Steve_M

My (bloody awful) BMW Navigator IV decided that I might only want to navigate around the middle of France. Garmin Express was no help in dealing with the issue so I sent it to these people. £39 plus postage, and four days later I have a fully functioning device back. This is the second time I’ve used their services and, although I had my doubts before the first time, they’ve proven to be excellent, with good communication and a speedy turnaround time. Satnav Repair Service

Sounds like a plan. It’s been a while for me but I progressed onto a 500cc (Honda CX500ES, that is) very soon after passing my test. It was, for me, the right stepping stone but I recognised that my lack of riding experience needed to be balanced out with urgent improvement.which took the form of the local Bikesafe equivalent. Recommended. Coincidentally, I’m about to sell my SV650 to one of the guys responsible for that very Bikesafe course. I will have to thanks him for costing me a fortune as it fired a great enthusiasm for further training resulting attending numerous i2i, off road, Hopp Rider Training, IAM, RoSPA, Motogymkhana, track days etc. events to broaden my skill set.

Any new skill takes time, patience and perseverance. The skills required to ride a motorbike are new and strange to you but, like anything worthwhile, are rewarding to acquire. At some point you’ll find the various actions and the coordination required becomes second nature*. Then the fun really begins. *while the basic ability to make a bike go, stop, and turn may become second nature, I would suggest continuing improvement is desirable by taking part in further training.

Having worked in IT for many years in numerous capacities, any date set by management (including governments - or, perhaps, especially governments) are purely nominal.

For those planning to tour in Europe from 2014 on, a brief article on ETIAS. https://apple.news/Af5rUDfM-R4SEFzevpr3Kug

The weather is part of the reason why we tour in September. Usually still mild and generally dry.

I’ve been away for a few days so have only just caught up with your tour. Looks wonderful. I may even nick a couple of ideas from you for our tour in September.

I stayed in Sezanne on my first solo tour. I thought it rather nice in a shabby chic way. Has it changed, I wonder.

I’ve never been to Portsmouth so wouldn’t know. Reminds me of a the time me and a mate went out on the town in Southampton, found Yates’ wine bar and asked a local where the best place was for a good night out. “Portsmouth”, apparently.

It’s an Instagram thing… Would you? If so, why?

Welcome aboard. Mine’s a pint if you’re ever up this way. (always worth a punt … )

Bloody fine idea. Have fun.

Two of my grandkids live in Old Kilpatrick, in sight of the Erskine Bridge- I’ve been there for the last week - so I know the junction well. It took a few trips to remember to take the second turning. Not helped by having another one of the offspring living in Bishopton.

Took the turn for Bishopton instead of Erskine Bridge? Easily done. Apparently.

I only had time for a quick pop by - both were genuinely impressive. I need to go back to get a better look at both. Note to self. Don’t visit on a busy Saturday… both were rammed with visitors.

Hoping for moderate temperatures this afternoon. Currently in sight of the Erskine Bridge, I’ll be heading home, hopefully, via the Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies, avoiding motorways as much as possible. This turns a two hour grind on motorways into an interesting four hour afternoon bimble. I should be home a little after 7pm.

All good and useful information. Many thanks. Evening entertainment for us is a glass or three of red wine and a good book, so that’s not an issue.

Chatting to my good lady about the TT and I mentioned that I’m not fussed about going to see it but I rather like the idea of going to see the ManxGP. Mostly because I suspect it has less cachet so will be cheaper yet I’m sure the racing will be equally as interesting. I can’t go this year because it’s on the week before we set out on our annual tour. So next year it is. It gives me a year to save, to research and to do all the travel and accommodation bookings. Now for the $64,000 question. Any advice on best places to view from, handy for accommodation, and any places to go with my good lady in the evening… yes, she’s interested in going, too?

Looking for something else, this popped up on my search. Hint. Go, if you get the opportunity. It’s much better than the Festival of Speed. I’ve been three times and enjoyed every minute.

100% agree with attending i2i courses. Roadcraft, as you point out, misses machine control altogether. I would offer that any IAM observer or RoSPA tutor would (should?) identify any shortcoming in the associate’s machine control and address it by offering guidance as a matter of course. I know the Norfolk RoSPA group ran a slow riding session for their members only last week.

While the purpose and intent for riding each bike may differ, and the pleasure derived is for different reasons, the principles of machine control remain largely the same. A bike won’t steer well without using counter steering. You continue to look where you intend to go, though that is more about hazard identification than anything to do with actually steering the bike. The bike needs to lean into a bend - that’s a matter of physics, and appropriate use of the throttle to balance the bike through the bend.

I test rode the R1200RS. Superb bike. However, given various physical constraints (knackered knees, hips, neck and shoulder) I had my doubts. Then the salesman suggested I try a GS. Bar steward, as my dad would have said.

HRT train on track, but the skills they aim to develop are intended / transferable for road use. The mechanism for making a bike turn is identical whether you’re on track or on the road. The process of looking through a bend, leaning the bike, and using the throttle appropriately are parallel activities for both environments. It doesn’t contradict anything in Roadcraft, it actually complements it. Some of the instructors are, or have been, IAM observers and one who I know is a RoSPA tutor.