RantMachine

Funny how Craig didn't make it and nobody tampered with my killswitch... Such coincidence.

Made it to our next destination several hours ago but only just unpacked my phone charger Another awesome rally, roll on next year

Just checked the forecast one last time... raining at 11am and again at 1pm across the entire route, doesn't matter where we are at those times we're gonna get wet

As long as I take a crap before setting off, I won't be overloading my bike

Finally ready, after a little bit of concern about overloading the bike and far too much fuss setting the rear shock...

How did you see my costume already?!?

Nah, that's the second best thing to do. The best thing to do is not to drink so much on the first night that you chunder right outside the entrance to your tent, right Ricky?

Think we're aiming to set off late morning / midday. Forecast currently says rain in Tewkesbury at 3pm-4pm so will try to arrive before then - need time to set up the tent then ride into town to stock up on beer and food! Bob - where should we meet you if we're heading up with you guys? At your place?

I once received a CV that had been written on a typewriter. He listed every qualification he had ever attempted but subsequently failed. And he was wearing a westcountry smock when he handed it in.

I have one of these cheap and cheerful affairs: http://www.arkon.com/images/bike-mount/GPS032.jpg (Available for hundreds of eBay sellers for a couple of quid) I was forced to rely on using a GPS speedo app on my phone for a considerable length of time because the speedo on my BMW didn't want to work. This thing always stayed in place, never shook loose, never let rain in. And I did a lot of rainy miles, and rode on a lot of crappy bumpy roads. The bracket is easy enough to adjust, and even managed to get it clamped onto something as narrow as the cross-brace of my bars. Comes with lots of foam inserts to hold the phone tightly in place. Oh, and it has a little water resistant opening in the bottom (I believe the technical name is "rubber bumhole thing") for a power cable to go in.

I can certify that 2013 was an awesome ride and very much 125 friendly, even with some of the gradients in the peak district. Certainly the hardest I ever revved my Lexmoto in first gear

Hahahaha, that's bloody awesome! Love it!

Cool, I'll let you know before Friday

That's rotten luck, hope it goes away in time! Not 100% sure when we're setting off, Crystal has to check on a few bits at the West Cambridge Site in the morning so probably midday. I'll try to get a more definite answer out of her. Are you guys going cross country again this year?

Guessing that's a "no" then

A lad from the village I used to live in died after falling off his bicycle (at low speed, too) and being unlucky enough to crack his head on something. I always wear a bicycle helmet, daft as it looks. Sometimes I misplace the thing and have to wear a motorbike helmet instead

I'll let you know Really like the look of the vents that clip open. My current four seasons jacket has loads of vents, but even once they're unzipped they don't exactly encourage airflow. And they're inexplicably all on the left side of the jacket And another thing, the waterproof lining on my current jacket is part of the same item as the thermal lining... awful for summer showers! You have to choose between being wet because you're sweating so much or wet because the rain got in! Really not very smart, can't imagine why any manufacturer (Bikers Gear Australia) would do that. The approach taken by the Oxford jacket with the Hippora lining being a fixed part of the outer jacket and the quilting being separate and removable makes much more sense. Can't fault my current jacket for winter use or for protection, but it really isn't English summer friendly. Kinda wish I could get one of these in time for the rally, seeing as it's meant to be raining all the way home on the Sunday

I like the idea of the under-helmet hood, should stop my hair turning into one giant knot whenever I ride on a motorway

Thanks, I'll look into them before taking the plunge. I was also looking into ARMR clothing, some of the write ups are fairly positive but I've seen a few bad things about the ventilation.

Awesome, cheers for the feedback! Will order one as soon as I get paid for all the overtime I worked last month

Thinking about getting a new jacket as the old one is looking a bit threadbare... Anyone tried Oxford brand gear before? Their Montreal 2.0 jacket looks pretty sweet and I'm very tempted. Particularly keen to know just how waterproof they are... http://images.esellerpro.com/2189/I/158/699/lrgscale11374-Oxford-Montreal-2.0-Mens-Mid-Motorcycle-Jacket-Desert-1600-0.jpg http://www.ghostbikes.com/11374-oxford-montreal-2.0-motorcycle-jacket.html#var1=Desert&var2=L

Anyone out tomorrow evening?

So if those are the costumes for me and Stu... which are you guys? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32iCWzpDpKs http://www.lastnightoffreedom.co.uk/stag-night-shop/costumes-&-fancy-dress/big-pink-vagina-costume/ http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kiss-Ass-Face-Family-Butt-Head-Fancy-Dress-Up-Halloween-Adult-Costume-Accessory-/371112509708?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item566807810c

That would be amazing

Not sure what you're wanting to ask, but go for it