tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58863510316422169152024-03-13T11:55:16.951+00:00United States of AManchester.An epic bike ride to Manchester.Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.comBlogger189125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-28344504066909537412023-04-27T16:15:00.000+01:002023-04-27T16:15:07.458+01:00April 5th 2023<p> Currrrr, 5th April 1958, I don't remember being born but it was a bloody long time ago.</p><p>65 years to be precise . Happy Birthday to mre.</p><p>It wasn,t that long ago when 65 meant retirement with a state pension, but not today.</p><p>67 ish, is the age now. And the government atre trying to put it up again tp 70.</p><p>Bloody crazy to think the youngsters of today will even work at 17, never mind 70.</p><p>Oh well I'm still here and wondering how.</p><p>I take enough pills and potions to sing a ship. </p><p>I groan like a old wooded bed when I get up from a chair.</p><p>I sleep less in bed , but take more naps on the couch. </p><p>I haved type 2 meltus, fatty liver disease , kerataconus, high blood pressure , hearing is going,</p><p>my knees ache, and I have realised that I most certainly have ADHD ( since birth). </p><p>But all that lot is fine. A few less surprizes to die from LOL.</p><p>Today I picked up my tyre/wheel for the old Suzuki Burgman 650 that did about 100 miles last year</p><p>The Wusty Rex XVZ1200 steampunk bike is still poorly </p><p>And despite my aging body I still did 15 hrs a day Mon - Weds this week on a full outside stobecoat project.</p><p><br /></p><p>See www.stonefxwalls.co.uk </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm46j0cw4EQeqKU7T_nQPAvo6DHcUWNp-d8ayDxJYe7EOPXCLpumnihT_2fNarDAPZOW-1sZcU7pwkVv0TsMHyJKV_gA2yK_quGYinnSrrJGZKo4-xEP-xH3ttDrMi6_uSnxfq6WtEBQE6fwA85A1faMt10DuNgZyVUbXvxrDafWezRmNrthAEGtLL/s4608/20190803_111719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm46j0cw4EQeqKU7T_nQPAvo6DHcUWNp-d8ayDxJYe7EOPXCLpumnihT_2fNarDAPZOW-1sZcU7pwkVv0TsMHyJKV_gA2yK_quGYinnSrrJGZKo4-xEP-xH3ttDrMi6_uSnxfq6WtEBQE6fwA85A1faMt10DuNgZyVUbXvxrDafWezRmNrthAEGtLL/s320/20190803_111719.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-37359695232173931542023-01-13T16:21:00.001+00:002023-01-13T16:21:26.934+00:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy1Ph5Bcd2sOh-9N2BAntHiUQcklaoo9L3TYfkqSWmlw6fxpBC22XJu5gQgEE9ZkV7sYBm9Hs6tNk4kUcruWA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Manchester by the sea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Boston</div><br /> <p></p>Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-86404666372278884582022-12-18T11:09:00.005+00:002022-12-18T11:09:55.685+00:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxkEhI6kTwh4Y9ZYeXJqWF3l9mphTn8H60UpeE5oItJnbemokKBVF6OSZnNZDpZNe6ujS_YC6hDMednUjiO3A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Salem .... MA day 1 , its raining, go figure. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-81844541424175856502022-12-18T11:07:00.004+00:002022-12-18T11:07:51.572+00:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='411' height='341' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz7TBs_gGiRL-Fj1jZii_TnAY0UOs5NfUgIbCXe4fHI4ypnWOqLzsEqGvShxye09U3XTcRpdtsxvLLLtV_JNw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Motorcycles of Manchester Boston Saturday 14th May 2011</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-82033001241155932852022-12-18T11:05:00.001+00:002022-12-18T11:05:06.492+00:00<p> 2011 is a long time ago, but not having time or skills to create a video, I decided today to just posty a series of vids saved . No editing, just straight from the camera chip...... I hope this works.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='589' height='440' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwZmBBfBzhNl8BHNOGTz2v5t6NDsiVTAZGtDPX9K_i3R_y8y52hwv76qBYQaTa23RuWn7c0pjr-Q_sm_V9OtQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>Back when I had a bit of hair left///// </p>Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-69349255022746622642022-05-04T13:45:00.001+01:002022-05-04T13:45:46.805+01:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxQaAEKIAVxOCDWwjfq4bJ6mE2PXU-ouBXWeChmG4-cRlL8mkea93kF1oCch9vEtb8xgQiSXNbeSbG_ZF227w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As mentioned a series of short videos straight from the camera.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No editing, just as I recorded them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Manchester 1 Collecting the hire bike. 14 May 2011</div><br /> <p></p>Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-82309381869923634952022-04-07T09:43:00.001+01:002022-04-07T09:43:10.008+01:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7yKGzQTrfrC0pMt6nmQ7XT0Y1IYRiYzb6DVcFoBpf6Dwaeo14_LTmPo9B5SQD28ZJ8ozfgd5el8eJcFdvas9EIDNP6xJ0i91b1wRj2kBiCVWQFBVlzF3ohekm5KYIf7D3xwIw4YCV4ZUjynRjczYRC2kfe1c5yHhUqRx_fhR37s4H80cCt3Q68j4/s2464/20210518_171437.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2464" data-original-width="2464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7yKGzQTrfrC0pMt6nmQ7XT0Y1IYRiYzb6DVcFoBpf6Dwaeo14_LTmPo9B5SQD28ZJ8ozfgd5el8eJcFdvas9EIDNP6xJ0i91b1wRj2kBiCVWQFBVlzF3ohekm5KYIf7D3xwIw4YCV4ZUjynRjczYRC2kfe1c5yHhUqRx_fhR37s4H80cCt3Q68j4/s320/20210518_171437.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well that's a serious haircut.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">05-04-1958 to today 5th April 2022.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well who'd a thunked it, I survived this far. 64 todays and don't feel a day over. Or under !</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes I went thin and lost my hair, Yes I got type 2 diabetes, yes my eyes are shot with Kerataconis, my knees ache, and manual work is getting harder with each lousy wet, cold and miserable weather day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">BUT, in my head I am still 25, still have a wonderful wife who puts up with me , and occasionally get out on my bike.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Getting older is good in many ways though. I can be a grumpy old git, I can flirt with ladies of any age</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and I can still get away with OAP prices at some events.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Going back to the origin of this blog, I have started adding FACEBOOK/Road2Manchester posts of the unedited versions of the videos I made on my trip in 2011.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/Road2manchester-1657244921252682">www.facebook.com/Road2manchester-1657244921252682</a> this link should go straight there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It may entertain or bore your bolls off , but hey, better out there than sat on my laptop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chunky Tread Motorcycle Adventure Club is still running doing virtually nowt, but hey plenty add their stories to it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also started up a sales page for your guys wanting to sell your used gear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">facebook Adeventure biking gear for sale . Private ads only. 1700 members last count. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Its raining again here in Rossendale , but that's normal .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have you followed facebook/Harrystottlepoems yet ? Do it </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">bye 4 no</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pete w</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-20484783740963059132021-01-01T20:21:00.001+00:002021-01-01T20:21:23.279+00:002021 <p> Yes,I know...... not been around for a lon time.</p><p>Despite Covid 19 closing the uk down for a year, I have been busy at work all year.</p><p>Both Shaz and I got Covid late November, the a major operation for her just before xmas. </p><p><br /></p><p>I bought a cheap Suzuki Burgman 650 which is surprisingly nippy, even with us two fatties, we got some miles in over the Lancs and Yorkshire dales.</p><p><br /></p><p>Wusty Rex my Steampunk xvz1200 is off road at moment . With no events , it seemed pointless getting it finished..... 21 maybe.</p><p><br /></p><p> New Years day...... no hang over ...... result</p>Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-46675734331666948382020-01-19T19:17:00.002+00:002020-01-19T19:17:37.936+00:00fast Goldwing<a href="https://vimeo.com/86774262">https://vimeo.com/86774262</a> 0-122 in a jiffy....Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-48033619914537706302020-01-19T19:09:00.000+00:002020-01-19T19:09:14.561+00:00<br /><a href="https://vimeo.com/user8888829/review/385837184/c19d2a4af6" target="_blank">Saturday 14th May 2011 |Collect the bike,</a> Vimeo vid,<br />
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NO editing just raw video straight from the camera.... 1 take... bit ruff.<br />
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<br />Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-79644021803928295402019-11-02T23:07:00.001+00:002019-11-04T21:03:23.465+00:00That went quickWell its November 2019 already. Where this year went I do not know.<br />
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Llangollen Bike show was a great weekend and one of the few times I got out on the bike.<br />
Wusty Rex and it is now called , has become a steampunk roadster and as time goes on a few more bits added.<br />
between house renovations and work, little extra time for the bike other than the odd hours adding stuff,<br />
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This was coming home from Haggs Bank Horizons Unlimited weekend.<br />
One night stat in a tiny tent with no sleeping mat and only 2 tent pegs. Oh and a small summer sleeping bag..... not one of my most successful camping trips.<br />
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The up and coming Chunky Tread club Xmas do next weekend as Giants Seat<br />
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8-10th November </div>
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A few days before anf the XMAD PARTY..... well get together for a few friends and Chunky Tread MAC members.</div>
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Ian Coates will be chatting about his travels, and the raffle prizes include books and bits from</div>
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Neil Foulks</div>
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Derek Mansfield</div>
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Giants Seat scout camp is our location. </div>
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More to follow . </div>
<br />Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-49899382858534240282019-01-19T15:41:00.001+00:002019-01-19T15:41:20.816+00:00Would 'anonymous' please stop adding comments to this blog. None will be posted, all will be deleted.<br />
5-6 a day from the same source is annoying. Spam will not be tolerated.Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-57576953306805978212018-12-12T21:21:00.003+00:002018-12-12T21:21:56.782+00:00December alreadyWow, where did 2018 go?<br />
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Having bben in the new house for 2 years in October and still trying to make my business work to the degree I want, the biking bit seemed to pass by this summer.<br />
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I did start to 'Rusty Wreck' the Yamaha and despite the 2nd gear issue ran the North Coast 500 again with the CHUNKY TREAD MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURE CLUB .<br />
The 17 or so riders and bikes spread themselves across the loveliness that is Scotland and enjoyed cool and mainly dry weather.<br />
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The big Yammy with all my camping gear and my 200+ lbs probably reached 500 kgs (Half a ton) and though I thought the rear brake wasn't working.........<br />
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OK the rear brake wasn't working at all.... I didn't realise that the front right disc brake runs off the rear brake pedal only. That means I rode 1200+ miles over 5 days with just the front left disc stopping me....... I guess that's why the disc warped making slow breaking a bit of a chore, and faster braking a hell of a wrench on the lever.<br />
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More pictures later. But if you ever get the chance to ride the NC500 around the Scottish coast..... do it. may June have proven to be the best months over the past 3 years,<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b><u>TWO BALL RALLY</u></b></span></div>
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Buy a car for less than £567 and drive through 8 countries in 6 days, collecting points for the fun of it.</div>
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So with my oldest friends Andy and Graham who I have known since I was around 11 years old (49 years if you are counting ), we bought an old Landrover Freelander 2.0 Diesel and planned our escape. </div>
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It was our 60th birthdays (Graham 61) despite being told by many folk that an old Freelander would never drive 3000 miles without all sorts of things going wrong, we set it up.</div>
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Dressed as the THREE AMIGOS and with the car decorated with a Donkey, A coral, and many many stickers such as </div>
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ADVENTURE BEFORE DEMENTIA </div>
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TEAM 60</div>
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A few 'fettles' on the brakes and heater hoses got us through the MOT test and road legal.</div>
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After a few test rides we set off to Dover and found the heater hose still leaking.</div>
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Quick Fix on the docks and we were good to go.</div>
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A few days later and driving into the Alps and Switzerland we had a turbo hose pop. With a shopping bag, 4 cable ties, a crepe bandage and some red insulation tape we sealed the leak and THREELANDER saw us complete the run through </div>
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France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy back into France then home to the UK.</div>
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www.twoballrally.co.uk do this route, one in the UK and brack run through France and next year London to Lisbon. </div>
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<br />Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-45618695310449008102018-05-31T21:31:00.001+01:002018-05-31T21:31:13.029+01:007 years on...7 years ago this week I was wandering through America visiting towns called Manchester.<br />
My alter ego Harry Stottle Poet (see facebook/HarryStottlePoems or twitter @arrystottlepoet ) posted this .<br />
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<span class="fwn fcg" style="color: #616770; font-family: inherit;"><span class="fwb fcg" data-ft="{"tn":"k"}" style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: 600;"><a aria-describedby="js_3bd" aria-owns="js_3bb" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard-referer="ARQEteH9o_stYUuplg87VWA2wZZBTiXr3IlwwALIoH7JtAMCdSqdTK8glkTCuIt5HgU" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=383719538483819&extragetparams=%7B%22hc_ref%22%3A%22ARQEteH9o_stYUuplg87VWA2wZZBTiXr3IlwwALIoH7JtAMCdSqdTK8glkTCuIt5HgU%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22nf%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/HarryStottlePoems/?hc_ref=ARQEteH9o_stYUuplg87VWA2wZZBTiXr3IlwwALIoH7JtAMCdSqdTK8glkTCuIt5HgU&fref=nf" id="js_3be" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit;">Harry Stottle poems</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/HarryStottlePoems/?hc_ref=ARQEteH9o_stYUuplg87VWA2wZZBTiXr3IlwwALIoH7JtAMCdSqdTK8glkTCuIt5HgU&fref=nf" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;"></a></span></span></h5>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Published by <a class="_5pcq _39g5" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100000157617969&type=page_admin&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A383719538483819%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/road2manchester" style="color: #616770; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Peter Johnson</a><a class="uiHelpLink mls" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-alignh="center" data-tooltip-content="Only people who manage this Page can see who's published" href="https://www.facebook.com/HarryStottlePoems/notifications/#" role="button" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yj/r/0gKNz_c9x2D.png"); background-position: -158px -176px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 500px 192px; color: #4267b2; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; height: 11px; margin-left: 5px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; top: 1px; width: 12px;"></a></span><span aria-hidden="true" role="presentation" style="font-family: inherit;"> · </span><span class="p_wrhlkza0d z_wrhlku6en" data-ft="{"tn":"j"}" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="fsm fwn fcg" style="color: #90949c; font-family: inherit;"><a class="_5pcq" href="https://www.facebook.com/HarryStottlePoems/posts/454743468048092" style="color: #616770; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;" target="">23 October 2015</a></span></span><span aria-hidden="true" role="presentation" style="font-family: inherit;"> · </span><a aria-label="Public" class="uiStreamPrivacy inlineBlock fbStreamPrivacy fbPrivacyAudienceIndicator _5pcq" data-hover="tooltip" data-tooltip-content="Public" href="https://www.facebook.com/HarryStottlePoems/notifications/#" role="button" style="color: #616770; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: middle; zoom: 1;"><i class="lock img sp_GJB_MXffep4_1_5x sx_c4083e" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yT/r/zzzQWMVlhym.png"); background-position: 0px -294px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 26px 322px; bottom: -1px; display: inline-block; height: 12px; margin-bottom: -5px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; width: 12px;"></i></a></div>
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Road2manchester.</div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;">Verse;</span><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">Not every day you set out, on a trip to change the world you know<br />Riding across American lands, ten thousand miles or more, to go.<br />Leaving my love behind me here, hope she knows that I love her.<br />The way is clear, so I must ride the Road 2 Manchester.<br />Chorus:<br />I have seen some Strangeway’s, the Rainy City shows,<br />packed my hat Ancoats, just in case it rains like home,<br />The Man can leave his home town, but does the Manc still sing<br />Three hundred years in the USA, what changes did that bring.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">From the UK to the USA, a message from my town,<br />Deansgate, Piccadilly will these names be re-found,<br />Names that may be local to many more like us<br />Mancunians across the world, do you say BUS or BUZZ</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Yank or Manc’ from back, far back in the day<br />Did your folks come from around here or as we say “our way”.<br />Black Puddings, Eccles Cakes, We have the cream of beers too<br />Fish and Chips in newspaper might seem obscene to you.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">The firsts of Manchester history for ages long have been<br />Revolutions in industry, science and peoples dreams<br />From the Romans to the industrial age we invented innovations<br />We are half way north up in’th-ills in’t center of our nation.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">With wonder, with music, with ideas that moved. the oasis of charm<br />around the world you hear that we greet with open arms<br />One thing is certain, that I can be so sure, as I travel near and far<br />You’ll find me on the road again the road to Manchester.</span></b></div>
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<br />
The 1 year anniversary of the Manchester 'Terrorist' bomb was last week. A young man influenced by his religion and those who want to change the very society that they use to thrive but say they hate, walked into a pop concert and killed himself and many other your people. Adding hundreds to the injury list and for what?<br />
Those that groom these young people to take their lives in the name of a unproved ethos are still around, still alive to get others to do the same.<br />
One thing I learned on my travels is that people the world over a nice..... just normal, .... just living and enduring their own issues and daily needs.<br />
Only leaders, religious, political and those so call 1% ers, who strive for power create the bad.<br />
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My Manchester has been through many such attrocities and survived, we will survive, we will continue. In my travels to 25 Manchester's I found friendly folk , smiles, welcomes and good cheer. I was welcomed into peoples homes.<br />
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THE WORLD IS A GOOD PLACE, PEOPLE ARE GOOD.<br />
<br />
1 June 2018<br />
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I am 60 years old.<br />
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<b>I am Harry Stottle, I am Pete Johnson. I am Road2manchester. </b><br />
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<br />Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-51538905168070080082018-04-28T20:18:00.003+01:002018-04-28T20:18:31.753+01:00£139 pledged..... how about you ?<script src="https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/chunkytreadclub/widget.js/" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
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<br />Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-24435513000898764452018-03-26T11:18:00.000+01:002018-03-26T11:20:04.915+01:00Chunky Tread Motorcycle Adventure Club. CROWD FUND<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Cscript%20src=%22https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/chunkytreadclub/widget.js/%22%20type=%22text/javascript%22%3E%3C/script%3E" target="_blank"><script src="https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/chunkytreadclub/widget.js/" type="text/javascript"></script></a><br />
<b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Cscript%20src=%22https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/chunkytreadclub/widget.js/%22%20type=%22text/javascript%22%3E%3C/script%3E" target="_blank">CHUNKY LOVE.... spread the word</a></b><br />
Click above to go to a new page,<br />
<br />
<br />
We are looking for funds to create a professional looking events and show stand feature. The above link is to allow you to offer £1, $1 1Euro etc etc to our £2000 search for a gazebo, feather flags and equipment to add interesting and colourful stands at events all over the UK.<br />
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Thansk in advance and please share the link on all your social media platforms.<br />
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Cheers.<br />
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<br />Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-40352918347705419222018-03-15T09:49:00.004+00:002018-03-15T09:49:54.591+00:00Wow ,.... times flies when you are having fun,,,,,<br />
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Next weekend 24-25 th March is the<b> Manchester Bike Show</b> with the <b>Chunky Tread Motorcycle Adventure club</b>, my Facebook virtual club.<br />
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Returning for the 4th year we have a great group of traveling bikers to show off.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oot6QuwbCg" target="_blank">Ian Coates</a></b> 75 and 14 years on the road crossing the world<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.spencer-conway.com/" target="_blank">Spencer James Conway</a></b> just returned from South America after circumnavigation of the coast and 30k miles on his Yamaha. This is the second record he has completed after his Africa trip and TV program Motorcycle Diaries.<br />
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<b><a href="https://c90adventures.co.uk/" target="_blank">Ed March</a></b> of c90adventures.co.uk has spent 2 years wandering along the Trans American highway . -40 in Canada to +40 in South America, Ed and his Honda C90 shows that any bike can be an adventure bike. Videos, Trips, advice.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.bikesandtravels.com/" target="_blank">Ren and Sharon</a></b> of Bikes&Travels blog, once again show their small bikes adventure story. Funny, Informative and worth a visit with over 13000 hits a month,<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.derekmansfield.com/" target="_blank">Derek Mansfield </a> </b>with<b> Notes from the Road</b> a tale of his travels across Europe and further, A real gent and friend. Books available on the day<br />
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Plus many more ....<br />
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<br />Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-71245845634607911052017-12-18T11:43:00.000+00:002017-12-18T11:43:32.988+00:00Seasons Greetings to y'all.<br />
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Busy year with little time to post and no bike until recently.<br />
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I have gone to the comfy side buying a Yamaha VXZ1200 venture. (Harley copy I know).<br />
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1- Cheap enough not to worry to much if it gets dropped<br />
2) Big enough to carry Sharon so she can get involved .<br />
3) Old enough to farkle and add bits and pieces without effecting value.<br />
4) Existing panniers to add junk.<br />
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What else happened in the past few months?</div>
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Moved house and spent every spare moment decorating etc:</div>
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Bought a new van</div>
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Got busy at work.</div>
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Missed all the Chunky Tread BAC events due to above</div>
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Merry Xmas to you all and a great new year.</div>
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Facebook page changed from Roadto manchester due to FB rules. Now under </div>
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Pete Johnson........ </div>
<br />Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-59180132925674466442017-05-24T21:54:00.002+01:002017-05-24T21:54:27.607+01:00Manchester in shockyesterday a young lad blew himself up in the name of Islam.<br />
22 years young his leaders convinced him that me would be a martyr. He is simply dead. Along with him 22 people died , children, wives, mothers, fathers.<br />
Nothing gained, he is dead. No virgins waiting, no fame no future.<br />
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I can say nothing else other than the cause he was murdering for has no future. We managed the bombing of world wars, we survived the IRA and one stupid kid takes life for nothing.<br />
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<br />Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-71641173696251534182017-01-07T11:23:00.001+00:002017-01-07T11:23:33.465+00:00Adventure Biker Radio Jan 5th 217<a href="http://www.adventureriderradio.com/adventure-rider-radio-episodes/2017/1/5/7-great-reasons-excuses-for-a-motorcycle-adventure-all-roads-lead-to-manchester-with-pete-johnson">http://www.adventureriderradio.com/adventure-rider-radio-episodes/2017/1/5/7-great-reasons-excuses-for-a-motorcycle-adventure-all-roads-lead-to-manchester-with-pete-johnson</a><br />
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Listen to the latest episode of ARR with a little bit of me and my trip.<br />
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I will post more info later.<br />
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<br />Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-16140202424410456822016-11-16T23:56:00.001+00:002016-11-16T23:56:43.847+00:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">United States of
Amanchester.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Setting off from Boston, Massachusetts in the rain was the
start of my mid-life crisis cure all. The big Honda Goldwing was not mine, but
a hire bike collected the day before and with a route of almost ten thousand
miles planned and re-planned, it would be my home for the majority of each day
as I criss crossed the USA for the next 6 weeks. This was no ordinary ride-out,
I was a Manc on a Mission.</div>
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<b>The Road 2 Manchester<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The list of the 53 towns called Manchester that are scattered
across the world, stared at me from the computer screen. My own city was
probably the first, named by the Romans and my birthplace and home for 57
years. </div>
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There seemed to be an adventure right there, and being a
biker the seed that was planted resulted in a Twitter and Facebook page being
started in 2008. The pre-text was to create a road trip to visit the 33
Manchester’s that were easy to get to and if the right opportunity comes along,
all of them.</div>
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Jump forward three years, and though I had written a blog to
the effect my trip would probably never happen, only 500 people had ever found
it. In February 2011 I had an e-mail
from Mike at Bennetts Insurance, asking me to contact him as soon as possible
regarding my Bennetts Biker Dream, application in November 2010.</div>
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Long story shortened, today <i>I </i>am riding this big 1800 Goldwing on a quest to visit 33 towns
called Manchester in the USA and Canada. My ‘Dream’ had been granted.</div>
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The previous weeks had seen me doing bike shows, media and
press appointments that had me running around Manchester for various newspaper,
TV and Radio interviews. Even on the way to Manchester airport on Friday 13<sup>th</sup>
May (great day to fly), I had three interviews. </div>
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In the relative silence of my bike helmet I was more
concerned with the Wing being under control in the wet conditions on smooth
roads. It was May 15<sup>th</sup>,
Boston, USA.</div>
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The adventure had begun, and within 500 yards of the hotel,
a giant 4x4 truck overtook me and hit a puddle the size of a tennis court,
depositing most of it directly at my face and chest. The big screen of the wing
helped, but being tall, I was in direct line of a second shower.</div>
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After visiting the nearest Manchester by the Sea, and then
New Hampshire ,Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, I was heading through New York
State for number six and then Canada via Niagara Falls. It had rained for a
week, every day. This was like a normal ride in England, surely it cannot get
any worse. Wrong!</div>
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Just before the next exit from Highway 90, it was obvious
that a change in the weather, back to what I had encountered for the past four
days, loomed ahead like riding into the
night time.</div>
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Black skies, with the
low slung fog like rainfall underneath was a few miles ahead towards
today’s target of Manchester number six.
The exit signs indicated that this route to another small town New York , was
an off ramp only. From my limited experience of the USA, this meant no motels,
no dry shelter, no fast food outlets and probably no way to get back on the
freeway once I had added my one piece rain suit over my already bulky riding gear. </div>
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Today started with rain but as I subtracted another few
hundred miles off the target, the warm humid state of New York promised a change. My thoughts were to abandon today’s ‘ a
Manchester per day’ unwritten rule, but it was too late to change the course,
the next opportunity to get off this twin lane road was at the opposite side of
what was to become one of the worst rain storms I had ever seen, never mind
ridden in.</div>
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As if by magic, the only bridge spanning the highway for
miles was the gateway to hell. The rain hit as the temperature dropped and what
seemed like a solid wall of water filled with a million needles reduced my
forward speed like falling into a lake. </div>
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My riding gear was waterproof, but like many off the peg,
multi layered, high-tech specification stuff, there are many variations of
water proof . The one piece over-suit was bought for the trip, and I needed it
sooner rather than later.</div>
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Within seconds visibility was down to a true zero and the
cold rain was finding its way through to my neck, up my sleeve and somehow into
my right boot. Nowhere to stop, the hard shoulder was about four feet wide and the fact I couldn’t
actually see it or any resemblance of a white line, didn’t help. As the only bike
on the road, I was between a rock and a hard place. Another 120ft long, 70 ton
Peterbilt truck, just behind me in the outside lane, was not affected by the
rain or the driver even slightly concerned about my predicament. It seemed he
had not bothered to switch off his cruise control and carried on at 75-80 MPH
creating an even bigger wall of fog and back-wind that reduced my visibility to the edge of the
screen a foot and a half away, and no further. Choices, speed up into the void,
or slow down to 25mph and hope that next car or truck can see me in front, before it’s too late. Hazards on, and just go
for it. I almost laughed thinking what my fellow road users thought of this mad
biker, out in this weather. The union jack flapping around on the aerial should
be a clue.</div>
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The wide screen on the Honda Goldwing, famed for its
protection from wind, rain and flying sheep, worked to a degree, but the area
behind the screen has a strange vacuum effect that collects globules of water
like a scene from Apollo 13. The water floats in a slow motion dance just in
front of your chest, then without warning gets too heavy to glide and hits me
square in the face. Add this to the inability to close the visor as it steams
up in a micro-second if I close off the airflow, and the needles that pierce my
eyes and sting my nose if I glance ahead for more than a second, and the
thought passed my mind. </div>
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“Which stupid arse thought this trip was a good idea”????</div>
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The sun did come out that night. After I had seen the falls
and crossed the border into Canada, it rained again as hard as before, but with
only a few miles to my hotel, I soon got changed, warm and dozy. An hour later
I heard the dulcet tones of a Harley, spud, spudding past the hotel. The sun
was out and the temperature 87 degrees. Friday night in Niagara Falls Canada is
cruise night, and worth a balcony table, roadside with nice beer and good food.</div>
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Next day a 300 miles round trip to visit a gas station, a
set of traffic lights and a diner, all that there was in the ‘village’ (very
loose term), of Manchester. Oshawa. Oh
Well, it’s there so I ride to it !</div>
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Heading south again I find a Biker Blessing in Buffalo. Its
Sunday and over a thousand bikers get their bikes blessed for the season. I
need some devine intervention, so join the party. A short ride out and a
barbeque, and then 260 miles to promise of a roast beef dinner, Boddingtons
beer and a bed for the night with an English family who found out about my trip
on the BBC web site. Result and thanks to Chris and Mel in Maryland. To our
surprise, Mels dad is best friends with an old work mate of mine back in the
UK. Big Country, small world.</div>
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A week later I rode
the Dragons Tail, a famous route at one end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, THE must
travel bikers heaven. 318 bends in eleven miles, and if I remember NO
straights. The road is restricted to 50 mph, but it was Thursday, quiet, early
and wet, so limits were reached officer, even around the bends. I enjoyed that road so well, I did it twice. It
has to be said, the Dragon is no Alpine pass, but the riders there are
plentyful and advise, routes and stories abound. Over to Kentucky and a day off
by a pool. The hotel was full, but intervention by a regular meant I got his
room for the night as he moved in with a work mate who had a spare bed .
Saturday night was a free room, free booze and a great free meal once again
courtesy of a complete stranger. I am liking America, a lot.</div>
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The regular stops at the Manchester’s, included calling in the town
hall, fire stations or in fact anywhere to add my story and some pictures to
the blog, which had now reached 6000 visits. The media coverage continued with
calls from local papers and back home. Even on the road I was getting known.
Imagine a couple rushing over a car park, waving arms and screeching at me. Can
we have a photo with you, please. Lynchburg Tennessee and the Jack Daniels
Distillery was en route . Sheila and hubby Don, had seen me two weeks ago
whilst I was in a gas station. In my route plan that was at least 3000 miles
ago. Big country….. small world.</div>
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The roads in America are not all straight, at least on the
East side. As I ran as far south as Georgia and Alabama, the temperatures
reached 118f. I learnt a little about
road signs too. The ‘bump in the road’ sign ahead was the umpteenth I had seen
this morning, the first few were smaller than expected, and I became aware that
maybe they were more as a warning to slow down rather than a real threat.
Except this one !</div>
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At the top of a long steep hill, the ‘hump’ was unseen until
the front wheel left the ground, and as the road dropped away underneath, the
wing left the peak and we flew about twelve feet whilst dropping the four feet
that the hump had created. The Wing in Goldwing ran true, as the bike hit the
ground in a straight line. The suspension bottomed out, and my bottom out-ed
too.</div>
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Manchester Alabama was the second of two towns with the name
in that state. The first was a quiet unassuming place which became the norm,
the second was a steel sign, in a forest.
Not on my map or sat nav, I knew where it was in theory, but a visit to
a bank to ask directions resulted in Mike, a 20-something local taking me most
of the way, until he turned off to see his Momma, who had moved into the area
recently. I said my thanks and good byes and carried on for three or four miles
down a rough road that turned into a track in a thick forest. As the road split
into a footpath of sorts, the sign for Manchester was there. Nothing to do but
video and photograph the place, and go on. Within a few minutes, the sound of
Mikes car coming down the track became louder as in a cloud of dust he skidded
to a halt. </div>
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“My Momma said you are not safe down here ,Sir, you must
leave now”. With that he reversed
Starkey and Hutch style, and I was seconds behind him. Down the road a mile, he
was waiting sat on the car bonnet. “.
There are some real hill billies down there, and they will shoot ya, and you
and your bike would never be found.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nuff said, I was outta there just as a rusty and battered
pick-up truck with bullet holes in the screen came rumbling past. The occupants
really did have dungarees and greasy baseball caps. Welcome to the deep south. Tomorrow
I head north.</div>
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Back up north over the next week, I had covered over 5000
miles and once in Michigan , more invites for B&B, I turned west rather
than the return south as massive tornados had wrecked the mid and far southern
states. Heading for the Dakota’s, Montana, and eventually Manchester
Washington, for another facebook invite, 300 miles,450miles between target
towns and then to get from Livingston
Wyoming to Manchester WA for that party I managed 748 miles in 13 hours. A
couple of great nights with my host Jack and the fine folks of the Manchester
Bar and Grill and then on Monday I could head down the Pacific highway. </div>
<br />
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Manchester California is still over 800 miles south and 180 from San Francisco where I was flying home on
June 18<sup>th</sup> The route is spectacular. The giant red woods stunned me,
the scenery mind boggling. I had reached
the 25th Manchester at 8.30 pm on 16<sup>th</sup> June 2010 and as the sun went
down. I had done it. In Frisco the
following day I recorded 8525 miles in 33 days, and had a new respect for
America and the people. My advice, GO to America and take your time and enjoy. I’ll be back, my mission has only just begun.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-23012196898051140542016-03-23T14:32:00.000+00:002016-03-23T14:32:25.107+00:00Now and Then<span style="font-size: large;">NEWS APRIL 2016</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For those visiting here for the first time, go here for the story about my trip to visit all the towns called Manchester in the USA </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://unitedstatesofamanchester.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/ok-here-it-is-then.html" target="_blank"><b>The Road2Manchester </b></a></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">APRIL 2-3 . 2016</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Manchester Bike Show. Stand C21-24.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Chunky Tread Motorcycle Adventure Club.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The final final list of bikes and riders for the stand are.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Sam Manicom</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Derek Mansfield</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Nathan Milward</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Road2 himself</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Bernard Smith</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Ian Coates</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Dave Fenton</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Nick Sykes</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Alex J Jackson</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ren Withnal</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sharon Parker</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>and a surprise or two.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The campsite has also got a few other guests as well as the above,</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Event City is at Junc 9 or 10 M60 Manchester Ring Rd,</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>6000 free parking places</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tlgGV0E6yGY/VvKoqugI6kI/AAAAAAAAUKs/PM_AbG-6ACsQa_QpOk0gbPJaLnV8RcDXQ/s1600/gary%2BP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tlgGV0E6yGY/VvKoqugI6kI/AAAAAAAAUKs/PM_AbG-6ACsQa_QpOk0gbPJaLnV8RcDXQ/s320/gary%2BP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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See gary Pitchfords Rally bike just back from the Tureg rally in Africa#</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-2467761859548795992016-01-18T09:14:00.003+00:002016-01-18T09:14:57.775+00:00Two big Adventure Travel events this year:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/overlandadventuretravel/videos/10153536576392535/?fref=nf">https://www.facebook.com/overlandadventuretravel/videos/10153536576392535/?fref=nf</a><br />
<br />
The HUBB the Horizons Unlimited web site event was missed from the 2015 must go list.<br />
This year the event returns and offers a list of speakers, gear, stands and riders camping with varied entertainment.<br />
<br />
I have attended two HUBBs and found the ticket prices a bit high, but even with the number of things to do, this 'Franchised' event can be found across the world.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/976214762471048/">https://www.facebook.com/events/976214762471048/</a> is the other one . In its second year, the <b>Overland</b> event and with the move to Oxford, it gets a bit closer to the rest of the uK.<br />
<br />
With the success and growth of the magazine, the 2015 event was relaxed, cool and a good mix of features. The camp ground 1, was full and the 2nd was a quiet option.<br />
<br />
A nice and cost aware event that I will be going back to.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Manchester Bike Show.</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
With 144sq mtrs to play with, the event will see the 3rd vist by the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/chunkytreadmac" target="_blank">Chunky Tread Motorcycle Adventure Club</a><br />
<br />
With a great list of exhibitors the biggest stand yet will include<br />
<br />
<b>SAM MANICOM</b><br />
<b>DEREK MANSFIELD</b><br />
<b>NATHAN MILWARD</b><br />
<b>BERNARD SMITH</b><br />
<b>SPENCER CONWAY</b><br />
<b>ALEX JACKSON</b><br />
<b>ME</b><br />
<b>POSSIBLY IAN COATES (SEE BELOW)</b><br />
<b> and many more who are not selling books.....</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Ian Coates.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>My old friend Ian Coates had a bad accident recently. Ian 73 was once again up a ladder, lifting beams, and fell off. </b><br />
<b>10 broken ribs, broken wrist and the bad bit, head trauma.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>3 weeks later Ian is still in hospital and the head injury is still causing issues with memory loss and recognition problems.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<b>Get well soon old friend.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nz5Hea8pvLY/VpysY354acI/AAAAAAAASdM/GWErPCFn7-8/s1600/ian%2BAAA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nz5Hea8pvLY/VpysY354acI/AAAAAAAASdM/GWErPCFn7-8/s320/ian%2BAAA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HarryStottlePoems/" target="_blank">facebook/harrystottlepoems </a></div>
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My alter ego Harrystottle poem about Ian has 2256 reads in 24 hours.</div>
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Ian has over 5000 friends on FB so I guess that should be exepected.</div>
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<b><br /></b>Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-79192801840736574002015-12-16T12:47:00.004+00:002015-12-16T12:47:41.210+00:00Just go.....<a href="https://vimeo.com/146780242">https://vimeo.com/146780242</a> <br />
<br />
<br />
Nothing else to add. Nathan Milward.... Hero.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_2001465434"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/nathan.millward.501?fref=ts">https://www.facebook.com/nathan.millward.501?fref=ts</a><br />
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<br />Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886351031642216915.post-62515239914824300152015-11-12T20:53:00.002+00:002015-11-12T20:53:32.577+00:00<a href="http://joom.ag/a66p">http://joom.ag/a66p</a> Motorcycle Explorer magazine is a virtual mag that would be very heavy if it as in print.<br />
<br />
Take a look and the work of my friend James Owen and see a short article about my trip,<br />
<br />
Thanks Jimbo.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The list for the Chunky Tread Stand of exceedingly well traveled motorcycle riders is growing<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
SAM MANICOM rtw 4 books<br />
IAN COATES rtw 14 years<br />
BERNARD SMITH rtw 2 books<br />
NATHAN MILWARD Sidney to London<br />
DAVE FENTON Euro adventures<br />
REN WITHNELL Bikes and travels blog<br />
SHARON PARKER " " " "<br />
SPENCER JAMES CONWAY African Diaries Sky TV<br />
DEREK MANSFIELD Euro trips book<br />
NICK SYKES Photography-bikes- travels<br />
ALEX J JACKSON Kaapstad africa tours<br />
Road 2 Manchester 33 towns called Manchester USA<br />
<br />
and some I can't remember at the moment...<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Manchester Bike Show 2-3 April 2016 Event City Manchester</b></h3>
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<b>New blog for the Chunky Tread MAC <a href="http://www.chunkytreadmac.blogspot.com/">www.chunkytreadmac.blogspot.com</a></b></div>
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<br />Pete Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12343714498620700867noreply@blogger.com0