Last week I got a message from Emmsy Poo asking for some advice on how to gain more confidence in handling her 650 GS.
Well, as I far as I know, the best way of bonding with your bike is actually riding it - and so I suggested coming up to Herefordshire on Sunday and going for a little girlie ride.
Don't worry, Rob, even the best husband needs some help occasionally with making his wife happy...
... and I promise to bring her back in one piece.
First we went to the training ground for some slow-speed-manoeuvres (still too fast for my camera's focus apparently...
)
Snails' Race (who is last at the finish line?), eights, circles, and some exercises to prove the importance of looking into the direction where you want to go - the rest of the bike will follow...
Then we hit the road - following the A438 to the beautiful town of Hay-on-Wye
A Mecca for book lovers
Even Hay Castle has been taken over by a bookshop...
But there are many more treasures to discover...
The town's watch tower
Ornamental features everywhere
The different ages of man
... and loads of picturesque buildings
... which look lovely inside as well
Emma invited me for lunch at Oscar's Bistro - thank you!
And then took me to her favourite Fudge Shop for dessert...
.
Before we carry on riding - remind me, what was Welsh for 'Motor Cycles' again? Aha...
They have quite a lovely countryside in Wales - that's where we were heading to next
A wiggly single track road took us up to the Gospel Pass. Fantastic little lane with almost alpine features, requiring a lot of concentration - especially with all the wind we had yesterday.
Not a route I would necessarily recommend for the novice - so kudos to Emms who was leading all the way!
If you look really hard you can see Emma on the horizon - by the time I had found a gust-proof spot on the grass (that allowed me to take my hands off the handlebars) she was long gone...
Stunning views from the top of the hill
Is it true that they have more sheep than people in Wales?
Quick briefing on where to go from here
... and off we went again
Interim result on top of the pass - Emma looks pretty happy, don't you think?
The impressive Black Mountains
... and another 14 miles of narrow twisties
By then Emma was so enthusiastic about her bike that we didn't stop again until Hereford (personally, I wouldn't have minded some Welsh Tea Cake in Abergavenny but considering the objectives of the day that was rather negligible...
).
Back home we discussed various measures to make the 650 more suitable for the vertically challenged (I know what I'm talking about...), such as low seats, handlebar risers, Daytona Lady Stars boots, clutch lever adjustments, alternative bikes, etc...
Talking of alternative bikes - do you notice something unusual on Rob's Adventure?
Yep, that's right - I think I have mentioned occasionally that I absolutely love piglets...
After looking at several maps contemplating possible trails for the 'Dirty Girls' weekend and the UK Advrider Rally in September, I finally headed back to Oxford...
... taking the scenic route and stopping for the odd photo here and there. Where am I?
Little hint...
Ledbury is one of the finest Black and White towns in the country
The harbour at Tewkesbury
Tewkesbury Abbey
Stanway on the B4077, one of my favourite roads in Gloucestershire
Upper Swell near Stow-on-the-Wold
View from the bridge
Bliss Valley Tweed Mill at Chipping Norton - once the foundation of the town's textile industry, the building has now been converted into luxurious apartments (don't ask me for the property prices...)
When I called Emma to tell her that I had returned to Oxford safe and sound, she was really pleased with the day's achievements - and still very happy!
See, it's not that difficult to make a woman happy - don't know what men are always moaning about...
Well done, Emms, I look forward to our next ride-out!
Ela
Well, as I far as I know, the best way of bonding with your bike is actually riding it - and so I suggested coming up to Herefordshire on Sunday and going for a little girlie ride.
Don't worry, Rob, even the best husband needs some help occasionally with making his wife happy...
... and I promise to bring her back in one piece.
First we went to the training ground for some slow-speed-manoeuvres (still too fast for my camera's focus apparently...
)
Snails' Race (who is last at the finish line?), eights, circles, and some exercises to prove the importance of looking into the direction where you want to go - the rest of the bike will follow...
Then we hit the road - following the A438 to the beautiful town of Hay-on-Wye
A Mecca for book lovers
Even Hay Castle has been taken over by a bookshop...
But there are many more treasures to discover...
The town's watch tower
Ornamental features everywhere
The different ages of man
... and loads of picturesque buildings
... which look lovely inside as well
Emma invited me for lunch at Oscar's Bistro - thank you!
And then took me to her favourite Fudge Shop for dessert...
Before we carry on riding - remind me, what was Welsh for 'Motor Cycles' again? Aha...
They have quite a lovely countryside in Wales - that's where we were heading to next
A wiggly single track road took us up to the Gospel Pass. Fantastic little lane with almost alpine features, requiring a lot of concentration - especially with all the wind we had yesterday.
Not a route I would necessarily recommend for the novice - so kudos to Emms who was leading all the way!
If you look really hard you can see Emma on the horizon - by the time I had found a gust-proof spot on the grass (that allowed me to take my hands off the handlebars) she was long gone...
Stunning views from the top of the hill
Is it true that they have more sheep than people in Wales?
Quick briefing on where to go from here
... and off we went again
Interim result on top of the pass - Emma looks pretty happy, don't you think?
The impressive Black Mountains
... and another 14 miles of narrow twisties
By then Emma was so enthusiastic about her bike that we didn't stop again until Hereford (personally, I wouldn't have minded some Welsh Tea Cake in Abergavenny but considering the objectives of the day that was rather negligible...
).Back home we discussed various measures to make the 650 more suitable for the vertically challenged (I know what I'm talking about...
), such as low seats, handlebar risers, Daytona Lady Stars boots, clutch lever adjustments, alternative bikes, etc...Talking of alternative bikes - do you notice something unusual on Rob's Adventure?
Yep, that's right - I think I have mentioned occasionally that I absolutely love piglets...
After looking at several maps contemplating possible trails for the 'Dirty Girls' weekend and the UK Advrider Rally in September, I finally headed back to Oxford...
... taking the scenic route and stopping for the odd photo here and there. Where am I?
Little hint...
Ledbury is one of the finest Black and White towns in the country
The harbour at Tewkesbury
Tewkesbury Abbey
Stanway on the B4077, one of my favourite roads in Gloucestershire
Upper Swell near Stow-on-the-Wold
View from the bridge
Bliss Valley Tweed Mill at Chipping Norton - once the foundation of the town's textile industry, the building has now been converted into luxurious apartments (don't ask me for the property prices...
)
When I called Emma to tell her that I had returned to Oxford safe and sound, she was really pleased with the day's achievements - and still very happy!
See, it's not that difficult to make a woman happy - don't know what men are always moaning about...
Well done, Emms, I look forward to our next ride-out!
Ela
, there's nothing better than to go out with a friend for a gentle bimble and no pressure with having to "keep up" or ride on the edge all the time.
