Sunny Sundays

Hello to everyone visiting here in the past weeks.days/hours. Still tends to amaze me that over 7000 viewers from across the globe have had a peek at my ramblings. Thanks again.

Next week see's the 'BIG' Bike Show in Birmingham UK, probably the largest collection of manufacturers, suppliers and businesses in the UK trade, showing their wares to us 'punters'.

It's a costly affair with entry fees, parking and 90 miles each way. last years show was just about ruined by heavy snow, so maybe this time it might get busy. I will probably turn up like a dud battery, I need some winter gloves anyway, and often there are some bargains to be searched out.

I have been having word a with the new North West Blood Bikes, a charity (in the making), that rushes about the country with supplies of donated blood and baby milk, for free, 24-7. Aimed at the health service and hospitals, Breast Milk banks etc, they do it for nothing, and even pay their own fuel (for now).


Find them on Twitter and Facebook, and LIKE/Follow their progress.

KAWASHAZY

I recently bought this little Kawazaki Z250LTD for Sharon (Mrs R2M), as a doer upper. Shaz took here CBT earlier in the year, so to encourage her to take a further test before heading out, the 250 will be just enough until she gets a few miles done. Keep looking though, as it will soon be 'Electric Blue'. Renamed Kawashazy too..

After my experiences on the big Honda Goldwing, and my own R1200GSa, the heavy work loads have become the norm, and I have added the task of carrying camera men to my remit, to get some more mileage in.

My CV now looks like a copy of war and piece, and as my standard fully loaded kerbside weight has been in the 390- 500kgs range this year and for some time, having a monkey on the back throwing a 30kg camera around makes things so much simplier. (Honest)

Visit my Facebook page and vote for the photo competition....please

www.facebook.com/roadtomanchester I am also trying to boost my twitter friends at

www.twitter.com/road2manchester

another new one. E mail road2manchester@gmail.com NO PHISHERMEN PLEASE

Phew, that was a long post. It's now 1am though as the clocks went back today it would have been 2am. We have this weird hour gain and loss each year, to gain a few more hours daylight in the winter.

It doesn't work, it's still dark when you get up, and dark on the way home from work by the end of November.

Where did October go?

Time seems to fly by when you get busy. Just finished a brick effect job on a portable cabin.

www.stonefxwalls.co.uk my new website.

The riding season is coming to a close for the recreational riders of the UK. Despite a bit of a heat wave in early October.The temperatures were strangly high for Autumn, the cooler air though has returned, with rain and high winds over the past few days.

My biking days have included a return trip to London (390 miles) using the motorways. (Freeways), this was a business trip, and as the client was in Chelsea, the thought of trains, cabs or driving was a no no. Stopping often in central London, I found the traffic to be crazy, though the car drivers are very bike aware.

I pulled up next to a Police biker, and asked him how he dealt with this everyday. The reply is not printable, but simple to say he was not a happy chappy.

As my old Transit van is at the end of its usefull life (without a major spend), I have been pootleing around on the GS. I love my bike, and despite the hassle of getting it out of the garage, putting on my gear (15mins) , and always concerned about the weather...... it's all worth it !

No work now, so a bit worried about the pre-Christmas run. Some years I have been mad busy right up to Xmas and beyond, the last two years the cupboard is bare.

I am looking for a proper job, and once again both Shaz and myself consider moving to France or in fact anywhere for a warmer, less costly alternative to the Dark Satanic Mills of norther England.

Big bike show at the NEC Birmingham in November. so something to look forward to.

Novemeber in a few days, so hoping to get out and about as much as possible. During the last few days I have been putting my video clips in order, and today will send them off to be edited. Road2Manchester the movie ...... soon..... maybe.

Summer in England

As the world of the international biker 'celebrity for a bit', turns back to normal. The UK summer is upon us and as usual, the weekdays the sun is out. This would be great if by Friday night, the weather forecast didn't say RAIN ALL WEEKEND.


I am not sure which country built the weather machine, but I guess that the economy would not be on its ass, if the sun was out during August.





I had my bike (BMW) serviced at Adventure Bike Warehouse, and it is running great. Well it was when I took the long way home about 3 week ago. In between that I had a week in France with Mrs J, a week in Somerset working and a this week the rain is back.

Riots and unrest throughout the UK have reached Manchester, with thousands of 'youths' running the gaunlet and looting shops under the 'cival unrest' banner, started in London last week.
No reason to spread, its just a sick excuse to take advantage of this mayhem.
Disaffected, yes, lost in society, Yes, no repect, Yes,. No future....maybe.
Bring back National Service. The armed Forces need these yobs, if not as solders, then as trainee members of society.

Michigan 'In a great State'

The Tour Bus.

Party time in Michigan with Missy Covill

Singer songwriter and all round mate.
www.ironcowgirl.com

Michigan gave a double whammy. After leaving my host John in Manchester Michigan, I was just a few miles down the road for Saturday

night at another facebook friend Missy Covill (See Facebook/missycovill)

Missy and I had been chatting for months about bikes, music, theme songs for my up and coming video stuff etc: the invite to come over was in the diary. Even her Mun arrived on a Harley.

Late into the night the 20-30 guests ate great food, drank more than enough beer, argued about game shooting and even had the odd wrestling match. Once I had answered questions about what we hunt in the UK (Nothing !), A ten gauge shot gun was thrust into my hand and I was sending beer cans to a better place. Add a bit of a jamming session on the old harmonica & guitar, seeing lightning bugs, hearing bull frogs and watching Chip Monks playing in the yard, I took to the 'Tour Bus' for a hot and very dark night down in the dell . Leaving Missy and her family in peace I thank here for a great experience and friendly stay that will remain a fond memory for ever.

I left after a great hot breakfast heading for an old coal fired ferry that would save me a 300 mile slog through Chicago. The SS Badger runs a 60 mile trip across lake Michigan and was around 80 miles north of my unique hotel at Missy's.

On the way I stopped for a Dune Buggy ride on the massive dunes that line the shore. The best $16 I have spent, the 45 minute tour in a massive open top 16 seater truck. (Note to self; Southport Beach???)

Ludington overnite as the ferry left at 8am, and then a quiet 4 hours on the ship. Good news I had time to sort out the massive amount of photo & video files and found my DEALS¬GAP (Dragons Tail) vid hiding in a picture file. Way Hey 80)

More pics at facebook/roadtomanchester and facebook/bennetts_bike.

Arrived in Manitowoc, Wisconsin at mid-day where it had been raining hard and 72F (seemed really cold after 85F the day before). 2 miles in land....... 85F again.
Next stop another facebook invite from Cory Clark in Fond Du Lac.

Next blog, Chicken wings, Turbo bikes, Throwing Horse Shoes, Manc' Wisconsin and 105 degrees + 35MPH side winds. (Fun in the sun.....not !).

More Manchesters

It's been a couple of days since I have had internet access, so here goes.
Running out of man#2 New Hampshire, I went via Portmouth and Route 1 along the coast, North. Antique shops, fish restaurants, forests and great roads. Still raining though, I was aiming to get to Man#3 (Maine) 161 miles away in good time. As`I passed the above antique shop I turned around to take a closer look. Part shop part museum, Bill Johnson (no relation), colleccts anything old and has even bought complete buildings and relocated them on his plot. Signing his guest book, Bill played an original 78rpm record of King Edwards (Mrs Simpson) speech on a wind up gramophone. complete with large brass horn speaker. A great 30 minute break.

Manc#3 had little to offer so with a bag of nuts and a coffee, I retired to bed at 10pm after a quick photo.

Golf course,lake, petrol station....... rain.

Next day and a 7am start to get over to Vermont. The plan was to get to Mount Washington ride the road to the top (As recommended by Ben Slavin of NH)

The weather once again dropped a few millions of gallons on me, and getting nearer to the turn off, I stopped for fuel and breakfast to be told the road was closed. Had a nice chat with an avid MAN UTD fan. (can't go anywhere without footy being mentioned).

This was a long day with almost 300 miles covered . damp but not tired (Liar), I arrived at the MANCHESTER BAR & GRILL on the outskirts on Man #4 Vermont, at around 5.30pm. With a motel just across the road, Ben, Hank and a few customers enjoyed my tales, as I enjoyed Jerk Chicken and a few beers.

Bed` by 10pm. (Thanks to the above for the excellent time and MB&G hoody).

Tomorrow, Connecticut 127 miles if I go the right way !!!!

Wednesday: 5.45 am.

had a message from the Manchester Journal in VT, so went off into town for some breakfast. Up For Breakfast a great cafe fed me with a fry up (naughty but nice), coffee and pancakes. My savory tooth, can not handle sweet at that time in the morning, so i had a nibble then called it a day.

9am and a visit to the MJ office for interview and photos (see facebook).then off to Connecticut , in the rain.

The roads in this area are hit by frost in the winter, and a good pounding by the logging trucks and hold a few humps, bumps and potholes for the unwary biker. Wet, windy and slower than I would of liked, I arrived in CT (Man#5) at around 2pm, and met the Town Clerk and staff, the local Fire Chief popped over and a few photos and gifts changed hands. Great people and just another friendly welcome (Videos to follow). What a nice Manchester.

After a few pictures outside, I decided to carry on towards Man#6 New York 305 miles away. The rain had stopped and it was warmer and more humid, so I could take a layer off, and open the air vents on the jacket.

Managed to stay alive around Springfield in the rush hour / highway / nutter combination stakes.

Hitting the Turnpike to get some miles under the wheels, I headed north on R90 for about 100 miles and hit fog, rain and cold around 4.30pm. (Great, layer back on). Still managed a good turn of speed (only keeping up with the locals officer !), and arrived in Albany NY at around 7pm.That was a long day with about 300 miles done, which put some of my 400+ targets into perspective.

Its only 200 to Manchester, New York (before breakfast.)

Now 8.45 pm I need food, and sleep. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

PS: Thanks to to 5000 visitors here on my blogette. Enjoy and see more at

facebook.com/roadtomanchester

I'm singing in the rain

Wet Wet Wet, thats my weather report for today.

Started the day with a 2nd shower as a big 4x4 hit a "road-lake" just beside me, and manage to send 40 gallons of water straight at me. That was 1 mile from the hotel, so add wet roads, and fully 10 gauge rain by 3pm, it was a great start.

Despite the overnight rain, I left Boston at 7am and was in Man#1 by 8am. Manchester-By-The-Sea. Breakfast of easy over eggs, bacon and coffee for $7.94 cheered me up, and a long chat with a local chap, made my breakfast an interesting one.

M-B-T-S as the locals call it, had the "by the Sea" title added to make sure the town was not confused with the New Hampshire , Manchester. I am not sure when this happened, but I bet it was when Sateleite Navigation Units became available. (Tee Hee)

This part of Massachusetts is fantastic and shows signs of a certain 'wealth' within the North East. Some of the best houses I have ever seen..... ever. And I have seen some nice ones.

Here are` some pics taken today, but my battery went early on. (the only one I didn't charge).

Between Manc #1 and #2 in New Hampshire, I set the Goldwing sat nav to 'avoid highways', which I took for meaning Freeways ...... oops !

The advantage, some great backroads, but the rain was getting heavier by the hour, and by 2pm total deluge, so on the outskirts of Manc' New Hamps, I pulled into the Best Western, (I know , getting soft !). Tomorrow a skip around the town, more photos and video, and then off to Manc#3 Maine.

Thanks to all invites from www.advrider.com forum (Brit Passin Thru).

And if you find youself in Boston...... go see..... by the sea.

More stuff on my facebook/roadtomanchester page.

(Missing Shaz, Lexi,Harley & Ruby XXX)

Goooooood Morning USA

http://youtu.be/5GClZJ5looY

Friday 13th 9am Manchester UK


Hello from Boston Massachusetts.
Well what a shock the last 48 hours have been. TV and Radio interviews, Newspaper stories. Over 3000 extra 'Red Dot' hits on my Revolver Globe. (see below right). Twitter followers up t0 1100. The Bennetts Biker Dream machine is really getting started.

After 21 hours on the go yesterday, I arrived in Boston around 10 pm local time (3am in my head).
I am collecting the bike today from Boston Honda, and starting the search for Manchesters just 30 miles down the road in Manchester-by-the Sea. (MA). New Hampshire, Maine then Vermont.

Over the next few days I will be adding photos, video and comments that can be seen here,or facebook/roadtomanchester or twitter/road2manchester or on facebook/bennetts

Thanks to all at then office for their help and support, and a quick hello to my friends and family back home.

LATER DUDES.... as no one has said around here. (yet !)

Thundersprint

The Cheshire Town of Northwich came alive today. Despite windy, raining on and off, red hot, sunny.... weather mixture throughout the day. The crowds were out for the Thundersprint, where a short track rings out to the sound and smells of classic bikes at full blast.

Brilliant day, with hardly any chance to get off the stand and have a look around.

The other BIG NEWS, is that I am leaving the UK a week early NEXT FRIDAY, due to commitments at the other end of the month. (More later).

So by this time next week I will be somewhere in the North East USA, (Maine, New Hampshire area), on the start of my journey.

See Bennettsbike on facebook and twitter for more pictures of todays show.

Off to do some packing,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, LATER.....................

Bennetts video from MCN Live

http://www.bennetts.co.uk/Bennetts-News/BennettsLive-2011/Bennetts-Live-Photos-Videos/MCN-Live-2011-Video/ Yours truly is at the end..... last 2mins. Sunday. Fantastic weather with total sun, (unlike today, its raining again). I took the GS for a spin. Cat N Fiddle Nr Buxton. I passed an old chap on a 1960's Triumph about a mile from home, said hello at the lights in Timperley then an hour later whilst chatting to some guys at the Cat N Fiddle pub, in he rolls, a quick circle around the car park, then straight out again heading for Buxton. Hope I am still riding when I am his age. (+70 at least). After a great days riding yestersday (Sunday) a BBQ, a beer and a good nights sleep. I am getting 'stuff' ready for the trip. Then I will start to decide exactly what I can fit in the 'boot' of the Wing. Packing is always a choice of minimums but in the case of the USA, I guess I can always buy 'stuff' when I get there. Pants !!!! wash em or trash em!!! Hmmmn ??? Take a look at the Bennetts video.... I am the big ugly one near the finish. (James Toseland look tiny next to me, sorry Jimbo). Later World !!!! PS: Thanks for your RED DOTS on the revolver globe, I love this app.

Update

http://www.mcnlive.co.uk/

"We are off to Butlins, Skegness."

A phrase I thought I would never say to anyone, let along Mrs J. But it's true.

The 2011 Motor Cycle News (MCN Live) event, party, biker gathering is an annual 'Season' opener and with all the facilities that Butlins holiday camps enjoy, an ideal all weather location.

I have an invitation to trade stands including Bennetts Bike Insurance.

The party runs from 1st to the fourth of April.

We will get up there Friday evening and will bring along some Road2Manchester badges to give away.

Looking forward to the official launch of the 'BIG TRIP' and introduction to my 'celebrity' riding buddy. (I could tell you, but then ........ it wouldn't be a surprize).

On any Sunday.

One way of being noticed... or not !

Rivington Barn , Horwich, Bolton (today)

What a great day for riding. Sunny, not too warm and bright, clear skies.

I was not the only one thinking the same, as a visit to Rivington Barn near Bolton proved.

I lost count at 120 bikes in the car park, and as more came and went, one thing struck me.

Variety is most definately the spice of life.


Cruisers, (Harley, Goldwings, Moto Guzzi), Sports bikes from every era, the big trialies, and choppers, quads and scooters.


With an age group from lads riding pillion on their dads bikes, teenagers on scooters, to us 'mature' riders and many ladies on their own bikes, fantastic.
No issues about who ride what, everyone with a common interest.

Bike of the day, a Turbo Triumph Rocket (with a very handy, and probably necessary back rest for the pilot). Oh and a nice Harley Chopper, and a nice old BMW Combo.


See Roadto Manchester on facebook, or @Road2Manchester on Twitter for a short vid.


NEWS.
Onwards and upwards. March start for the 'movie' still planned. Things are speeding up a bit, some filming in Manchester soon.... (thats a daft statement innit????).

Keep watching.

Weather Here, wish you were lovely

Rain Rain Rain, despite a quick ride to Ozwaldtwisle on Thursday, I missed out on the fair weather Friday morning brought.

The usual MANCHESTER rainfall started on Friday afternoon, and hasn't really stopped

I took a drive (in the old transit) to Chorley Yamaha ,to sit on a FJR1300 tourer. Just to see if they fit my ample proportions.

Nice bike.

FJR or a scooter ?

Looks small "under" me, but it's a nice fit really. Might have to book a test ride..... or two.

www.advrider.com discovered through a twitter follower, is a great forum based site if you want direct advise, contacts and invitations whilst riding in the world.

A few threads within the 'Regions' of the USA, and I have invites for beer, food, riders coming along for a few miles, hotels, chicken dinners, B&B, more beers. and some 'unmissable roads'.

Within 36 hours, I have received 46 messages (all positive), 600+ views, and did I mention invitations for beer.

Threads: Brit Passing through & Road2Manchester

Valentines Day tomorrow. Feb 14th I might, just might be getting confirmation of start dates.

NB: Some mentions on the advrider site have warned of snow, ice and cold weather in the North Eastern states in March...... winter draws on then.

My GS ready for an outing.

Later dudes.........

Updates.... Feb already.

Hmmmmn! March start, though still the target, no exact date has been decided due to production issues. As mentioned, plans to film the trip for posterity have been included in the remit, so getting all that 'stuff' confirmed is a slightly slower process than thought.


I am however seeking a 'Team Member' using this simple calculation.





Biker + Mancunian + Celebrity x free in March = March start. Simples:





Any ideas on an E-mither or here.





Twitter: ALMOST at 1000 followers @Road2Manchester , RT me and lets hit 1k by the end of Feb.





Wish List: Crossing just about every State, in the USA, means every weather pattern there is.


Deserts, Mountains, Rain, Wind, and nice sunny days (I hope).


What to wear?????


Despite my collection of 2 jackets, 3 helmets, 3 prs gloves, leather pants, 2 pairs of boots, muff,s bandanas, face masks, long johns, wicking shirts etc etc etc; There is always something that is not quite right.


Riding on short trips from home is simple. Weather this wekend is ----------- so I will wear-----------. Easy.


This trip I really need...

NordKapp Infinito Adventure Suit.

A) Inner liner is a two way jacket that can be worn alone. Windproof and thermal.

B) Middle Layer: Mesh and panel armoured summer jacket, worn over A), or alone.

C) Outer breathable, waterproof, vented.

Pants to match, means ALL weather, all temperature multi wear.

VISIT www.adventurebikewarehouse.co.uk for clothing, parts, camping gear, lighting,

FREE fitting service. M27 Manchester. Tell em' road2manchester sent ya!