| Author | Message | ||
     12r |
I had a great ride out at the weekend through our English Peak District on one of my favourite routes. The weather was exceptionally good and the traffic was fairly light now that the holiday season is over. There were some great bikes along the way. First off was a brand-new Ultra Classic Electra Glide in blue and ivory which looked absolutely amazing bowling through some leafy lanes with the sun glinting on that hexavalent chrome. I even slowed down as I overtook him to get a better look. Next was Valentino Rossi  on a Nastro Azzurro CBR600 who was going quite well but was a little hesitant, so I passed him when it was appropriate. It then went fairly quiet until I was overtaken on some fast sweepers with sniper-like accuracy at warp factor 10 by a Repsol Fireblade and (I think) an 02 R1. These guys were going really well and my last sight of them was the guy on the R1 hanging right off in perfect style as he rounded a left-hander. I picked off a few more Japanese do-it-all bikes and a couple of BMWs after this, but then I got mugged going into a right-hander by a gnome on an elderly GSX-R something-or-other. He was wearing ancient black leathers with a huge 'Bell helmets' logo on the back and was riding like he was indestructible. After this I settled in behind a bright orange Laverda Jota that I expected to fire off into the distance but it didn't, and as I passed it looked so clean it must've been restored. I have fond memories of a test ride on a Jota (and a Mirage) back in the early 80s but now I think these machines would struggle against even the most average sportsbike. I got home and spent a rewarding 30 minutes removing the patina of insects from my Firebolt before moving it to a prime position in the garden where I could admire it's lines over a cup of tea and some cake. Same again, please. | ||
| Blackxb9 |
Great story! Thanks for sharing. | ||
| Brineusaf |
Great story | ||
| Alanshouse |
No action like that around here. Guess I will just have to continue visualizing off vivid stories like this one. Thank you. | ||
| Xring |
Excellent story. I had a great ride with a couple of friends. Me on my 9S, them on a 2005 Dyna and a newish Gold Wing. We rode the Blue Ridge Parkway from Vesuvius to Roanoke on Saturday (1/2 day - I had a 5K that morning); then Sunday morning on south to about 30 miles south of Wytheville, VA; before turning back and taking Interstate 77 home. 510 miles total. My friends wanted me to lead on the BRP; later, they were like "Gee, you don't slow down for the curves at all, do you?". Huh? We were only going 45mph. We wanted to travel conservatively (i.e. no tickets) or I would have speeded up for corners. My bike consistently got 65-70 mpg; they were getting mid 40's. Saw lots of bikes, about 90% cruisers, of those probably 90% HD's. Saw one cool older Guzzi, belonged to a local near our access road from Vesuvius to the Parkway. No Buells sighted. Weather on the Parkway was very nice. I wore a mesh jacket all day Saturday, and short gloves. Sunday morning put on a sweatshirt under the mesh and stayed comfortable. This was my first trip wearing my Axio backpack as my only luggage. It worked great; not the most spacious backpack, but it is what I have, and I could fit in a complete change of clothes and heavy gloves; and a book to read at night. I worried it might wear on my lower back, but the only detriment I could tell was the extra weight increased seat discomfort a bit. We went about 100 miles between gas/rest stops, so it really wasn't a problem. I'm hoping for a longer BRP ride later in the autumn. Maybe down to Deal's Gap again. Bill | ||
| Hdbobwithabuell |
Great story but when I finished reading it, I looked around and was still at work. DAMN! Time to sneak out for a lunch time ride. |
