Friday, 6 July 2012
Weather you like it or not
If it’s ‘Brownie Points’ you are after, or just because you have to, riding in the rain is a definite feature of this years basic requirement for many BB’s (British Bikers). “It will rain or go dark before midnight”, as my father used to say.
I actually enjoy the kudos and the knowing glances from car drivers. That second glance or nod that indicates ‘this guy knows what he is doing’. After all who else would be daft enough to ride in this weather.
The inner feeling that ‘Yes , I really am a hardcore biker’. Though the extra time needed to get into a one-piece suit designed for someone with the agility of a Russian teenage gymnast, and not a fat 50 something with si2e 13 boots, is a bind, it would be a YouTube winner if ever I film the 10 minute version.
Let’s not forget the glove issue and the lack of full waterproofy-ness, though the addition of bright yellow Marigolds under them works for me. (The ones with the fluffy insides of course) The challenge of doing the distance in bad weather became a part of my daily chore, when riding through the USA last year, when for seven days it rained Datsun Cogs for over 1200 miles. Being on a mission to complete 9600 miles in 33 days, there was no option but to get on with it and put those damp gloves back on, add the one-piece when damp, and the fun really begins. If you have ever seen Houdini escape a straight jacket….
in reverse Once back in Blighty, the rain was never enough to stop me going for a spin and a recent misadventure with my old Volvo and loss of job, means my trusty GSa is my only means of transport at the moment. Out looking for work this week, I wrestled the one-piece into submission, find my marigolds, expect the drips on the slightly open visor to get me right in the eye, watch out for grids, white lines, diesel spills, dopey drivers and puddles the si2e of boating lakes, and weather or not, I will probably enjoy it.
Raining again....... this must be July in Manchester, England.
PS I have lost the 'last letter of the alphabet' and the forward slash keys on my laptop. They keys are still there, they just refuse to do there thing, so 2 in the new 2...... if you get that , oh ! question mark has gone AWOL too.
Friday, 15 June 2012
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Friday, 11 May 2012
On the 13th May 2011, I was getting ready for the flight to the USA. Shock, worry, apprehension, excitement. I wasn't sleeping too well and Sharon was getting more used to the idea, yet still not 'happy'.
On Friday 13th at 10am I walked down the corridor of Terminal 3 Manchester Airport leaving my wife Sharon, Daughter Alexa and niece Rebecca (Becks to me) behind. A slight tear, a deepbreath and I was on my own, the journey had begun.
That morning had been a whizz, BBC Radio Manchester at 8.30am, BikeTorqueTV at 9am and a radio interview by Capital FM at the airport. The next month and a half would be a whirlwind of which many have followed and some have shared. I thank you all.
A year later almost to the day, I reflect on a year that has flown by and a realisation that over 16,000 page hits to my blog from 8500 visitors since I added the 'Revolver Globe' to my blog.
2011-2012 has been a strange year, I have struggled to find regular work, had a constant nagging feeling to get the book written (though finding work has taken priority), and carried on using my bike as much as possible.
BMW Finance have been great and helpfull along the way. I can recommend them.
Having been self employed for many years, and now at the ripe old age of 54, I am struggling to find a new career, and the small amount of jobs I have had are not enough to realise the plans and dreams Sharon and I have.
One thought came to mind when surfing the web (seems to be my main pastime at the moment). Motorcycle Touring has become massive over the past years and many of my Facebook friends, Forum chums and Twitterarti plan big trips and adventures.
Being on the edge of Europe is ideal to travel east across to the middle and far east, Europe and even north Africa. All within land locked roads once across the English Channel.
But what about those from other countries, that want to visit the UK on a motorcycle. There are a few motorcycle travel companies in the UK, and what about another.
I know the UK very well. There are not many places the England Scotland or Wales I haven't been in thirty odd years of work, play, and travel. On a bike, car or truck.
For all those motorcycle riders wishing to visit the UK and see more than London, Stone Henge or the M1 a tour organiser, leader, to show the way around the real UKis now available.
Planning a tour to suit $$$, sights, interests, time, accomodation choices and per day miles is unique.
Your thoughts would be welcome.
http://www.thundersprint.com link to.
I was invited to read and review Ted Simons new book Rolling Through the Isles and received a pre-release copy last week. Spending a few good sessions reading the story of Teds youth, the war years and his recollections of the places and people that had an effect on his life.
Having travelled around the world twice, written Jupiters Travels , Jupiters Return and a few other books, his latest story is a pleasant meander and worth a read if not just to discover some new places to visit.
On Friday 13th at 10am I walked down the corridor of Terminal 3 Manchester Airport leaving my wife Sharon, Daughter Alexa and niece Rebecca (Becks to me) behind. A slight tear, a deepbreath and I was on my own, the journey had begun.
That morning had been a whizz, BBC Radio Manchester at 8.30am, BikeTorqueTV at 9am and a radio interview by Capital FM at the airport. The next month and a half would be a whirlwind of which many have followed and some have shared. I thank you all.
A year later almost to the day, I reflect on a year that has flown by and a realisation that over 16,000 page hits to my blog from 8500 visitors since I added the 'Revolver Globe' to my blog.
2011-2012 has been a strange year, I have struggled to find regular work, had a constant nagging feeling to get the book written (though finding work has taken priority), and carried on using my bike as much as possible.
BMW Finance have been great and helpfull along the way. I can recommend them.
Having been self employed for many years, and now at the ripe old age of 54, I am struggling to find a new career, and the small amount of jobs I have had are not enough to realise the plans and dreams Sharon and I have.
One thought came to mind when surfing the web (seems to be my main pastime at the moment). Motorcycle Touring has become massive over the past years and many of my Facebook friends, Forum chums and Twitterarti plan big trips and adventures.
Being on the edge of Europe is ideal to travel east across to the middle and far east, Europe and even north Africa. All within land locked roads once across the English Channel.
But what about those from other countries, that want to visit the UK on a motorcycle. There are a few motorcycle travel companies in the UK, and what about another.
I know the UK very well. There are not many places the England Scotland or Wales I haven't been in thirty odd years of work, play, and travel. On a bike, car or truck.
For all those motorcycle riders wishing to visit the UK and see more than London, Stone Henge or the M1 a tour organiser, leader, to show the way around the real UKis now available.
Planning a tour to suit $$$, sights, interests, time, accomodation choices and per day miles is unique.
Your thoughts would be welcome.
THUNDERSPRINT, NORTHWICH CHESHIRE THIS WEEKEND
For those in the North West area, the Classic Bike speed trials and bike show at Northwich (4 miles west of M6 Junc 19) This weekend 12-13th May.
Saturday is a quiet day, but Sunday see's the racing around a car park (better than it sounds), which is a sprint time trial of old classic bikes of all styles and types. The streets on Northwich are closed off and over 10,000 bikes, riders and fans turn up for the event. Sunday weather is supposed to be good.
AND ITS FREE. (NB: A Spitfire fly-past most years is worth the wait).
I was invited to read and review Ted Simons new book Rolling Through the Isles and received a pre-release copy last week. Spending a few good sessions reading the story of Teds youth, the war years and his recollections of the places and people that had an effect on his life.
Having travelled around the world twice, written Jupiters Travels , Jupiters Return and a few other books, his latest story is a pleasant meander and worth a read if not just to discover some new places to visit.
Monday, 23 April 2012
The camp at KIRKBY STEPHEN in Cumbria (Junc 38 M6) is a great starting point for a ride into the LAKE DISTRICT (One of our National Parks, for those looking from abroad) . The lakes are a must visit area of the UK for Brits and foreign travellers and the 'gang' included a guy from Taiwan and a couple from Germany, visiting the Uk and joining in.
A fantastic ride out with 25+ bikes made the weekend, despite me missing the group for anhour as I videoed the start. I caught up in Ambleside, and enjoyed passes, sea views, lakes and mountains in the company of new friends.
Great thanks to James 691 for all his hard work, and planned rides.
Some guys went off road, others went on a 'Pipe n Slippers' pootle.
I managed to drop my bike as I got off. Catching my pants on a bracket, it was enough to move the bike forward off the side stand..... bugger.
Video above was slapped together on Monday as I recover the camping in a very small tent, and with lots of noise from fellow campers till 3 am. Cheers Jay. 80(
It has however made me realise that this biking lark is just the best way to relax, excercise, see the world, meet new friends, and have a great time.
Notes to self:
Slightly larger tent
Gas cooker.
All season sleeping bag
Inflateable pillow
some off road experience.
book more ABR rallies.
(click link to open seperate page view in youtube)
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Twos company
The best westher for March in 30 years. Well last week anyway !
March is normally windy, cold, snow, rain but not 23 degrees and blue skies. 25th March >>>> No excuses then and Sharon and I went for a pootle down to Matlock Bath via the Cat n Fiddle. (Spoilt by the addition of 'average speed' cameras.).Not to be disapointed, there were hundreds of bikes lining the streets of MB, a regular biker haunt since the 60's.
A pint of shandy and excellent fish n chip lunch, we watched the myriad of bikes and people wandering up and down. An hour passed and we set off back towards Buxton and over the A6 home via Stockport.
Friday 30th and my daughter Alexa and future Son in Law Matt came over for dinner. They are going to Wales for a week of R&R and as my birthday falls on the 5th April brought an early present.
A one off book, printed to a high quality and put togerther by them both. Matt editing the pictures and Lexi doing the set up.
What a fantastic surprise and brilliant present,
See more at
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.426418334040083.123597.100000157617969&type=1&l=fc96c546e7
March is normally windy, cold, snow, rain but not 23 degrees and blue skies. 25th March >>>> No excuses then and Sharon and I went for a pootle down to Matlock Bath via the Cat n Fiddle. (Spoilt by the addition of 'average speed' cameras.).Not to be disapointed, there were hundreds of bikes lining the streets of MB, a regular biker haunt since the 60's.
A pint of shandy and excellent fish n chip lunch, we watched the myriad of bikes and people wandering up and down. An hour passed and we set off back towards Buxton and over the A6 home via Stockport.
Friday 30th and my daughter Alexa and future Son in Law Matt came over for dinner. They are going to Wales for a week of R&R and as my birthday falls on the 5th April brought an early present.
A one off book, printed to a high quality and put togerther by them both. Matt editing the pictures and Lexi doing the set up.
What a fantastic surprise and brilliant present,
See more at
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.426418334040083.123597.100000157617969&type=1&l=fc96c546e7
Sunday, 18 March 2012
The Eides of March
A stoneFXwalls sign I made for the Adventure Bike Warehouse in Manchester. Polystyrene and Decopierre.
Funny how time flies when you are not very busy.
Blogging the nothingness of winter blues
Writing pros about dull dull days
Spend a winter in my shoes
Following life along the way.
BUT that is only me , how are you doing?
Its March already and despite a lack of work, and therefore funds, I have taxed the bike, and yesterday went for a ride to the opening of a new Touratech branch in Chester.
Getting ready for a ride is always a bit of a chore. Get the bike out, check oil, chech tyre pressures, find the keys, put all that gear on. Boots, thick socks (stil a bit cool here), thermal undies, pants and jacket, shake out the helmet in case of earwigs or spiders, soften the gloves, get far to hot inside the house, then off we go. I have whittled this performance down to about 18 minutes, if I find the keys right away that is.
Seven miles in, some old bloke in a pick-up truck pulls out over 3 lanes right in front of me. Anchors on, I was slowing down for the imminent junction ahead, so had time to stop before T boning him.
Oh well just another day on a bike.
Cobwebs cleared, I start to remember what a ride out does for the soul. The winter has been long, the 'fun'times few and far between,BUT add some miles of Cheshire countryside a snippet of sunshine and it all brings back the simple joys of travelling without any other reason.
If work is found and funds are replensihed, then a few trips with Sharon are in the pipeline. Italy is beconing.
Cao for now.
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