Well the day started well enough. Met up with Dave Emsley,
bakerlonglegs and
halfpint at SBW as planned. Out to Ware and a couple of lanes before the wet stuff began.
Barwick ford was taken in our stride. Latchford 1 ford and Latchford 2 ford in similar style - even though the water was deeper than expected.
On to the notorious Standon ford. Without an eyeball recce, Dave led the way on his big 950 Super Enduro R. I was hard on his heels on the 'Berg. Both bikes were burbling well under water and emerged unscathed on the north shore. I left mine running for a few minutes to make sure all was well.
But I turn around and see Andy and Pete pushing their mounts through:
Words of guidance and encouragement were hailed from the safety of dry land:
Unfortunately both bikes had ingested a fair bit of water, so much stripping of air-boxes and spark-plugs then followed:
Bemused dogs looked on.
When all was reassembled, Andy's KTM was proving difficult to start and the battery was eventually flattened before the bike responded to a kick.
Unfortunately my 'Berg now decided that it was its turn not to start - I now suspect that some water was sucked up the carb breather (even though I had replumbed the breather pipes according to the
Timolgra wisdom). Much pushing and grunting wouldn't get the bike running for more than a few seconds.
Meanwhile Andy had discovered that his bike had shipped large quantities of river water into the engine bowels and a milky emulsion had formed:
Andy decided that his should get his bike recovered to his home - and as mine still wouldn't run, we repaired to a nearby pub for drinks, nosebag and the attendance of the RAC.
After about 45 minutes, the RAC turned up (in a van - no trailer!) so I blagged his jump-starter and got mine fired up.
We left Andy to await his recovery and set off for Violets Lane in Pelham Furneaux. Well feck me if the entire lane wasn't bone dry. I've never seen that before. But what I did see were the huge ruts which will catch out unwary bikers when the whole lane is in its usual underwater state.
A loop around Hertfordshire lanes and we were back at SBW by 3pm for our farewells.
Are you home yet Andy?
Greg