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.

Overland, it's the new black.

Every now and then something 'nice' happens. It could be a gift, a chance meeting or a great night out. Often nice things just come along, sometimes great thing too.


A chance message on Facebook by Sam Manicom (RTW Guru), mentioned a new magazine. Overland. So being a curious type, I ordered their first copy which arrived today.


Magazine is the wrong word. More a compendium, a volume, a keepsake.


This 'production' is classy, informative and what I have cristened a 'Keeper'.
Great features from some the the best biker writers and travellers, really great paper and print quality and I feel that this motorcycle travel handbook, will be seen in receptions, collections and coffee tables long after the sell by date has passed.


http://www.overlandmag.com/ buy it but under no corcumstances let anyone borrow it. You may never get it back.


Whilst talikng RTW hero's take a look at TED SIMON FOUNDATION join, help.

I am still awake.

Well that was a nice rest. After the mele of media mayhem that met me on my return to the UK, the world on R2M is now quiet. The PR company have asked for the camera, laptop and associated gubbins back, and there are no more requests from the TV, Radio or newspapers. (phew).
The issues with the Star-Com helmet camera and intercom turned out to be the 110volt power supply in the USA that would not charge the 240v system. NO help from Start-Com was forthcoming, so I will not be buying one in the near future. Go-Pro will be my camera of choice in the future.
I have made a guess that I lost about 4 days of video SD cards that I had not down loaded. Shame but the bits between Kentucky and Head north from Alabama are out there somewhere. I just hope that one day, they might be found by someone with the foresight to actually watch them.

I have returned to the BMW GSa with some trepidation as it was due for a service, and since Jon at Adventure Bike Warehouse (Manchester), got his hands on it, the B is running like a dream.
Better oil, new gearbox oil, tuned the carbs, treated the chassis to some fancy sealant, and she is running like a dream. The gearbox oil may be expensive but what a difference.

Just had a e-mail from Giz, at the Cromwell Ridgers (see 'On the road ',vids by Duke) with advise about film making, who is about to set out on another adventure ride and hopfully another fly on the wall film. Good Luck Ridgers. Wish I could come along.

Apart from that..... just off to France for a few days. (Yes we can pop over to Europe from here), and then back to proper work with gusto.

www.decopierrenorth.co.uk my other hat.

Best wishes to Colin on the re-launch of www.cubbproducts.com for his latest Mini Dumper.

PS: ne vids on youtube/road2manchester


P

Not over yet.

Just when you thought it was over....... it carries on.

Saturday Home, Sunday, Manchester parade, Monday press call so I had to get my bike out again. Monday night, put my bike away. Tusday morning ..... "Hi Pete, the press would like another picture outside Manchester United football stadium, on your bike. Can you be there in ten minutes"?

"No, it takes me ten minutes to get my boots on, 15 to get the bike out again, same to get there".

"OK, see you in half an hour" !!!! Doh!

From Old Trafford, I had an interview at Rock Radio in Salford Quays, then rush home for telephone interview with Capital Radio.

That done I put my bike away again.

Today, Wednesday, Woken up by Mike from Bennetts (it was 10 am, so no problems, I should have been up).

Daily Star and Metro News both had mentions and now news about the BBC One Show on Friday.

The bike remains in the garage, my boots put in the cupboard and perhaps a few days rest for my aching hands (2000 clutch pulls in the parade), and bum !!!!

I will add the link for the TV shot on Friday, but meanwhile....... Mrs J has hidden my bike key.

May be going to the Horizons Unlimited meeting in Ripley Derbyshire. (If I can find the keys by weekend that is!!!!)

Home Sweet Home

After 25 hours of travelling, I returned home at 6pm on Saturday to a warm and welcome reception from my family. The journey from San Francisco was delayed a few hours, and air travel is always an issue, me being slightly wider and taller than the seats were designed for.
Sunday morning I had to be up to attend the Manchester Day parade where I was to ride my bike in the procession.
At around 5am here and 9pm in my head, I was awake and eating anything I could get my hands on. (Unusual for me I know !!!)
(Nice cuppa tea !)

One o'clock and the rendevous in central Manchester at the start of the parade, totally jet lagged by now, I was informed that I would have to push the BMW for the 2 mile route due to health and safety.

(What about my health and safety???)

I suggested that I would like to leave !!! So they allowed me to ride, assisted by the engine (bonus).

Two hours later, engine getting very hot, oil light flashing away, we finished and that was the official end of the Road2Manchester.

Never cease to wonder why people took so many pictures, not knowing who I was, or why I was the only motorised 'vehicle' in the whole parade?
The Beemer seemed very light and very, very tall after the Goldwing, Driving on the other side of the road seemed very strange too.

Finally, Finally

Once again thanks you to all of the organisers, Bennetts Insurance for the Biker Dream, RGP International for the organisation, the good people of the USA for being so nice, and my family for their love and support.

Many thanks to the Facebook friends, and the 6000+ visitors here on my blog. I hope I entertained y'all just a little. I may well write a book about my adventure...... meanwhile I will always be on the Road2Manchester.

Keep on dreaming, you never know.

As they say in America......." well, there you go ".

Pete.

XXX

Take the Man out of Manchester.

Sunset over Manchester California

Video antics. Gentleman Lawrence

The last full day of riding was another marathon. Big miles, but also a long time. This was due mainly to the regular stops for photos, video and views that are`just amazing. Highway 1 down the west coast is rough in places, land slides cause problems, big trucks and RCV's add to the cyclist, bikers and cars to make going a little fraught at times, but the scenery and road just blows your mind. The Griffin Inn at Elk, was a little more expensive than my normal motels, but it had a monopoly in the area, and as I took my life in my own head, and hit a few MPH over the limit to get back from the Manchester photo shoot 13 miles away. It was worth it. Breakfast bought to my 'chalet' in the morning.

At 46 degrees F, it was a cool start when I got back to Manchester to take some more photos. A quiet place with only the slightly dotty post mistress taking any interest. I soon deposited my message in a bottle near the towns sign. (Bottle with a message to all the Manchesters and the last few threads of the flag that had travelled with me). San Francisco was about 170 miles away, and the journey seemed to take forever as the '1' got busier and more populated as I got nearer. By 5pm I was crossing the Golden Gate bridge
and fighting the GPS and the roadworks to get into the docklands area.
My last night would be in the grand surroundings on the Argonaut Hotel near Fishermans Wharf, but I was a day early so I went back to the edge of town and stayed in a more modest motel.

As I write this , its 2pm on Thursday 16th June, the bike has been returned to Eagle Rider in SF, and the final mileage was 8525 miles. I have ridden every day for 34 days (though some days 5-30 miles).

My longest day was from Livingston, Oregon to Manchester,Washington at 748 miles. My shortest 6 miles to do some some laundry.

Though I was resticted by time and the task in hand, I have only scratched the surface of what the USA has to offer. In fact I have only taken the pin out of its box to start to scratch.

The people I have met have been great, the friendship and hospitality more than I could have wished for. One thing for sure, I can recommend anyone to visit this massive and diverse country, you will never run out of things to see or do. I have never been scared, worried or concerned about who I spoke too, or where I was. (Even that forest in Alabama).

Thanks go out to:

Bennetts Insurance (Bennetts Biker Dream), RBP International, (Nicolien, Becks and the team), Ben, Chris, Jonnys gang, Missy, John (Red), Cory and Jack for the offers of Beds, beer and great conversation.

To my wonderfull wife who put up with months of 'ME' prior to coming over, and a month of being lonely as I travelled. (Love you loads).

Before I fly home, just a short note about Lawrence, (Above) the old chap I met in a Diner on 'Flag Day'. The shortest encounters often have the most profound effect.

Lawrence was an 'Elk', onc of the age old fraternities that have existed here for many years. He was going to a blessing for the Start and Stripes and though he invited me along, it would have been too long to get to where I was going.

In ten minutes he told me of his family leaving Plymouth in the 1600's, how in his lifetime the country had changed, and how proud he was to be an American. I gave Lawrence a pin badge showing the Stars & Stripes along with the Union Jack given to me by the American Embassy in London. We shook hands and he had a tear in his eye (me too), as we parted he thanked me for visiting the USA and hoped his country had treated me well.

You all did, and may I add that I hope that if you should ever visit the UK, we too can offer the same welcome and friendship.

Goodbye America. God Bless and thanks again.

The Last Manc Standing

Rememnber that due to time zones, it is still Tuesday here in Manchester California. After another long day of 13 hrs, 458 miles and the infamous Highways 101 and 1 (wow is that a twisty), I arrived in my last Manchester as the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. 8.30PM and I had a dash back 13 miles north for last orders and a meal in ELK.
Giant Redwoods and dramatic sea mists over crashing waves and choppy seas. The Pacific highway is full of great views and great roads. I will add pictures in the morning, Just thought I would let you all know. S'Done.Did it.... finito bonito, QED, Finis, The End
( well almost just got to get to Frisco now. !)