A blog that has evolved over the years from simply about motorcycle trips, to include action against discriminatory legislation from the UK and EU. Then included football, dogs and motorhoming!!!
30 May 2009
29 May 2009
'Twas a sunny day....
More defensive riding...
As you get older do you really ride more defensively because you want to, or do you compensate for failing mental functions?
I've found that even though I lane split I do it more slowly and give in and let others past. I do get a bit annoyed by the human cannonball arseholes that can't wait and swerve round you.
Why human cannonball? Without exception they wear helmets that look like they saw Dan Walsh from BiKE Magazine and copied the look without the riding and writing ability.
Maybe it is age, but I let them get on with it and hope to get home in one piece.
27 May 2009
Kent @ Assen
Everything is booked and we have put a note on the Suzuki Owners Club's new forum to see if anyone else is going; maybe meet up for a beer in the evening? No contact as yet!
The outward journey is mainly on motorway from Calais. We're on the 0925 P&O boat so allowing for 90 minutes to cross the channel and the hour time difference it will be gone noon when we emerge into the French sunshine. The sat-navs give the quickest route through Belgium as the motorway to Ostend and then down to Gent and up to Antwerp again, but I have always favoured an N9/N49 route that goes across from Brugge to Antwerp more directly.
The outward route is shown here on Everytrail.
On Sunday after the racing is over, the TT is on Saturday, I've planned a longer run back. It's to take in the Afsluitdijk, the man made dyke the separates the North Sea and the Ijsselmeer. If we leave after breakfast we have all day to meander back to the ferry. So we have time to take in a few sights on the way!
I haven't added the return route to Everytrail yet but will when I can get it off the other laptop!!
Was a sunny day...
18 May 2009
Refreshing ride to work!
After a week in Italy and the experience of driving narrow country and coastal roads with suicidal overtaking manoeuvres and the solid white line down the centre line meaning nothing, it was quite relaxing to ride into work today.
In contrast with the Italian drivers, our great British commuters were the epitome of calm and manners. I suppose it is what you get used to.
In Italy, considering the standard of driving, we saw no accidents where life or limb were at stake. Practically every other car on the road had a variety of bumps and scrapes on the body work. Some were vying for a record of having the most body panels dented or battered or simply scraped.
The rental Punto we had came with the extremes of the front bumper (fenders?) scraped and the wheel trims scuffed on all four wheels. I added to these scuffs with both front wheels when forced to make a few avoidance manoeuvres when faced with a car coming the other way, sharing my side of the road.
Brakes on the Punto were surprisingly good with excellent grip from the tyres. Tested several times to the max on a drive along the Amalfi Coastal Drive, usually when faced with a scooter or small motorcycle head-on around a blind bend. I congratulate myself and the riders belief in their God that there was no contact, and that I only had to stop dead twice that Sunday.
So it was comforting to ride in today with 99.99999999% of drivers being able to keep in the lanes that they paint on the roads. The same sort of percentage also managed not to overtake across the solid centre line, opposed to their Italian counterpart that sees the white line as a guidance tool that they are somewhere near the centre of the road!
But where would I rather be today? London or Sorrento?
15 May 2009
Me and 'Er at Positano
On the way back up the hill to the car-park. Remarkably looking in good nick despite blisters on feet and tired joints.
Cinquecento!
14 May 2009
13 May 2009
Casale Antonietta
Our room |
We had a great time there and although not a motorcycling holiday it was a good area with so much to see.
https://www.casaleantonietta.com/site/
12 May 2009
Campania +3
8 May 2009
Campania -1
Final packing underway. As usual the one suitcase is looking already overfilled! At Easyjet’s prices it pays to get it all in the one. Okay, so I’m cheap and think that £16 per case is an insult after you have paid for the seat.
Modern life means we have gadgets and gadgets need power. To get the power we have power leads. So after the phone charger, there’s the power lead for the camera batteries (different ones so different charger doobries), then the lead for the satnav to connect it to the PC, oh yes, the PC is going to… free WiFi in the hotel….. We hope.
What else, have I mentioned the phone charger, oh yes. Spare SD and CF cards for the cameras, the cameras of course, plus spare batteries. Then there’s the iPod and speakers, plus power lead. It never stops.
And all this has to be sorted so we can get up at 5am and be on the road almost immediately to get to Gatwick to sit about for a few hours before the flight.
6 May 2009
Bus Lanes
1 May 2009
New Sunglasses - Oakley Juliet Ducati
Due to various setbacks, it has taken nearly seven weeks for them to arrive. I picked them up last Saturday and walked around town with them, even like a prat I wore them indoors as well! Then I came to ride the bike home from Hythe and the buggers won't fit with my helmet. Or any helmet. The arms are curved and can't open wide enough to get in the visor hole. B*llocks!
Update 9th October 2018
Looking back over older posts I can see that some pictures have disappeared. I have no idea but guess that the links have expired/ Getzgirl is Claire or Mrs D. Why her pix have disappeared I have no ide either.