S-Westerly

So far this winter I've not had my Keis gear more than low and it's quite warm enough. I use liner gloves and they attach to the sleeve ends and control via the jacket.

I've always had my bikes serviced by the dealer during the warranty period - never more than 2 years. After that it's variable. If I've got a good dealer I may stick with them if not I look elsewhere.

Yesterday got new tyres. Continental Road Attack 4's and they seem really grippy. Given the weather yesterday I didn't give them a decent thrash but what I did do felt much more planted than the Pirellis had become after 7200 miles.

Dislikes - open faced so-called jet helmets. The only serious off I've ever had would have seen me dead if I'd been wearing one of those.

Really!? I'd never guess the large green frogs with red eyes were motorbikes.

Full price in my hand or bank and insurance cover and / or written undertaking to pay for any damage caused. If test rider turns up on a decent bike or in a car his vehicle keys as well.

Having got back from the north (by car) I went out for a good thrash. Really glad I'm getting new tyres tomorrow as on these greasy roads I had a few squeaky bum moments and the least said about white lines the better. The Pirellis were great when new but much less so now especially on these greasy roads. Hopefully the Contis will be an improvement.

Rant - whoever re-designed the road access to Newcastle RVI hospital needs to go back to school. The main road outside has been reduced in width by a third to accommodate an enormous cycle lane. The hospital car park has a one way system which isn't too bad but leaving its left turn only which means to get back to the patient pickup point can take up to half an hour which is ridiculous. The short section of road has at least 3 pedestrian crossings and the Newcastle University students wander across them regardless of the lights like bloody lemmings. That's assuming they even bother with the crossings as opposed to just randomly wandering across the road. I suppose when one does get mowed down they are at least handy for the hospital.

Thought he'd been very quiet! Obviously missed the excitement.

Sadly not the land, I was just thinking of the sunset.

I'm sure I'd have something similar if I could see through the fog.

My issue is defining "hateful" among others. There's been some well published stuff on that front which is a bit chilling. Prejudice is another very broad brush - I'm prejudiced against trans men demanding the right to compete in women's sports. Does that make me a danger to society? I'd say not but......

Typical (of any) government overreach. Using a piledriver to crack a nut and thought for unintended consequences.

Definitely Whitby.

That a good retirement plan. Must suggest it to my wife but from a safe distance such as mid-Ocean somewhere.

Saturday surely?

It makes me furious. Not with my daughter and her husband but if it was you or I even if we had a tracker the chances of the police actually taking action in a timely manner are slim to none.

Looked at that but the cost would be almost as much as shipping if not more, especially as I'd be crossing into Canada. Plus I don't really want to do that many miles on more interesting roads on a Harley!

I need to win the lottery so I can afford to fly my bike to the USA. My brothers are doing a roadtrip by car from Houston to Vancouver in May. Really like the route but not the car.

Not a bike but a couple of days ago my daughter's car was stolen off her driveway after some shithead broke in via the back door and stole all the keys including car (VW Golf GTI). They were in bed at the time but the best bit was their home is on a military quarters site. My son in law had fitted an Apple tag inside the roof lining so was able to track it. He's a cop so called his boss (Met counter-terror group) who contacted his counterpart in the West Midlands who arranged an unpleasant surprise for the scrote caught sleeping in the car. He was 15 years old. Car is impounded for evidence and they'll get it back some time. Their own home needs all the locks changing, and their quarters too. Sometimes Sharia law has its pluses.

Sometimes I think we could do without GP's altogether. Just use an NHS approved online computer which you could interact with. Couldn't be worse, unless it was hacked of course....

When things do that on my bike there's a tendency for them to bounce into the drain and be lost forever. Cue much cursing. However I can learn so now cover the drain when doing any fiddly bits.

Well Happy Birthday to you! Hope the antibiotics hit the spot and it's not a viral infection you have.

Having finished this course at 1000 uk time my original cunning plan was to go for a ride for fun. Ha bloody ha. Dense fog has rather seen that idea binned. Unfortunately though I do have to go out anyway so fog and horrible roads coming up now. I hate this bloody climate.

Insurance companies seem to be necessary evils from what I can see.