Feckin work threatened to get in the way of the social life again as it was 6-45pm on Friday evening as I headed the half mile to meet Shinobi in Newry, but I wasn’t too bothered, we were off on the Brownie Points Run. 
Given the time of evening, we decided to blast down the motorway to Chez Jockser. I was getting peckish and knew that the delightful and long suffering Sue would have grub on the go for us. It was good to meet up with Marcus the Mad German again, and a very pleasant evening was had eating and quaffing all Jocksers wine.
Initially, Saturday morning didn’t look too bad at all, light showers raised faint hopes that Met Eireann had fecked up with the forecast. Unfortunately Marcus was not feeling too well so returned to Dublin whilst Jockser, Shinobi and I set off to Kildare to meet DaveR before heading on to Holy Cross.
Even while we demolished a fine breakfast at R2D2’s fine establishment the weather didn’t look too bad. Jaysus lads, we might get away with this alright.
Wrong.
As we left Dundrum after meeting the rest of the group the heavens opened. Now there’s rain, then there’s heavy rain, but this was rain of almost biblical proportions. My spirits, which had been pretty high all morning descended into a dark depression. I was not happy, not happy at all. If someone had suggested abandoning the run, I would have happily headed back to the B&B. That explains the general lack of pics.
I’m glad we didn’t.
Nud1e led us along through the boreens and hills of south west Tipperary at a lovely pace and at times when the rain eased, it was lovely. Our first stop was on top of a hill in the Silvermine mountains which gave the lads a chance to get their knobblies dirty on nearby tracks. Eddie and Daithi on two Serows, Brendan on a 640 KTM and Phil the Gunner on a HP2 set off to play whilst the rest of us had a break, enjoying a lull in the rain.
I had never seen an HP2 “in the flesh” as it were before, so was very impressed at the rate at which the Gunner headed off down the track, closely followed by the Brendan on the KTM. They were gone quite some time, but it was Brendan who appeared back up the track at a phenomenal rate, but on the HP2. I think he didn’t see the barrier across the track as he approached it fully sideways. Bloody impressive.
It was good to meet up with JWS at our lunch stop near Nenagh. He had left Belfast Saturday morning and in Mullingar on his way down was rear-ended by a car. Luckily neither he nor his bike were damaged and where many would have turned and went home he carried on. Top man.
After a hearty lunch at the Five Alley we headed off west towards the Arra Mountains. The weather had improved considerably and we were riding through intermittent but sometimes heavy showers.
The view of Lough Derg was pretty good despite the rain clouds.
The preferred means of conveyance for a gentleman of Nud1e’s stature, his lovely R80GS.
Despite the bad start to his day, JWS kept on smiling. This was at the transmitter at the top of the Arra mountains.
Our last stop of the day was a disused quarry on Slieve Felim. Accessed by a long and rutted track it was well worth the ride up for an offroad wuss like me. The other guys had some serious fun though.
It has often been said that I am a great man at making a motorbike look small, but just look at that poor wee Serow under Daithi. 
The little Yamaha’s suffering didn’t end there though, as the big fella was determined to air her out over some jumps. The first attempt left a little to be desired.
JWS just landed over the rise.
Closely followed by Gunner on the HP2.
Shinobi on his first offroad day on the new GS giving her a handful.
Meanwhile Daithi is still trying…….
JWS giving her the berries, before his ADV tried to mount Nud1e’s 80GS.
Race ya round the quarry. Gunner and Brendan get ready for another run.
This is what happens when you get in behind an HP2.
Things are going pretty good for Daithi too.
But he doesn’t seem so sure.
Gunner very <s>stupidly</s> kindly offered Jockser and I a run on the HP2. I politely declined with the proviso that I could get it out someday on the road on sticky tyres, but Jockser jumped at the chance to have a go.
Seems happy enough with himself
Until he thinks of how much it will cost to fix if he bins it. Steady now.
Gunner shows us all just how you ride a HP2.
A nice run back to Holy Cross and the group split up into those heading home and those heading for a big feed and a few jars.
Sunday’s run was blessed with much better weather, just the occasional light shower. Unfortunately Shinobi, Leprechaun and I had to leave the run before it’s conclusion to head up the road home. That old work/biking chestnut rearing it’s ugly head again. Damn it to hell anyway.
Thanks are due to Nud1e and R2D2 for the weekend runs and for the accommodation, also to Jockser and family for Friday night. It was a pleasure for you to have me down to stay.
To all the other lads, thanks for your company and craic, t’was a brilliant weekend. 
Given the time of evening, we decided to blast down the motorway to Chez Jockser. I was getting peckish and knew that the delightful and long suffering Sue would have grub on the go for us. It was good to meet up with Marcus the Mad German again, and a very pleasant evening was had eating and quaffing all Jocksers wine.
Initially, Saturday morning didn’t look too bad at all, light showers raised faint hopes that Met Eireann had fecked up with the forecast. Unfortunately Marcus was not feeling too well so returned to Dublin whilst Jockser, Shinobi and I set off to Kildare to meet DaveR before heading on to Holy Cross.
Even while we demolished a fine breakfast at R2D2’s fine establishment the weather didn’t look too bad. Jaysus lads, we might get away with this alright.
Wrong.
As we left Dundrum after meeting the rest of the group the heavens opened. Now there’s rain, then there’s heavy rain, but this was rain of almost biblical proportions. My spirits, which had been pretty high all morning descended into a dark depression. I was not happy, not happy at all. If someone had suggested abandoning the run, I would have happily headed back to the B&B. That explains the general lack of pics.
I’m glad we didn’t.
Nud1e led us along through the boreens and hills of south west Tipperary at a lovely pace and at times when the rain eased, it was lovely. Our first stop was on top of a hill in the Silvermine mountains which gave the lads a chance to get their knobblies dirty on nearby tracks. Eddie and Daithi on two Serows, Brendan on a 640 KTM and Phil the Gunner on a HP2 set off to play whilst the rest of us had a break, enjoying a lull in the rain.
I had never seen an HP2 “in the flesh” as it were before, so was very impressed at the rate at which the Gunner headed off down the track, closely followed by the Brendan on the KTM. They were gone quite some time, but it was Brendan who appeared back up the track at a phenomenal rate, but on the HP2. I think he didn’t see the barrier across the track as he approached it fully sideways. Bloody impressive.
It was good to meet up with JWS at our lunch stop near Nenagh. He had left Belfast Saturday morning and in Mullingar on his way down was rear-ended by a car. Luckily neither he nor his bike were damaged and where many would have turned and went home he carried on. Top man.
After a hearty lunch at the Five Alley we headed off west towards the Arra Mountains. The weather had improved considerably and we were riding through intermittent but sometimes heavy showers.
The view of Lough Derg was pretty good despite the rain clouds.
The preferred means of conveyance for a gentleman of Nud1e’s stature, his lovely R80GS.
Despite the bad start to his day, JWS kept on smiling. This was at the transmitter at the top of the Arra mountains.
Our last stop of the day was a disused quarry on Slieve Felim. Accessed by a long and rutted track it was well worth the ride up for an offroad wuss like me. The other guys had some serious fun though.
It has often been said that I am a great man at making a motorbike look small, but just look at that poor wee Serow under Daithi.
The little Yamaha’s suffering didn’t end there though, as the big fella was determined to air her out over some jumps. The first attempt left a little to be desired.
JWS just landed over the rise.
Closely followed by Gunner on the HP2.
Shinobi on his first offroad day on the new GS giving her a handful.
Meanwhile Daithi is still trying…….
JWS giving her the berries, before his ADV tried to mount Nud1e’s 80GS.
Race ya round the quarry. Gunner and Brendan get ready for another run.
This is what happens when you get in behind an HP2.
Things are going pretty good for Daithi too.
But he doesn’t seem so sure.
Gunner very <s>stupidly</s> kindly offered Jockser and I a run on the HP2. I politely declined with the proviso that I could get it out someday on the road on sticky tyres, but Jockser jumped at the chance to have a go.
Seems happy enough with himself
Until he thinks of how much it will cost to fix if he bins it. Steady now.
Gunner shows us all just how you ride a HP2.
A nice run back to Holy Cross and the group split up into those heading home and those heading for a big feed and a few jars.
Sunday’s run was blessed with much better weather, just the occasional light shower. Unfortunately Shinobi, Leprechaun and I had to leave the run before it’s conclusion to head up the road home. That old work/biking chestnut rearing it’s ugly head again. Damn it to hell anyway.
Thanks are due to Nud1e and R2D2 for the weekend runs and for the accommodation, also to Jockser and family for Friday night. It was a pleasure for you to have me down to stay.
To all the other lads, thanks for your company and craic, t’was a brilliant weekend.
I wasn't goin' to give it back but Gunner was quite insistent 
