Steve_M

Errr. Bugger.

I’ve created a very basic website Carlisle Judo using Mobirise (no apologies for the image of child abuse - that’s me throwing my son. He gets his own back now!). I have yet to look at the Ionos hosting option due to other commitments. However, assuming I get around to it soon, and buy a suitable domain name, how do I move the site across?

100% I’ve bought a Shoei Neotec off the internet for myself as it’s a like for like replacement. Looking for a helmet for my good lady we couldn’t find a like for like replacement - and the new Neotec is way out of our sensible budget. We’ll be looking at other options (Schuberth seems likely). We will be visiting Infinity motorcycles in Glasgow to try on options. It’s a two hour journey each way to get there but we trust their advice having used them several times before.

I have my bike serviced at the Motorrad side of the business. Apart from one minor lapse, service has been good. I would happily buy a bike off them (I’m currently planning ahead and considering the Honda NT1100).

Is the BMW / Honda dealership Lloyds, Carlisle, perchance?

It does happen. I sold a little Suzuki 125GN and didn’t cancel the policy immediately. The new owner crashed it while it was still insured in my name. Fortunately I’d cancelled the policy by the time the claim was processed so my insurer took the view that it was an obvious oversight on my behalf and there was nothing fraudulent intended.

Thank you. Nice website, by the way. A bit posher than we were looking for. 1&1 are now IONOS, they have good reviews.

Carlisle Judo club, where I’m one of the coaches, want a website. Given that I’m the only club official who has any IT knowledge (albeit from many, many years ago(, I seem to have volunteered to get the ball, rolling. Requirement: Easy to build (ie. No fancy coding) and modify Static content Inexpensive.. I can probably do most of the build if it’s relatively simple (for a brief, and enjoyable part of my working life I used to build Lotus Notes applications). I’m looking at something along the lines of GoDaddy. Any suggestions (paying someone is not an option. I know lots of web developers and techy geeks - I’m avoiding them due to requirement 3 ).

I’ve read Revolutionary Ride by Lois Pryce and, apart from a couple of incidents it was a very positive experience (not that I would dream of going there ).

I nearly fell off my perch when I saw the cost of oil for the Focus last week. I don’t generally bother looking at the breakdown of costs but there were a couple of additional authorised items I wanted to check.

Focus 1.0 l Ecoboost. Apparently - unless I’ve misunderstood.

Our previous Focus had a full wet belt system, the one we own now has a chain AND wet belt! One each for separate functions (they did tell me but my brain shut down midway through the explanation). It seems that the local garage I use - a former Ford Dealership - has seen a few failures and belts needing replacing, most as a result of infrequent oil changes. The schedule is every 18,000 miles. We service ours annually - about every 10,000 miles, while it’s in for MoT. I asked about the wet belt replacement while it was in for service and they telll me they charge between £1200 and £1400 to do it alongside a service. The variance in cost is because of potential issues with various bolts etc. seized etc.

I bow to your greater knowledge …

I’ve just completed the online “Does this apply to your website?” Questionnaire (Link on this page) with my understanding of the forum’s function. The outcome was that it does apply. There was no question about the size of the user base.

I’ve just paid £391 for the ferry including a cabin upgrade (£20), not including the £20 cash back for using my Lloyds card. Using the tunnel would need an additional two nights’ hotel - one night in each direction, hotel room for two: we budget £120 per night for a hotel. So that’s £335 plus additional fuel (about another £30). Without the cabin upgrade the costs aren’t too dissimilar for us. And we then don’t have the ball ache (or butt ache) of dealing with the 7 hour ride that includes the bloody awful M6 down to and around Brum (or toll @ £9 a shot), M25 and M2. Obviously our circumstances are different as I’m carrying a pillion which adds to hotel costs for us.

Reduced by 20% for Sunday to Thursday crossings, apparently. I didn’t check to confirm but my good lady said she had.

We’ve compared costs of using this ferry vs the channel tunnel and there’s not much difference by the time you factor in additional hotel and travel. There’s also the consideration that I really don’t want to travel to Dover from here when Hull accessible.

60 years of practice at being hit with a planet (Judo) has honed my falling skills.

Unfortunately, during our last tour I had a slight mishap and managed to hurl my three year old Shoei Neotec 2 across the road at the Col D’Agnes. A result of tripping and falling* when negotiating a stretch of rough path on my way down from the view point (well worth a visit but not if you drop your lid!). I completed the tour and have had a couple of ride outs with the dropped helmet. Yes, yes, I know, you should replace it immediately . I’ve bought a Shoei Neotec 2 (my third Neotec) and have just spent a happy hour swapping the SRL2 intercom over. The new lid came from Helmet City and cost £300. My good lady’s helmet also needs replacing , being nigh on six years old. Also a Neotec we couldn’t find a suitable replacement at this bargain price, so will be buying her Neotec (3) from SportsbikeShop. £619!!!! I may have to lie down. * I did an impressive roll and break fall, so my good lady told me. I remained uninjured. Addendum, yes, I’ll be using the link from this site when we get around to buying hers.

Ferry crossings booked: Hull to Rotterdam and return, 14 days apart in the middle of September. Booked early to take advantage of the 20% discount offered by P&O Ferries with a £20 cash back from my bank (expires tonight).

“New Year, New Reiten! - Please read, important notice We’re kicking off 2025 with a BIG announcement that marks an exciting new chapter for Reiten Motorrad! As of January 2025, we will no longer be selling new BMW motorcycles. Why the change? It’s no secret that staying a BMW New Bike Retailer comes with substantial requirements, BMW’s new corporate identity necessitates a significant investment, and combined with rising competition in the market and the current economic climate, this just isn't viable. We will however, still proudly continue as an Authorised BMW Service Centre, providing all your servicing, maintenance and warranty needs with the expertise and care you’ve come to expect from Reiten. This change lets us focus even more on delivering the exceptional service that’s made us who we are, whilst also opening up exciting opportunities to diversify and grow. We know this might come as a surprise, but rest assured – We’re here to stay, and we’re as committed as ever to supporting you and your bikes. Thank you for your loyalty and trust over the years. Together, we’re stepping into a future full of possibilities and we can’t wait to continue this journey with you. Here’s to new adventures! FAQs Q) I’ve got a new bike on order. What happens next? A) No worries – all bikes currently on order are in production, and we’ll deliver them as planned. Q) Can I still get my BMW services or warranty work done? A) Absolutely! We’ll continue as a BMW Service Centre for all your servicing and warranty needs. Q) What bikes will you be selling now? A) We’re focusing on used bikes, expanding our range to include more brands, models and sizes – all prepared to the impeccable Reiten standards you know and trust. Q) Are you taking on another manufacturer? A) Not right now. Our focus is solely on used bikes, but who knows what the future might bring? Q) Will you still have demo bikes? A) No demo bikes, but we’ll have a great selection of used bikes. If something catches your eye, our team can arrange a test ride! And we’ll still offer loan bikes for service customers at a daily rate. Q) What about BMW Approved Used Bikes? A) While we can’t sell BMW Approved Used bikes without being a new bike retailer, you’ll still find exceptional used BMWs here, prepared to the highest standards and backed by a comprehensive warranty. Got more questions? Just give us a shout and we’ll be happy to help. Here’s to a thrilling 2025 – together!”

Agreed, though… I draw the line at seven hours riding time. I once rode to Frieburg im Breisgau from Rotterdam in one day’s ride, which included detours. That was eight hours, plus breaks, mostly at motorway speeds on a Yamaha FJR1300. Never to be repeated. Most days I plan for five hours of riding, plus breaks. This follows my first solo tour where I crashed at low speed near Aurillac after a long, cold and wet ride. I should have stopped sooner but I thought I’d be ok to press on to Aurillac and find a hotel there. Don’t let this happen to you…

Good point, well made. I should have said “food fresh to the table”.

The title includes the term “consultation”. Yes, there’s a survey but I don’t anticipate much weight will be given to “60mph is safe on most stretches of single carriageways” responses. Living close to the Scottish Borders, and Dumfries and Galloway, these will impact some of my routes. However, most of my riding is done on minor roads where the lower speed limits are irrelevant. Link

My good lady and I have, for the last few years, bought joint presents. IE. We go halves on a purchase of something we want but wouldn’t necessarily prioritise. This year it’s a small, 6’ x 4’ greenhouse. This is both the best and the worst present. Best because we’ll be growing more of our own food / plants so saving money. Worst because it’s distracted us from other work that we really should have done instead.