Agreed, go via Bicesters and cut across towards Chipping Norton, Moreton in Marsh. Nice route. Did that way on a recent London to Shrewsbury ride.

I'm out East London, so bit a long round trip for me. Will see if I can make it.

If you're doing the North peninsula, and it's one of them rare days in Wales where the Sun makes an appearance, head down to Aberdaron and check out the Whisling Sands beach: http://www.visitsnowdonia.info/porth_oer_whistling_sands-147.aspx
Really, really nice, dead quiet, proper chilled out.


Regarding the Snowdonia hill train. As it's high season, I recommend you either book it in advance or get there dead earlier in morning, as it often gets booked up. There's another train that goes around the mines and lake, which is alright, but not that exciting. Stuff the busy crappy tea shop on the main road of Llanberis, there's a really nice quiet tea shop set back a couple of streets. Full of doilies, but wicked cakes and tea.

Definitely do the Horseshoe Pass: llangollen to ruthin - A542

If you're passing Machynlleth, the Centre of Alternative Tech there is worth a visit.

The slate mine in Blaenau Ffestiniog is worth a visit too, along with the Trawsfynydd next door too.

Sure I've seen some decent pics of FZS600 naked with the FZ1 headlamp too...

Having just dropped my bike (yet again) this route has certainly crossed my mind too.

Who are we hosted with? I had some issues with my blog on hostgator. Apparently some server problems and some recent DOS attacks too.

Still on track too. See you all tomorrow morning.

Bought my '03 Fazer for £1850 last September. Had 13k on clock, blue double bubble screen, hugger, belly pan, similar cosmetic condition to yours. No rack mind. Had also been parked up for ages, but crucially had been serviced, new battery, mot'd, taxed and all running smooth again. TBH I thought I got a really good deal and put it down to end of season droop in bike prices.

IMO, get it taxed and mot'd and stick a £1600-1700 price tag on it.

I've used a tin of spray Back To Black stuff before now. can't remember the brand, but works well on all grey plastic.

I've tried veg oil on the car, which was suggested somewhere else. It works, things look black, but it's right sticky and collect dust and mank quickly and is soon pretty horrible. Wouldn't recommend it.

Is that the usual spot all the bikers congregate at, by tea hut that serves super stewed brew? Here: http://goo.gl/maps/ftuh4
And not further up near King's Oak pub and visitor centre?

One question: how has this worked out for London so far?

"The advanced stop line (ASL) into the area designated for cyclists. London boroughs have recently started enforcing this!"

Is it a smart idea, or is it a pain in the neck. Asking because I would never stop in front of cars at a traffic light while on a bicycle. Would slow them down. Stay at the side, behind the first car, but never in front.  Does it make traffic move better, safer, or is it a bother?

TBH, all I've heard and seen thus far is PCO's handing out leaflets informing offenders (bikers and car drivers) they will in the future be fined for crossing the ASL. I don't necessarily agree with it, and it does make things very awkward. As mentioned above, the best option is to probably not aim for the front of the queue, but for one car back. If you can't get in front of the lead car, safely and without going to far forward, it's going to lead to some sticky situations being sat beside a lead vehicle when the lights go green.

Personally, I think they should cut the ASL cycle box in half, cyclists left half, motorcycles right half. I am glad their fining cars/vans etc, these should definitely not cross the ASL.

As it happens, about 50% of cyclists I see ignore the cycle box anyway and either balance as far forward as possible waiting to dive between to the opposing traffic, with no regard to the red light.

After riding into London everyday for last year, filtering is pretty much all I ever do. Whether it's 3 lanes of stationary traffic on A13 or weaving in and out around town fitting where ever I can. The fold back mirrors on the Fazer are great for squeezing through them really tight spots of grid lock.

Did knock out a couple of articles for my blog on filtering. One focused on slow moving motorways/dual carriageways and other for more round town type filtering. Have a gander, feedback much appreciated:-

Filtering on motorway and dual carriageways
Filtering in the city

Well stick me down as a definite. All clear with other half. And wife...

I could do with a new ignition key for my Fazer. Got both keys when I brought the bike, but I was finding the one very clunky and difficult to use. Yeah I lubed up the ignition, WD40, Vaseline, 3-in-1 oil etc.  One particularly cold day in the winter, I turned the key and the whole Meta alarm key fob casing just disintegrated around the stub of a key.   The key looks ever so slightly bent and rather worn/discoloured on it's teeth.

So I just switched to the other key (and Meta keyring button), which worked perfectly and gave me no problems. However I assume this is the master key, and probably not such a good practice to use everyday. Right? Also, now I recently replaced the Meta alarm, I have a new key fob. I don't want to muck about with the master key to get it to fit into this key fob. Appears the metal needs trimming slightly and a hole drilled into to secure it into fob.

So, where can I get a replacement key? Will any good lock smith be able to do it? Will it need sourcing directly from Yamaha? Or is it going to be a new ignition barrel 'n keys bundle?
Also, any tips of fitting a key into the Meta key fob?

Just seen the link and realised its ashford middlesex. Sorry but not comin to do a ride thru town as i ride there all week. I thought it was goin kent.

Ahh bollocks! I was thinking Ashford Kent too... Hmmm, naff, a scoot round North Circular ain't going to be fun.