Last Day Of The Year

This the last day of my 'official' holiday from work, tomorrow being a Public Holiday - and my body chooses today to breakdown with a heavy cold. I've a headache, sneezes, the works. So, we wont be going out tonight to celebrate the New Year and New Decade, we'll be jealously keeping our diseases to ourselves and having a quiet celebration of our own, probably accompanied by various films and TV programmes to let us know When The Bell Tolls... :-)

I'm Dreaming Of A...

White Christmas.
Its been sooooo long since we had one here, it's almost a novelty. Can it really be true? Has Santa decided its our turn?
Whatever, even though I've had to use trains, buses and trams to get to work instead of the bike, I think its absolutely great.

Merry Xmas and a Happy, Safe, New Year!

I've Been Neglecting Betty

After several days of travelling to and from work in the dark, I had a late start one day (after the rush hour) - and after parking up at work I realised how filthy Betty* (the bike) had become.

From front to back, the damp roads had done their worst - red paint was visible on the tank and top part of the fairing, but going further south, it degenerated though a grey haze into mucky black.

Saturday morning is now allocated to giving Betty a good going over...

*Betty - named after the previous owner had 'Betty Swollocks' printed in the bottom of the number plate.
It's as good a name as any. What a wag :-)

(G) P.S. ...

... a quick post script - as a benefit of joining the IAM, the members area of the website has a page of links to companies offering discounts - one of which is Garmin.

Kelly's mother wanted a simple Satnav for Xmas, so a quick browse of the site showed up a Nuvi 1210 on offer for less than the price of a 'cheaper' lower grade model in the shops. Ordered it Sunday evening, it arrived Tues afternoon. Brilliant.

Its been a while....

IBAW...since I posted a blog, so here's a few musings that I've been meaning to put down on virtual paper. Mum's been quite ill recently, but after a stay in hospital the medication appears to be working and the illness is reducing. her mobility is a little slower than normal, but she's getting used to the walking aids and the wheelchair, bless her. Still looking remarkably upbeat and determined to confront whatever else life throws at her. Way to go, Mum!

IBAW...since I bought a new lid, but as the visor on my old one has been converting light sources into kaleidescopes, I took the plunge and went to my local J&S in Kimberley. I got everything I wanted - flipup-front, integral drop-down dark(-ish) visor, and pinlocked visor for an anti-mist liner. £80 for the lid and £20 for the anti-mist liner, and (because I spent over £50), 3 free gifts from a choice of about 6 or 7. Bargain!

IBAW...since I rode in fog, but there was a hint of mist this morning as I got near to work, and fog all the way home tonight! And its getting worse as I write, so there may well be a pea-souper by tomorrow morning.      

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

As I sit here writing this, the sound of tonight's rain is hammering against the windows - hopefully it will have gone away by the morning, when an early start will mean a ride to work in the dark; rain would be one more thing to be concerned about, another method of hiding Yours Truly (even with fluorescent vest) from myopic car drivers.

That said, I just read on Highway Lass's blog that she thinks that car drivers are getting better at moving out of the way - on reflection, I come to the same conclusion; the commute to work is definitely getting easier. This could be for a couple of reasons
 a) 4+-wheeled motorists are getting the message to look out for bikes (ShineySideUp campaign fronted by John Reynolds - lives near me, you know!)
b) my recent IAM training is making me a more responsible and smoother, patient rider

Hopefully its b), but a) definitely has its place.

However, there was one moment of indiscretion - the other night on the way home I was confronted by the Owner Of The Whole Damn Road switching to the outside lane as I approached whilst filtering (at a reasonable speed, honestly!), then when I was alongside him he wanted his share of the nearside lane again, even though I was near enough to chat to his passenger and had my air-horns sounding a retreat - regretfully, I resorted to violence and thumped the side of his car (yes, I was still that close) to gain his attention and then waved goodbye to him with just the odd finger or two...

I can't think of any other recent occasion where a rogue driver has caused a similar incident - still see people on the phone or texting while queueing in traffic, and general laziness in lane discipline, but I reason that because I've seen them doing this, I'm more aware than they are, and make an effort to get away from them.

Oh, and the rain has subsided now - time to lighten my mood!

Cycle Road Racing

I just did a day as a Bike Marshall at a cycle road race (the Derby Mercury 2009 event)- what an interesting experience! 3 of us (Ray as Lead, myself and Andy) lead the race from the the Race HQ to the start point, then split as a junction required 'marking' - basically attempting to stop or at least slow traffic to protect the cyclists - and for a short while I was Lead Bike which meant warning oncoming traffic of the group of Race Control vehicles and cyclists coming their way.

The route was an 11-mile circuit near to Burton On Trent - six and a half laps brought the riders back to the Race Finish. At times I was required to mark junctions so eventually I ended up in the middle of the race as the pack split into several sections. After marking, I had to re-pass the vehicles and the riders to get back in the lead. As far as I know, there were no incidents with general traffic, everyone was more than willing to wait for the riders and accompanying vehicles to pass.

There were static Marshalls placed at busy roundabouts and T-junctions, it was fun seeing them scurry into place as I approached - they knew the riders would be close behind - they also did a great job in protecting the riders from traffic.

Added bonus - as Marshalls, we get free drinks and food from the organisers...


             

I am an IAM now, I am

Good day, yesterday - passed my Institute of Advance Motorists Bike Test, so now a qualified IAM member!

Who Was Jackie Storer?

I got home an hour or so earlier than usual today, early enough to take the dogs out for a walk, before it started to get dark. We walked down to Shipley Country Park, around Osborne's Pond and up a hill crossing a couple of fields. At the top of this hill, in the middle of the field was a fairly new park bench.

It had a plate attached - "Jackie Storer 1947 - 2009" "Loved to walk across this Park" was inscribed on it. I think this was him - memorium notice

We sat on the bench for a few minutes, and watched (well, I did, the dogs sat on the grass patiently waiting to carry on) a magnificent sunset. Thanks, Jackie.       

Its A Marathon, Not A Sprint

Last weekend, I helped out as a Bike Marshall in the Nottingham Marathon - first time I've done this, but as I've said before, I want to use the bike to experience new things.

It was interesting - I had 2 stages to cover; the first at the 4-5 mile markers in the University Park basically keeping pathways clear of people who visit the Gardens and Lake there, and making sure the few vehicles allowed in are out of the way before the runners came through - when they did it took over an hour for them all to pass!

After the Sweeper Bus came through, I was off to the National Watersports Centre at Holme Pierrepont(near to West Bridgford just outside the city centre), a group of about 6 of us covering both sides of the artificial lake which is 2km long - mile markers 20 - 22. I got there about two and a quarter hours after the race started and the lead runners were already there!

The next couple of hours were spent ferrying numerous bottles of water from one end of the lake to the other - the 2 drinks stations were at the same end but approx 4 kms apart on the course. Checked the health of a few stationary runners... "You alright mate?" " Yeah.... fine... I'll....be...OK....I....think" was the usual conversation... carried 1 unfortunate soul as pillion to the nearest St John Ambulance station and saw other Marshalls doing the same, and even acted as a rock for a cramp victim as he attempted to stretch his knotted muscles.

The pain on some of the runners faces was disconcerting, as was the obvious pain in their tired bodies - why do they (the non-professionals that is) do it? I suppose 'Charity' is an easy answer, but I couldn't/wouldn't put my body through that amount of work for anything. Respect to those who finished and especially those who just tried...

Slavery Works!

Fitted the new 2nd-hand clutch slave cylinder today, and the beast lives! A short test ride indicated there's a little air in the system, but another bleed session should sort that out.

Off to watch MotoGP qualies now...     

JOG-LE reunion 2009

A weekend away in Stirling, to bring together a few friends who had, 2 years ago, completed a John O'Groats to Lands Ends bike run. The previous year we went to the Lake District, I guess we're sort of spending a little more time in some of the areas we passed through on the original ride.

A couple of long ride-outs were planned for the Saturday and Sunday, I decided to cut short the Saturday ride, due to a nagging shoulder problem; and just 15 miles from my return to Stirling I started to notice a clutch problem - gears difficult to select, lengthy free lever travel (the RF900 has an hydraulic clutch)... the last couple of miles I had hardly any clutch at all, roundabouts and traffic lights were a bit hairy! 

We had a brief attempt at fixing the problem - and failed. Both clutch slave cylinder bolts had disappeared, and the fluid had all gone. A bottle of Dot-4 was purchased, a bolt was scavenged from a mate's bike, the clutch was bled and ... it still leaked.

Next day was spent appealing for help from members of RFOC, for a spare slave or sourcing a seal kit - despite heroic efforts none were found. So, on Monday morning, the  decision was made to call the insurance breakdown/recovery people. Three hours later, myself and Kel, and the RF, were on a flatbed truck heading south, not looking forward to the 7-hour drive home.

On the way, one of the RFOC members (Russell in Peterborough - what a star!) called me to say he had a spare slave and was sending it by DHL the next day. Right now the bike is stripped and ready for the slave to be installed.

Spannering

Well, after  a week of having the bike in bits, today should see it back together again.

Had new tryes put on, and with one paddock stand, that meant taking 1 wheel at a time to the tyre shop, over two days... I used National Tyres, they wont take your wheels off for you (because of "lack of skills in chain adjustment"), but will let you use their equipment and tools to do it on their premises if you want to 'ride in ride out' - err, no thanks....  my guess is Health & Safety would have a field day with that idea!

Anyway, took the rear off, to find the pads were in a shocking state - my pillion g/f recently said on a ride "I can hear a noise when we're slowing" - why didnt I check these out then??? New set of pads waiting to go in today, along with new plugs, and fresh oil  next week before the BH weekend, when we're off to Stirling for the weekend           

SOC AGM

Had a good weekend at the Suzuki Owners Club AGM last weekend - the AGM itself lasts about a couple of hours, and is surrounded by a couple of days of drinking and a little bit of mayhem...

It was held at MFN (Miles From Nowhere or Middle of F****** Nowhere), a canal-side venue near Ilkeston, Derbys, and is owned and run by Malc Allured (drummer with 70's pop band Showaddywaddy).

It really is in the middle of nowhere, the two lanes leading to it are about a mile long before you reach civilisation. Malc's band, The Daytona's, played on the Saturday night, they rocked out some classics.

And finally... The Weather.

Why is it I need 2 sets of biking clothes to ride my bike to work and back? It s never the same weather in the morning and in the evening.

Today for example - pee-ing down this morning (almost took the car...), so on with the waterproof jacket and trousers. Arrive at work wet (on the outside), but thats OK because the changing room has a hot drying cupboard (even if it does stink a bit from the towels that left in there). So, time for home - put on the now dry jacket and trousers, and bake on the way home in the remnants of a British summer - now I wish I'd put my leathers and my waterproof oversuit on this morning... 

Ponderosa at Llangollen

Went up to the Ponderosa cafe yesterday, with group of friends from the RF Owners Club. The weather was great, a few dark clouds over Wales, elsewhere was sunny. Total of 290 miles, from Derby to Church Stretton (dropped other half at her Aunts), Oswestry, Llangollen and return by same route.

Llangollen is probably a very nice little town, but didnt see much of it because the traffic was horrendous, severe filtering required!  

The steak pie at the Ponderosa was delicious, well worth the visit. 

First Post

The first one - so how about a short list of firsts?

This year I did my first National Road Rally - just the 'daytime' bimble to see how I went on. Completed my route well within time, which proves 'it's a Rally, not a Race'. Wanted to carry on...

The NRR made me realise what I want out of motorcycling - a reason to go. When I first passed my test (a mere 4 years ago) I used to go everywhere on the bike - now I've started to think I want to do more long-distance journeys, and/or holidays on the bike. Seem to be getting a little tired of 'go somewhere for cuppa/chips/whatever, then go home - by whatever route. Think I need to get a plan together for a long trip away.

Started to read the forums on IBA - the Iron Butt Association, promoters of safe long-distance riding in short(-ish) times. Reading the exploits of their members, and a few books on road-trips, makes me want to be out on the road.

Also decided to try to get involved with motorcycle marshalling for cycle road races - this lead me on to my first thoughts about Advanced Training this year too - so I joined the Notts IAM, and started the Skills For Life course. Taught me a lot about what to do, and why to do it. A better rider? For the first time since I passed my test, I feel confident that I will ride within my ability. Not that I was unsure before, but it just seems different somehow.