for a bit stopped for another photo at another gate come to think of it almost all the photos were taken when we stopped to open and close gates that’s Portmeirion in the distance

Past this lake on the way to the next lane not a ripple in the water

And this was the lane bloody brilliant had a bit of everything

There was one more lane after that one before we arrived at Beddgelert which we done in the dark so no photos
The B&B there was great real clean and friendly Chris had got there about an hour before us, it took him about 3 hours to get there and us 10 hours but I’m willing to bet we had the better ride up even though my arse was a wee bit sore
The night was just a quiet drink with not much of a selection for food and to bed I had a bit of a restless night and so did Gary and Chris for some reason they recon I snore I didn’t here nowt so I don’t believe them
Anyhow after a belly filling breakfast it was off to the rally checkpoint which was only about 10 mile away

After getting directions it was onto the rally and we got there early enough to get a good spot in the campsite

I decide to camp on the opposite side of the small field to Chris and Gary to save them from the snoring problem I apparently have
After pitching the tent it was off for another ride we headed for Porthmadog and then a few more twisty roads which was much more fun without the luggage on
The campsite is by the lake in the distance

And across the water here

Heres some photos of the bikes not many as me bloody hands were too cold to take the camera out

The night was cold, cold enough for me to have to hold my pint with my gloves on even though we were in a barn this year not a beer tent
The band was good but there was no music before or after them so I pissed off to bed a bit early midnight I think but had a night of getting up every hour to pee and then I found myself walking off leg cramps and after that the guy in the tent next to me snored like thunder when I eventually got to sleep I was awoken buy Gary starting his bike next to my tent filling it with exhaust fumes the bastard.
Bikes all loaded we waved Chris off as he was going home the quick way we retraced our route part of the way
This was the lane we rode in the dark

After that we took the lower route over to Barmouth there was no way I was dragging my bike up those slabs of rock this trail was nice open grass land wet and slippery but fairly flat until we got here

Gary failed to tell me this got really steep and very rocky it was a real struggle to get up there. at the top I had to rest I took my helmet off and steam started rising out of it the bike was baking and needed to cool down as well.
No problem from here though as it was mostly downhill, had a lot of these hairpins and then back to the road thank god

Last but one trail led us through this river which was knee deep with a rocky base. i took this while Gary put his dry socks on still had a few hours to go and was starting to get colder

Looking back to the river crossing and where we came from

This took us down towards Devils bridge and then onto Tregaron the last trail took us over to Lyn Brianne and was now dark so it was road all the way home from here, we got to the Garage in Llandovery just as they were closing which was lucky as I’d hit reserve a few miles back. the road home from here still had snow and Ice on it as it was a lot colder down here then up around Snowdonia. I got home around 8 after nine and a half hours riding only stopping for fuel and gates.
So to sum it up the Dragon this year was really all about the ride there and back I was cold, got very little sleep and got a real sore arse from riding the bike not from what you lot are thinking of, would I do it again you say hell yes why wouldn’t I