allym316

Hiya, Gateshead here.

Ive been out on runs when markers have worn hi vis and the rest of us didnt.. looking forward when we spread out on m/ways, you really couldnt see the non hi vis wearing riders.. they just blended in. We all like to think we can be seen cos of our headlights & bright colours, but our rear footprint appears quite small really. On country roads in the gloom or dark I've barely made out Ians Gsxf rear light and I was looking for it (he added a top box with lights and that made a huge difference, but not everyone wants to or can). He has a bright yellow bike and matching gear but at night all he was showing was a couple of dim red bulbs. In some daylight conditions he blended in too. When he's been in the car and Ive forgotten to switch headlights on when following him, hes struggled to track me in his mirrors - and again he was looking for me. But as for studies??? That got me thinking so I had a quick scan and found ... http://londonbikers.com/articles/6377/w ... i-viz-gear (review of wearing hi vis) And this... http://www.motorcyclesafetyinfo.com/mot ... _gear.html bit dated, info gathered in 1986, but does say: Fluorescent clothing may reduce motorcycle injuries and death. British researchers who analyzed 463 motorcycle drivers admitted to hospital following a road traffic incident and 1233 other drivers (control group) to evaluate how wearing conspicuous attire affected the risk of having an accident. They found that with reflective or fluorescent clothing the risk of a crash injury was reduced by 37%, with a white helmet by 24%, and with headlights by 27%. And a few refs to this 30% (50% at night) of drivers involved in accidents with motorcycles claim they didn't see the bike. which came up a few times on searches, but couldnt find a reference for it. Has anyone seen that anywhere? And to counteract all of that, we have this http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/re ... cleacc.pdf commissioned by the Dft, which says "Sometimes, accident-involved drivers in motorcycle accidents fail to see riders even when they are verifiably using visibility aids, such as daytime running lights and high-visibility protective clothing" so yes, wearing it doesnt mean they will look. i have found that when wearing hi vis -esp at night / on m/ways etc theres another downside as cars actually slow down in front of you thinking youre the police So is it common sense to wear it? Or is there more street cred in not?

Silk liners are really warm and quite thin to wear under gloves, I have a pair under my gortex gloves when its really nippy.. just watch out for your velcro, See something like these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/100-Silk-Liner-Gl ... 911.c0.m14 hth

I have one (and was gonna post the same link above, lol).. and it failed within a couple of weeks of buying the viffer the hose split and threw its oil all over the back wheel and it was a rebuild job. This guy http://www.roadandracesuspension.co.uk/ was recommended by the vfr guys and I can highly recommend him for servicing/ rebuilds. I sent mine through the post and it was back as soon as he could source the parts - which he said he could replace all of them - and he kept the costs as low as possible, so its a lifetimes investment and worth looking after. Mine went from this: http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a155/allym316/th_shockfailure018.jpg to this... http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a155/allym316/th_newshock.jpg The rebuild wasnt cheap, but then Ohlins arent and it was cheaper to rebuild mine than buy a cheap replacement or buy a new Ohlins. I just wish the previous owner had looked after it a bit better and had fitted it right in the first place Love mine now.. it rocks

Lots of good info already as for hands, tested out these today http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/100-Silk-Liner-Gl ... 911.c0.m14 under my A/stars goretex gloves. They maybe waterproof, but I didnt find them warm enough. These liners are very thin and slip under the well fitting gloves nicely and as an added extra you can keep a layer on when filling up/ short stops etc, Downside... they'll shred if you get them too close to velcro. Also been trying out merino wool baselayers instead of synthetic.. some bargains to be had on ebay and am really impressed, as theyre so thin you just dont need to try and cram fleeces etc under your gear and end up like the michelin man or end up with your gear so tight you either cant move or you get cold because its tight. When its really nippy, i add a top layer - would recommend either fleece or waterproof gear to keep wind out and keep you a bit warmer. I have a wiring kit to sew into my winter jacket... think its about time I got that in too, I hear good reports on the heated gear

thanks Id not seen that before

ive got an oxford boss alarmed disc lock http://www.adrenalin-pedstop.co.uk/p/OX ... TH-34.aspx . Nice bit of kit (and thats a really good price)... BUT although its been on my last 4 bikes and been loaned to various visiting bikes, it wont fit on the vfr. Tis well worth checking the sizes out

argggh bugga, sorry cant make it tonite am booked sunday too, so thats out as well. Will give you a shout next time Im able to go, the way its going here, its hard to plan things in advance

try a cheap waterproof jacket over the top? They might have slightly longer sleeves? Gloves under main jacket, then waterproof over that? Tbh if its bouncing down I do that even if Im wearing gortex as it takes so long to dry out once it get soaked even if youre dry underneath I have the tech roads but I bought last years model http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ALPINESTARS-TECH- ... .m20.l1116 as this years has a faffy double cuff system.. it looks great, but in cold and wet conditions, I think its too faffy. Theyre pretty long in the cuff and Ive dunked me hands in a bowl of water to test their effectiveness and they withstood that so Im happy enough, but this stockist is only showing small and medium sizes.

The centre is east of Washington town centre in Pattinson (formerly District 15) four miles from the A1(M), one mile from the A19 and signposted off the A195, A19, A182 and A1231 Washington Highway. Im close to the Leam so its really not too far from here. Could meet at Washington services again? Anytimes ok for me.. say 6 at northbound services? Wheres best to meet up there, petrol station or near the cafe??

cant make it today. maybe wednesday?

good idea... i got there for 5.30 last sunday and there was loads there. I'll shout out if Im going... cos I didnt know anyone either!

aww hope you get to play out somewhere, I been out all day, done 200m plus over to the Lakes and back via Devils and Richmond and did about 130 on rider training yesterday so me arms and me neck are aching now! No way Im going out at 10 2m sorry I got to the Wetlands for about 5.30 last week and there was already loads there Have fun the morra

never worn me gear over jeans, sorry, always takem with me. No where to change at work once you get there? http://www.mc-clothing.co.uk/acatalog/D ... 89.50.html (dragging jeans for bikes)

sorry i cant make sunday its too full of boy racers for me up there the road up is nice via Crook ... look out for the sharp left to Alston. The one back via Hexham is much more difficult.. watch out for pheasants and theres a steep hairpin going up hill that can take you by surprise. lots of mud on the roads at this time of year too. Would suggest you have 2 folks that know where theyre going.. front and back marker? Stick to your place in the group (its bad enough other riders passing you let alone watching for your own group passing and its a gentle ride anyway?) and ride to your mirrors, if you cant see the bike behind, then slow down till you can? You could always try the drop off system http://www.newstyletours.com/tours/dropoff.html its easier than it sounds and then you're not worrying about playing catch up? Hope you guys enjoy the day whichever way you go and see you out and about soon... what about the Wetlands meet on a Wed/ Sunday evening?

easiest way, meet at Crook market place carpark n follow the main road through St Johns Chapel? Anyone coming from Gateshead could meet at Washington services south bound, then down the a1 to Durham and pick up the a167 to Crook? Anyone NOT wanting to use the motorway, there used to be a Truck stop at Birtley, we could meet there and follow the a167 all the way through chesterlestreet to Crook? That sounds good to me - Are you coming allym316???? if not do we have anyone else that coming that knows this route??? Id be happy to go during the week, its a bit too looney for me on a weekend up there Is that any good?

good ya found it ok then, sorry I missed ya post, would have been tempted to join you today. Theres quite a few ways to go up there, the ride through Crook and Stanhope is quite nice too, though not as challenging as going via the a69. You gotta watch out for the pheasants along that route theyre a bit suicidal and sometimes dont even shift with the double air horns blasting at them

at that killing your washer, Ive had it in 2 different washers now and also used it in a laundrette and never had a problem.. Id have been well HG and nikwax both said the goretex fibres block if they get dirty and can stop working, so you can feel wet as if theyre leaking, as it stops them breathing? So its not just about freshness, it does goretex good to be cleaned every now and again. You dont need to reproof every time you wash (it says) but I do anyway

never had a problem & must have used dozens of times now for all of our gear over the last 4 years. Were in a medium water area too ... was it the green topped bottle you used? How much did you put in?

+1 stinks a bit but best stuff Ive tried

Sorry, not tried em but I do have a pair of these.... http://www.blipkit.com/Daytona-Bandit-XCR.htm See the after sales blurb... a pair for life basically! Im up to about 40k on mine in 3 years and have walked miles in em as well - pretty unusual to find a bike boot thats as comfy as that from the second I tried em on. Cool in summer and warm in winter, I just couldnt stand any more wet feet after my first alpinestars leaked twice leaving me wearing carrier bags on me feet over a 10 day tour of soggy Norfolk, so I took em back to the shop and got a refund and bought the daytonas, Mine are looking a bit scuffed now, well not suprising really and Im thinking of sending em back for a refurb ready for winter.... if it ever stops raining!

Most jackets can be washed in the washer.... remove armour, securely fasten any velcro strapping, make sure the washing machine doesnt have any build up of soap powder, (if in doubt, put the washer on empty and on a hot wash to get rid of any and check the drawers clean. Detergent can kill waterproofing materials). Use Nikwax tech wash..... http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/pr ... roductid=4 followed by Nikwax TX direct http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/pr ... abricid=-1 (I put the 2nd one in the softener tray and use it in the final rinse) done it loads of times on goretex and non goretex but NOT goretex lined gloves, it destroys the lining, pulls all the fingers out and theyre fit only for the bin) Leave to dry in a warm place, I usually hang mine above / near a radiator Ive tried the spray on re proofers and found theyre not as good as the wash ins and the graingers stuff didnt work as well as the nikwax. Hope that helps

sorry not able to make this one after all and really wanted to attend, but nearly 300m on a fair few flooded roads just seems like Im pushing me luck, the side of me house is still under 5" of water and thats before I even try to get the bike out through it. Enjoy and I'll try and find a course a bit closer.. or a dry(ish) day to ride there

Gonna have to leave here before 8am.. is there anywhere near the place to stop for breakfast on the way in? Will be going a19, round York then following the A1079 down looking at maccydees at Cottingham Road? or is there a one at Asda??

easiest way, meet at Crook market place carpark n follow the main road through St Johns Chapel? Anyone coming from Gateshead could meet at Washington services south bound, then down the a1 to Durham and pick up the a167 to Crook? Anyone NOT wanting to use the motorway, there used to be a Truck stop at Birtley, we could meet there and follow the a167 all the way through chesterlestreet to Crook? The alternative roads are less suitable for a group ride imho and these roads have some nice fast sweeping bends as opposed to tight bends on steep slopes and narrow roads. Those are great, but much more difficult to manage a group on. If youve not done any group riding, then is Hartside really the best place to go to on a weekend??? Its the busiest time up there, my vote would be hartside on an evening and if St johns chapel is on then thats open a bit longer for coffee/ bbq to warm up after the ride up there. Any good?