Great looking machine.
Weathers kinda nice - time to ride!
- Thread starter SteveT
- Start date
Feels like Spring has arrived (at least for today). 10 degrees, dry roads, only a touch of snow left on the hills above Moffat, snowdrops out.
Saw lots of bikes out including some power rangers. Hibernation season must be over for now.
Scottish Motorcycle Show on 7 and 8 March. Has been known to be cold and snowy for that.
Saw lots of bikes out including some power rangers. Hibernation season must be over for now.
Scottish Motorcycle Show on 7 and 8 March. Has been known to be cold and snowy for that.
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Went on another midweek moonlight meander tonight as i did last Wednesday - with reasonable riding conditions being a bit sparse of late you gotta` make the most of any opportunity, and there`s a whiff of spring in the air.
A few others had the same idea, saw a few bikes out around Meon Valley, ended up at Portsdown Hill (but didn`t get a burger..)
Yesterdays lunar event was the `worm moon`!
Middle of the New Forest last Wednesday, i like to ride into the middle of nowhere and just look/listen and absorb the stillness..
Moonlight bimbles for the win!
A few others had the same idea, saw a few bikes out around Meon Valley, ended up at Portsdown Hill (but didn`t get a burger..)
Yesterdays lunar event was the `worm moon`!
Middle of the New Forest last Wednesday, i like to ride into the middle of nowhere and just look/listen and absorb the stillness..
Moonlight bimbles for the win!
I do think she’s looking quite British today.
Some of you I know get to Sleap airport. Great cafe
Some of you I know get to Sleap airport. Great cafe
First long ride out on my new to me Himalayan 411. 220 Mile round trip to Applecross and lunch at the Applecross Inn 
.
Was bright but cold, low cloud and damp over the top of the pass so not much to see.
Got run off the road by a Volvo who decided he didn’t need to use a passing place on the single track (Bealach na Ba) and just kept coming thinking he could squeeze past at speed, either that or he just didn’t see me
Luckily I kept it upright and there was just enough of a verge to go on before a very steep drop.
Loving the bike but might have to look at better seat options, I could feel the frame rails on my arse after an hour
. Was bright but cold, low cloud and damp over the top of the pass so not much to see.
Got run off the road by a Volvo who decided he didn’t need to use a passing place on the single track (Bealach na Ba) and just kept coming thinking he could squeeze past at speed, either that or he just didn’t see me
Luckily I kept it upright and there was just enough of a verge to go on before a very steep drop.Loving the bike but might have to look at better seat options, I could feel the frame rails on my arse after an hour
Was nice today so off on a bimble through Hampshire, Dorset and Somerset with Mrs Hann in the co-pilot seat.
I`ve never been before so our destination was Glastonbury Tor, although the temp at home suggested it was going to be a bright but cool day i did think as i was climbing the steep 500` ascent that four layers including my heated vest and thermal liner was probably a little too much as the suns radiation from a clear early spring sky was making it`s effects known as i stomped up the 300+ steps to the summit in full biking gear.
Stopped off at Somersets hipster central (Bruton) on the way back.
It did have a particular vibe about it from what i saw - lots of stylish people about with artisan coffee in hand buying art, vintage jewelry and hummous.
I brought the vibe dowm by parking on the high street double yellows and scoffing a Tunnocks Tea Cake and convinience store cold latte from a bottle.
I`ve never been before so our destination was Glastonbury Tor, although the temp at home suggested it was going to be a bright but cool day i did think as i was climbing the steep 500` ascent that four layers including my heated vest and thermal liner was probably a little too much as the suns radiation from a clear early spring sky was making it`s effects known as i stomped up the 300+ steps to the summit in full biking gear.
Stopped off at Somersets hipster central (Bruton) on the way back.
It did have a particular vibe about it from what i saw - lots of stylish people about with artisan coffee in hand buying art, vintage jewelry and hummous.
I brought the vibe dowm by parking on the high street double yellows and scoffing a Tunnocks Tea Cake and convinience store cold latte from a bottle.
Yet another midweek Wednesday wander on the bike, these are becoming a thing...
The purpose of this evenings ride was obstensibly to use up all the fuel in the Bigs tanks to make removal easier for some upcoming maintenence and checks before an Easter mini tour of Wales i`ve got planned with a couple of mates.
I filled a fuel can with fuel and put it in the top box on the way out in preparation - i also wanted to double check how far i can get after going on reserve as it`s always good to know and i have a habit of always leaving it until the last minute. Sometimes after the last minute....
Did the usual loop around Hants, it was quite busy at Loomies;
...and the farmer was busy in the adjacent field;
So, on the way back home i ran out of fuel at 47 miles.
Luckily i was able to dive into a nearby layby for safety and get the fuel can out. It was dark by this time. And no street lights at all so i was fumbling about in the darkness in the middle of nowhere.
I put what i thought was a couple of litres in and cranked the old girl over. I cranked for quite some time. It showed no sign of firing..
I waited a few mins in the hope that the fuel would stabilise and transfer from one tank to the other covering up both pick-up lines and tried again with another extended cranking event. Still no fire. I was getting a bit worried at this point about battery life and imagined having to make the phone call of shame (yet again!) to my personal recovery agent (Mrs Hann) for help.
I put another couple of litres went in (i also wanted to save at least two litres in the can for my paramotor testing i planned for Friday) and another long prod of the starter button this time winding the throttle open a bit to see if that encouraged the vacuum-operated fuel pump into action. Still no joy.
The prospect of being stranded due to another of my brilliant ideas was looming large, i don`t half give myself some unecessary drama at times...
Luckily on the fourth starting attempt the glorious sound of a thumping 800cc single grudgingly awakening was heard and a great feeling of relief washed over me!
They take some cranking these Dr Bigs, thank you Motobatt...
Observations on tonights ride: there are still certain members of the two-wheel fraternity who just don`t get it - despite there being numerous articles in the media about how noisy high-revving motorbikes are speeding through this area (hence the installation of ave.speed cams aound the A32/A272) i still witnessed groups of clowns roaring off at full chat making a right racket. I`m a biker and find it unecessary, the locals probably more so. It doesn`t do the whole bike thing image any good and could eventually lead to yet even stricter control. Stop it.
Second whinge was the amount of car drivers who either dip their blinding LED high beams too late or do not bother at all, a few times i had to give my own high beam a flash to make them aware and to wake up. It`s fecking annoying. Don`t do it.
The purpose of this evenings ride was obstensibly to use up all the fuel in the Bigs tanks to make removal easier for some upcoming maintenence and checks before an Easter mini tour of Wales i`ve got planned with a couple of mates.
I filled a fuel can with fuel and put it in the top box on the way out in preparation - i also wanted to double check how far i can get after going on reserve as it`s always good to know and i have a habit of always leaving it until the last minute. Sometimes after the last minute....
Did the usual loop around Hants, it was quite busy at Loomies;
...and the farmer was busy in the adjacent field;
So, on the way back home i ran out of fuel at 47 miles.
Luckily i was able to dive into a nearby layby for safety and get the fuel can out. It was dark by this time. And no street lights at all so i was fumbling about in the darkness in the middle of nowhere.
I put what i thought was a couple of litres in and cranked the old girl over. I cranked for quite some time. It showed no sign of firing..
I waited a few mins in the hope that the fuel would stabilise and transfer from one tank to the other covering up both pick-up lines and tried again with another extended cranking event. Still no fire. I was getting a bit worried at this point about battery life and imagined having to make the phone call of shame (yet again!) to my personal recovery agent (Mrs Hann) for help.
I put another couple of litres went in (i also wanted to save at least two litres in the can for my paramotor testing i planned for Friday) and another long prod of the starter button this time winding the throttle open a bit to see if that encouraged the vacuum-operated fuel pump into action. Still no joy.
The prospect of being stranded due to another of my brilliant ideas was looming large, i don`t half give myself some unecessary drama at times...
Luckily on the fourth starting attempt the glorious sound of a thumping 800cc single grudgingly awakening was heard and a great feeling of relief washed over me!
They take some cranking these Dr Bigs, thank you Motobatt...
Observations on tonights ride: there are still certain members of the two-wheel fraternity who just don`t get it - despite there being numerous articles in the media about how noisy high-revving motorbikes are speeding through this area (hence the installation of ave.speed cams aound the A32/A272) i still witnessed groups of clowns roaring off at full chat making a right racket. I`m a biker and find it unecessary, the locals probably more so. It doesn`t do the whole bike thing image any good and could eventually lead to yet even stricter control. Stop it.
Second whinge was the amount of car drivers who either dip their blinding LED high beams too late or do not bother at all, a few times i had to give my own high beam a flash to make them aware and to wake up. It`s fecking annoying. Don`t do it.
stop in random layby in the Radnor Hills south of Knighton to empty bladder and top up caffeine from my new flask
lunch at the Lamb & Flag in Rhayader. Brisket chilli and half a pint of Wye Valley Butty Bach
lunch at the Lamb & Flag in Rhayader. Brisket chilli and half a pint of Wye Valley Butty Bach
C'mon Sy! Give us a clue...
Thursday for me was to savour the delights of riding up to New Cross (London) to visit my Son.
Motorway 80%, traffic-jammed A roads 10%, poxy 20mph local roads 10%, so next time I’ll catch the train.
Still a pleasure to see my nipper though.
Motorway 80%, traffic-jammed A roads 10%, poxy 20mph local roads 10%, so next time I’ll catch the train.
Still a pleasure to see my nipper though.
The bike and I came out of hibernation today.
Me with the same old gear and a haircut.
The bike with a new starter, relay and battery,
Fingers crossed for that ferry to Spain in a month.
Headed southwards for a short ride. Only 80+ miles. Sun shining, but cool. Never above 11 degrees.
Paused at Wilsontown (interesting history) then dined in Biggar high street.
Passed a filling station at 154p / L.
Tesco not quite so bad.
Now catching Moto GP on Tv.
Me with the same old gear and a haircut.
The bike with a new starter, relay and battery,
Fingers crossed for that ferry to Spain in a month.
Headed southwards for a short ride. Only 80+ miles. Sun shining, but cool. Never above 11 degrees.
Paused at Wilsontown (interesting history) then dined in Biggar high street.
Passed a filling station at 154p / L.
Tesco not quite so bad.
Now catching Moto GP on Tv.
I'm hopefully swapping the snow on the Grampians for sand of the dunes after Merzouga. Pity the poor riders heading in the opposite direction that i saw on the M74 today!
Few flies about,not that I'm complaining the weather has been glorious. 
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