rob m

It's the most expensive ferry in the world mile for mile apparently. The cost of the ferry seems to be an issue for a lot of you guys, it's always been that way. I've been to the TT a few times, this is small change IMO. I'm more excited by the thought of seeing my road racing heroes doing battle around the circuit. Seeing them blast down the Military Road will be epic. Soz for not complaining about the cost of the ferry.

Picked up a Garmin Zumo 220 from FB marketplace, last owner used it once before putting it back in the box a few years ago. It's mint, most of the accessories are still in sealed bags. He told me that the maps are all out of date but when I got home with it, I fired up Garmin Express and an hour later its all updated and with latest Archies Camping POIs added. Paid £80 https://i.imgur.com/doZLIEv.jpg' alt='IMGUR>'>

Great, I'm only an hour from the ferry

Worked throughout for the NHS. Lost 3 stone in weight. 1800 calories a day and 10k steps exercise. Really easy.

I think the aggression says more about them as people rather than as bikers.

If you're on facebook, join the UKBTE (UK Bikers Touring in Europe) page. Lots of people touring in Europe right now and updating on accommodation as they go. Most are reporting that there have been no problems finding accommodation in France.

There is self referral for physio in a lot of areas now for physio. Ps if you are NHS and you mention it on your referral you will be seen no quicker but they will know! Cheers, that's good to know. I was seen very quickly, maybe I was lucky.

Soz if my advice to book a GP appointment was not well received. As I work for the NHS, I was wondering how you guys access physiotherapy without being referred by your GP? Do you access private healthcare? I was just thinking that for some, private healthcare might not be affordable. It's a genuine question, not being challenging. I have had to be recently referred to a private cardiologist by my NHS GP and after looking at their prices for private consultation, it made my eyes water. Very thankful I don't have to pay for it.

Obvious answer from me, book an appointment with your GP.

I left in 1985. Well I say left, I was 'suspended indefinitely' I still went back for the last day, we all got pissed in the park on Merrydown cider. My mate Evo set himself on fire and jumped in the lake. Anyway, left on the Friday and started on the YTS scheme on the Monday doing motor vehicle tech. For the paltry £28.50 a week I got, I was on placement at a motorcycle dealer, went to college and learnt how to panel beat, spray paint, weld and rebuild a mini engine from scratch. It was great! Sadly though, living in Hartlepool at the time, once the YTS scheme finished, I had 3 choices. Dole, army or move down south to find work, which is what I did. Still living down here 32 years later.

Planning the full service on the K12, most parts obtained and a few on the way. Oil change and filter, plugs, air filters, final drive oil, new brake pads all round. Also ordered some Barnett clutch plates to replace the standard ones that are feeling like they're on their way out. Gotta love BMW though. Not only have they positioned the oil filter at the side of the engine so I have to remove the gear change, I have to remove the radiator to access the plugs. Both not big deals but when I refit and refill the radiator the cooling system has to be pressurised before filling with coolant. I don't have a compressor or access to an air line. Brilliant

The 6 month extension on MOTS because of lockdown won't have helped either. I like Halfords, I know it's very easy for some to criticise them but I've never had a problem with them. I agree about the tools, I have their professional socket set and torque wrench and they're top quality.

I had grip puppies on my last bike and you're right they make a big difference. Need to order some for my latest bike.

Carole Nash for me, insured my last 3 bikes with them. I spoke to them direct rather than do it online, made a huge difference. When I bought my BMW in May, my no claims bonus (10 years) had gone beyond the usual two year grace period by 6 months since my last policy, but after talking to them and being a loyal customer, never claimed etc. they honoured it. So I kept my NCB and in the end I paid £237 fully comp with all the legal cover and UK/Euro breakdown included. £200 voluntary excess.

The bypassed servo on the BMW range from about 2002-2007 is an advantage to be honest. By doing this, you lose the ABS but you gain non-linked brakes and the lack of paranoia of the whole system going tits up. I've had two K1200S's, the first had the dreaded servo failure and I had it bypassed and my current one had it already done. Without the servo, the brakes are strong and progressive. No worries at all. The K1200S is a unique bike though. The clutch isn't the greatest but can be sorted and the cam chain tensioner needs an upgrade. The fuel strip screws up too but that can be worked around. BMW sorted all this out on the K1300S, which to be fair is bombproof. Other than that, if you can live with it, the K1200S is an outstanding bike. I love them. Sooo much power and torque. I nabbed my latest one for £2K. Bargain.

RIP Ennio. Chills.

It hasn't gone unnoticed! You may receive an award at the end of the year! but be warned it is performance based The only award I want is a nice Ban! It's the only escape from the onslaught of the Casuals and the Chinese bike weirdos! You're one of the only ones who post ride reports! Don't need a ban.

Wales. I'm heading there the first chance I get.

Thanks man. I'm aware that [mention]Stu[/mention] wanted more ride reports so...

I have a BMW K1200S which is a shaft drive. Needs a final drive oil change once a year which takes about 30 minutes to do, so no worrying about chains slackening off and needing lube for 12 months. Can't think of any downsides to be honest. The final drive on mine handles around 170bhp and is pretty slick. Just to add, I rode chain driven bikes for over 20 years so can compare the two.

Up early, a rare day off so made the most of it. I live 2 miles from Boxhill and fancied a coffee, nice to see Ryka's is open. I rarely come here even though it's on my doorstep and if I do it's only usually to meet a mate before heading off somewhere. You'll never see me there on a Sunday when it's heaving and especially not at the moment, what with covid and all that. https://i.imgur.com/tQJcoYo.jpg' alt='IMGUR>'> Down the A29 from Dorking to Bury for another...coffee. The A29 is a bit stifled these days by limits but there's still some NSL fun to be had and I love it. Back in the day, my mates and I used to include the A29 in our own Surrey TT. Happy days. I've slowed down a lot since then but the A29 still gets me excited, it's just one of those roads. Anyway, they've separated the car park into two halves at Whiteways cafe, left for cars, right for bikes and they remind you to park at least 2 metres apart. https://i.imgur.com/K7jnKqT.jpg' alt='IMGUR>'> Saw these two beauties too. Ring-a-ding-ding. https://i.imgur.com/JFQcDQy.jpg' alt='IMGUR>'> From there, a quick ride over to Newhaven where I always seem to end up to eat my sandwich, a few bikers already there. Sadly the chippy is still closed otherwise I would've been noshing on cod and chips, they're the best for miles. https://i.imgur.com/JVvdemh.jpg' alt='IMGUR>'> https://i.imgur.com/EVL3VZP.jpg' alt='IMGUR>'> I used to fish from the Harbour arm for years, fishing is banned now but people find a way over the top to still do it. Apparently a guy fell off into the sea and survived but sued the port owners for £2.5 million and won his case. So they locked it up. I took this picture through a gap in the locked gate. https://i.imgur.com/UREYuU8.jpg' alt='IMGUR>'> Along the coast to Pevensey Bay just to look out at the view. Used to fish here too and there was few lads on the beach wetting a line. https://i.imgur.com/heyZqJm.jpg' alt='IMGUR>'> Made my way along the coast to Rye then started heading northwards through Kent. It's a 'B' road bonanza down there, some epic roads that took me up to Sevenoaks. Stopped in a place called Sandhurst to sit and drink a coke. Nice place, sat on the bench under the tree while the locals stared at me. Not weird at all https://i.imgur.com/xOzRNhQ.jpg' alt='IMGUR>'> From Sevenoaks, it was a nice ride along the A25 to Dorking then home. A perfect loop and just shy of 166 miles. That'll do! https://i.imgur.com/cWPKRmD.jpg' alt='IMGUR>'>

Not a problem with the Stormex, it has a fleece inner liner 12 years of use and no condensation at all. Great covers.

I managed both Mick and Jim's solos on Psychosocial on my guitar, was sweating afterwards!

Oxford Stormex all day long. All of my bikes for the past 25 years have lived outside and out of all the covers I've had the Stormex has been the best. Used them on my last 3 bikes and absolutely no issues whatsoever. I do treat mine with Nikwax every 6 months or so which I think helps.

As the weather was pants here, I've spent the best part of two days playing sim racing online. Project Cars 2 and Assetto Corsa Competizione mainly