Rob M

3 hours ago, ReggiePezza said:

Heh heh. Well actually it has the top of the line DID chain on it, as sold to me my the MV Agusta salesman, after wiping some of his dinner off his chin (it was about 8pm or something), and then fitted in the morning in factory style with hard rivet link. That chain isn't going anywhere. 

And actually I gave beer away in Belgium to bloke from the Belg version of the RAC, who left me a can of carb cleaner after trying nearly every hotel in whatever part of Belgium we were, oh and going to buy some spark plugs. The issue was a dodgy ground point which had been painted, it worked, just, but not in the rain. Since then it's been stripped and powder coated... Buuutt I don't think I'll bother. I've got something much worse to test instead. 

This trip is going to be epic 

I can’t wait! It’ll be great to catch up Reggie

4 hours ago, ReggiePezza said:

Do they do paniers for these things?

No way.

Nice report @MooN and great pictures. I really liked that area, would love to go back. Like @Motobiker said, great memories.

On 28/03/2022 at 21:33, Six30 said:

I'm Gay

That's great but don't keep going on about it.

23 minutes ago, Tym said:

117/68 today.

 

High BP medication ran out months ago, havnt had my 2021 yearly physical yet, seem to be doing better then ever. 

 

 

 

That's a healthy BP, especially if you've stopped taking meds. If it was 90/50 when on the meds, that's far too low so it looks like you don't need them. 

6 hours ago, Motobiker said:

 Ive warned Rob that he will almost certainly need his thermals while we are in the Austrian Alps and above 2000m. whereas down in the valleys it can quite easily be very warm if not hot. 

I'm already prepared. The closest I've been to changing temps was when Tony and I rode through the Jura in 2017. Earlier in the day it was warm and pleasant but by time we had reached the higher levels of the Jura I was shivering and miserable. Sod that again. 

Just now, XTreme said:

Is it only the two of you Rob?

For this trip, yeah. 

Just to add to Tony's post. For 10 years I've always worked out my budgets beforehand. I tend to over estimate and always come back with change. These are my calculations for this trip taking into account current fuel prices. £20 a day for living doesn't sound much but it covers food and drink in Europe unless we eat out, but overall it balances out.

Before:

Eurotunnel = £113

Travel Insurance (via Navigator) = £33

Breakdown = Covered in my insurance from Carol Nash.

For trip:

·         Petrol = (4000 miles/180x£28) = £622

·         Daily living = (£20 x 16) = £320

·         Campsites (15 nights @£15 night) = £225

Total= £1167 (Take 600 euros in cash, rest on card)

I reckon I'll spend about a grand.

11 minutes ago, XTreme said:

What made you switch to that Rob?

Just fancied a change. I have always liked the Sprint and it ticks all the boxes for me. Sporty, comfortable and a bit of a bargain at the moment due to a lot of folk wanting adventure bikes. Early impressions are good, plenty of torque, more nimble than the BMW and so comfortable. The gel seat and higher bars make the difference. Main improvement has to be that triple engine though, sounds incredible.

I'm buzzing for this trip, my first away for ages and Tony and I have toured plenty of times before. If the weather plays ball it'll be epic and if Plan B is needed that'll be cool too, we went to the Vercors in 2017 and loved it.

Oh, and I'm on a new ride. The big BMW has gone and I've got this:

11 weeks to go 

2021?

Fuck off.

Working on Xmas day (NHS crisis team) but have 26/27th off. It's just another day for me.

Not feeling the Xmas spirit in the slightest 

17 hours ago, Tango said:

Gary Moore at Wembley Arena on the After the War tour.

The support band were a bit crap. Then Gary Moore came on, but there was a loud buzzing from his guitar. The techs were working furiously but weren't getting anywhere. At the end of the second song he said "fuck this" and stormed off stage, the house lights came up after a minute or two and that was it. No refunds or anything! I vowed that I'd never go to another Gary Moore gig, but a few years later my late brother-in-law talked me into going to see his Still Got the Blues tour at Hammersmith Odeon. I've got to say, that gig was bloody excellent. 

He was a miserable sod, well known for it. I saw him on the SCARS tour in Brighton and people kept shouting for Parisienne Walkways. His reply was 'fuck off you cunts'.

Worst live performance was White Lion at Wembley Arena in 1989. They were supporting Motley Crue along with Skid Row. Skid Row and the Crue were awesome but White Lion was the only live performance I've ever slept through.

Top stuff, love it! Those pictures remind me of a Spaghetti Western.

1 hour ago, Tango said:

I can see the pyrenees from my village,  Rob. I'm planning on heading across to explore.

Total envy mate!

1 minute ago, XTreme said:

Move in next to @Swagman you'll soon lose the will to live! 

 

Even worse, one of my retirement plans is to move to Wales! God the help the poor bastards. My profile picture was taken in the Brecon Beacons, I can't lie, I love the place.

2 hours ago, Sir Fallsalot said:

He may as well end it all now save him the pain and suffering the future holds now that you pointed out he's English 

I'm going to stay alive...just to spite you 

19 minutes ago, XTreme said:

There are twats out on cruisers but they never venture off the main roads.

Casuals! 

Braver man than me! 

9 minutes ago, XTreme said:

Those rough bits aren't that bad in comparison to some of them here Rob.

What can catch people out is the road changing from billiard table smooth to a lunar landscape in an instant.

Keeps us on our toes I guess!

Was having a trawl through some footage from my trip to the Pyrenees in 2016 and found this. Not all Spanish roads are racetrack smooth, this one looked like they'd started the work and then fucked off mid-job to go for a siesta...and never returned. Was near Jaca.

To be fair, I loved the Pyrenees and the N260. Wanna go back there.

I stand by Richa textile suits. Mine has been through biblical downpours (2 days of constant rain riding through France was a real test) and not let a drop in. Great for the price (about £450, 6 years ago).

HJC helmets all the way for me. They fit my head just right. I agree with @Tango, Lomo bags are superb, again tested in plenty of rainstorms.

On 02/11/2021 at 20:37, XTreme said:

It's shit isn't it?

Your mind works the same way it always did but your body doesn't!

I need a fucking Time Machine set for 1973......what you say @Clive?

It is shit! I’m 52 and two years ago I didn’t take a single medication, now I take 7! High BP, Cholesterol, Arteriosclerosis and recently found out I have a hiatus hernia just to add to the mix.

I’ll be lucky to make it to 55 at this rate