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.