old - Fazer Owners Club - old
General => General => Topic started by: Hedgetrimmer on 31 August 2013, 10:23:33 pm
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What's the longest distance anyone's done just for an enjoyable days riding? From Oxfordshire I'm considering 2 possibles.
1. Day ride to Snowdonia, with blatting about in the region before heading home. Approx 200 miles to Snowdonia (Beddgelert)
2. Day ride to Snake Pass, Peak District. Approx 150 miles one way, + blatting around.
Too much?
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An interesting question, I enjoy once a year going to the spring meet, which is a 140 miles it does not sound that far but I take the non motorway route so it takes 4hrs and is shear bliss. So need to consider time in the saddle maybe.
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On the Brum rideout, my bike clocked up 300 miles. At 30mpg, that was an expensive day!! :eek :eek
It was good fun. But owee, was I sore the next day!!! :lol
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I've done longer rides obviously, but I've managed to do a couple of 200+ mile unplanned trips. I just sort of decide I feel like going out for a ride and don't want stop - a few hours later I figure its time to head home :P
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Seem to remember on the North West Foccers Scottish raids a few years back (2007/2008) clocking up about 430ish miles in a day. Good rides, nice scenery over the border, chippy at Moffat is pretty good :)
But I'm an ex courier who has done many 500+ mile days, so my parameters are slightly skewed :D
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Did around a 200 mile trip from central London up to Shrewsbury once (then back couple of days later). Straight across Cotwalds, plenty of stops and rest breaks, took about 6 hours total... :) Although first hour was just getting to outside of M25!
If the weather is nice, go for it. Just stick to a scenic route, enjoy it, pack lots of refreshments and take plenty of pitstops.
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It doesn't matter how far you go, just ride along, get to a junction and say "ill go that way", then ride it. Next junction, and just pick a road.
Some of my best rides have been done this way.
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That's pretty much exactly what I do - pick a direction and go ^^
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If you decide to do Peak District (my local stomping ground) then let me know and I'll hook you up with the best roads in the region.
But off the top of my head highly recommended are:
A6:
A bit chuggy chuggy now-a-days but "on any given Sunday" it'll be full of Bikers and leads directly to Matlock which generally has a good few hundred bikes parked up.
http://www.bikersarewelcome.com/images/jay_cees_matlock_bath.jpg (http://www.bikersarewelcome.com/images/jay_cees_matlock_bath.jpg)
Via New Gellia Road (Matlock to New Haven):
Leafy, scenic, technical road. Fantastic, probably my favorite, just watch out fro speed traps.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/philwirks/4783875757/#lightbox/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/philwirks/4783875757/#lightbox/)
A515 (Ashbourne to Buxton, or pickup at New Haven)
Not fast but nice views of the peaks and connects directly to via new gellia
Cat and Fiddle Road (A537)
Famous biker road, often described as the most dangrous in the UK. Very technical (the 50MPH average speed cameras won't stop you having fun)
http://stigvista.co.uk/pa/walks/dkpeak/catfiddle/catfiddle_07.jpg (http://stigvista.co.uk/pa/walks/dkpeak/catfiddle/catfiddle_07.jpg)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_and_Fiddle_Road (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_and_Fiddle_Road)
Winnats Pass castleton:
http://s0.geograph.org.uk/photos/92/40/924061_ef4e664d.jpg (http://s0.geograph.org.uk/photos/92/40/924061_ef4e664d.jpg)
Short but scenic and nice villages etc nearby
Snake Pass (Glossop to Sheffield via LAdybower Resoviour, Northern Peaks)
Fantastic road, did this last weekend
http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/gallery/d/2081-2/river-ashop-m9925.jpg (http://www.webbaviation.co.uk/gallery/d/2081-2/river-ashop-m9925.jpg)
http://www.greatest-drives.com/images/drives/24/800x600_1271881376234.jpg (http://www.greatest-drives.com/images/drives/24/800x600_1271881376234.jpg)
A628 (Glossop to Sheffield, the one to the North of Snake Pass)
Big open moor road
There are more but I have to go do stuff!
Personally I'd ride up during the morning, have the afternoon to explore, stay in a YHA over night, pub during evening, another morning next day then head home during the afternoon.
If you find yourself this way and fancy company let me know when and I might be able to come out for a ride?
Andy
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I did ten and a half hours to the Nurburgring once, the guy leading must have planned the route for 6 months as we hit most of the B roads from Calais through Belgium and Luxembourg on the way to Germany, then we had to pitch the tents! Focced.....
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Used to nip down to Box Hill from Bolton A49, M4, M25 for a coffee or two then blast back all motorway, 550 ish round trip, fuels to expensive nowadays for that type of trip.
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We regularly ride out to the west coast, (Ullapool or loch Carron) and back about 130 miles one way, easy manageable in a day
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I go down to Bordeaux every June for a weekend, 750 miles door to door avoiding motorways once I get off the chunnel. I used to do it in a day but I'm starting to feel my age. A couple of years ago I was so knackered I was first to leave the bar on the Friday night, not good. I now take 2 days, stopping in a different place each time. I enjoy the ride more and get to see more. :D
Cheers
John
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I've figured that the Peak District is within reach for a ride out, and still have time to do some enjoyable riding whilst there before heading home same day (have done a few similar length ride outs before). Snowdonia is a bit more of a stretch for me tho'. To Beddgelert (just to pick a fairly central point in the region), is about 200 miles. I would be thinking probably fastest A road/motorway route to get there, then hoping I could enjoy some good fun riding time, again before heading home same day. Probably talking a total of 500 miles +.
I think I'll just have to suck it and see!
Andybesy, thanks for the route suggestions, I'll peruse them more closely shortly, think I'll try Peaks first. I have ridden in that area before, hence my mention of the Snake Pass as I'd never heard of it before I stumbled upon it, and definitely want to ride that one again. But I don't know the region well, so your local knowledge will be a real boon. :thumbup
I'll try it first, if it works out ok, I'll let you know and p'raps we can meet up for a spin sometime.
Mick-H, yeah that's a slog on motorways all day. I don't mind doing the m/ways to get to a destination but want time to enjoy better roads/explore a bit whilst there, before heading home same day. That's what I'm trying to gauge, how far can such a day be taken?
Pilgrim, that's the kind of distances I'm probably looking at. Done 350 ish, maybe a bit more and was still fairly fresh at the end of that, looking to try a bit further afield - what's-accessible-from home,-returning-home kind of thing?
Thanks to all so far, nice to see others don't blink at these kind of mileages.
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For Foc-U rideouts
Luton to Ashford to start. Ashford to Brighton for the ride, not direct, Brighton back to Luton (in torrential rain with no waterproofs)(Fazerman did the same rideout from Wales)
For the Fazerman Welsh rideout. Luton to Stafford, drop the wife off, on to Wales. Ride-out was about 140-160 miles. Back to Stafford to get missus then Back to Luton. Bestest rideout ever.
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The longest rideout I've been on was 200 miles. It wasn't meant to be that long, but a road on the route the Leader had planned was closed and we had to divert past Stonehenge :)
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I go down to Bordeaux every June for a weekend, 750 miles door to door avoiding motorways once I get off the chunnel. I used to do it in a day but I'm starting to feel my age. A couple of years ago I was so knackered I was first to leave the bar on the Friday night, not good. I now take 2 days, stopping in a different place each time. I enjoy the ride more and get to see more. :D
Cheers
John
I have done that ride many times and being a tight arse it is always back roads (route nationals) for me , It is a pleasure to just take in the scenery and meander through the villages and country side.
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It's not being a tightarse, it's about seeing the country :D
Cheers
John
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400 miler on saturday. BORDERS TO PENRITH THEN OVER TO YORK AND HOME.. 3 FAZERS, a kwak Z1000 and a SV650. fun had by all
Budgie
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That was 424 miles :D yep York a fantastic city :lol
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We've got a long way to go lads,,,,
http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/default.cfm?CFID=27539616&CFTOKEN=32289552 (http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/default.cfm?CFID=27539616&CFTOKEN=32289552)
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What about a Fazer Butt rally? :D
Lands End/John O'Groats and back or something?
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It's not being a tightarse, it's about seeing the country :D
Cheers
John
Read my post as said about seeing the country. But if I am in a rush I have mile munched the toll roads as well. Hate them but what does give me pleasure seeing as I am being fecking ripped off at the cost of the tolls, is Stop the bike, put it on the stand, take gloves off search for my wallet, pay the toll, put my wallet away, clean my visor, put the gloves on , get on the bike, start up and ride off laughing on occasion as all I can hear behind me is all the cars pumping there horns as they waited behind me at the toll booth. One toll booth operator that spoke English actually told me to hurry up, suggested to her that they adopt a UK practice that motorcycles should be toll free therefore less delays (M6 toll excluded) she actually agreed with me.
Lew
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I can definitely recommend the Peak District, I only live about 45 mins away and there are some great roads and stunning scenery there. andybesy has mentioned some of my favourites, but those pictures don't do the roads / scenery justice ;)
If you do plan on heading up this way for a day out, let me know and I'll do my best to meet up with you :)
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I can definitely recommend the Peak District, I only live about 45 mins away and there are some great roads and stunning scenery there. andybesy has mentioned some of my favourites, but those pictures don't do the roads / scenery justice ;)
If you do plan on heading up this way for a day out, let me know and I'll do my best to meet up with you :)
Was thinking of trying it this Wednesday, but it turns out I won't be able to now :(
I'll be watching the weather forecast closely for Sunday tho'.
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I have a pass-out for Sunday :lol
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Do you mean you will be passed out on Sunday?!
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Do you mean you will be passed out on Sunday?!
Nope, I mean that the boss says I can go out to play on my bike :lol
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Do you mean you will be passed out on Sunday?!
Nope, I mean that the boss says I can go out to play on my bike :lol
What, then you passed out from shock? :lol
Good stuff, all we need now is some decent weather. Would you like to spend the next day or two thinking up a meeting point (preferably involving at least one bacon butty!) and since you're local, a nice route to ride? I would like to do the Snake again, but I'll happily defer to your choice if you can show me something equally as enjoyable.
I'll have about 150 miles to do to get there, so, well, don't know what kind of time I can make it by. Maybe 11am ish, perhaps a little earlier.
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What, then you passed out from shock?
:lol :lol :lol Bless her, she's pretty good to me, she lets me play out and even gives me pocket money to take with me ;)
Which way are you coming up to the Peak District, let me know and I'll work out where to meet and where to go from there.
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Ok, I'll look at a map tomorrow (God help us! :lol ).
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Ok, I'll look at a map tomorrow (God help us! :lol ).
:lol :lol This could be interesting :lol :lol
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Ok, I'll look at a map tomorrow (God help us! :lol ).
:lol :lol This could be interesting :lol :lol
Hang on, is this the right way up? Hey, is Rekyavik anywhere near Sheffield.... :rollin
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Not sure, I've heard some strange accents around there though, so you could be right ;)
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I'm considering the following route, destination Buxton:
A361 to Daventry
M1 to J22
A511 to A50
A515 via ashbourne and on to Buxton.
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Carterton&daddr=51.9947361,-1.4104993+to:52.175684,-1.229092+to:52.792127,-1.5694634+to:Buxton&hl=en&sll=52.667222,-1.323853&sspn=0.561324,1.234589&geocode=FWDKFQMd3LDn_yktQ4l3QzNxSDHKd2MrB9Gung%3BFXBgGQMdPXrq_ymvpXuKNtZ2SDGDaiAw_RZCgg%3BFUQjHAMd3D7t_ykD7dLwMCN3SDFJ2Ytkfhkfdg%3BFT-LJQMdSQ3o_ymRrGYFx_h5SDGCFTEXQOgrqw%3BFUqrLAMdMsji_ymhfy3CFCR6SDG_tftRIZoHyg&oq=buxton&mra=dpe&mrsp=3&sz=10&via=1,2,3&t=m&z=10 (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Carterton&daddr=51.9947361,-1.4104993+to:52.175684,-1.229092+to:52.792127,-1.5694634+to:Buxton&hl=en&sll=52.667222,-1.323853&sspn=0.561324,1.234589&geocode=FWDKFQMd3LDn_yktQ4l3QzNxSDHKd2MrB9Gung%3BFXBgGQMdPXrq_ymvpXuKNtZ2SDGDaiAw_RZCgg%3BFUQjHAMd3D7t_ykD7dLwMCN3SDFJ2Ytkfhkfdg%3BFT-LJQMdSQ3o_ymRrGYFx_h5SDGCFTEXQOgrqw%3BFUqrLAMdMsji_ymhfy3CFCR6SDG_tftRIZoHyg&oq=buxton&mra=dpe&mrsp=3&sz=10&via=1,2,3&t=m&z=10)
Could easily turn further east from Ashbourne if it would be better, or whatever. :)
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Toss Matlock Bath into the mix some great roads around there + decent cafes for a bite to eat.
If I still lived on Wirral I would join up with you guys just to say hello etc! mind you once you took a look at my Gob you may have said feck off.
Enjoy your ride lads and watch out for Plod!!!!!!!!!! :)
Lew
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Toss Matlock Bath into the mix some great roads around there + decent cafes for a bite to eat.
If I still lived on Wirral I would join up with you guys just to say hello etc! mind you once you took a look at my Gob you may have said feck off.
Enjoy your ride lads and watch out for Plod!!!!!!!!!! :)
Lew
Yes, I've heard a lot about the A6 Matlock to Buxton road, but I've also read a lot about 50mph limits, speed cameras and heavy policing, especially on a Sunday, too!! Not sure I'm up for all that malarkey :rolleyes
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I used to ride with a mate around the peak district Derbyshire areas. being in the Merchant navy we used to get long leaves/holidays , 10 weeks on 10 weeks off. My mate is retired so we would never hit the likes of the Cat and Fiddle road heading over to Debry/Peak district/Snake pass etc! on a weekend. Always Monday or Tuesday , mid week anyway as Plod was not about as much and bikers were not as numerous either. We used to have some good fun, Question though are the average speed cameras still turned off on the cat & Fiddle road. I remember reading an article in the MCN a while back that they were OFF as the cost of running and maintaining them was prohibitive and they now rely on them as a deterrent. I do know though that if you see a Helicopter in the area roll the throttle of as they can do you now with there eye in the sky.
Lew
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Right, I'm on the case :lol
I had a route in mind which starts near Chesterfield, which takes in the Snake Pass, The Cat & Fiddle and some brilliant roads in between. Just planned it on Google maps and it's 103 miles, just short of 3 hours without stops and ends in Matlock Bath. Would this be too far for you on top of what you need to do to get up here in the first place?
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Right, I'm on the case :lol
I had a route in mind which starts near Chesterfield, which takes in the Snake Pass, The Cat & Fiddle and some brilliant roads in between. Just planned it on Google maps and it's 103 miles, just short of 3 hours without stops and ends in Matlock Bath. Would this be too far for you on top of what you need to do to get up here in the first place?
No, not at all, that's fine. What would be the meeting point?
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Suggest continuing north on M1 to J29, take the A617 towards Chesterfield and after 100 yards or so on the A617 we could meet in a lay-by there. It's only about 5 miles from there into Chesterfield where we can fuel up - us and the bikes if necessary
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Ok, lay-by on A617 it is, looking forward to it! All we need now is some half decent weather, especially as I still haven't managed to find some decent waterproof boots yet! Think I'll have to go for some A/Stars ones from work that I don't really like. Ah, well, better than what I'm using now. Yeah, stuff it, I'll use this trip as the excuse to finish kitting out, so I'll get some textile trousers too.
See you Sunday!
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Sounds like a plan is in place, hope the weather is kind to us ;)
Will pm you my mobile number before Sunday :)
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:thumbup
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Seem to remember on the North West Foccers Scottish raids a few years back (2007/2008) clocking up about 430ish miles in a day
:thumbup
Maybe not a recreational ride but still quite a feat - one of my old mates once did Monaco to Stafford - something like 1000 miles in 16 hrs only stopping for fuel (and ferry) :\ - on a CBR1000F with his mate on a I think an FZ750
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Sounds like a plan is in place, hope the weather is kind to us ;)
Will pm you my mobile number before Sunday :)
Met Office seem to be slowly improving their view of Sunday's forecast :)
That'll be because today I splashed (another crappy pun :rolleyes ) out on some textile w/proof trousers (Ixon) and supposedly w/proof boots (Oxford - not my first choice, but we seem to be almost out of A/Stars touring-style boots at the mo'). So I guess I won't be needing those!
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Just checked the weather forecast Nick, sunny but cooler (13-14 degrees) so looking good for tomorrow :thumbup
PM sent with Mobile number, see you tomorrow :)
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I may actually be a woman. :eek
I noticed that this morning, despite it being warm in the sunshine, there's been a bit of a chill in the breeze. So I'm thinking, for an early start for Chesterfield and the ride tomorrow, what to wear? Warm clothes with removable liners? Then I can take the liners out during the day if it warms up later. But then, what luggage to carry to put them in, tail pack with the straps - or maybe bungees, or tank bag, or just a rucksack? Cargo net maybe? Which gloves, summer or winter? Or if I've got luggage, maybe both?
And work want me to test out a strap-on leg bag that I've been avoiding - it looks a bit gay. Apparently they're popular with ze Germans, but then, so were Hitler and lederhosen!
Oh well, at least I've got a handbag that'll go with most anything :\ :lol
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Oh Foc, you're really called Nicola and you're bringing a strap-on :eek
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:rollin
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Oh Foc, you're really called Nicola and you're bringing a strap-on :eek
Ugliest Nicola I've ever seen then!! :lol :lol :lol
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Heading north shortly, see you guys hopefully about 10:30 ish, will call when about half hour out. :)
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Going by the temp last Sunday,=7 degrees, i got frostbite,wore my summer gloves, bloody freezing..should of worn my winter gloves, i did though wear an under layer thank god..
So wrap up warm chaps,,its cold on the bike,,Have a nice day :D
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Nice ride out today with Nick and Andy, thanks for the company and hope you both enjoyed the route :)
The weather was very kind to us too :)
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Where did you go ???
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Where did you go ???
We did about 110 miles to get from Chesterfield to Matlock Bath, I have a crap sense of direction :lol
Will try to put the route up later ;)
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Hopefully, here's the route
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Back at about 7:30pm. Cracking route Steve, thoroughly enjoyed it. Many thanks for that, and thanks to Andy (andybesy) for joining us. So 2 out of 3 knew where we were at any given time (so where are we now Steve? :lol ), cos focced if I had a clue most of the time! Snake Pass was just as I remembered it, pity we were dogged by that blue Volvo thingy (just proving again that blue = slow! :rollin ). Speed cameras (average) on the Cat & Fiddle is scandalous - string those responsible up by the knackers I say :2guns As you said Steve, much of it too tight to go really fast anyway.
Surprisingly, only 371 miles covered today, so Peaks area is another great biking region well within my reach for a good day out now, too. :)
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1. Ba*****s! (No, not the cyclists!)
2. Dodgy Foccers...
3. Didn't have a beer unfortunately... :eek
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Glad you enjoyed it Nick :)
Gonna fit Blue Volvo 4x4 seeking missiles to my bike, bloody annoying thing :lol
You made good time getting home, take it you stuck mainly to motorway?
Can you spot my glasses anywhere on that pic at the Cat & Fiddle? :lol
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Was falling asleep on the M1 Steve, so I went as far as Daventry and back by A361 again. Took it fairly easy on the twisty bits, concentration woke me up nicely, it's also a much more direct route than other options.
Poor Triumph design - fancy putting a glasses holder inside the fairing like that! :lol
Take a peek outside your window - is that bloody Volvo there? :eek
Home ok Andy?
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Yes, when you're tired it's a difficult choice I suppose between the monotony of a motorway or the more demanding A roads, glad that you made it back safely though ;)
I'll be on to the designers at Triumph tomorrow, need holder for glasses in a more convenient place where -
A - I can see them without my glasses on
B - I don't have to be double jointed to retrieve them
C - They won't melt whilst I'm retrieving them
I'll be having Volvo related nightmares later I reckon :lol
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Yup home ok in time for a Quick sleep and now at pub :D
Will post photos in morning
Good to meet you both was a fun day
thanks for the invite nick and good work on the route and leading the ride Steve very professional
:)
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I Live near Newcastle upon Tyne and my recreational rides either go in the Whitby direction, lake district or Scotland. All A and B roads.
Usually about 150 to 200 miles.
However today I went to the Falkirk Wheel 345 miles round trip, my longest day.(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/09/jyvyruze.jpg)
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Yup home ok in time for a Quick sleep and now at pub :D
Will post photos in morning
Good to meet you both was a fun day
thanks for the invite nick and good work on the route and leading the ride Steve very professional
:)
Good to meet you Andy, glad you enjoyed the route :)
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Yup home ok in time for a Quick sleep and now at pub :D
Will post photos in morning
Good to meet you both was a fun day
thanks for the invite nick and good work on the route and leading the ride Steve very professional
:)
Good to meet you Andy, glad you enjoyed the route :)
Glad you could come along, and good to meet you - til the next one :thumbup
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Not come out great but here goes anyway!
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Nick, you should call your bike "the TARDIS" , it seems to travel in time
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Nick, you should call your bike "the TARDIS" , it seems to travel in time
How so?