Motobiker

Yes. 8 years.

9/11 was during my very short bikeless phase. I had just bought my house so cash was tight. I was using the bus to get to work. The news had already filtered through to us.. as a 'shocked kind of rumour'. no more than that. I got off the bus in town, the stop was very close to an Australian themed sports bar, it had TVs in the window and I will never forget the sight. A fairy large crowd of people standing in total silence transfixed by the visuals. But, the black day that will always remain with me was rather different. A black day for the nation, but one of the best days I have ever had. The day of Dianas funeral. I was living in Manchester. at the time and couldn't bear the idea of wall to wall doom and gloom on the TV. so I went out on the bike, up through Bowland and then over to the lakes. And it is no exaggeration to say it was like the scene from '28 days later'. for hours on end I never saw a car, vehicle of any kind. person. Nothing. Places that are normally mental with tourists.. deserted. Windermere, Ambleside, Keswick. you name it. Nobody out. I called in at a petrol station to be greeted by a red eyed assistant in floods of tears. Coming back I came down the M6 for some of the way.. and only saw a few trucks. stopped at Lancaster south. deserted aside from staff and a few truckers. was bizarre to be parked up in an empty car park on the motorway. Its a day I'll never ever forget. absolutely wonderful. (though extremely weird)

I only talk about the bore because people quote him and then I get to see what he has to say and am reminded just what a tedious, predictable and repetitive bore he is. like I need reminding. Of course if people never quoted him.... hint hint.

Its a skill you know, a talent. making yourself look an absolute plonker every time you type a word. It almost makes up for the fact that he is a complete and utter bore. maybe I should unblock him purely for the entertainment value. No.. I can't do that as he really is a bore. 99% of the time.

A different kind of scare. I had to go to the other side of town on an errand and coming back. long(ish) straight road a car coming towards me and passing, suddenly did a fast U turn, I only noticed this because I heard a car horn and saw this silly manoeuvre in my mirrors. This car then followed me, it stuck behind me as much as it could and caught up after lights so it was never more than one car back. It stuck behind me right to the end of my road and then actually continued after me when I turned in. My road is like a letter P. one way in and out and a big crescent. I was more than a little freaked out by this point so, I rode past my house and to a neighbours opposite but a few doors up, the car went past me and pulled over a little up the road. Ive lived on this road for 21 years and know all my neighbours well, I also knew this particular neighbour was out, so I knocked on the door and waited with an eye on the car up the road. No answer (obviously) so a minute for two and back on the bike and I rode back the way I had come, back into town and after a short merry chase, lost him. Im absolutely convinced they had targeted my bike and wanted to find out where it lived. So they could come back for it, later. The scare wasn't so much about being followed, what freaked me out most of all was, "what if I hadn't noticed?"

Don’t fly. You won’t be pinged if you are sitting in your own car on the eurotunnel.

I don't bother reading his nonsense.. he has nothing useful to say - ever. total waste of time. let him troll away, if he's dumb enough to 'talk to himself' so be it.

Not very long. 17 years. I only wanted to try the Africa Twin because I liked the idea of the DCT, as its something very different. I kept the GS because I didn't think I would want to 'keep' the Twin, but within a few weeks I stopped riding the GS completely, then put it on SORN and finally let it go, just a few weeks ago actually. Im not really one for chopping and changing... I have had various second bikes, but none of them lasted more than 2 years, before I got bored of them and got rid as they weren't as good as the GS was. (for my purposes)

That’s a great idea and I’m really glad I didn’t think of it. Buy a bike I don’t want to reuse wheels that are the wrong size. Super. but seriously buying these particular wheels was definitely the right decision. For me. I’ve never been the type to do things by halves. Buy once. Cry once.

yes, of course I could have waited for a couple of years until Honda added them to the bike. plus an extra 50cc and a wizz-bang full colour screen on the dash. but then I would have had to pay upwards of an extra £6000 for the privilege. and the bike would have suited me less as they made it lower. I wiped out my savings for other bits and bobs as well as the cash I had left over from the bank loan... but in the scheme of things, Its turned out to be quite a bargain.

£2.5 and no lottery win required. Im rather good at saving dontcha know. Also I got a surprise discount on the bike, I was originally quoted £12000 and ended up paying rather less. (a lot less - winter discount) luggage and a few other bits and bobs were put on the back burner and I splashed out on the wheels. My bike came with tubes as standard.. the only thing I didn't like about the bike and they had to go. I was going for Alpina.. but in the end found I could afford these. just. just after fitting them. I have a waiting list of owners hoping (vainly) that I will sell the bike and then sell the wheels. to them. NOT A CHANCE!!!

My spoked wheels are a little strange.... just a little bit different.

One thing the Tories are experts at is stabbing their leaders in the back when they think their seats in parliament might be at risk. And many are.

I do like it when there is a consensus. gives me a lovely warm feeling inside, like after you vomit because you've eaten some bad fish and your stomach says NO. get out.

My topbox is probably inadequate, which for some strange reason is highly appropriate. 30litres. Which is sufficient for my needs. (Such as they are) it’s aluminium which only decreases it’s worth. I guess and from a little known brand out of darkest Bulgaria. Just to make matters worse - if such a thing is even possible. it’s a struggle.

Only a cardboard replica... I've made do.

No. I passed my bike test in 1982 and that was my life goal fulfilled. Never wanted a car, never been all that interested. Ive always said that I would only learn to drive if someone else paid for it, that came very close to happening in 1987, but, I got head hunted and it never happened.

Not in this life.. it would mean passing my driving test and that's a test too far.

I got thinking about vans and van owners.. and this came to mind.

Why does this amuse me so much? Time to break out the diazepam @Rob M this board needs it. You can write prescriptions for emergency PRN, can’t you? .

A skillet? Ah… I see a half moon thingy. I missed that. Apologies, I’m a bit distracted today thinking about vans. (For some wholly bizarre reason) looks delicious! As a snack (obviously)

I’m trying to work out why a plate needs a handle?

He can’t block me, I don’t have a van!!

I like that last photo on the shore of Lago di Resia, mainly because it gave me a view that I was sooo, looking forward to. which the photo only hints at, but.. zoom in: