Rodders

I don't understand why you want to wear a patch to show that you're NOT part of something. Also... I don't understand why people who are part of that something would be upset by someone openly starting that they're not part of it. When I go out on my bike I choose gear that: [list=]looks good, in my opinion[list=]doesn't intentionally about anyone After that, it's other people's problem if they don't like what I'm wearing. I'd really like to understand this better cos I'm sure I must be missing something.

You can buy blocks of Greenland wax, and a few variants, which are what Fjallraven etc use to waterproof their bags: https://www.snowandrock.com/p/fjallraven-greenland-wax-travel-pack-A3514341.html?channable=e14331.MTg2NzkwXzEyMw&colour=123&gclid=CjwKCAiA24PVBRBvEiwAyBxf-XllYJ7FyBo2zJJ7nUwfFZeIsQI8PTiDntzmM7dGIjBU49gUxVvSVRoC_cIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds And then you've got Nikwax Waterproof spray: https://www.webtogs.com/en-UK/Nikwax-Wax-Cotton-Proof-300ml-Reproofing/40588wmp.htm?colour=Clear&sku=314256&productid=90699&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping%20API&gclid=CjwKCAiA24PVBRBvEiwAyBxf-ZIp5zdvAnprbf0Q-jS_feAEfgOEG2Pufg19PJm0nKMqM9V-x2B4FBoCwOMQAvD_BwE

Hey y'all I'm thinking of getting a little project bike to restore and/or customise, ideally 50cc so my 16 year old son can get involved and enjoy riding it too. I don't know much about these things, but I'm not looking for a valuable classic that I can profit from, just after a basic bike which is easy to get parts for and plentiful enough that I can find a cheap one. Looking for makes/models, and tips on where to buy from. Ta

The Woodford Wherry kit is a good cheap one to get back into it. Easy to do, great results. Can get it in Wilkinson's.

I don't understand all this stuff so I'm in two minds: 1. If your intention isn't to offend anyone, then wear your patch and let people get upset if that's their choice 2. Why wear something that might cause offence when it has no benefit otherwise? Another thought, can you speak to the MC people and tell them your reasons?

ooh the one I suggested? they are surprisingly good! I think so. There were a bunch that all looked fairly similar, so I just ordered the cheapest UK based one. Seems good so far, only had one ride with it but it did me fine. Thanks.

I bought a really cheap one from eBay. It seems fairly secure and I can tighten some more. If you're worried about it coming loose, maybe attach a tether so it doesn't go completely AWOL.

I'm certainly looking forward to it. I'm hoping that my wife enjoys riding pillion, and that I do too. Then I can see us having some great days out.

And I have both

Passing my test at the start of winter and only just acquiring a bike means I haven't had many chances to ride. Working until 7pm every week day didn't help either. But my mate is back from London this weekend so we planned to go for an early ride to fit around our other commitments - football, breakfast with family, and skiing lessons! The rain forecast wasn't looking good earlier in the week but we decided to get up and see how it was at 8am. Good job too - the forecast changed its mind, and assist from a little bit of frost it seemed good enough to get out. I wrapped up well - 2 socks, thermal leggings under my Kevlar jeans, thermal top, micro fleece, and my liner left inside my Furygan Serpico jacket, plus a neck snood and waterproof gloves. Not to mention the heated grips! After my neighbor commented on how "keen" I was, I had some trouble getting the bike to start and stay running. I think it has a fuel issue since being parked up for a few months by the previous owner. But once it was going I edged away carefully. Then my wife called so I had to stop and faff about getting my phone out of the satnav cradle to see if it was important. It wasn't! Met my mate and we headed off from Peterborough towards Rutland Water to see if an old mate was at the cycle shop there. We choose a route of back roads for more fun than the A1. It was nice, but some damp places and patches of mud that made us proceed with caution. A burst water pipe had filled a crossroads like a lake, with me arriving just in time to get a drenching from a passing farmer's pickup. A good test of my gear! We past a few cyclists who is say were "keener" than us. We also passed a pig farm with one of the biggest pigs I've ever seen, a grey heron, saw tins of Red Kites, and then 2 van loads of older gentlemen with shotguns and dogs - I assume they were going hunting, but I didn't like to stop and ask! I wasn't feeling cold at all until we reached the A43 and picked up speed. Not that I got cold, but my mate rides a naked Harley and I felt a bit sorry for him. It took an hour to get to Whitwell car park, and we discovered that our mate doesn't work there any more! Gutted. So we took a leak then managed to manipulate our parking tickets into the machine whilst wearing gloves, on a damp, slippery slope. We headed into Stamford to find coffee. And cake...mmmm. A nice blast through the villages back to Peterborough included more cyclists and a gigantic horse. We saw a couple of other motorcyclists whilst out, but I think most will be hibernating. We got lucky because the rain came a short while after getting home whilst I was out for a jog. It was good to get the miles in. Good to test my kit. Good to ride with my mate. Now I need to give the bike a rinse and put it away until..... Maybe the end of February now due to holidays

Think that's only if you bought your lid in France I'm not entirely sure I follow. Are you winding me up?

It's not solvent based. Though it is designed to be permanent to the point that trying to remove the stickers once they're fitted will damage the helmets finish. I was in the south of France twice last year and was keeping count of how many bikers I saw wearing stickers. Zero. Despite our staying at a rather busy bikers campsite... Mainly Dutch, but they didn't give two hoots about the sticker law. Nor apparently do the Gendarmerie. I might think twice if I were visiting Paris... Or another major city and likely to be riding after dark when not having them will be very obvious. What about if you were attending a big motorcycling event, such as Le Mans Moto 24 (24 Heures Moto)?

On the subject of stickers on a helmet, I've learned that when riding in France that it is compulsory to have reflective stickers on the front, sides and rear. So it seems weird that helmets might suffer from the adhesive. http://www.drive-france.com/products/motorcycling-france-helmet-stickers/

Sounds brilliant, but this weekend isn't good for me. Hope you miss a few so we can meet up another time.

£1.50!!!!! I'll give that a whirl. Interested to know what Bluetooth headset you use too.

I'm looking for recommendations on how to attach my phone to the bars for those trips where I need satnav. My bike has a USB charging port already. Thoughts on safety too. I intend to put the phone on silent but I might also just use an old handset just for the maps and GPS. What waterproof cases and brackets do people recommend?

My first bike isn't mega expensive but I figured I'd possibly have a shinier one in future so I'd be as well to buy decent security from the start. I also thought I'd give our forum sponsor, Brindley Chains, a chance to shine. The Pewag chains have great reviews. I opted for the chunkiest one, given that the price difference was minimal compared to the 12x chain and I'm not concerned with the extra weight because I don't intend to carry this around. Brindley do a bundle deal with the chain, a rivet secured Pewag branded sheath, and a top rated Mul-T-Lock padlock. I chose 1.5m of chain which should go through a ground anchor and the rear wheel and frame. I didn't want too much chain because it's more expensive, more likely to trail on the floor which is a slight risk, and less likely to get carried of I really need it. EDIT: link to the deal - https://www.brindleychains.co.uk/products/pewag-vkk-security-chain-mul-t-lock-padlock-packages?variant=48524968327 I ordered on Monday. Brindley had it with me today, Wednesday. That's damn good service. It came in a standard parcel box, but wrapped in a tarpaulin style bag which I'll keep for when I transport the chain to keep it dry. The chain itself weighs a ton. Not literally, but it is mighty heavy. That is the best indication I have of its strength. It would make it more awkward for someone to manipulate for cutting etc. The padlock is neat and bulky. No point talking about its security as that is independently tested and verified. It's a large but tidy unit and comes with 2 keys plus some little coloured dots which I think are to help you label the keys. I won't bother with them. I'm well impressed with the service from Brindley, and I'm confident I've bought an excellent bit of kit.

This double negative belies your nefarious scheme. you are mawsley then. I'm not even sure myself now. I've never been to The George though, so that tells you all you need to know. Or not.

I don't think there is any big problems. The way I see it, the rules are there to give a framework for us all to have fun and share our experiences. There's no prizes, so no need to get upset if people apply the rules differently. If I was Mawsley, I'd claim the points and leave it at that. If I wasn't Mawsley, which I'm not, I'd admire that he got out on his bike in January and remembered to take a photo to share with us. Neither party needs to let it get in the way of what we all seem to agree is a worthwhile experience.

How about, [mention]Mawsley[/mention] can claim whatever points he likes since it's just for fun and to encourage us to ride to different places? And, we can individually choose whether to ignore his score or not? And, maybe we can give him the benefit of the doubt on this one and say we'll recognise his score for now but ignore it if he continues to "forget" his placard? Maybe I'm just being sensible and serious, when you're all just having a bit of fun, but I can't quite feel the sarcasm. Let's all enjoy the challenge and a bit of gentle banter.

Cheers buddy. I saw this universal one, but wasn't sure it would definitely work. I'm assuming from your reply that it would probably be OK. https://www.amazon.co.uk/MOTORCYCLE-UNIVERSAL-SHOCK-SPANNER-WRENCH/dp/B001ASMHYS

Yo Just got my first bike and I know the rear shock can be adjusted to suit different rider weights, riding styles, and pillion carrying. I believe there is a special tool required to do it, but I don't think I got one. Can I use something else? Or where can I get one?

The important thing to remember is that this is deadly serious, rules are rules and failing to abide by them will give jobsworths a reason to get up in the morning. Make sure you read the subsections regarding clothing colour, the correct way to frame the photograph and abide by the approved list of motorcycle models. If questioned when participating, one has to reply with a terse “I vas only obeying orders.” Thank you. I had a feeling the others were trying to trick me. May the best (wo)man win.

Yeah [mention]Mawsley[/mention]

[mention]Grumpy Old Git[/mention] What info should I put on display in the photos? From what I've seen, only the bike OR myself in bike gear need to be in-shot. And then it's my forum username, challenge number, and then is it just the name of the marker point? e.g. "Lincoln Tank Memorial" Anything else? EDIT: I guess I could put all that onscreen on my phone, and include that in the photo?