Steve_M

That’s going to be interesting up here in Cumbria. Lloyds have both Honda and BMW. I may have to change my bike (shucks!) if they lose the Motorrad dealership. I would guess it’s unlikely given they also have BMW car dealership (and Merc, and Honda etc.)

There’s an interesting snippet. I’ll keep an eye out for announcements.

The perfect Christmas present?

Magistrate: “Officer. What’s the difference between drunk & incapable and drunk & disorderly?” Constable: “Well Sir, if they’re drunk I trips 'em up. If they stay down they’re incapable. If they gets up wanting to fight, they’re disorderly”

This one’s a bit long in the tooth so has probably been posted before, but just in case.

Hi Bob. Welcome aboard.

Anything more would be communism!

Also to recall previous sales and refund the buyers. Bennett’s article

I had Scott leathers which matched the “Benetton CBR600” from 1992. Perhaps have a chat with Scott or Hideout fora custom job (but be prepared for a big bill - my Hideout made to measure were over a grand ten years ago.

Having been a regular cyclist some years ago, commuting and for leisure, only giving up because I felt it was becoming too dangerous (which is how I moved into riding motorbikes - yes, I know…) I have a degree of empathy for their situation and, I thought, an appreciation of why the updated Highway Code has been changed to reflect their vulnerability. I made the mistake on another SM platform of pointing out that some don’t help themselves. Result? A full Jeremy Vine pile on. It seems, though, that every single cyclist is the perfect road user and is above reproach: even by other cyclist. Riding at night, in dark clothes? Fine - every other road user should be able to see them, regardless. They never ride irresponsibly; none of them, ever. I didn’t even mention red lights! I know this is something of a cliche post. I do try to be fair but I’m currently a little under the weather with some sort of bug and feeling somewhat emotional due to other factors (which is why I’ve not been on here much recently) but right now my view of cyclists is somewhat jaundiced.

While I get the emotional reaction - I won’t pretend I haven’t done something similar at some point - the words of the copper who presented my Safe Rider course back in 1992 still echo around my head. “No matter who has priority, you’re the one who ends up in hospital when it all goes wrong”.

I don’t work on my bike.

Call out fees? Dishwasher needs about an hour’s work on it (probably less as I’ve diagnosed the problem and told them which parts are needed). Call-out fee? £106. Accepting travel time of an hour or so, that’s £106 for two hours work.

That seems like a good starting point. Based on my experience, it has similar power to weight of my first “big” bike - which was a fine introduction - with more up to date features. I’m not one for modifying bikes but I would consider adding a screen to it. Naked bikes are all very well but a bit of weather protection is always welcome.

This is a perennial question to which I have yet to see a definitive answer. A former colleague went from passing his test straight to a Fireblade and then to a Blackbird - both rather peppy bikes. He was fine with each - I used to organise post-work social rides and he turned out to be a good, safe rider straight out of the box, as it were. Others have struggle to adapt to 600cc bikes. With that in mind, I would go for a mid-range, non-sports / sports tourer bike - something along the lines of a Yamaha Tracer. Enough ooomph to be interesting, tractable, and comfortable.

When was that? We were there on 10th September last year (2023) and it was open.

And visit the Timmelsjochen museum while you’re there? Well worth the fee.

As a 1st kyu you could get your Level 1 coaching award without too much difficulty (Level 2 requires much commitment). This might be of interest to you. Link to judo Scotland Safe Landings information

There’s always one…

Next year’s plans? Finish our 2024 tour. Probably need to duplicate some of this year’s tour as my good lady wants to visit one of her uni friends who lives at the western end of the Pyrenees (missed her this year as she was at the Cannes boat show). Finish renovating the lounge: start on the dining room. Become qualified to run British Judo Association “Find your feet” courses.

£320 (I’ll be entering the prize draw. A mate won it a couple of years ago… jammy sod).

They did. Mostly. A bit of a bugger, that. It was too hard to extricate them so I’ve taken a bit of a pragmatic approach. The joists that are now loose I’m turning upside down so the nails are at the bottom. Those that I can’t do that with, I’ve cut the nails off level with the top of the joist and will re-nail a little to one side of the existing nails (he said optimistically) when putting the floorboards back.

I used to get paid for doing that… I think mowing season is pretty well finished up here. Too cold and wet. This is good ‘ cos it gives me time to do some diy. Underfloor insulation task underway.

They’re not the cheapest. For your money you get 7 half hour sessions which are rarely interrupted by people falling off (I can only think of two crashes in the numerous times I’ve taken part - No, not me - someone else ). As it’s for road legal bikes only, most riders ride to Cadwell so are probably not so keen to bin them as they need them to get home. Certainly the looney element I’ve encountered on open trackdays tend are not in evidence. Assuming they’ve kept the same format, after a safety briefing, the four morning sessions are under instruction then there’s “free lapping” in the afternoon. You can ask for (free) instruction for the afternoon sessions if you wish.