Isla

Welcome. Despite mentioning that other brands are available, Lomo are good value and really good quality. Also worth bearing in mind with the panniers as others have mentioned is your exhausts & bodywork depending on what your bike is. Mines very old school so not an issue but they also do some throwover drybag panniers with the same volume - just longer rather than taller.

P S: I see Lomo drybags got a mention for extra luggage. Cannot knock Lomo at all but most drybags will prob do for the same purpose...have strapped a 'well known sports retailer' large drybag across the pillion seat just fine

Have a pair of big Lomo Adventure drybag panniers. They are really good quality and coming from using similar on a bicycle for years, am more than happy with them for touring. For a bit more security & utility have just bought a big top box to supplement them to stow my helmet & jacket whilst wandering around at stops along the way.

About that pic I took in November at one of the locations...it doesn't have my number in, (unless you count Biscuit the 350) so I cannot cheat

Have some of the gear but no idea...can I have 350 please, Hoggs?

Welcome! As others have said, keep getting out and expanding your envelope. You will slowly begine to relax & gain confidence. I returned (or more accurately, started!) this year after passing my test in the '90s so felt ever so slightly nervous for a quite a few miles

Bought most of our gear from J&S. Another shop I have used is Via Moto in Sheffield who usually have a good sales section to help ease the hit of buying lots of new gear in one go!

Welcome, and for what it's worth it sounds like you did pretty well on your ride to work. The fact that you handled all the hazards that came your way means that you won, so keep winning Little holidays are a brill idea - you will iron out any uncertainties by the time you get back home and be at one with your bike!

Congrats! A schoolfriend had one of those (in 1991!) Had a few goes on it too on a field, very cool!

Is the wiring plug connected fully & can you hear the valve operating when you switch the ignition on? (And please don't be insulted, but I always go back to basics with techy probs - kill switch? kickstand? battery not gone flat?)

On my recent trip to Scotland I rode through a few town centres at 20mph and the world is still turning. Why not go & find out? It may be perfectly rational where they have implemented it.

I agree with you mostly but am with Ridewithstyles on the distant scenery. I have started using the timer to avoid camera shake when pressing the shutter but it only helps to a point, so distant views aren't something I tend to snap unfortunately. Thank you Ronnie

Those are nice! What phone and app are you using? My eldest daughter has a Redmi Note 10 that does quite nice pics.

So true

It was thank you. I would love a half decent camera but phones are just so convenient for random shots! This is just a cheap Motorola G8. The pics are better if you switch to manual mode...and good light helps too!