Mountain Centre - Ice Weekend

[louisdut]

Firstly thanks to Adrian for the use of his school's Mountain Centre (See West Mids - Wales Weekenders) and thanks to the boys for their company on the lanes.

Having only met Chris and Adrian at the local pub meeting and as this was the first time meeting with Jason....would we all get on!!? By the first pint on Friday night it was like we'd always been mates (Sorry Adrian, I didn't get any photo's of you on your bike, as we all know, the yellow ones are fastest! Too fast for my camera!!).

We met at the Cafe near Bridgnorth, around 4pm on Friday, with Vern pointing the way. (Jason was running late and met us up there).

We arrived just as it was getting dark, and the pub was calling!

It was cold overnight, by morning Chris's steering lock had frozen, the old heating the key trick worked well!

Not so sure about hardcore, more downright stupid!!

Unfortunately the photo's don't show how step the decent is! But Jason showed us how it's done.

The black bike looked good on the trail!

The views were great.

 

[louisdut]

More Photo's

The rocky climbs were fairly slippy with loose shale.

Chris showed us how to attack the rocky lanes.

Jason trying to stay away from the ice.

We came across some ice at the end of this lane, Chris and I had to literally stuff the bikes in the bank to stop.

Another cold night on Saturday, thankfully Sunday morning no-one had used their steering lock.

Some of the tracks were a little interesting on the 1200's.

At 1pm on Sunday it was still icy in the shade.

Hardcore HP2 Riders!

Great Weekend

A lot of video footage was taken which will hopefully be on soon.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Great report Paul

Brilliant weekend so thanks to Louisdut, Santrix and Mav for helping to haul the Stealth bomber out of the crap

 

[louisdut]

Edit

To save confusion the boys are

Sgt Bilco (Chris ) black 1200 gsa

Santrix ( Adrian ) yellow ones are fastest F650

Mav ( Jason ) hardcore HP2

Louisdut ( Louis or paul ) not so hardcore 1200 gsa

 

[Mav]

Another version...

As Louisdut has got many of the pictures, I will try to fill in the blanks without duplicating his pics....

After getting to our accommodation, we swiftly made our way to the pub.. turns out it was too swiftly and we had our fist injusry before we even got on to the dirt

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2271973391/" title="IMGP1961 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2254/2271973391_ae20975221.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMGP1961" /></a>

Sgt Bilco took a tumble on the way to pub, but being the hero that he is he soldiered on through several pints of beer

Next morning was a little fresh! But we were raring to go onyack

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2271992081/" title="IMGP1964 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2101/2271992081_97b7857403_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMGP1964" /></a>

Despite the cold start it was a beautiful day by 11, albeit still chilly in the shade:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2271997917/" title="IMGP1965 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2060/2271997917_c248063187_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMGP1965" /></a>

Despite Louis promising us gentle trails... one route involved half of us turning around and this was the second interesting obstacle of the day:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2272797440/" title="IMGP1966 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2340/2272797440_8be6dfd5b4_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMGP1966" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2272010405/" title="IMGP1967 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2059/2272010405_b96018f1f7_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMGP1967" /></a>

It was tougher than it looked.... honest!

Here we are feeling pretty pleased with ourselves:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2272814434/" title="IMGP1969 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2312/2272814434_313f1f510a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMGP1969" /></a>

Here is the track we were faced with afterwards:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2272032877/" title="IMGP1971 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2329/2272032877_edc60c9ba9_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMGP1971" /></a>

With Louis showing us how it's done:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2274911210/" title="IMGP1972 - plate by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2042/2274911210_350e4ced09_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="IMGP1972 - plate" /></a>

During the day we tried out a bullet cam mounted to my lid (video to come once it's been edited...). Seeing as we had two 12GSA's and I was filming and Santrix riding a 650... we started calling him Eve. In all fairness Eve/Santrix is pretty handy with that six fiddy... but he still seemed keen to prove he wasn't a girl:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2272074471/" title="IMGP1979 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2355/2272074471_407f7b2820.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMGP1979" /></a>

After a good mornings ride, we went in search of a pub for a quick sandwich:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2272895174/" title="IMGP1983 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2242/2272895174_22b8c2a145_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMGP1983" /></a>

And then back on to the mountains for some great views:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2272902348/" title="IMGP1984 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2002/2272902348_6a9afb7bf8_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMGP1984" /></a>

And another team shot:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2272122369/" title="IMGP1986 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2148/2272122369_03cf4e70cc_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMGP1986" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2272921670/" title="IMGP1987 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2037/2272921670_24a8678bfd_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMGP1987" /></a>

 

[Mav]

the rest of the weekend...

Having made it through the day and the icey descent (on Louis' pics) we were off to the pub to celebrate no injuries!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2272948108/" title="IMGP1991 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2092/2272948108_ce57c74bda.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMGP1991" /></a>

Turns out the boys thought it was quite to have a G&T... so they did their best to make sure I understood, hence the oh so masculine glass and straw...

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2272929114/" title="IMGP1988 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2371/2272929114_b301da7062.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMGP1988" /></a>

Louis then tries to defend drinking Smirnoff Ice:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2272942562/" title="IMGP1990 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2259/2272942562_7be2273dd4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMGP1990" /></a>

Then came the pool playing, complete with trick shots!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2272160865/" title="IMGP1992 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2065/2272160865_09d9dd7ae7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMGP1992" /></a>

All four are meant to go down in one shot...

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2272959330/" title="IMGP1993 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2280/2272959330_e9e84abfde.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMGP1993" /></a>

The best we could manage was three Even with Sgt Bilco trying to lend a hand!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2272171189/" title="IMGP1994 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2386/2272171189_a6e7fe2436.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMGP1994" /></a>

The next morning was even colder than the previous but it didn't stop us, or the boys wanting to remind me of my apparent poor taste in drinks!!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2273000428/" title="IMGP2003 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2323/2273000428_59d4aa516c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMGP2003" /></a>

The riding was supposed to be even more gentle than the previous as we only had a couple hours... but it didn't stop Louis taking us down here :

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2273011456/" title="IMGP2006 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2419/2273011456_831a963da0_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMGP2006" /></a>

The fact that my bike is at the front does not mean I have responsibility for this lane ... Some good video to follow of Louis getting us out of this a track.

This shot was taken late morning, showing just how cold it was in the shade. Where is the "Holy crap it's cold" smilie?!?! :

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2272273061/" title="IMGP2018 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2032/2272273061_464faed329_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMGP2018" /></a>

Eve and Sgt Bilco on the homeward stretch:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2272288903/" title="IMGP2021 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2345/2272288903_512ff08f48_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMGP2021" /></a>

So that was our weekend in still photos, there will be some videos to follow. Outstanding time, great countryside and tracks, fantastic weather, and good company. All in all a top weekend - special thanks to Eve for organising it and for Louis in planning and leading the routes and Sgt Bilco for providing the entertainment. Top Chaps!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/2272176641/" title="IMGP1996 by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2195/2272176641_950a16103b_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMGP1996" /></a>

 

[santrix]

Fantastic weekend boys, great laughs, scary moments, wet and muddy ones too, considering how little any of us (except the original Mr Modest (i've only done a couple of enduros) Louisdut) have ridden on the mucky stuff i think we did a bladdy good job..

Heres afew more pics; Video to follow haha
The hard standing rear... oo-er missus

After Bilco's injury we werent so sure, so we showed him this sign.

Yellow ones go faster.. apparently

The gang.. knackered but happy... the best way to be.. Riding Gods...or not...

Just my little eve-mobile

 

[JonH]

No No No !

Orange ones go faster !

Gutted I couldn't be there at the weekend .....

For those of you that don't know me I'm Jon, Ades better half !
( For our trip to Morocco that is ! )

I'll be there for the next ones ( Crash Bars on order ! )

How was the Lamb and Leek pie this time Ade !?

 

[NA1959]

Super report and Pic's

Looked like a lot of fun

 

[santrix]

AND HERE IS THE VIDEO... LAUGH.. I ALMOST PEE'D MY BRICHES..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WlecWE5-sU

Oh and i think i have one over on Bilco for the 'Eve' jibes lol...

 

[robbie c]

for once the DIY got the better of me and so I couldn't go, sounds a bit but there you go

looks just the right tracks for the big bikes (and hp2 and f650) , I bet the extra 70 kilos added to the fun, I'd buy an hp2 if (IMHO) they weren't so awful on the road, but as they are I shall have to keep the 1150 adv and the ttr6

I'll be interested if there's another one, louis can vouch for my off road ineptitude but I will have a go at most things

good report

cheers for posting

makes a change to see anyone from the west mids doing anything

Robb!e C

 

[Garry H]

for once the WIFE got the better of me and so I couldn't go, sounds a bit but there you go

looks just the right tracks for the big bikes (and hp2 and f650) , I bet the extra 70 kilos added to the fun, I'd buy an hp2 if (IMHO) I was not so bloody tight, but as i am I shall have to keep the 1150 adv and the ttr6



Robb!e C

Fixed it for you Rob



Nice one Boys
Some of that looked well slippy...Not sure if it's brave or just
Great pics too

 

[louisdut]

I was lucky enough to have a go on Mav's Hp2


Only problem is I want one now

R1 for sale

Cheers Mav

 

[PDiddy]

Great report - What's the make of the long top box and map thingy??

 

[louisdut]

Great report - What's the make of the long top box and map thingy??

The long top box is a Touratech pannier cut down. The map thingy is home made all components came from Maplin.

 

[Mav]

AND HERE IS THE VIDEO... LAUGH.. I ALMOST PEE'D MY BRICHES..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WlecWE5-sU

Oh and i think i have one over on Bilco for the 'Eve' jibes lol...

Thanks for making the vid Eve - you def have material on Bilco now ... just wondering what you have over me and Louis!!

Here's the video inline for those too lazy to follow the link:

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I was lucky enough to have a go on Mav's Hp2


Only problem is I want one now

R1 for sale

Cheers Mav

You'll thank me once you've got one Louis

 

[JonH]

Eve ?

Who is Eve ?

 

[Gaz]

You lot must be mental riding on ice

I may well join you when it gets a bit warmer

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Eve

Eve is Ewan`s good lady wife who couldn`t stay on her 650

The "eve" or "Ev for short" on this trip was a riding god though..... unlike Charlie Boorman here who couldn`t wheelie but could fall off with aplomb.

 

[santrix]

Aww shucks thanks bilco... i think we were all off road queens... *cough* i mean gods, that weekend... sorry about the help the aged thing lol.. couldnt resist it. Roll on March April and June weekends..