I hope you'll indulge me these thoughts from my little break.
Plan: To disappear into rural Britain for a few days, riding the highways and byways on my own to "chill".
Equipment: -
BMW R1200GS - What Can I say ?, Total flexibility, at home in towns on M roads, A & B Classes and single track muddy and gravelled lanes. Fast, economical, (around 65mpg) handling is "ok" After a week of intimacy I am totally at home with this sometimes awkward beast, it never put a foot wrong anywhere. The only issue was whilst parked on the very steep main street of Knighton in Powys, I started it in gear (clutch in of course) and the shaft's torque nearly spat me off. A bike that drew attention to itself wherever it went,positive remarks from passing peds and the like. Felt totally visible in townscapes. Bike swallowed the miles as if they weren't there, particularly enjoyable in the flooded Wye Valley including crossing a deepish Ford - big Wellie boot ! Cracking, cracking bike with very few vices. Covered in filth which added to my credibility in towns (:-)) for very little effort ! Rubbish horn. 700 miles covered. Rode this today from last night's stop with one stop for a drink en-route (and helmet fiddle) covered nearly 150 miles with no discomfort. Heated grips are not just gadgets, they work and a good.
BMW Vario Topbox. - The only hard luggage I had, it swallowed all the solid stuff I needed and some clothing. Only just adequate for my needs - but hell, I'll have to get panniers. Mane Event pannier liner, Ideal for lifting out into hotels a hand luggage.
Knox Rucsack. Ergonomically designed for the bike, forgot it was there - swallowed clothing and books. Good choice.
Triumph Boots, Triumph branded gloves. Cheaper than the equivalent BMW kit, the boots are identical to the BMW models, not seen the gloves in BMW brand both items however comfy enough to forget about them
Shoei Helmet. Hated it - had it a couple of years with really annoyingly discomfort to my ear. Got worse as the holiday went on had to keep stopping to adjust, dramatically reduced concentration, it's got to go. Probably get a BMW flipfront (avoid hassle with glaasses) and need bluetooth connectivity for phone and MP3 feature on the phone.
Frank Thomas two piece fabric oversuit. Comfy and practical in "death black" warm with its liner, ideal to go to the pub in the evening.
Learnt a few things.
Concentration is everything. Got lost in Swansea so need bike Sat Nav now ! Any annoyance in gear is multiplied x 10 as time goes on. Forgot iPod (curses), need more luggage space, glasses broke - nearly spoilt the holiday (take a spare pair next time). Need to take a hat for off bike moments. Tescos do very cheap but durable clothing T shirts and undies (two tees for 5 quid !). Magners Cider is baaad for keeping upright. One thing I picked up on was preparation, before every day's ride I go through a routine of checking equipment and stowing gear this aids concentration on set off and avoids annoyances later on with flapping zips or rattles later on.
Positives.
The Bike, the roads, the scenery - in 7 days I came across no bad driving apart from an idiot smoker within 5 miles of home who threw a fag end out of his car as I overtook ! People in general were excellent, the bike is an ice breaker, everyone from youth in Tesco Camarthen to Bed and Breakfast hosts were wonderful when engaged in conversation, no negativity towards bikers anywhere. The smiles from pedestrians in towns when you waved them across in front of you, the waves from horseriders when you crept past hoping the BM wouldn't backfire (like they do in a muted way). The smells, the scenery that you mis sin a car.
Negatives.
Speed cameras, speed cameras and Speed cameras - this wreck the 100% concentration required to ride safely in towns, you're so busy keeping an eye on the speedo to avoid "creep" that it dominates, it shouldn't I should be using
that time to look ahead on the road. I don't go fast ! Idiot street parking in Shrewsbury; Ticket machine dispensed tickets that couldn't be stuck to anything, these people are clowns. Two wheels are good in towns on a number of fronts but these idiots make it difficult on the point of arrival. Thank goodness for the human face of enforcement - the common sense of the Parking Attendant there who proved that the breed are human
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good wriite up - i haven't been to wales for a long time. I should go back on my TDM sometime.
I'm off to Scotland again this spring - fabulous roads, few cameras and an excellent guide.
Still thinking of buying a bike trailer to ferry my bike (plus another perhaps?) on the motorways/autoroutes to start the tour. I'm also thinking of getting my bike shipped to Africa for a holiday - a group of six bikes should be doable.
So many opportunities on two wheels :-)
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load of us going to France in June...... me on the Blackbird, mate on a newish VFR......don't know the other chaps or what bikes they've got..... all my mate's work colleagues.
have done it a couple of times before.....Spain was good........Plymouth - Santander ferry was a doddle....really looking forward to it
make do with a decent Givi top box, Oxford back pack and tank bag........more than enough room
the only problem i've got is the waterproofs... bought them quite big (all in ones), so i can get them on/off without help when still wearing the leathers underneath .......trouble with that though is they then 'flap' at speed around the arms and legs, so to cure that i wrapped some carpet tape around the arms and legs.....so i now look like a cross between the Michelin Man and Compo
I still find it quite bazarre having a hotel porter walk in with my top box in one hand and a backpack in the other whilst i stroll through the foyer with half an autoroute's insects plastered down the front of my leathers...mind you the Europeans approve of bikes, don't they.
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now spotted the bizarre spelling mistskake
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Great post! Hope you are suitably chilled
Hawkeye
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Stranger in a strange land
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