Good for everything except riding !!!!

Excellent

27 Sep 14

27 Sep 14

Sitting in a field with hundreds of 4x4 vehicles of all shape and sizes -pictures later - and quite a few motorcycles too. It's the annual Adventure Overland show at Stratford-upon-Avon racecourse.


I arrived last evening and cooked supper then met up the some bikers for a drink in the beer tent... There was some great music but by 10pm I had had enough and it was getting cold. Had a good nights sleep but the air mat deflated in the night so I will have to see if it has another puncture.

Yesterday evening we watched a Hugh hot air ballon lift off from the field next door and yet another one went off this morning.....

Breakfast done and now time to check the air bed.... I opened the top box and the petrol stove had leaked so everything in there smells of petrol ..... Oh F*******ing joy.....

 

It's too early to start wandering around the site but I will let the world wake up first...

A good night at the White Horse Edwardstone.......

Graham Field aka Flid http://grahamfield.co.uk/

                          Nathan Millward aka the Postman  http://www.thepostman.org.uk/

...an excellent night

After the stop at South Mimms, Mugabe and I continued on until leaving the M25 and riding through Epping Forrest and all minor roads... Then it struck me ..... Did I pack the wash kit !!!!! Bugger I did not... So I stopped off at Braintree to resolve the issue ..... Into the pound shop sorted the toothpaste and brush .... Now for the towel.... Have you ever tried to purchase a towel in Essex at 4 in the afternoon... I will resist the temptation to discuss the washing habits of the locals... But it was not easy... But finally the Sue Ryder shop came to my rescue.. £1.50 and I'm sorted with a bright pink towel ?????

We found the camp site at the White Horse pub and after putting up the tent .... Off the the bar where I met with Graham Field and Nathan Millward and a few others for a beer or two... What a good crowd of people... Great fun....

The time now is 10 ish and it is time for bed..... Hopefully a good nights' sleep.....

.... South Mimms !!!!!

Sitting at South Mimms Services having a tea break..... En route to the Adventure Bike Shop open day tomorrow. Camping nearby tonight.....


Adventure before Dementia !

Happy Birthday Nigel.....

ZEN ... Sunday morning

Hi - I started this at 6am - bloody cold last night - I ran out of clothes to put on - up at 5.30 and had a cold(ish) shower - I thought it best....

Now waiting for the kettle to boil and then the creamy rice pudding ! It's all that was left....     Might stop for fish and chips on the way home.

Having problems tryping as fingers are so cold. Very clear morning here - cows on one side and sheep on the other...... I could still hear the girls in the next field singing at 5 this morning !!!! Hardy stuff that..     Once we moved away from the fire last night it was so cold, so a quick dash via the nearest port-a-loo and the into the sleeping bag - still cold.

Break now for tea and rice......

People are start to stir now - otherwise it's very quiet..... More tea needed .....

Zen and the Art of Cider

In the heart of Somerset at the Zen Overland meeting. Cold and a bit windy..... Mick and Ted trying to fix a Coleman Stove - failed.

Looks like it's going to rain soon - so I will have to retire to the bar !!!!

At ATFF in Sherborne Dorset

The legends that are Mick O'Malley and Sam Manicom

Very lazy of me not to update this - but I was having such a good time - lots to do - looks to see.  Another brilliant event - thanks Lois and Austin.... and thanks to Mick for being such great company..

 

 

.. And there's not much more...

... Not a lot to report this week.  Mugabe has now been serviced and thankfully not too much wrong with it... just a few minor issues with fiddly bits (aka engine stuff).  Next item is the MOT - fingers crossed for that.  I have now managed to get in touch with a short-legged XRV750 rider that would benefit from my lowered Corbin Seat that I don't want.   He is going to send his by post and we will swap it.

Planning for the Oz trip with Debs goes on but so does the planning for USA in 2016/17.... in between I have to sort out a trip to Morocco with Dave but that might end up as a fly-ride type visit..

I still have a couple of events this year to attend - there is the Adventure Travel Film Festival in August at Sherborne and the following weekend is the "ZEN and the art of Cider" in Somerset.
There is also the Adventure Overland Event at Stratford-upon-Avon in late September but also the HUBB Mini meet in Cumbria but I am not sure that I have the holiday-time left for that - and it's a long way just for a weekend.   God I wish I could retire soon.   Mind you I should try to avoid the "too" commercial and too BIG events.  

Of course there is also the Auto-jumble at Beaulieu soon and lastly the Motorcycle Show at the NEC in December !!!

63 years old in September - bugger...

I am still reading loads of books - and have just started on Graham Field's "Ureka" - which is really rather good and I am really enjoying it...  I must get my Reading/Read list up-to-date....




Now does my bum look big in this !!! 2ltr Turbo charged VW engine !!

Best get back to work I suppose....

...and after the show...

… Now back to work…  It’s amazing how much work builds up on your desk when your away for such a relatively short time.  God know what will happen when I disappear off the Australia in October for three weeks – best not think about the coming back!
Time to reflect on the visit to HUBB UK 2014…  I love the location at Donnington – even with the aeroplanes;  I used to live in Old Windsor so I’m sort of used to it…  It was great to meet up the old friends and make new ones – especially those who have been fortunate enough to break away from the daily grid of work and actually go somewhere… I am just so envious.   I know that I could just jump on the bike go but having worked my way into a corner of dependency of Mortgage / Loans and all the other dependencies that go with living and families, it will take some planning to just do it – a sort of planned spontaneity….   Having spoken to Ian Coates and his advice was don’t wait get of bike and just go…. Today…   I wish…. But such a nice chap – very down to earth and straight talking.. 

 

 

Ian Coates - and inspiration to all.... and such a nice chap

I did not attend as many presentations as before although I did do the IT for some very good speakers…  I just took the opportunity to chill and wander more this time.   All the kit worked well and even the expensive Ex-Ped air mat stayed inflated for most of the time – even after my repairs..  I didn’t take the trusted frying pan this time and was relying on the lightweight one – total disaster – so either back to the pukka pan or take porridge next time – too much bloody hassle with a cooked breakfast.   The 2-man Coleman Phad x2 tent was fine and I will look at getting a lightweight tarp.

Somehow it just felt so right being back on the XRV – such a joy and I am getting about 58 miles to the gallon….  I must organise the MOT for next month and keep dreaming of the big one --- on 30 months to go……  PS the beard had to go.... ah well

 





Well I think it suits me !!!

HUBB UK 2014 Friday

3pm in the field... I spent most of yesterday afternoon doing IT support... But a couple of presenters were held up on the M1 as that was apparently closed at some point. Then another gathering in the bar for a couple lemonades... Before an early(ish) night - honest. David, Ruin, Stuart, Trevor & Lesley from SAM arrived in the afternoon.

The sun is shining but still a little cool at times.... Lots of cups of tea, a few presentations and lots of chatting about Morocco and trip planning for 2015 and 2016.. I must remember to join the HU Community for Australia as I believe there maybe a meeting near Brisbane in October ! And all the time feeling so good about changing back to the Africa Twin... Although I do need to sort out the Corbin Low Seat... There are at least 4 other XRV's in the field - they might just notice that their taller seat has disappeared..!

There are still people arriving and I suppose that Saturday is the main day... Maybe too many big Overlander trucks for my taste. More pictures to follow.... Chat later.

HUBB UK 2014 ... Thursday

Dear diary,

We'll it is now 6.30 on Wednesday morning... Got up about 5.30 and hit the showers before the rush .... Now that does feel better... It was a busy day yesterday with putting up marquees, shifting tables and chair, installing lights in tents, and putting up signage - oh so much signage....  But the sun came out and it was so warm - excellent...

All was ready and Grant and Sue we're due arrival at about 5pm - they had been 'escorted' a whole collection of riders once they arrived at Dover.   I believe they got a little "mis-placed" somewhere.near Loughborough and finally arrive in glorious sunshine at 6.15pm....
And as is traditional Mick and I retired to the bar for a night cap ..... reminds me of Waldorf and Statler......

So sitting here having a quiet cuppa - well as quiet as it can be under the flight path of the East Midlands Airport - just waiting for the camp shop to open to pick up some eggs and bread for breakfast.    It's a little chilly this morning but the sky is clear and it promises to be a good one.

David is due to arrive this afternoon, which is good as the field is gOing to fill up quickly as the people arrive for the start of the event at 1200 noon.    I have pulled at long shift on duty this afternoon (4pm to 11pm) but at least I get a front seat.

All in all a good trip so far - Mugabe behaved itself on the way up, and it was nice to ride sedately again, the kit is working well, as even the air-stayed inflated after my effort to repair it,  and lastly the new panniers were excellent.   I still have to find someone with a similar bike and sort legs so that I can broker a deal/exchange for my current lower seat.

It is now nearly 7am and the shop is about to open.... Breakfast awaits......  Note yesterday's offering was MOD compo beans and potato circa 2006.....

L8ter

HUBB UK 2014

Hi each,

We made steady progress from Southampton to Donnington. Just a couple stops for a cuppa at Oxford and then a pee break somewhere awful ... Thank god for McDonalds LOL.

Arrived at about 4pm and pitched the tent and immediately helped put up a marque... And more of that tomorrow. Met up with some old friends, Mick O'Malley, Sam Manicom, Ian Harper and many more. It is such a great feeling to meet people that are pleased to see you and know your name... I don't always get that even at work !!!!

... And ended up in Glocester in a shower of rain

 

Left the Honey cafe in cloud and rode through Brecon and Sennybridge and dropped in at the West End cafe in Llandovery for a cuppa .... The last time I went there with William it poured down with rain too !! The staff are still a happy bunch....... When I left it was a over the hills into the Brecon Beacons proper.... And what a a view from the top ... Excellent

 

On the way off the mountain .... The speedo packed in - which is exactly a what Mugabe One did way back when nearly 6 years ago....... Passed through Gurnos but thought better of stopping at Touratech...

We then motored over the Brecon's again and through a few rain storms... Before stopping at Abergavenny for a drink.... Then off the Gloucester and the Red Lion pub and camping caravan site.. A beautiful spot by the river but still the black clouds are following me.... Having cooked supper of Army compo rations circa 2006.  Then off to have a hot shower I between the rain showers - so I have taken shelter in the pub......... Until tomorrow then

... It's raining so it must be Wales....

 

Stopped and had breakfast at the Honey Cafe... Excellent and so quiet and peaceful ... Just lots of birds looking for tit-bits and a great view of the Black Mountains.... Then rode on through the heaven rain to Llandovery for yet another cup of hot tea..... Now off the the Brecon Beacons in the rain !!!!!.

.... Now that's what I call a storm......

... Set off from work just after 4pm and pottered through Salisbury, Devizes, Chepstow and finally Abergavenny and Pandy (the Rising Sun pub and campsite to be exact). Mugabe ticked alone well and appeared to enjoy it's being ridden rather than parked up.. Note: it had only done less than 1000 miles in the last 4 years..

I enjoyed a couple of largess and turned in early, only to be awoken by the 'crack of doom' from a thunder storm and very heavy rain at 4am. All still dry inside... and it is now 6.30am and I am already showered and ready to go once it has stopped raining!!!!

The plan is to ride to the Honey Cafe about 10 miles north of here and then to zig zag over the Brecon Beacons. Then stop for a cuppa at Llandovery before escaping from Wales and heading for Herefordshire...

And there's more.....

Well readers - it's running well....  Planning for a good service as I am not sure when it last had one.  Today it reached 46000 miles....

So in the last week I have replaced the Headed Grip controller, sorted out some of the electrics, installed the Autocom, power for the Satnav, added mudflap fore and aft, had the bash plate sand-blasted as it looks better in natural aluminium and finally a Baglux Tank cover. Just a taller screen and it's sorted.

... and it now looks like this...

 

And so.. by way of the test we, that is Mr Mugabe and I, are off the Wales and Herefordshire tomorrow for the weekend.... just when the weather is promising to be awful....  Ah well, a good time to test the tent and the Adventure Spec Magadan panniers too.   Still need to change that saddle for a genuine on...

 

I will keep you updated en route....  N

He's Only Gone and Done it Again.........

Hi...  It's Tuesday afternoon and I'm a working... bugger...  but the good news that I have taken the plunge  - again. 

Three years ago I foolishly sold my XRV750 Africa Twin for a handful of coins .....  As it left my drive I knew it was the wrong thing to have done but with a 55 plate BMW R1200GS already in the garage I thought I would be OK. And so for 3 years I have lamented the sale of the Africa Twin  - aka Mr Mugabe (a black African!) - I would say that the BMW has been great - we have ridden nearly 53,000 together in just 3 years - we have been to twice to Croatia and Slovenia.  We have been to Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Germany, Andorra, Italy and little Luxembourg.

... and so having moaned about it for 3 years I have decided to do something about it - and later today I will be driving down to Bristol to collect another Black African Twin (1997) (Mugabe II).  Special thanks to my Mum for lending my to cash until I can sell the BMW.

The BMW is on EBay to start with and I have already had 3 silly questions about the price... just bid and it's could be yours.....

one like this .........

It's nearly May.....

.. Time passes;  so I thought I better put something here..

As I ride all year round, I get slightly miffed when I hear that it is the "start of the riding season" - where were you when it was raining and so bloody cold...   Missing it that's where!!

At present I feel that I need to get out and about again with the tent and as I am going to miss any long trips on the bike this year as I am being required to do a visit to Oz for our 25th wedding anniversary year.  So I am planning the following:

30 -   1 Jun   - Wales & Herefordshire

18 - 22 Jun    - HUBB UK at Donnington
13 - 17 Aug   -  Adventure Travel Film Festival in Sherborne Dorset
22 - 23 Aug   -  ZEN and the art of Cider in Somerset (ZEN Overland)
20 - 21 Sep   -  HUBBUK Mini Meet at Haggs Bank (possibly)

The mind still wanders off into the bigger trips - Morocco in 2015 and the USA in 2016.
Just enough to keep me going and coming to work every day to pay for it....

Later ....

 

 

Mendip Moto Madness March 14

The week saw the start of the “gatherings” with the March Moto Madness event at Fernhill Farm near Cheddar.   Organised by Tiffany Coates and the attendance was small but still good fun.  Although the rain on the Friday night may have put off some of the less hardy riders.  Whilst the camp site was reasonably full with about 20 attendees, we did have the use of a room in the barn and that had some facilities, notably a wood burning stove and a kettle.   On Saturday morning there was a Breakfast and road ride-out and later Gabe Bolton lead an off-road ride-out.

On the Saturday night half the campers sat around a camp fire and partook on copious amounts of Cider and a few bottle of Jim Beam (so I am told).  

The Sunday had glorious sunshine and an early start for me lead to a very long, sedate and pleasurable ride home….

 

A good weekend all in all

 

Adventure Bike day at the Ace Cafe




Cheer up Mick - it wasn't that expensive !

Saturday 23rd March - Adventure Bike Day at the Ace Cafe - London.


Lovely XRV750

 

Another excellent day out, albeit a bit cold.  Met up with Mick O'Mally, Sam and Birgit, Ian Harper, Austin Vince and Dom Giles.   Watched enviously as Steph set off on her RTW trip on the Honda 250

Saw so many bikes and I believe that some of them even go places !!!



.


 





Sad but true.....

Having read about the fatal crash on the A31 this week in which a motorcyclist hit a horse and died and another biker is seriously ill - and in the knowledge that I have travelled that road every work day for the passed 13 years. In fact I was on the A31 that night but was turned off just minutes before the incident happened - "there but for the Grace of God go I....."

I try not to get too philosophical about life, death and motorcycling but the thought that if I had not turned off that night, I too would have filtered to the front of the traffic and could have been sat with the other two guys.

Life on a bike is risky and you do what you can to minimise those risks but somethings you just can't factor in - New Forrest ponies on a Dual Carriageway declared "OK" by police is one of them. Hence being a member of the IAM.

I have, for years been thinking about, talking about and planning for my retirement at about 65 and about taking the trip of a lifetime but ....... will I still be well enough or even alive to enjoy it !!!! I bet the biker that died had plans too.

So what's to be done ? Enjoy every day as if it was your last - or is that too is risky..... Keep planning - oh yes ! Get fit, lose a few pounds - possibly ! Stop biking - definitely not....... RIP Biker who ever you were. N