What did you do WITH your bike today.

[AstronautNinja]

Rode the fvcker

[Simon Davey]

7 minutes ago, AstronautNinja said:

Rode the fvcker

 

About time, what have you been faffing about at! 

Seriously though, hope it was a good ride. 

 

[Stu]

On 06/09/2024 at 13:02, Tinkicker said:

A nice little ride out on the VFR around Elvington/ York area this morning. 

 

On my way back to Selby, I called in the Strawberry Fields Cafe.  It is on the A19 at Crockey Hill.

 

I don't normally "do" bikers cafes, but since I was passing..... I stopped in for a frothy coffee.  Rude not to.

 

11am on a Friday morning and there were perhaps 20 bikes there.  From what I have seen when passing previously, that seems to be the norm.  It is not a massive bikers haunt with hundreds of bikes parked up.  I would have shuddered and rode on by if it was.  Hate poseur places.

 

Strawberry fields just seems to be a biker friendly place, run by from what I witnessed, a biking family and a place to drop by for a quick butty on your way somewhere else;  not spend all day strutting around in baggy arsed one piece leathers.  I have even seen hardy bikers parked there on a wet winter Saturday afternoon.

 

A shit pic taken furtively.  I did not take a pic of the bikes lined up because it would be wrong to photo their reg plates.  Coffee was OK.  Not fantastic, but frothy and drinkable.  I am on holiday again next week, and given the shennanigans I had while sampling cafe food during my last week off, I gave the burger in a bun a miss.

 

We point blank refuse to visit that place now! 

 

Every time we have been there has always been an issue! The last time was the final straw! 

 

We turned up early to have the staff scrambling around to try and get ready to open even though they was supposed to open an hour earlier. They was ringing round trying to get staff in and shouting and swearing down the phone! We finally ordered and was sat waiting for about 40 mins before food then they missed one and when he questioned it he was met with attitude! When he finally got his breakfast halfway through he found a huge black hair in it! 

 

We just left and have never returned 

[JRH]

Put the thermal linings back into my gear and then off to Midwest Moto in Stourport on Severn. Sausage bacon and egg batch was eaten, to the disgust of onlookers.

[ColinWB]

24 hours late. Yesterday I rode to Inveraray via the Western Ferries McInroy's Point to Hunter's Quay crossing.  A wee tip, if you buy your tickets on board it's £6 for the bike and another £6 for the rider - buy a book of ten passenger tickets in advance for £29.60 and they take two for rider and bike, working out at £5.92 for the crossing.

Two wee grumbles for this ride. The first one - I checked the met office forecasts before setting. Inverclyde - sunshine al day, Dunoon - sunshine all day, Inveraray - sunshine all day. I should have checked in between Dunoon and Inveraray - rain most of the way from Strachur to the top of Loch Fyne. Slow and steady saw me though it. The second - I parked at the shore car park, the sign said solo motorcycles in designated motorcycle bays got free parking, except there are no designated motorcycle bays in that car park, but it was only £1 for the hour I stayed so not much of a grumble. So, I bought lunch at the Pier Shop, took a photo for a young American couple then headed back homewards across the Rest and be Thankful. The weather as fine all the way, except for a wee smir  at the top of the hill. Down the shore of Loch Lomond and the sky got clearer, the sun appeared again.

I decided to go straight through Inverclyde and onto Largs, to the car park on the front that does give free parking to motorbikes, chatted to a few of the bikers there, had a coffee then headed home. Still learning, still enjoying my biking.

[rob m]

Skipped breakfast and took a little ride down to the coast where I’m currently enjoying this. Not that many bikes out, currently at 16c which is my perfect temp in my gear. 

 

They weren’t joking about the large cod.

 

 

[ColinWB]

I've got the week off work and for a change the sun is shining. What to do, hmmmmm. On the bike for a ride to Fort William, of course.

 

Inverclyde to Tarbet via the Erskine Bridge, a breeze, lovely conditions, everyone behaving themselves on the roads. Then, you know what they say about buses coming in threes? Nobs as well, apparently. The next 13.5 miles up the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond took 45 minutes, thanks to a camper van driver whose max speed was 35mph, slowing to 15mph for every bend and every vehicle that came in the opposite direction, just often enough that I didn't want to risk filtering up the queue behind him. That didn't stop a 4x4 racing up the opposite side of the road to overtake the ever growing queue behind the camper van, going into a blind right hander - cue a queue of brake lights when a car appeared coming the other way around the bend. Having seen how obliging we all were to prevent nobs from killing themselves and others a Merc180 decided to copy the 4x4 but by this time I could see the next car coming the other way round another right hander, so waved for the Merc driver to pull in behind me - nope, wasn't going to happen, he passed me and the car in front, both of us slowed to a crawl and he pulled in just a the car with right of way appeared around the bend. Yes, it's frustrating getting stuck behind a ditherer but that's no excuse for being a reckless nob.

 

Now that's out of my system, I rode n past the Green Welly and the roads and scenery were stunning. It was ages ago I was last up that way, so it was a ride of rediscovery. It just got better and better until the far end of Glencoe. Plenty of other bikers about, tourists too and a few road works but everyone was behaving themselves again so I simply enjoyed the ride and the views. And the sunshine . I intended to have lunch at Fort William but all the car parks were outside the town centre and I didn't fancy leaving my wee bike out of sight, so I headed back to Glencoe to get some grub instead. On the way out of Onich I spied a food van with tables sat well back from the road, just as I passed it, so I turned at the garage half a mile down the road and rode back to the wonderfully named Yum Yum Burger Snack Van. Venison burger with haggis and fries, washed down with a cappuccino - it lived up to the name. Just as I sat down to eat I heard another bike on the road, looked up and saw the first of three riders waving to his mates and pointing to the burger van as they passed by. A couple of minutes later and they had copied me  They were 3 guys from Belgium on a tour of Scotland, riding BMW R1250GSs, a tad bigger than my 125. I said they'd picked a good week for it, only to be corrected - this was their second last day, most of their tour was in the rain . But they made up for it by saying they'd ridden in the Dolomites and the Pyrenees and other spectacular place but none was as beautiful as Scotland  .

 

What did I learn from today? More patience. To check where are the best places to park my bike before setting off so I don't crawl around half a dozen car parks in vain. I feel more composed on the bike, taking better lines around bends, slow speed control is improving too.

 

And I'm enjoying the frugal fuel consumption too lol. I started out with a full tank minus 30 miles and returned with 1/3 tank remaining having done 230 miles. 

 

 

Edited September 16, 2024 by ColinWB
Added last paragraph

[ColinWB]

A wee ride to the Sportsbikeshop at Hillington to get a can of Nikwax Visor Proof, then the long way home via Largs. That is all.

[AstronautNinja]

On 16/09/2024 at 19:36, ColinWB said:

I've got the week off work and for a change the sun is shining. What to do, hmmmmm. On the bike for a ride to Fort William, of course.

 

Inverclyde to Tarbet via the Erskine Bridge, a breeze, lovely conditions, everyone behaving themselves on the roads. Then, you know what they say about buses coming in threes? Nobs as well, apparently. The next 13.5 miles up the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond took 45 minutes, thanks to a camper van driver whose max speed was 35mph, slowing to 15mph for every bend and every vehicle that came in the opposite direction, just often enough that I didn't want to risk filtering up the queue behind him. That didn't stop a 4x4 racing up the opposite side of the road to overtake the ever growing queue behind the camper van, going into a blind right hander - cue a queue of brake lights when a car appeared coming the other way around the bend. Having seen how obliging we all were to prevent nobs from killing themselves and others a Merc180 decided to copy the 4x4 but by this time I could see the next car coming the other way round another right hander, so waved for the Merc driver to pull in behind me - nope, wasn't going to happen, he passed me and the car in front, both of us slowed to a crawl and he pulled in just a the car with right of way appeared around the bend. Yes, it's frustrating getting stuck behind a ditherer but that's no excuse for being a reckless nob.

 

Now that's out of my system, I rode n past the Green Welly and the roads and scenery were stunning. It was ages ago I was last up that way, so it was a ride of rediscovery. It just got better and better until the far end of Glencoe. Plenty of other bikers about, tourists too and a few road works but everyone was behaving themselves again so I simply enjoyed the ride and the views. And the sunshine . I intended to have lunch at Fort William but all the car parks were outside the town centre and I didn't fancy leaving my wee bike out of sight, so I headed back to Glencoe to get some grub instead. On the way out of Onich I spied a food van with tables sat well back from the road, just as I passed it, so I turned at the garage half a mile down the road and rode back to the wonderfully named Yum Yum Burger Snack Van. Venison burger with haggis and fries, washed down with a cappuccino - it lived up to the name. Just as I sat down to eat I heard another bike on the road, looked up and saw the first of three riders waving to his mates and pointing to the burger van as they passed by. A couple of minutes later and they had copied me  They were 3 guys from Belgium on a tour of Scotland, riding BMW R1250GSs, a tad bigger than my 125. I said they'd picked a good week for it, only to be corrected - this was their second last day, most of their tour was in the rain . But they made up for it by saying they'd ridden in the Dolomites and the Pyrenees and other spectacular place but none was as beautiful as Scotland  .

 

What did I learn from today? More patience. To check where are the best places to park my bike before setting off so I don't crawl around half a dozen car parks in vain. I feel more composed on the bike, taking better lines around bends, slow speed control is improving too.

 

And I'm enjoying the frugal fuel consumption too lol. I started out with a full tank minus 30 miles and returned with 1/3 tank remaining having done 230 miles. 

 

 

Your out smashing 230 mile rides on a 125? Hat off to you sir, that's some going! Very impressive. More so than the incredible mpg 

[ColinWB]

14 minutes ago, AstronautNinja said:

Your out smashing 230 mile rides on a 125? Hat off to you sir, that's some going! Very impressive. More so than the incredible mpg 

It's the biggest and most powerful bike I've ever owned 

[Simon Davey]

Out of desperation to just get her between my legs, I just went out for an hour.

Phenomenal difference in my front brake pressure now that I've replaced the front disks.

I don't like riding at weekends, it's how one ends up with square tyres, it's too busy, but I was desperate and the weather is about to change 

 

Got to say, I was grinning like a Cheshire cat when I started her up, and I'm still buzzing an hour later, it's been two weeks since our trip to and from Germany, can't wait to get back.

[Tinkicker]

Weather turning tomorrow, so do I have one last ride out on big red, or winterise her in pleasant sunshine instead of pissing down rain tomorrow.

 

Got back from the supermarket and the roads were heaving, and apparently the quota of illigitimate idiots in cars was also up. I guess the sunshine brought the  "lets have one last drive out in the countryside before winter" set out.  Also came across several "pellatons" riding the full width of the carriageway and half a mile of traffic stuck behind them.

 

Decision made.  Put big red away.

 

Drained tank and ran carbs dry.  Put drained fuel in wifeys car.  Filled with a couple of litres of the two stroke laced alkylate fuel, shook the bike to splash it around the tank and fired her up.  Shut down and drained the alkylate back out of the tank.  Left the carbs filled.  It will evaporate from the bowls over the next couple of weeks, but will leave an oily film of two stroke over the fuel system internals as it does so.

 

Sprayed her liberally with a full can of silicone spray and put her under her covers.

 

Quite sad about it really.

 

Big red under her covers, solar battery monitor hooked up and she is capable of looking after herself this winter.  Next time I see her will be later in the year when I pull the wheels to have new tyres fitted.

[S-Westerly]

I'm quite glad I ride mine all year long. So much less aggravation all round especially as I'm mechanically inept and the mere thought of spannering makes me need a lie down in a dark room.

[ColinWB]

It was dry all day here, if a bit overcast, so I got the bike out and rode to Dunure Harbour for brunch around 1130 at the Harbourside Coffee and Kitchen. Highly recommended if you're out on a ride nearby. The ride down was from the overcast into sunshine, so it was the right decision to head south . Just before turning down the hill to Dunure, I though the sky was falling on me - not rain/hail/snow but an almighty din from a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter that flew directly over me  After lunch I made the short journey to Electric Brae - I still find it fascinating. Then it was time to head in the reverse direction via Burnhouse and Beith to Bishopton to watch some rugby. Not the result I wanted but every game is a learning experience. Then home to Inverclyde, firstly going straight through it to Largs  then doubling back, just because I could. It was an uneventful ride except for the easterly wind, with my wee bike feeling every gust and change of direction, but nothing alarming. It was only 150 miles today, sorry to disappoint the distance fans  but it took me over the 1700 miles mark since the end of July.

Edited September 21, 2024 by ColinWB
Added the Merlin sentence. Then spelled "snow" correctly

[AstronautNinja]

25 minutes ago, ColinWB said:

It was dry all day here, if a bit overcast, so I got the bike out and rode to Dunure Harbour for brunch around 1130 at the Harbourside Coffee and Kitchen. Highly recommended if you're out on a ride nearby. The ride down was from the overcast into sunshine, so it was the right decision to head south . Just before turning down the hill to Dunure, I though the sky was falling on me - not rain/hail/snow but an almighty din from a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter that flew directly over me  After lunch I made the short journey to Electric Brae - I still find it fascinating. Then it was time to head in the reverse direction via Burnhouse and Beith to Bishopton to watch some rugby. Not the result I wanted but every game is a learning experience. Then home to Inverclyde, firstly going straight through it to Largs  then doubling back, just because I could. It was an uneventful ride except for the easterly wind, with my wee bike feeling every gust and change of direction, but nothing alarming. It was only 150 miles today, sorry to disappoint the distance fans  but it took me over the 1700 miles mark since the end of July.

Edited September 21, 2024 by AstronautNinja

[RideWithStyles]

Collected the bike up after a week for a carb balance (could tell) and valve check , both had moved and needed adjustment but its not a shim type which the next model had so saved a chunk of money-yey for old engines!
mot and other sundries, offical Suzuki fuel and air filter while he was at it were £25 + £20.

 

glad said not rush it too so because the next day wouldn’t have been able to.
badly sprained the left ankle at the gym, even a week on I’ve still got a bad limp on the left leg. Uncomfortable ride the three rights and straight line route needing to change gear in the 30zone to bring her back home . Oddly it was worse to try and get the side stand down? lol.

 

might try to have a “bimble” about tomorrow (before?) washing the car if I can. 
perseverance…. 

Edited September 21, 2024 by RideWithStyles

[Simon Davey]

1 hour ago, RideWithStyles said:

Collected the bike up after a week for a carb balance (could tell) and valve check , both had moved and needed adjustment but its not a shim type which the next model had so saved a chunk of money-yey for old engines!
mot and other sundries, offical Suzuki fuel and air filter while he was at it were £25 + £20.

 

glad said not rush it too so because the next day wouldn’t have been able to.
badly sprained the left ankle at the gym, even a week on I’ve still got a bad limp on the left leg. Uncomfortable ride the three rights and straight line route needing to change gear in the 30zone to bring her back home . Oddly it was worse to try and get the side stand down? lol.

 

might try to have a “bimble” about tomorrow (before?) washing the car if I can. 
perseverance…. 

 

That's a proper sprain, even a week later it looks very swollen and sore. 

Hope it heals quickly 

[Capt Sisko]

503 miles for a average latte, but very tasty Haggis & Fried Egg on Toast.  Left home a 06.00 got back at 21.15 and it absolutely pissed it down on the way back on the M6/56 around Warrington.

Edited September 21, 2024 by Capt Sisko

[Simon Davey]

1 minute ago, Capt Sisko said:

503 miles for a average latte, but very tasty Haggis & Fried Egg on Toast.  Left home a 06.00 got back at 21.15 and it absolutely pissed it down on the back on the M6/56 around Warrington.

 

Flippin eck, what a day! 

[RideWithStyles]

Thanks SD. It was one of those slow motion i saw it coming but was too committed to stop sort of things. was a bit uncomfortable  To the point I’d be dragging my body back home…

Yeah got to agree what a day, the shame/punishment and burden of the M6/56. Jokes aside the worst parts build character () and experience while make the great worth while. 

[Capt Sisko]

23 minutes ago, Simon Davey said:

 

Flippin eck, what a day! 

Shropshire to Kielder Water, then across to Newcastle to see my Aunt, back along the A69 and across to Carlisle, then back down the M6 / 56 and across country back home.  My backs a bit stiff but a shower, dinner, a couple of cold beers and some painkillers (not necessarily in that order) are fixing that.

Edited September 21, 2024 by Capt Sisko

[Fiddlesticks]

Out with the Advanced Riding guys for an observed ride. Turns out there are these big red circles with numbers in them that you're supposed to take note of and adjust your speed accordingly. Who knew?

Wales. What can you do?

Actually saw a 19mph road sign, tried to find it on Google Street View , but their version is older, it says 29. (Entrance to Connah's Quay Power Station).

Got home. Mrs Fiddlesticks had been left to show prospective buyers around the house.

"We going out for a ride then?"

Well, I couldn't say no, could I?

Pub grub up in Southport.

Back home in the rain.

Bike is being a bit tricksy. The gear position indicator is bouncing around a bit, but at £540+VAT for a new sensor it might save to stay that way for now...

 

[Mr_Machrihanish]

21 hours ago, Capt Sisko said:

503 miles for a average latte, but very tasty Haggis & Fried Egg on Toast.  Left home a 06.00 got back at 21.15 and it absolutely pissed it down on the way back on the M6/56 around Warrington.

I would walk 500 miles for a good haggis never mind ride. Sounds like a good day!

[Pie man]

Went for a ride over to the local-ish BMW Dealers. There are some mighty fine machines in the Show room. I'm not a fan of the GS but I do like the RS. Going to arrange a test ride, better start saving now. 

 

Elephant in the carpark

 

[Mickly]

Went to Hoar Park bike meet for chin wag & brekkie …. Guy I used to work with showed up on this, the lucky barsteward: