InvictaMoto's On The Road Again!

In Hawwy Wednapp's own 'and.

This Flickr album contains about 103 of the pix taken on the trip. http://www.flickr.com/photos/pauldevall/sets/72157625772506567/ Favourite beer Cerna Hora......

It's almost four year ago that I wrote a piece about the Maplin's Solar panel that I bought in an attempt to keep the battery on my GS topped up.  It seemed to have been a terrible failure. It was unclear whether or not it is waterproof and so it was contained in a plastic bag. In reflection, this may have reduced its efficiency. The optimistic report was http://invictamoto.blogspot.com/2008/03/flat-battery-thing-of-past.html In a wave of perhaps misguided optimism, I have bought another one. This made by Ring, who make all kinds of automotive and home electrical equipment.  It is supposed to be waterproof according to the website. We'll see?

The previous post contained a piece of original conceptual art.  Copyright me!   After a discussion with the Art Inspector we came to the broad conclusion that something is art as long as the artist considered what they had produced was art and not simply their bedroom after they had got up, leaving it like a bomb had hit it.  This is now known as the "Tracey Emin Rule".   This revision includes extra detail to highlight the possible result of eating an apple a day. I conceived it as art and therefore it is art.

But is it art? , originally uploaded by InvictaMoto . An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Still a time for optimism. Standing up to look at the big screen announcing the line-ups. Arsenal almost looking on paper to be a match for Old Red Nose's Manchester United.   In a game where both sides belied the fact that they are at the top of the league, or thereabouts, the Mancs ran out 2-1 winners.   All that optimism wasted.

The world of motorcycle politics is so terrifically exciting and fast moving, it's small wonder we don't sleep!  (Or is it just me that finds it so?)   The proposed EU Regulation on type approval and market surveillance that we've come to know and love over the past 16 months, did pass its 'first reading' on 5th December when the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) voted on it and the near 300 amendments that been put forward.   You'll also be aware (unless you are new to these mailings) that not only did they accept the bulk of the original proposal, but added a few extra bits that aren't exactly in the best interests of the consumers they are meant to be protecting. One of my emails last week outlined horrified responses from both the European motorcycle retailers (ETRA) and the manufacturers association (ACEM) so it's good to know that apart from the UK Government, much of the rest of the bike industry is now aware of the po...

Only 29 kilometres from the ferry!

At the moment just at the planning stage but we may go back to Czech this summer for a wedding anniversary party.  Last year we went across for the MotoGp and stayed with a friend and went out for days.   This year it will be more of a splash and dash trip, if we go. I've checked flights, and it is really annoying that Brno is not on the usual Easyjet list and therefore flights are pricey, even with WizzAir from Luton.   So it looks like another job for the CC!

It's a Sunday. Neither of us are wildly enthusiastic about shopping so hopefully a day when we can get the roof down on the CC and enjoy the drive. But where to go? Might have a look out for Mimoyecques to get a proper gps point for the Kent Centre trip on 22nd April. Then lunch. I love the up and down of the D901 along the coast between Calais and Boulogne. The huge dunes and their own white cliffs. It's as though Kent and Sussex were ripped apart from the Pas de Calais rather than the valley simply filling with sea water after the ice melted as it receded after the last ice age! Paul Devall Sent from my iPhone

I suppose it was a warning when the yellow light came on the fuel gauge last week. But what's new? I never have much in the Punto. It's a car that does some local miles to and from the station and the odd shopping trip. So as I couldn't remember how long the light had been on it was sure to come up and bite my arse. It started to stutter on Dymchurch Road and I made the right turn into Burmarsh Road and poof! Gone. Into neutral and coast to a stop. A quick call to Claire to bring the can and fifteen minutes later we're home with five litres in the tank. Only one hiccup. As I was pouring the petrol from the can some twat drove past and lobbed a fag out of the window.

This is just a reminder that if you have a few minutes to spare, the UK Government's consultation into scrapping the MoT on vehicles manufactured before 1960, closes on 26th January. The consultation can be seen here   http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2011-27 There are only 9 questions, although two of them are only relevant if you happen to be an Insurance Underwriter... The form to complete is called Annex B and it can be downloaded and then sent to  historicvehiclesmotreview@dft.gsi.gov.uk In essence, the Government acknowledge that historic machines are generally well cared for and cover barely 500 miles in each year. Their pass rate at MoT is high and the number of old machines is low, so it's not seen as a problem. Motorcycles come in for special mention though, which is why Motorcycle Action Group members should respond. Question 3 specifically asks should the MoT be kept for old bikes and not other vehicles, so you may wish to comment on that... Currently, u...

If you are a UK citizen please add your name. We have to do whatever we can to ensure that this doesn't come to Britain and maybe the Irish and French can do the same. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/26931

We were chatting in the office about things we used to have to eat and whether they were available. I remembered having Staffordshire Oatcakes when visiting my ex-partner's sister in Cheshire.   I think she bought them in and have an idea it was from the Co-op or possibly a butcher's shop locally.  I had a look on the net and came across a few differing recipes but this is the most like what we used to eat, usually with melted cheese or even sausages and beans.      Ingredients: 225g fine oatmeal 225g wholewheat or plain flour 1tsp salt 15g yeast 450ml warm milk 450ml warm water 1tsp sugar  Method:  Mix the water and milk together. Mix the salt to the flour and oatmeal in a large bowl. Dissolve the yeast with a little warm liquid and add the sugar. Allow the mixture to become frothy. Mix the dry ingredients with the yeast liquid to make a batter adding the remainder of the warm liquid. Cover the batter with a clean cloth and leave in a warm place for abou...

The European Commission has proposed that part of its controversial new 'Anti-Tampering' regulations, which will affect all future bikes registered for the road, should be re-written to prevent chop-builders from using 'long-forks'. The Commission now proposes that any bikes being put through the Individual Vehicle Approval test (the safety inspection made before non Type-Approved imports, one-off specials, etc. (currently known as Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval) would have to complete a slalom and U-Turn before being registered, to prevent modifications to the length of the forks. Up to now, the draft regulations have only talked about requiring manufacturers to design the 'power-train' (engine, transmission, final-drive and rear tyre dimension) so that it becomes difficult for owners to modify them from standard. The UK representatives in the technical discussions joined FEMA and others in opposing the proposal, not least because the Commission cannot ...

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) is asking as many riders as possible to complete a short on-line survey about secure on-street parking facilities (motorcycle parking bays with railings or ground anchors). MAG has lead the way in campaigning for secure bike parking for the last 20 years and is pleased to support researchers at Leicester University. Nich Brown, MAG General Secretary said "This survey will help to give us a clearer picture of where we need to put our future efforts to fight the scourge of bike theft, and show the effectiveness of secure motorcycle parking facilities in preventing theft". There is no need to give information about where you keep your bike and all responses will be treated as private and confidential. To take part, go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/securebikeparking To be included in the research study, the survey must be completed by 31st January 2012. Background: In 1992, MAG published the first ever guide to the design and provision of secure o...

The dawn comes up like thunder , originally uploaded by InvictaMoto . Westenhanger, Kent.

The French Government has finally confirmed how it will implement new regulations for bikers regarding reflective clothing and number plates. As of 1st Jan 2013 it will be an offence, punishable through a fine and the loss of points, (in France you lose them, don't gain them) not to wear at least 150cm2 of relective clothing between the waist and the shoulders and not to be using an enlarged number plate. You may remember that this was first mooted as an accident reduction issue, but most accidents involve 125cc bikes and below, and these are exempt from the new rules. Riders in France must already use their headlights all the time and carry reflective stickers on their helmets. You may also remember that the French Government then said the regulations were to ensure other motorists could see if riders were lying in the middle of the road at night... FFMC's Frederic Jeorge said "It will be considered almost as bad as driving without a helmet, even if you are wearing full...

Time to go before we are off.....

Although I like a decently appointed restaurant I do love the simplicity and minimalism of the London Pie & Mash shop. Years ago my Grandparents had friends and neighbours in what was the "eel pie" business. These people ran a couple of chains of shops under the Harrington name. Mostly in south London. Although I looked for one that I found on the web in Battersea, although it had, by the look of the parade of shops, long gone. I believe there was another still existing in Tooting? The one pictured here is Manze's and is in Chapel Market in Islington I love it. I used to call in more often when my job took me out and about more from the office than it does now. With so many greasy spoon cafés in the neighbourhood and all the chains of burger joints, traditional London food is being pressed into obscurity. Maybe if the BBC had put an eel-pie shop in the ever depressing "Eastenders", things may have been different. But why would they? "Eastenders...

So after not really getting anywhere with emails to Groupon and Fashion Revenge about the missing Christmas gift, I found the Groupon UK Facebook page. Wow! Complaints Central! In the "all" or "everyone" area there are complaints and complaints and more complaints. I added mine plus the "ticket" number. And suddenly, replies to my emails and "customer service" swung into action. Still no parcel or an idea where it is, but action at last. Now 25 days since the order....

Following on from the last post way back in October ( http://invictamoto.blogspot.com/2011/10/ride-of-respect-2012-royal-wootton.html ) we are still waiting for details to be published on the WB run and indeed, on all the regional runs that will take place to show some respect and raise a few hundred thousand for the charities.   If you are in the UK, have a bike, I'm sure your old Ma will understand if you forego the lunch with her and get out to raise some money for the batch of charities that the Ride will support this year.    

I hope it's a good one for you and if we can keep up the pressure from last year, it should be a good one for Riders' Rights too. If you live in the South East of England, I'm pleased to say that one of your MEPs, Peter Skinner, is holding a special 'motorcycle surgery' at P&H Motorcycles in Crawley on 14th January P&H Motorcycles Ltd 61-63 Gatwick Road Crawley West Sussex RH10 9RD As a result of the huge volume of correspondence he has received from riders in his constituency, he has agreed to meet as many as possible on Saturday afternoon (14th Jan) in perhaps the ideal venue, a bike shop. He is hoping to hear all your concerns about EU legislation first hand, as well as discuss rider training issues, the state of the retail bike industry and the future of the whole industry in light of various legislation, both proposed and under discussion for future proposal. If you could arrive before 2pm (time enough to grab a cuppa) Mr Skinner will be available t...

As the month progresses I need to start planning for a visit from a Czech Suzuki owner planning to come across to the UK for a visit to visit the BSB round at Brands Hatch in late July before he heads off to visit other contacts in Wales and Ireland before he has a few days on the Isle of Man.   My end is to sort out BSB and a trip to London on the Monday. I think that might have to be the train as parking has become a nightmare even for bikes in the mean spirited streets of Westminster.