tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42097526066476042772024-02-20T12:28:43.684-08:00MotorCycle BlogSpot 83Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-6376397929429950852016-05-24T13:25:00.002-07:002016-05-24T13:26:33.749-07:00St. Albans Club Ride Out: We Like Market Harborough....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNe_s7pJfbCbvrUSa8RCjHZV4pwQcBnUqMrK5-iPce0JGUPmrZwGCoweRm3Evup2mpsbQ1a1oSI6v1v3ckC9WjZ_KeGDBvoxFBkZGt2346stJiOFk0U6_1sPPId_eVKisCiVBLWaUwr4MY/s1600/DSC_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNe_s7pJfbCbvrUSa8RCjHZV4pwQcBnUqMrK5-iPce0JGUPmrZwGCoweRm3Evup2mpsbQ1a1oSI6v1v3ckC9WjZ_KeGDBvoxFBkZGt2346stJiOFk0U6_1sPPId_eVKisCiVBLWaUwr4MY/s640/DSC_0089.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Sunday, 8th May 2016</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Distance: </b>250 miles approximately</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">Riding Time: </b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">6 hours 52 minutes</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Best Roads: </b>B664 - Uppingham - Market Harborough, B6047 - Market Harborough - Melton Mowbray</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hi all! Wow its been a long time since I have been on a proper good ride out. Had a great bunch of guys to ride with today complimented by hot and dry weather.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, first dilemma - what to wear? Full leathers or leathers and jeans? The original plan was to ride from Uppingham to Market Harborough and then whip westbound across the country to Tewksbury near Cheltenham for a proper Sunday roast, so it was going to be a full day of riding. Due to the expected temperatures and the length of riding, I opted for my Sartso Killer bike jeans and leather jacket. I also brought my HJC helmet with drop down sun visor - it was going to be bright.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I turned up at The Chequers in Redbourn at 7.30am to meet everyone....half an hour earlier than the arranged time (couldn't sleep the night before....). We left the Chequers just after 8am and headed towards our first stop - Uppingham. We flew up the M1, coming off at Junction 15, which is the A45 eastbound at Northampton. I think Carl got confused at one point as he almost came off too early but came back onto the A45 which we followed as far as the big roundabout. We went past a police van on top of the bridge but hopefully it wasn't facing behind us! </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPG6J2OgGQfclw6vMmmITz_KqHrSA_xK4JjowChjz3oVoUbyuB27-s4cqJ81HACiw29hLdq7C3BdSROWidj0QB38juv4B0MIFpZHP_ypG6uNg45OOYJDl3G3M4YwQtCSkVfu2iqtbSCFzW/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPG6J2OgGQfclw6vMmmITz_KqHrSA_xK4JjowChjz3oVoUbyuB27-s4cqJ81HACiw29hLdq7C3BdSROWidj0QB38juv4B0MIFpZHP_ypG6uNg45OOYJDl3G3M4YwQtCSkVfu2iqtbSCFzW/s320/DSC_0092.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next Carl decided to play roundabouts as he got a bit confused where the A45 meets the A509. We took the minor turning into a residential area, turned around and came back on ourselves to take the correct turning onto the A509. I knew the "Prez" wasn't always fantastic with directions, but today he was using a sat nav... not sure if that helped much! I can't say too much though as when we went eastbound onto the A14 the guys came off one of the slip roads and I was too far over to follow them so had to continue onto the A14. I did find it a bit odd as I thought they had come off a junction too early. They rejoined me on the A14 and we came off at the next slip road, which also happened to be the A6003 - the road I assumed Carl was actually looking for! After a bit of discussing (and general confusion) we carried on the A6003 to Uppingham. The A6003 is a nice open road with easy bends. However, it is a busy road and we were stuck behind a BP tanker all the way into Uppingham. We arrived at the Harley Davidson garage at around 9.30am, had a break, wiped our visors and used the facilities. We discussed our next move - ride the B664 to Market Harborough and stop at Sainsbury's for petrol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The B664 is a fantastic road. There are many tight bends, including a few 90 degree ones, varying sweeping gradients and small villages. Just as we were enjoying the road however we were presented by a road closed sign. The diversion signs were telling us to head back, but there was a small lane to the left just before the sign.<br /><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m0!3m2!1sen!2suk!4v1464121269732!6m8!1m7!1s5-fzenh_m6OgwzlQ1c7HlA!2m2!1d52.54737185175418!2d-0.7941452786251395!3f205.25841802010734!4f-18.212484779867992!5f0.7820865974627469" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe><br /><br />I said to Carl maybe we could pull over on that road and take a look at the map and see if we can find an alternative way round. Instead of pulling over, Carl just kept going! So we all followed and luckily it took us back onto the B664 further ahead, past the closed off section. There was a small bridge at some point around here, to which I might have taken a little quickly and gone a little airborne (to which I may have sweared a little in surprise...). We carried on, heading into Market Harborough for petrol and then took the A4304 to find the A5199 heading back down to Northampton. I was leading along the A4304 at this point and as I was over taking several cars I head this zzzoooooooooommm noise flying right past me. I am assuming Carl wanted to see what his new GSXR was capable of!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIEUCgJElwLSWC7aznf1muNx-AkkYmrKre-3y2TzKzRAu-5jnutS-cfVgSG0BeWw6OtnPs_qDLhEWDlccIxMU3epYSKpPo4LlhppF9CD6hfq5vrqf1ky7ifkNWnOslekE7_SvQ2y7Axsg/s1600/DSC_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIEUCgJElwLSWC7aznf1muNx-AkkYmrKre-3y2TzKzRAu-5jnutS-cfVgSG0BeWw6OtnPs_qDLhEWDlccIxMU3epYSKpPo4LlhppF9CD6hfq5vrqf1ky7ifkNWnOslekE7_SvQ2y7Axsg/s320/DSC_0094.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The A5199 is also a great road, more open with sweeping bends open straights. We got into Northampton and stopped at the ice cream place at the end of the A5199 in Kingsthorpe. It was a pretty hot day, so figured it was a great way to cool down. It was around midday at this point and our original destination was a pub in Tewksbury for Sunday roast. However, we figured it would be a bit too far and we could potentially miss lunch anyway and so I suggested the B6047 towards Melton Mowbray and then we could head back through Northampton and make some suggestions afterwards. So we headed back up the A5199 to the A4304 (much to the request of Carl and co.) and back to Market Harborough, this time taking the one way system round to the left and onto the B6047.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1qkRNU4ZRKrwnru1ueQF3gdm5MTwlcNkbDa7pHKOzsuBaT4UlnDbzXmJQ6FVgvAwiy1XaTFWB1JcxrzXU9-Z7ifR29RGtNIn1g_5CrA-GC5ndCJptHAO1zv7wcpacruyM9w7t5TGx_FO/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1qkRNU4ZRKrwnru1ueQF3gdm5MTwlcNkbDa7pHKOzsuBaT4UlnDbzXmJQ6FVgvAwiy1XaTFWB1JcxrzXU9-Z7ifR29RGtNIn1g_5CrA-GC5ndCJptHAO1zv7wcpacruyM9w7t5TGx_FO/s320/DSC_0095.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The B6047 is a great road and many parts of it state 50 mph limits for a reason. I had however forgotten about the almost vertical drop where the g-force pushes you into the tank as you come back up (this really only happens northbound and is almost non-existent in the other direction). It has a little bit of everything this road, and you need to be on alert the whole time you are riding it. We crossed the A47, continuing on the B664 to Great Dalby where we stopped for our Sunday lunch. It was a deserved break from some challenging roads, which is not to say it wasn't great fun also.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our route back was back down the B6047 to Market Harborough (a place we might as well call our second home at this point...) and the A508 to Northampton. The A508 is pretty good for a larger A road, but a lot more straight than the A5199. We refuelled in Kingsthorpe and split at the M1 where Tom and Carl headed home and I headed over to Winslow with Andy, via the A422 and A413.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zYiLCaU3FwFPlMMJeTS80qofVTKzPpqNwBVQnd9wyeVI3fZm0sMIDC313weySH5vozx0U6QIBLS77_PdGBdYNQlOj6Ybd1GLXR7fNt1ec8QMBFHcmX6uQfSqx9zPUERXFwV2zaDhgUuV/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-05-08+at+20.21.27.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zYiLCaU3FwFPlMMJeTS80qofVTKzPpqNwBVQnd9wyeVI3fZm0sMIDC313weySH5vozx0U6QIBLS77_PdGBdYNQlOj6Ybd1GLXR7fNt1ec8QMBFHcmX6uQfSqx9zPUERXFwV2zaDhgUuV/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-05-08+at+20.21.27.png" width="529" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">GPX, KML and KMZ files for Satellite Navigation systems of our ride can be uploaded/sent on </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">request</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Any comments, questions or suggestions on other great roads we may have missed please leave in the comments below!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-13047636101243885352016-04-01T09:08:00.000-07:002016-04-01T09:08:06.672-07:00Small Ride to Dennington, Suffolk<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrh2mvbHfaXFWeHnxaY9ISnM7OnGV9_FQ2rfseNDBG2RYbZX8E3E5-mK1Z1avVh0tpOcmDfi5BELoPZI8c3gbD9QfpUbko607ACd45HR_wfjWhqfBtCqzaG7ClNPPFSrjuu_17-gWN8w2/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrh2mvbHfaXFWeHnxaY9ISnM7OnGV9_FQ2rfseNDBG2RYbZX8E3E5-mK1Z1avVh0tpOcmDfi5BELoPZI8c3gbD9QfpUbko607ACd45HR_wfjWhqfBtCqzaG7ClNPPFSrjuu_17-gWN8w2/s640/DSC_0014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Good Friday, 25th March 2016</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Luton - Dennington - 125 miles approx. 3 hours.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heading to my friend Sam's for the day I faced the decision of how to get there - car, bus, train, aeroplane, hovercraft, jet pack or motorcycle. It was a lovely sunny day (unlike the rest of the week), albeit a little cold so of course motorcycle was chosen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next - which motorcycle. Well, Emma's SV650 is in the garage and my SV650 has been written off.... better take the 954 Fireblade then. So the day before I got myself sorted - cleaned the bike, checked the brakes, oil, lights, tyre pressures, chain oil and fuel. Tyres were a little low as well as the scottoiler so sorted that out and then all set.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaY4qSA94PWMhj5qTrW_ZmzTkvODh3xk9t16_sfCoQ-4rZECyWmnmSBeu9hj6QNPE4sIhXpMHhfIC4-1-dzhRVkIWMWcoL7rWRzaXdo8RLckjZ3BHrTo0ssWknqRDsaeB8gCUbQhmxxVc/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaY4qSA94PWMhj5qTrW_ZmzTkvODh3xk9t16_sfCoQ-4rZECyWmnmSBeu9hj6QNPE4sIhXpMHhfIC4-1-dzhRVkIWMWcoL7rWRzaXdo8RLckjZ3BHrTo0ssWknqRDsaeB8gCUbQhmxxVc/s320/DSC_0016.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next - which route to take. I had already decided that the best option was to take the (relatively) fast route to Braintree in Essex and then make up a fun route from there. This also allowed for a quick toilet break at the rest stop near Great Dunmow on the A120 should I need it (I did....). From Braintree I took the knowing A131 to Sudbury and entered unfamiliar territory from there, taking the A1071 into Ipswich. Quite a nice bendy road, however a bit rubbish with 4-wheeled vehicles in front as they tend to go a little bit slow, so if you do go that way make sure it is nice and early. You could also take the route that goes via Finchingfield and the famous bike meets that happen there, but I've done that route a few times so decided to try something new.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I topped up my fuel levels at the Tesco services off the A12 near the A14. From there I took the quick way east on the A14, over the Orwell Bridge (such a good view of the east coast around there) to continue up the A12. Having gone round several roundabouts and filtering past many caravans (I guess they were headed to Great Yarmouth or wherever for their Easter break) I took the exit to the B116 to Framlingham and Dennington,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was all OK, however next time I think a different route between Braintree and Dennington would be better to add more variety. If anyone has any suggestions please do say so in the comments below. Coming back I used the A1120 as suggested by Sam which takes me back to the A14 without going down to Ipswich and back up again. This was a good road, full of bends and small villages. However, it was pretty dark by then and so I couldn't really enjoy it as much as I perhaps could have in the day time. Would be good to try that route out again mixed in with some other smaller A and B roads.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It took me about 3 hours to get to Dennington from my home in Luton, including a rather slow petrol stop. Coming back mainly along the A14. A11 and A505 took just under 2 hours. There are plenty of decent roads around that way so make your own up and check out other suggestions on the <a href="http://bestbikingroads.com/">bestbikingroads.com</a> website. Below is an overview map of the route I took to Dennington.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTd5BUukM8W3XM8KKYBw9ttRWbWJmlT7V8T-LCASkC9XIch024lj-NXL3Y84e354PPw776_xpTXcF7rj5ppMhMivXzbS4Ndvjk3geM_c0fg6Ig65Ho7MO1lKAdHUG0XZ6KLRn9w_qL4NK_/s1600/2016-03-25_Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTd5BUukM8W3XM8KKYBw9ttRWbWJmlT7V8T-LCASkC9XIch024lj-NXL3Y84e354PPw776_xpTXcF7rj5ppMhMivXzbS4Ndvjk3geM_c0fg6Ig65Ho7MO1lKAdHUG0XZ6KLRn9w_qL4NK_/s640/2016-03-25_Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-2456964382622105762016-03-16T10:00:00.004-07:002016-03-16T10:00:58.034-07:00Goodbye SV - You Served Me Well<div style="line-height: normal;">
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">On the 14th January 2016 I was involved in a minor accident on the M1. Riding in the outside lane, in peak time traffic at a speed of around 40mph my surroundings were pretty congested. As you can imagine, there is a vehicle close in front and a vehicle close behind. A car from the lane left of me decided it would be a great idea to signal and move into my lane, which of course there was no room for him to do so as I was there. I tried to move my bike out the way, steering to my right, however I had nowhere to go and the bike </span><span style="font-family: "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;">went over on the right-hand side.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Co0FOLl-czmBNYV4AMGf-xYZeV6Ju7nrH_2zE_jboDCrB1DxqtY49eSk4bqYnaTV_-EyGGhWJlRixW2WaQijCMNG-0Jbr8zVKfEGItILSctli2HsHnpR2SKRjsLcK2MK930CuTLgdVRN/s1600/DSC_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Co0FOLl-czmBNYV4AMGf-xYZeV6Ju7nrH_2zE_jboDCrB1DxqtY49eSk4bqYnaTV_-EyGGhWJlRixW2WaQijCMNG-0Jbr8zVKfEGItILSctli2HsHnpR2SKRjsLcK2MK930CuTLgdVRN/s200/DSC_0255.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOo2wuV-ZJbiukA8L7XLe2Gy5FyLD3OGf7dDvax4CMa56BYIc3NqCZxvo5eC5fB-eXe4fXCF3L4k7LSZ74v5-JF5AB4Hw1f4UmcM8s9i6CPZDnaPxloYvKNV6HMtkUQwNfjvTeoWAohu9/s1600/DSC_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOo2wuV-ZJbiukA8L7XLe2Gy5FyLD3OGf7dDvax4CMa56BYIc3NqCZxvo5eC5fB-eXe4fXCF3L4k7LSZ74v5-JF5AB4Hw1f4UmcM8s9i6CPZDnaPxloYvKNV6HMtkUQwNfjvTeoWAohu9/s200/DSC_0252.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A few car drivers stopped to help me as the driver continued to drive away. A van driver blocked his path so that he could not escape the scene. The driver denied any wrong doing and the highway agency swapped insurance details between the parties whilst I was given details of three witnesses. I rode home, </span><span style="font-family: "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;">thinking<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> the bike was OK (it wasn't... I realised after I headed off that I had no rear brake pedal but hey minor problem...) and took pictures of the damage.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6LK1thPl5i-aWY4CTWRW_lqMgI80NQOSwYzMckd6K0Jpqc3vIn39xpU3kMr0-Pn2oH3bq0AsLB74mdDmR87_S3fnx8NWAs3h0H7wVggxIZkBv0epXVyyg8lTgCiqR_dN9ZapW_5_pEvE/s1600/DSC_0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6LK1thPl5i-aWY4CTWRW_lqMgI80NQOSwYzMckd6K0Jpqc3vIn39xpU3kMr0-Pn2oH3bq0AsLB74mdDmR87_S3fnx8NWAs3h0H7wVggxIZkBv0epXVyyg8lTgCiqR_dN9ZapW_5_pEvE/s200/DSC_0251.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRKFzvGk_hsRYvjEAV-B1QT5u-bMkbYLV89tvuZIlXS8Sfkojp8in2PTkyrMAkUxK8yQEn4hSNPRw6R4vSxl99wJoiZdVAJb4NXOK4ZTn6o4voC7dl-p5hcXC-z0Fu48SVB6wHNHSgsu4/s1600/DSC_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRKFzvGk_hsRYvjEAV-B1QT5u-bMkbYLV89tvuZIlXS8Sfkojp8in2PTkyrMAkUxK8yQEn4hSNPRw6R4vSxl99wJoiZdVAJb4NXOK4ZTn6o4voC7dl-p5hcXC-z0Fu48SVB6wHNHSgsu4/s200/DSC_0266.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">4th Dimension dealt with my case as my insurance cover was only TPF&T. They were really good actually. They came and collected the bike and took it to their workshop in Egham and on the same day I got a phone call asking what I wanted to do about the bike. The lower fairing panels were no longer available and if I wanted to the bike repaired I would have to do a compromise repair (due to the cosmetic damage mainly). I have had the bike for almost 5 years and put somewhere around 50,000 miles on it and so decided it would be better to have it written off.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JrpaWZlM9os/U1513OXWTBI/AAAAAAAABOc/RJ44yyjTrxsyrzjfyYkhH3N-KC6J-g9Pw/s1600/IMG_1713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JrpaWZlM9os/U1513OXWTBI/AAAAAAAABOc/RJ44yyjTrxsyrzjfyYkhH3N-KC6J-g9Pw/s320/IMG_1713.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Fortunately for me, the other side finally admitted liability (probably due to the amount of witnesses at the scene) and my bike now belongs to 4th Dimension. I actually got a decent value for my bike so I am pretty chuffed in that regard - but quite upset to part with it as it is the longest I have ever had a bike. It's been to Europe several times, with different people and been a rock solid commuter for almost 5 years. It is also the bike that was the catalyst for meeting my girlfriend (she is also an SV owner) and we've had a solid 4 year relationship.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial", "helvetica", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">So, farewell SV. I won't forget the memories that have been created because of you and will hang a (well cleaned) second number plate in my house in your honour. I hope that you are rebuilt and somebody else can you enjoy you like I have.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-71713018580434874062015-12-23T06:48:00.005-08:002015-12-23T06:48:51.259-08:00Product Review: Oxford Rain Seal Over Boots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEils3XEb84BtxBa4rA8zRZywqJEn3zkHNbUCWLqlUZTZJ0uEcZluvpqgIagWraotbHNvPFqtjY7MOHacn3eeTNs9nZOaLKenTLKKTRbRbCjNhdEzac9oVFBjmCyYBtWLTEPf7ckuykCxTpz/s1600/DSC_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEils3XEb84BtxBa4rA8zRZywqJEn3zkHNbUCWLqlUZTZJ0uEcZluvpqgIagWraotbHNvPFqtjY7MOHacn3eeTNs9nZOaLKenTLKKTRbRbCjNhdEzac9oVFBjmCyYBtWLTEPf7ckuykCxTpz/s400/DSC_0190.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 14px;">I own a pair of very worn out TCX goretex boots, which although have served me well for about 5 years, are no longer waterproof. Rather than getting rid of them I decided to try out Oxford's rain seal over boots for £19.99 to continue using my TCX boots at work - nobody wants to spend £200 on a new pair of boots only to get worn out running around training motorcycle students.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYle2TlOolQqbItQEb6U1_ejf-i6tw1opodBN74XpZsxb3K-wDCZg3tGKNlm5P2pkewwQtfaNwDMn-y8rMJvvJavGEX6sLNK_pWATZfuIU9BgEd6ag9_WAmgxB4cfqp6_HG0aC0_hOFuKg/s1600/DSC_0191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYle2TlOolQqbItQEb6U1_ejf-i6tw1opodBN74XpZsxb3K-wDCZg3tGKNlm5P2pkewwQtfaNwDMn-y8rMJvvJavGEX6sLNK_pWATZfuIU9BgEd6ag9_WAmgxB4cfqp6_HG0aC0_hOFuKg/s200/DSC_0191.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGl7i10lHtjjWjjAWQMF_ztmS-Oi7MswYdclggUQXqx42W6zTDXHlsKnEcO-kQwLWiprN0NRRe95YlxbKdGrD6TgfRBMKMyGtdRibmPKQNPSP7Viv8nCQSYFmgcyjCzjcP-GiIE8c1btYc/s1600/DSC_0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGl7i10lHtjjWjjAWQMF_ztmS-Oi7MswYdclggUQXqx42W6zTDXHlsKnEcO-kQwLWiprN0NRRe95YlxbKdGrD6TgfRBMKMyGtdRibmPKQNPSP7Viv8nCQSYFmgcyjCzjcP-GiIE8c1btYc/s200/DSC_0192.JPG" width="112" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 14px;">First thing to note is that my TCX boots are EUR size 44, so I ordered Oxford size L - which are good for sizes 44 - 47. The size that turned up was XL but according to the over boots are for sizes 44 - 47 - a false item description somewhere. However, they do fit, with a fair bit of wiggle room. You just pop your boot in, put it on, do your boot up and then zip the over boot up too. There's a clip at the top for a closed fit and a strap that goes across the front of the over boot to tighten it in place. One of the drawbacks to this strap is that it tends to unclip easily when riding, which loosens the grip on the boot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 14px;">So what about there main job - to be waterproof? I haven't been out in a torrential downpour yet, but they've not leaked at all in any wet weather I've found myself in. The main issue I had with my TCX boots is that they leak through the sole, but these over boots seem to have solved the problem. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-FZH6FrCw3AMwavJ3BxoFV4zhnrVn_9cHaoI7RutYIMSvoXsut5cKhZ6-VPF-UB4SrsBBJ1hpvfpdIE3cgbvUYirh8uPHf9AE1vh7wh9d_8Gukdn5QdsaFzGFNaZIwPfEU5WQg9xB3ig/s1600/DSC_0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-FZH6FrCw3AMwavJ3BxoFV4zhnrVn_9cHaoI7RutYIMSvoXsut5cKhZ6-VPF-UB4SrsBBJ1hpvfpdIE3cgbvUYirh8uPHf9AE1vh7wh9d_8Gukdn5QdsaFzGFNaZIwPfEU5WQg9xB3ig/s320/DSC_0193.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 14px;">One thing I did notice is that changing gears or using the rear brake became a little more cumbersome. Due to the extra height, you need to remember to lift your foot higher than usual or it tends to get caught. Due to my boots being on the smaller side of the 44 - 47 fitting, the over boots do have a little bit of excess that can also get in the way. A snugger fit may have avoided that problem. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 14px;">All in all they do what they are meant to - will post back after more testing weather conditions. They do have a couple of niggles and foot controls are a little awkward but for just shy of £20 it means I can continue using my old boots for that little bit longer.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-10135772092555785252015-12-05T12:08:00.004-08:002015-12-05T12:08:49.651-08:00Third Time Lucky? Maybe Not.<div style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy988v5_A3ZHarqqfLQUGJji02epyzGpsHlBGr0NXPjuqFeqBkditnFkDZSWCDOkUpaCq7yeC2ZphFkqoeKiXDwLSd9vM0i-XAIIZqeeVs4uTYo4zmI8j-haN8GfgT6fJVDbfF5XFMaAXE/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy988v5_A3ZHarqqfLQUGJji02epyzGpsHlBGr0NXPjuqFeqBkditnFkDZSWCDOkUpaCq7yeC2ZphFkqoeKiXDwLSd9vM0i-XAIIZqeeVs4uTYo4zmI8j-haN8GfgT6fJVDbfF5XFMaAXE/s640/DSC_0161.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have only been a motorcycle CBT instructor for a short time but I can tell you why I became one. It was to pass on my skills and experiences to wannabe bikers for the safety of them and other road users. As I say to my students during Element A of the course - that CBT certificate does not supersede yours or anybody else’s safety. However, for a lot of them that piece of paper seems to have more value to them than their lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We get a large variety of characters who come to do their CBT with us, particularly when based on the outskirts of London. Some of these plead with us to issue them a certificate, or to give them a chance on the road despite our legal and H&S obligations when we know they are not ready and need more training. I mean, how long would you want to be riding your bike for? If you are not safe on the road, you are not going to be riding it for long. Most students understand and know it themselves when they need a bit more training. Others can be aggressive or pull the sympathy card, but most understand when they finally get their CBT why we make the decisions we do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of months ago in October 2015 I had a student for her CBT. There was a minor language barrier, but she knew enough English to communicate. Her husband was with us for the duration of her off-road practical bike training and was translating when needed. At the end of this part of the training I felt she was just about ready for the next two parts of her CBT - the classroom session and practical on-road ride. On the road ride she seemed uncomfortable and despite my best efforts to fix the flaws she eventually rode up the kerb and so I ended her training and brought her back to the school. I explained to the two of them that she needed to come back to spend more time with the bike here at the school which they were absolutely fine with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They did come back to try again. However, she struggled more so with the off-road training despite my best efforts, than previously. I told them that unfortunately she wasn’t ready yet for the road ride, especially considering the result of her last time out on the road. They pleaded with me to take a chance and take her on the road but I told them I was not comfortable doing that as we hadn’t made any progress from her first CBT. They were naturally disappointed but understood.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So lets fast forward to today - the 5th December 2015. I took my two students for the last hour of their practical on-road ride. As we rode away from Hounslow town centre we witnessed an unfortunate incident where a learner rider attempted to undertake a stationary vehicle onto the cycle lane. As they did so they caught the backside of the car and came off the bike, scratching the car and smashing the rear lights. As we were following them as this happened I pulled my students over to the side and parked up. I asked my leading student if they saw what happened and they had so he provided details to both parties. During this time, the learner rider was crouching down by their bike on the phone. I recognised the student but couldn’t tell who it was and so I asked to see their license (which of course they didn’t have to provide to me but they did). Sure enough it was the student who I had back in October - that did not get through the course. I asked to see proof of their CBT certificate and they showed me a copy on their phone - issued the beginning of October by a motorcycle training company based in Winchmore Hill called Fast Trak. So a couple of things may have happened after they left us for the second time. They may have been unhappy with our training and so tried somewhere else. Or, they may have been more concerned about getting that bit of paper and so opted for somewhere offering guaranteed CBT certificates (illegal yes, but not unheard of). Now, I do not know the nature of how Fast Trak conduct their CBT training, but in either case it is clear that this student was not ready to begin their learning on the road unsupervised.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what is the point of mentioning all of this? Well, for starters, if this incident happened at a quicker pace, or even worse, if the car was moving, then the accident could have been far more severe than it was - the possibility was there. With this in mind, those who undergo CBT training need to value their lives and others far more than that piece of paper - we are training you to be safe on the road - that CBT certificate should be seen more as a byproduct of the training. Thirdly - when selecting a training centre choose them for the right reasons - that they provide excellent training to ensure you are safe when learning on the road by yourselves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a reason we do it properly. Ride safe, ride longer.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-41543445654321956382015-09-19T13:34:00.004-07:002015-09-19T13:35:11.041-07:00Notice: Motorcycle Video Logs Currently Unavailable<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hey Guys and Girls,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have noticed that the Motorcycle VLogs gadget at the bottom of the blog has stopped working. I have removed this for now but hope to get it back up and running or replace it with something else. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have any suggestions please let me know :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the best,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MC Blogger</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-3702025194507344822015-09-04T10:46:00.000-07:002015-09-04T10:46:05.048-07:00What is the correct procedure for dealing with junctions on a motorcycle?<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.3pt 56.65pt 85.0pt 113.35pt 141.7pt 170.05pt 198.4pt 226.75pt 255.1pt 283.45pt 311.8pt 340.15pt; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">At the beginning of August 2015, as part of my training as a CBT
instructor, I was running my own CBT for the day under the watchful eye of one
of my bosses. I had three students at the end of Element C that were safe enough to
take for the compulsory two hour road ride. As we returned from the first hour
for the swap around my boss gave me my card and said I was free to take the last 2
hours by myself. So, from that day I have been officially working as a CBT instructor! However,
there is more training to do as I need to get myself prepared for the two day
test at Cardington with the DSA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">So back to what this topic is about - and the reason why I have decided to write this entry. There is a thread on TSR (The Student Room) where we discuss all
things motorbikes. We quite often get peeps who are very new to riding or want
to find out how to go about getting started. Recently I have been private
messaged by a new motorcyclist who is slightly unclear on how to tackle
junctions. In comes the O.S.M.P.S.L routine. For those who have been riding a
while you may have forgotten what all that means - or you do it without thinking. For those new to biking or about to embark on your motorcycle
journey or for those who just want to recap - lets chat about OSMPSL.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRLsbpg5LZVSsWxhv4JUK1B6DEzQNi-4F4Yvgk5SA6bD461Kc-QW6DmBsBnBpdJUi6h1hd7SgBnmiOKGxBOtKJZo1xQ8LCOKudRQN9UNetmUwqwoEonmeIZD9H6YIIhBFqeicMXRTNzzx/s1600/01.normal_road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRLsbpg5LZVSsWxhv4JUK1B6DEzQNi-4F4Yvgk5SA6bD461Kc-QW6DmBsBnBpdJUi6h1hd7SgBnmiOKGxBOtKJZo1xQ8LCOKudRQN9UNetmUwqwoEonmeIZD9H6YIIhBFqeicMXRTNzzx/s1600/01.normal_road.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">OSMPSL is a set of steps that you, as a
motorcyclist (which includes those who ride mopeds), need to follow at every
junction (including roundabouts) to keep yourselves safe. It is designed to
reduce the risk of an accident occurring due to our natural vulnerability on a
two-wheeled vehicle. For those who are car drivers - think of it as an expanded
version of the M.S.M (mirror, signal, manoeuvre) routine. As motorcyclists we
have a choice of positions that we can be in on the road - 1, 2 or 3.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Stripped down to its basic level, we stay in position 2 unless we need
to change position. This makes us as big as a car – we don’t need to worry
about cyclists, being too close to oncoming traffic or other vehicles that try
to get on our inside or outside. It also means we have a choice of positions at junctions. For this blog post lets focus on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">minor to major </i>junctions and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">major
to minor </i>ones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Minor to Major<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Lets start with positioning. If we are
turning left we should get ourselves in position 1 at the end of the road. This closes the gap for
cyclists, making it clear for you to turn left if safe. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">If going straight ahead – position 2.
The cyclists can turn left and you hold a defensive position. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">When turning
right get into position 3. This allows other vehicles to turn left or go
straight ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgAiu9wO8sQ7AY59BRX_WbOmezBuOSfeq5lw0oGPQElmS72bC2Z8EXSbF6txETTCmfbaJRWg6lAz6IRmTpzGJX8sb5d0WqdoTMdFFqZRKlV1h4y2LXscEcz5Ihu626N7DdJuScwoNd4D7/s1600/02.turning_left.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgAiu9wO8sQ7AY59BRX_WbOmezBuOSfeq5lw0oGPQElmS72bC2Z8EXSbF6txETTCmfbaJRWg6lAz6IRmTpzGJX8sb5d0WqdoTMdFFqZRKlV1h4y2LXscEcz5Ihu626N7DdJuScwoNd4D7/s1600/02.turning_left.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turning Left</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlrqP0qpUujWfEWyK1hbYAMMRFyQJk5N4ECriPhC7Nbnob-aT9EyTlLxD3s7JCpbp8X2I9PvVGwjrIET6gGR7raGZF1mOmXMpJhUyUtnB-IcKRKC_PqddUzObQuCLY7AV_0vSQuHmhkI_/s1600/03.straight_ahead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlrqP0qpUujWfEWyK1hbYAMMRFyQJk5N4ECriPhC7Nbnob-aT9EyTlLxD3s7JCpbp8X2I9PvVGwjrIET6gGR7raGZF1mOmXMpJhUyUtnB-IcKRKC_PqddUzObQuCLY7AV_0vSQuHmhkI_/s1600/03.straight_ahead.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straight Ahead</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCG02X4qsEAYS2cQocs1Ltj1phzgVezPNSsCNhkQ0eZpZNShhAVSqh5nrQpku7in1wW0t6u6Zygp8E3m65DO38XACDcKPZL-yVsva4IiZVwLztk6wmjaRG9fSDxcX95Edgga3QUkVv8se/s1600/04.turning_right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCG02X4qsEAYS2cQocs1Ltj1phzgVezPNSsCNhkQ0eZpZNShhAVSqh5nrQpku7in1wW0t6u6Zygp8E3m65DO38XACDcKPZL-yVsva4IiZVwLztk6wmjaRG9fSDxcX95Edgga3QUkVv8se/s1600/04.turning_right.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turning Right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Before we get to the end we need to follow
the OSMPSL routine. This means the following:</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">O – </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">OBSERVATIONS. See what is happening in front
of you and check your mirrors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">S – </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">SIGNALS. Do this nice and early and when it
is appropriate. If there is a road on your left before the junction and you
want to signal left wait until after the road on the left before putting on your signal, otherwise you will give a false
signal. Straight ahead does not require a signal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">M – </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">MOVE into<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">P – </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">POSITION. For left - position 1, for straight ahead - stay in position 2, for turning right - position 3. Before we change position we must do a shoulder check (left if
moving into position 1, right if moving into position 3). No check is required
for straight ahead as you aren’t changing position. You want to make sure
nobody is trying to undertake/overtake you and that there are no cyclists to
your left before you change position.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">S – </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">SLOW. Start slowing your speed down – Mopeds
– roll off the throttle, apply some front brake and then some rear brake.
Motorcycles – roll off the throttle, apply some front brake, apply some rear
brake, clutch in, tap down the gears and stop in first gear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">L – </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">LOOK – look nice and early if there is no
danger, there is no stopping. If you can walk the bike out, you can ride it
out. If you are unsure – stop and wait. If there is danger, stop and wait. Make
sure it is safe before you pull away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">On your new road remember: get into position
2, check mirrors, cancel signal and get up to the appropriate speed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">Major to Minor<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">We use the same routine again, but our
positioning is different as we are now on a road that has priority. If turning
left you want to stay in position 2 to control your space. Before you turn, you
need a shoulder check in case a vehicle is pulling out or a cyclist has caught
up with you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWmT7msKohEw1qXUDz0I6FCTzEGdxMsOzCusCC14H7wocDbbWQw4s6k6r-wqJQXgRIi9d2ZEJuI9enXt469jBLvWgFSjqGMpkm1cG6Uyq4-s0bjLNndmk6_z5Uym6uHgHw18vUITNBeHW/s1600/05.turning_right_maj_to_min.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWmT7msKohEw1qXUDz0I6FCTzEGdxMsOzCusCC14H7wocDbbWQw4s6k6r-wqJQXgRIi9d2ZEJuI9enXt469jBLvWgFSjqGMpkm1cG6Uyq4-s0bjLNndmk6_z5Uym6uHgHw18vUITNBeHW/s1600/05.turning_right_maj_to_min.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">When turning right you need to get yourself
into position 3 to allow the priority traffic to keep moving. Position yourself
as shown to the right. Too early and the vehicle in the minor road will think you are
letting him out. Too late and you won’t make the turn. Before you turn you must
do a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">LIFESAVER</i></b>
– that final check before you commit. A car or motorcyclist may become impatient
and attempt to overtake on your right. It is your last chance to check before
you make the turn – this is why it is called a lifesaver.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-75141932825855006962015-08-09T03:29:00.001-07:002015-08-09T03:50:43.259-07:00Luton to Brighton Ride (Circuit)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAd7M5ayyMXOW40oHwWUXOJ7vck5LONWWodZsA2xT2jxWt1O3VMSxenhvEOaWx38tLlG16B_RYCrprl4VhsvwhSGy1TorrcbcGaGBdVkwalxe69sr462IPeJctNq-XtlofGUfD9ebqI4e/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAd7M5ayyMXOW40oHwWUXOJ7vck5LONWWodZsA2xT2jxWt1O3VMSxenhvEOaWx38tLlG16B_RYCrprl4VhsvwhSGy1TorrcbcGaGBdVkwalxe69sr462IPeJctNq-XtlofGUfD9ebqI4e/s640/DSC_0013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Date: </b>8th August 2015</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Distance: </b>248 Miles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Total Time: </b>6 hours approx. (without stops)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About a week ago one of our bike members created a ride out event for Saturday 8th August 2015. It was a morning ride, using the favourite A413 route to Aylesbury and back round. Meet up time was 9am at the Westminster Lodge Car Park in St. Albans.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I got up nice and early, popped to the post office and headed down to the meet up location. I was a little past the meet up time of 9:00am, but only by a couple of minutes. There was no-one there so I messaged the event creator (Tom), said I would wait until 9:30am and then head off. Nobody showed so I headed back home to Luton. My girlfriend was heading down to Brighton for the day by train to meet a friend and said maybe I should head down there and meet them. I said it was a bit far and would have to plan a route and so forth. However, as I rode home I thought that maybe I could create a quick route and meet up with them for a late lunch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got home, grabbed my Sat Nav, opened up the best biking roads website (see link on left hand side) and planned a route. I needed a combination of fast roads and good biking roads to give myself a chance of getting there within a reasonable time - for those who know me, I have a tendency to make my route up entirely of good (and somewhat smaller) biking roads which results in many miles and very long days!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So at around 11am I set off. First part of the route was the fast bit - M1, M25, A3. I got onto the M1 and all was going well - until I got onto the M25. I hit solid traffic all the way round to junction 10 (1 before the A3). Having to slow down to 40mph and a lot of filtering - I kept moving, thinking to myself it will be better once I come off the motorway. The A3 was better, until I hit the area around Guildford - which again meant more filtering. With temperatures in the mid 20s and accidents on the motorways its no wonder it was so busy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coming off the A3 towards Milford I took the A283 through Wormley, Chiddingfold and Northchapel to Petworth. I was heading through the South Downs National Park with lovely countryside views and very old buildings in small villages. The road itself not too challenging - nice sweeping bends and much less traffic than I had all the way here. Loads of bikes out and plenty of nods - I wasn't the only one enjoying the weather.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Petworth was a little busy. A small antiques village with a one way system in place and small bends through the main village centre. Once through and back onto the A283 it was pretty clear all the way across to Fittleworth. I took the small B2138 road that linked onto the A29 heading to Arundel. Just before the roundabout there was a cafe on the right hand side called Whiteways Cafe which was mobbed by bikers. I took the second exit onto London road, which linked me to the A27. I continued into Worthing, stopped for petrol and went along the coast on the A259 to Brighton. I found Worthing quite pleasant and relaxed, still able to enjoy the seaside, local parks and high street shopping and less than 15 miles to the hustle and bustle of Brighton. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got to Brighton and found somewhere to park up near the Sainsbury's Local - time just before 2:00pm. I received a message from Tom saying he thought nobody was coming out and so got drunk the night before - no harm done :). It had taken me almost 3 hours to get there which wasn't bad at all. I met up with the girls and we wandered along the seaside to find our lunch - fish and chips of course! I was starting to regret my choice of attire - full two-piece leathers, SIDI boots and leather gloves. It was too hot for all this, but at least I was fully protected. It wouldn't have been so bad if I was just stopping my lunch... however the girls decided to go for a wander round the smaller shops in the North Laines. Over 3 hours later, a spell consisting of hunting through records and second hand stores and stopping for a cold milkshake, I left them to enjoy the rest of the afternoon and headed back to the bike to continue the second half of my circuit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heading out of Brighton I took the A270 to the A27 and then the A26 through Lewes. I was welcomed by the majestic view of a towering white cliff to my right hand side and again some nice sweeping roads. My route continued onto the A26 followed by the A22 to the B2026 towards Edenbridge, through Ashdown Forest. I was again treated to wonderful views of the countryside and this time some tighter bends, which were a joy on these relatively quiet roads. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joining the M25 just before 7:00pm I continued through the Dartford Tunnel and came off at Waltham Abbey for a break at my grandparents. Almost another 3 hours later from catching up on some football, getting food and computer troubleshooting I headed home choosing to take the fast way back (M25/M1) rather than the back route I had originally planned, arriving at close to 11:00pm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-27428650101197316262015-06-28T07:30:00.000-07:002015-06-28T07:30:22.309-07:00St Albans Ride Out to Uppingham<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvuG68WkH4r2sxZ4tltPimqAhOph36Kw09jkii1kwjJuMck0vkxhcEduEuALRUux_2CPtz6IDa2OJVWzMdFvfVbfLfSEQkpRqpD7Dwf3kRidGNiuBJOcLtGmFwPSwQTlp88wb6SeR-_d1/s1600/imag0333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvuG68WkH4r2sxZ4tltPimqAhOph36Kw09jkii1kwjJuMck0vkxhcEduEuALRUux_2CPtz6IDa2OJVWzMdFvfVbfLfSEQkpRqpD7Dwf3kRidGNiuBJOcLtGmFwPSwQTlp88wb6SeR-_d1/s400/imag0333.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I originally said a bunch of us were meant to be going on this ride out... come this morning we were down to two - me on my 954 blade and Andy on his trusty viffer. It promised to be a good day, the weather was nice and dry and the sun was on its way out.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHSO1Z9_2U6cS2H71I0Sa2h1Xx45XlWHylJZDL4kxohfK-QTM3nTNP52GcH7psblyO4OgZm__eO-MdpqeQ4dClgAIEQzTxKQid3v8EuSWqO3m_9MDz1MT5KITKMIiQgtOJBz3s6i44_4q/s1600/imag0330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHSO1Z9_2U6cS2H71I0Sa2h1Xx45XlWHylJZDL4kxohfK-QTM3nTNP52GcH7psblyO4OgZm__eO-MdpqeQ4dClgAIEQzTxKQid3v8EuSWqO3m_9MDz1MT5KITKMIiQgtOJBz3s6i44_4q/s320/imag0330.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We set off at 8:03 and followed the exact route that I wrote about in my previous post. Traffic was minimal, but we weren't bombing about anyway. As we got onto Poynters Road in Dunstable, Andy pulled up next to me to tell of his approval of the Chaul End road. It is a great little stretch as you come out of Caddington - several bends at a decent speed and that fantastic view over east Dunstable/west Luton before you come down the hill to the A505 bypass.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Going through Ampthill we started to get hit by the rain, just spitting initially until we got onto the A421/A428 bypass where is started coming down in spades. There was a cycle race going on with riders showing full commitment and energy, which was impressive given the wet conditions.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vGXLP_n64I1KCj78iSTiZlRQf_tRRklxZOdrl65c6EJPZMBT0Z5QD4Km5VC8pY-5a6hmv4tWaP6Y4h9jshdy5DBaETjO3JfJw56HFaBd4aMDEtypQGjy4cCvbjiDY3XaaRYfiFeUzD93/s1600/imag0331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vGXLP_n64I1KCj78iSTiZlRQf_tRRklxZOdrl65c6EJPZMBT0Z5QD4Km5VC8pY-5a6hmv4tWaP6Y4h9jshdy5DBaETjO3JfJw56HFaBd4aMDEtypQGjy4cCvbjiDY3XaaRYfiFeUzD93/s320/imag0331.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once onto the A428 I noticed Andy was dropped back every so often and keeping his speed down. So just before we entered Northampton I pulled over into a parking lay-by to see if all was OK and to stretch my legs. Andy told me that he had a little wobble coming off one of the roundabouts on the bypass and was just a bit cautious. Could have been something in the road, but I personally have always been less confident on Bridgestone tyres in the wet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We soldiered on through the wet conditions, which we were exposed to all the way to Uppingham. The B664 is a challenging road, but even more so in the wet. I noticed Andy putting his foot down as he went round some of the corners, not completely trusting in the capabilities of his tyres in the wet. We got to the Harley dealership in 2 and a half hours - which was the ETA given by Garmin Basecamp.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhCYBN7gjFmS2Sw8H8Dpr2wVIIeXjmI6JHeEpRqZoi82IBXQYtN3-woX5uyc9j7SYsfOqPmuMK1675yarHxYKdtjDnxekc10MOpjMLZNwpQx1JestURJSLNTHo0_uMU9iMeWzQ9G_u-eF/s1600/imag0337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhCYBN7gjFmS2Sw8H8Dpr2wVIIeXjmI6JHeEpRqZoi82IBXQYtN3-woX5uyc9j7SYsfOqPmuMK1675yarHxYKdtjDnxekc10MOpjMLZNwpQx1JestURJSLNTHo0_uMU9iMeWzQ9G_u-eF/s200/imag0337.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bikes in the Harley range can sell for as much as £30,000 new. These are great looking bikes with lots of torque, lazy engines and ultimate comfort. However, me and Andy were both saying how we can't see ourselves using something like this on English and European roads where we have plenty of bends and roundabouts to think about. Some of the smaller bikes (in terms of frame rather than engine) look more capable, but the fuel efficiency is pretty low. The lady running the food bar outside was chatting to us. She has the same model as the matt black bike on the plinth (see photo below) and says that she rides it quite comfortably. However, she did admit the difficulty in cornering compared to the bikes we were riding, but that is made up for by the comfort.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we turned up we were the only two bikes outside the dealership. Just before we left a small group of riders turned up - a couple of VFRs, Tiger Explorer, GS 1400, old CBR 600 and a couple of other bikes. We commended them on their efforts to get out considering the weather and rode off to find somewhere to eat. Not seeing anything of use in Uppingham, </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjam8NN9MtCJnHeE_fxb9OQyue0GJwsoKHLpZHQXON1ZgaruJCZq3cWJ-_5KVAv3F2mjYrmPmjiswu5STb9bbMJVUl4lM240zWTJ7s9JVkvEnQVZNmljGtiHzcA711pKY5WS6eL3Nxnx5oa/s1600/imag0341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjam8NN9MtCJnHeE_fxb9OQyue0GJwsoKHLpZHQXON1ZgaruJCZq3cWJ-_5KVAv3F2mjYrmPmjiswu5STb9bbMJVUl4lM240zWTJ7s9JVkvEnQVZNmljGtiHzcA711pKY5WS6eL3Nxnx5oa/s320/imag0341.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I followed Andy southbound on the A6003 to Corby where we found a Hungry Horse. It was a bit early for a full on lunch (around 11.30am) so we both had an all day breakfast (thanks Andy!) and a cup of tea as we watched the sun breaking through the clouds and the rain stopped - typical. At just shy of 12.30 we jumped back on the bikes to head back home. We followed the A6003 / A43 / A14 and A509 to Newport Pagnell. It was here that we said our farewells and I headed down the M1 to Luton, arriving home at dead on 2:00pm.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVle0z9Zo2G-TmA0bLAVntxe-BIwTeU_UrouAjRQMjVWKtkxV9YIQuFPIuGOgw8klwG3_IG6uH7qQHi0QNwLy3llW1iH8kw6yyVltzcalqoj-GuF8kDtx9Rb6P0YhoTK7hZjYCdqYQ-wER/s1600/imag0343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVle0z9Zo2G-TmA0bLAVntxe-BIwTeU_UrouAjRQMjVWKtkxV9YIQuFPIuGOgw8klwG3_IG6uH7qQHi0QNwLy3llW1iH8kw6yyVltzcalqoj-GuF8kDtx9Rb6P0YhoTK7hZjYCdqYQ-wER/s200/imag0343.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My bike was spotless when I left the house this morning... little bit dirty at the end of the ride! Was great fun, really enjoyed it and glad I had some company today. The B664 will be better when dry. It may be best to take the fast route up there in the morning in order to enjoy the plethora of decent roads in that region - particularly as you enter Lincolnshire. Any suggestions - please comment below, always welcome!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-52893387976183651882015-06-27T12:41:00.002-07:002015-06-27T12:41:37.362-07:00Route: Redbourn - Uppingham<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Distance: </b>82.3 miles approx.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWc_73yOMRxFL0ybmwrUFyKb26UJdScwnuThPiPRlQ1XJSYutcgETK8lJ6hgUfP1p7AFSJz84_Vnx_H0HACjhyd1mJ6_UQFVDFl78fdFV_V_uKxEN7eefpviA822Fxy1rDmIxnGQvy6E3N/s1600/BaseCamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWc_73yOMRxFL0ybmwrUFyKb26UJdScwnuThPiPRlQ1XJSYutcgETK8lJ6hgUfP1p7AFSJz84_Vnx_H0HACjhyd1mJ6_UQFVDFl78fdFV_V_uKxEN7eefpviA822Fxy1rDmIxnGQvy6E3N/s640/BaseCamp.jpg" width="451" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>ETA: </b>2 and a half hours approx.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow a small bunch of us from the St. Albans Sportsbike Rider Club are riding from the Chequers pub in Redbourn over to Uppingham - on the condition that it does not rain (forecast doesn't look great - but that won't stop me going!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The highlight of this route is the B664 between Market Harborough to Uppingham. Just off the A427 north-east of Market Harborough, this road runs through lots of small villages, with tight bends in between - often with very little vision around them. This is a challenging route and so recommended for those who have got a few miles under their belt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We will be departing the pub at 08:00 on the Sunday morning in order to miss as much weekend traffic as possible. Our route takes us from the pub, northbound on the A5183, which becomes the A5 as you go under the M1 motorway. From here, there is a right hand turn at the traffic lights around Markyate - heading through the country roads of Caddington and Chaul End to the A505 in Dunstable, over the roundabout - heading through Houghton Regis. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once out of here, there are back roads heading round to the B530 - which goes over the M1 to the A5120. This road is a mix of medium and large bends and open straights, heading through some small towns - be sure to keep an eye out for the speed cameras. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At Flitwick, be sure not to miss the A5120 as it continues over the railway bridge towards Ampthill. The B530 continues north of Ampthill towards Bedford, a single carriage national speed limit road, mainly straight with a few easy bends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The B530 ends at the A6, where a right turn at the traffic lights finds the A421/A428 bypass to Northampton. This is a nice open road with a few quaint villages (speed cameras in Turvey and Yardley Hastings). Crossing the A509 roundabout - continuing onto the A428 until Northampton there are a few over hanging speed cameras. Heading under the A45 and continuing onto the A428 there is a set of traffic lights and the Northampton General Hospital on the right hand side. A little bit of in-town riding now, taking a right turn at these lights towards the crossroad of the A508. Another right turn here onto the A508 northbound towards Market Harborough - which goes up to Kingsthorpe and out of Northampton.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The A508 is a lovely open national speed limit road with some sweeping bends and the odd roundabout, countryside views and old Northamptonshire buildings. The road continues north, over the A14 and eventually ending up at Market Harborough. There is a right turn ahead at some traffic lights, before the town centre which leads round onto the A4304 and then the A427. If you have some time, head straight into the town instead and stop for a tea or coffee.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the roundabout take the exit onto the A427. Almost immediately after is the left hand turn for the B664 to Uppingham. The road is pretty open at first, which can be a little misleading so keep your concentration. In the villages there are quite a few occasions where the bends are quite tight, but at low speeds these shouldn't be an issue. Also, keep a look out for direction signs, as due to the nature of the road it can be quite confusing keeping to the B664. In Uppingham there are traffic lights at a crossroad (the A6003). Taking a left here reveals the Harley Davidson dealership on the right hand side - the end of the route. Take a break, look at some bikes, get a drink at the cafe - you would have earned it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If anyone would like a copy of the Garmin route let me know in the comments. Hopefully I will add some pictures after tomorrow! Safe riding!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-69262864282078533342015-03-13T14:09:00.002-07:002015-03-13T14:09:18.793-07:00Becoming a Bike Instructor!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An opportunity was advertised a couple of months ago online for bike instructors in the area of Hounslow. Being curious I decided to contact the bike school and see what it was all about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went for an interview at the end of January and to meet the guys running the school. They have been around for almost two years and due to increasing business are looking for bike instructors that they can train up to take on the extra students. I explained my situation - currently working at a school in London and would be unable to leave my post until I was trained and able to earn - at which point I would be available to go full time and focus on instructing as my only job. They accepted this and decided there and then they would be happy for me to come onboard but that I must come and observe 4 CBTs in training to see if it was definitely for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So during the february half term I spent four days down there, watching how things were run, how they taught each element of the CBT and the content that was delivered. A few days in I was slightly concerned about how repetitive it may end up being - teaching the same content, but to different people. At the school, I support students with learning difficulties and it is more about teaching different content to the same people. These concerns were distinguished by the third visit, as I realised that the variety of different people taking their CBT and the friendliness of the people who worked there made it an exciting and interesting place to work. Although the bike school offered training free of charge, there is a commitment contract of e18 months whereby you agree to work for them for that length of time. During the training you are also not being paid, which made the decision I little harder to make due to fact that the bike school is around 40 miles from my house and would be an added financial commitment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After discussing all the pros and cons with my partner I decided to email Maria (office manager) and accept the opportunity presented to me. I have since been down every weekend to watch, learn and take notes and will be put through some training during the Easter holidays. It is amazing how much you need to take in from an instructor perspective when compared to doing your CBT as a student. Not a trick is missed at this bike school. Everything is done by the book and they get some great results.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are interested in doing your CBT or perhaps would like some training to take your full test then get in touch and see how we can help you. The school is MCT London, based just off the A4 opposite Osterley tube station. Our website is: <a href="http://mctlondon.co.uk/">http://mctlondon.co.uk</a>, so come have a look and check out some of the reviews given by our students!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-19271022493092455132015-03-04T23:21:00.001-08:002015-03-04T23:21:22.699-08:00Saying Goodbye to Panda<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has been just over a month since we said our goodbyes and paid our respects to our friend Jon “Panda” Aicken. Due to the delay in getting this posted I have decided not to advertise this post on Facebook or TSR but to use this as my way of reflecting on the day - but of course it is still published for anybody to read if they want to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you guys all know, I had a bit of trouble with my SV650 getting knocked over in our school car park. This issue has mostly been resolved now (just a side panel dispute to worry about…). I did however manage to pick this up on the morning of the funeral, allowing both myself and Emma to participate in the motorcycle convoy that accompanied Panda on his journey. The organiser of this convoy, John Brede, was a little worried when only 7 or so bikes turned up at the initial meet at Tesco car park, Edinburgh Way. However, he needn’t have worried as when we arrived to the funeral directors there were a large number of bikers who wanted to pay their respects and help Jon on his way. The sight of 50 or so bikes was incredible and showed just how many people this sad news had touched.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We decorated our helmets and bikes with black ribbons and stickers and slowly followed Panda in his side car and most suitably decorated box (a boat on the river to Valhalla). The Outlaws group of bikers made sure that the roads were clear for all bikes to get through and did a great job of this. After a brief stop at the Latton Bush Centre as we waited for Panda’s family we continued the journey to the service.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were so many people that not everybody could get into the building. Emma, myself and Chris were a few of the many that listened to the service outside. The occasion was marked by musicians, bikers, friends and family and was shared amongst a large local community. We then gathered at the local sports centre for food, thoughts and images highlighting those special memories that we all shared with Panda.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A very worthy occasion for a worthy friend, who will be sadly missed. Farewell Panda x</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-71235094604469407852015-01-24T00:57:00.000-08:002015-01-24T00:57:11.706-08:00SV Experiences the Cold Winter Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So last week I rode into work, walked into the staff room and started to defrost myself. About 10 minutes later my line manager comes in and tells me that my bike has fallen over. Rushing outside I see if lying on its ride hand side. After struggling to lift it up I came back into the building requesting help. We got it back upright so I could inspect the damage.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCsdsRfCmqXwOSSao1nKm-WYu1MZhujfZRmML_w78U1Tb8f9rTBAed6Njp5EVV-Vp2MQzU2jeCsRYXLDnJ8BzohTX2qFRniBT2edeG4zUG8VSZH8JsEhGdq1AlJzDf4XhbJSySwS_sMfB/s1600/imag0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCsdsRfCmqXwOSSao1nKm-WYu1MZhujfZRmML_w78U1Tb8f9rTBAed6Njp5EVV-Vp2MQzU2jeCsRYXLDnJ8BzohTX2qFRniBT2edeG4zUG8VSZH8JsEhGdq1AlJzDf4XhbJSySwS_sMfB/s1600/imag0092.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Initially it didn’t seem too bad - brake lever had snapped and front right indicator had smashed. Easy fixes. I found out who was involved and they admitted full liability, relieved that the damage wasn’t too bad.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3DVH2tb6PEYT_CZbdMIJ_nFP2eW7crKTfHbGkZZfd5wdcWAoHEoqP6hu_hU_hA2_l17YrNJ7m3kYnhUmyD7wQjm1MX7jc-qebiClCehyJDj6EZsWQi75Ao7jaGN1NYX0ScJVyh4Sat__/s1600/imag0091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3DVH2tb6PEYT_CZbdMIJ_nFP2eW7crKTfHbGkZZfd5wdcWAoHEoqP6hu_hU_hA2_l17YrNJ7m3kYnhUmyD7wQjm1MX7jc-qebiClCehyJDj6EZsWQi75Ao7jaGN1NYX0ScJVyh4Sat__/s1600/imag0091.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went back out to inspect the bike with a colleague. On removing the right side panel I noticed further damage. The arm bracket for the crash bung had snapped off and there was a ring around the exhaust that was hanging down. I decided that it would be best to take it to my nearest Suzuki Garage - Mission Motorcycles in Milton Keynes for inspection and let him know the result.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOzYsgld3VkSjgn4U_MVdjjVONNXSiEiTn8d6rXrxi1gPwD-JYp7cKJPgIzjJMBnp_9p7MDcoGCsTmcQS6Z3i7eRbeiTLRpOSrxCMk8gUZP-7C95U7656uhUt7SqN0w7vQBVwqVQ2xKgG/s1600/imag0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOzYsgld3VkSjgn4U_MVdjjVONNXSiEiTn8d6rXrxi1gPwD-JYp7cKJPgIzjJMBnp_9p7MDcoGCsTmcQS6Z3i7eRbeiTLRpOSrxCMk8gUZP-7C95U7656uhUt7SqN0w7vQBVwqVQ2xKgG/s1600/imag0095.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Further inspection showed that the bar ends were scuffed and everything else was pretty much as expected. Total cost around £310 which the person decided was small enough to pay in cash, which he did. All sorted - or so you would think…</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8H6a8jqKXWFoVmsCDDi45Y7a0YuJDNem8M2WRuSvjd3IqNh2O3VTt_4_GVT74IRn27or4zwg9_7zuhCDUTMz_x44OCMV1RcRMAzTyA6WDAq6hTep1UlO8XAFbuBjZ3uAhciB3UxS3GcA/s1600/DSCN4711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8H6a8jqKXWFoVmsCDDi45Y7a0YuJDNem8M2WRuSvjd3IqNh2O3VTt_4_GVT74IRn27or4zwg9_7zuhCDUTMz_x44OCMV1RcRMAzTyA6WDAq6hTep1UlO8XAFbuBjZ3uAhciB3UxS3GcA/s1600/DSCN4711.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the parts turned up and the garage started the work they unveiled that the right hand side fixing bolt into the cylinder had completely sheared off. It was impossible to get out without removing the cylinder and drilling out the bolt. This would mean that a new cylinder head gasket et al. would be required. Main cost being labour at 3 and a half hours. This practically doubled the quote to just under £620.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUPveT_azqZoj3FHf8wYCgRTgi4qJAo-iLyFacqYSd26Dp2IBbRx8MfIrCW6TMYWJB0x9Q8ADO40QkCWZp_L0CuQdurFpCX3A_R-3ourFgxhyphenhyphenKKk8OlY0YxhldVk5z1iOW9iRIqLgy7Em/s1600/DSCN4712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUPveT_azqZoj3FHf8wYCgRTgi4qJAo-iLyFacqYSd26Dp2IBbRx8MfIrCW6TMYWJB0x9Q8ADO40QkCWZp_L0CuQdurFpCX3A_R-3ourFgxhyphenhyphenKKk8OlY0YxhldVk5z1iOW9iRIqLgy7Em/s1600/DSCN4712.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course the person involved wasn’t too happy with this situation as the original estimate was half of this which he had already paid in cash. The next day he agreed to go through his insurance to pay for the repairs. I contacted my insurance with his insurance details but they said they were unable to help and that I would have to contact his insurance directly - which I found a bit strange. So I did and they were very helpful, took the details and rang him for confirmation, which he did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So now I am waiting for them to contact Mission Motorcycles for the full quote so that the work can be finished and I can get my bike back - which has heated grips, muffs and heated clothing, essential for the cold weather. In the meantime I have been riding my girlfriend’s old SV, which has hand muffs but that is it - I’ve been having some very cold 30 mile journey’s to work this past week!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So moral of the story guys…. if you want the problem resolved quickly, without any nasty surprises it is probably best to insist that the insurance companies are involved unless you are absolutely sure that the person who caused the damage will pay out for the full repairs. I am hoping to get the bike back before next Friday - the date of Panda’s funeral where some of us are escorting him by bike to the service. For information on this story please see this post: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope all you bikers are taking care in this cold weather. It isn’t the best conditions for riding in and I have seen a few bikes fall victim to the conditions. Just take care out there :).</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-73475041123524683012015-01-03T03:29:00.003-08:002015-01-03T03:29:37.856-08:00Awkward SV650S 11K Service...<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First and foremost... Happy New Year! It is now 2015 and what better way to start the year than to service the bike.</span></div>
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My 2008 SV has never been a problem to service and has always been very reliable. However, it would appear that the bike is started to wane from the 60 mile daily commute it has started since September 2014.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started a job at a school in London and due to heavy morning traffic, particularly around Luton, the bike is the best vehicle for the commute. I can get to my destination in around 45 minutes and therefore ride in most weather conditions. The bike ideally needs servicing at the end of every term. Christmas has marked the need to do the 11K service - which is basic service really plus an air filter change.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We started by checking out the spark plugs, which just needed a clean really. It's worth remembering that there are 4 spark plugs in 2003+ SVs whereas the curvy's (pre-2003) only have 2. To get to one of the spark plugs the right-hand side panel needs to be removed. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First problem was trying to undo the nuts that hold the two side panels together underneath the front of the bike. For whatever reason it wouldn't undo and therefore we had to snap this to take the panel off. With all spark plugs cleaned up and replaced </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the bike struggled to start. Definitely sounded like it wanted to but failed to. So we left it on the charger for a bit and gave it time to settle down. Emma then went back out there and tried again and this time it fired up fine. So there was a first clue that this was perhaps not going to go as smoothly as it obviously should do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I then went to work and whilst I was at work Emma said she would do the oil and filter change for me. Two hours later she managed to get the filter off. Apparently it didn't want to know and she had to completely butcher it in the end to get it off. Why it was so tight I have no idea seeing as we would have done the oil change last and we never over tighten it. Also, the weather hasn't been awful during the last term so we were completely baffled. On the plus side the air filter does not need changing as it is a reusable K&N filter. Didn't need much cleaning either.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brake pads and tyres are fine so that is the end of the struggle. The bike has done over 46k miles in total but up until now it has always ridden well. Maybe it wasn't happy to be heading into the new year who knows... Next service requires valve clearances and throttle bodies so that one is out of our expertise!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-78581165675367297142014-12-24T04:53:00.002-08:002014-12-24T04:54:40.609-08:00Sad Christmas News...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I write this post as a tribute to one of my friends who has sadly passed away today. Jon Aicken, or Panda as we knew him, was taken off his motorcycle in the early hours of this morning by a hit and run BMW car driver. He was declared dead at the scene. For information on this story please click this link:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.harlowstar.co.uk/Harlow-biker-24-dies-Roydon/story-25759949-detail/story.html#MDUo6h4ucDwdjsAO.01" target="_blank">http://www.harlowstar.co.uk/Harlow-biker-24-dies-Roydon/story-25759949-detail/story.html#MDUo6h4ucDwdjsAO.01</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jon was a great friend, a passionate rider and a real socialite. We all liked him. He would come to our gigs, friend's birthday parties etc. He would always be about and things were so much better for his presence and having him in our lives. At 24 this is really tragic news. He had his whole life ahead of him and we only wish we had more time with him. For this to happen, especially on Christmas Eve, is heart wrenching and I would like to send my condolences to his family as I am sure all of us would.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please spare a thought for Jon and his family this Christmas. I'd just like to say, I enjoyed all the time I ever had the pleasure of spending with him and I really hope he is now in a much better place and that you are loved there as much as you are here. Rest in peace my metal biker friend x</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-81449217512658562602014-11-29T02:20:00.000-08:002014-11-29T02:20:09.993-08:00Cardo Scala Q2 Bike to Bike Headset - Review and Comfort<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have been using these headsets for a while now and there are many things I love about them along with a couple of niggles, so thought I would write this post. I started off with the teamset headsets which had a short range suitable for rider to pillion communication and then went on to the bike to bike headsets with a range of around 500 metres that allows communication between riders.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are a lot of positives when it comes to these headsets and there have been several models released since the Q2, supporting multiple rider connections and providing better quality communication. Volume levels are generally pretty good, especially for voice communication. They have mp3 connectivity to your mp3 player or music equipped phone and can also pair with your bluetooth sat nav of choice. There are no additional wires (other than the mp3 cable) as the headset attaches to a bracket fixed to the side of your helmet with the microphone being placed inside and the speakers attached via velcro.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvPwOqo9OGnnCyHkwYoWcbD3dXd8bnafb99jloCKOo8z9jrXPF4ZDIzE67tn801j5wF_NpsXfVK-lP5KME646rwWicuQTe4YJ2O-Jyx9HF5tybL50qDC9HhcjYlR47r6j8ST7R5K2sETZ/s1600/2cardo0129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvPwOqo9OGnnCyHkwYoWcbD3dXd8bnafb99jloCKOo8z9jrXPF4ZDIzE67tn801j5wF_NpsXfVK-lP5KME646rwWicuQTe4YJ2O-Jyx9HF5tybL50qDC9HhcjYlR47r6j8ST7R5K2sETZ/s1600/2cardo0129.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from: http://www.motorcycle.com/products/<br />
cardo-scala-rider-q2-bluetooth-intercom-review-87889.html</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One slight annoyance is the disruption when going round a bend. It doesn’t matter if the surrounding area is clear or if it is built up with trees and buildings, the headsets will cut out, reconnecting on a straight. Wind can be another factor too and this mainly comes down to how well designed your helmet is. Another plus however is that communication can still be coherent even at speeds above 80 mph. The sound quality from your mp3 source isn’t fantastic but definitely audible providing you locate the speakers as close to your ears as possible. Although the speakers are quite thin they can become unbearably painful when positioned so that they can be heard. Some helmets come with speaker pockets, but as we are all different and our ears are not all in the same place, these aren’t always in the best position.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used to own an XL Shoei helmet when I first used these communication devices. This lid was too large for me, but as it was specially ordered I stuck with it. I used to have little to no trouble hearing sound through the speakers and was able to locate them directly behind my ears without touching. Of course, from a safety perspective this was not ideal as a helmet should fit you snugly without too much movement. I now have my headset attached to a HJC lid that fits me perfectly. However, my ears fold or sit directly on top of the speakers which becomes incredibly painful after a while. Re-locating the speakers sometimes helps but then they are too quiet to hear any audio coming out of it. I have yet to find a suitable location that is both loud enough and comfortable to wear.</span><br />
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Online there are a few YouTube videos and guides on replacing the stock speakers with ones from a pair of headphones (see above). This may address the sound quality issue (depending on the sound output of the headset itself or your mp3 player - the Q2 does not amplifier your music) but does not address the positioning and comfort issues you may find with this headset. I have found several posts stating how uncomfortable these speakers are but none that have actually managed to address this issue. There may be better communication devices out there, but the Cardo Scala headsets are highly recommended and a popular brand.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If anyone knows a way of addressing the comfort issue I would be incredibly grateful! If you would like to write about your own experiences with any Cardo Scala headsets or any other types of headsets please feel free to write in the comments below =)</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-82256768232178448862014-10-19T01:48:00.001-07:002014-10-19T01:48:13.092-07:00Pyrenees: Day 15<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-MBUvjWRK9wZJO3AOrb1byf223llRqmWvA9xnajWgJITdpb_9EA0N-RUkCYbCgxfVm8zylqaHGjVnTVlZsAMheu0SZpXlQH5zSviwGoA3aY5MNYyQ3VHHWyqCG6iOEvzHllA6wHDkONm/s1600/IMG_2122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-MBUvjWRK9wZJO3AOrb1byf223llRqmWvA9xnajWgJITdpb_9EA0N-RUkCYbCgxfVm8zylqaHGjVnTVlZsAMheu0SZpXlQH5zSviwGoA3aY5MNYyQ3VHHWyqCG6iOEvzHllA6wHDkONm/s1600/IMG_2122.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><b>Pyrenees: Day 15, 10</b><b>th September 2013</b></b><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Arriving in England</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">So this is finally my last post on the Pyrenees trip and I am afraid to say that there isn't too much to add... We arrived back in England early afternoon to which we said our goodbyes to Rob. As we rode north along the M23 we passed Rob at the side. I am still not sure why he needed to stop but not long after we saw him shoot past us, making up good time. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2sQFI6LnA_hlo8AALKxEkeCwgCYfYWy8voDv3AQYoOZDKVh6aFb0d03RSW5t6ujdtKJdiUQsikrUdQpWsk1yPVOyyv3hzeWbTw43LENxdg1c1fRu7OGFwLvKuRWEyYDyoiYJ04j0VCvx/s1600/IMG_2123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2sQFI6LnA_hlo8AALKxEkeCwgCYfYWy8voDv3AQYoOZDKVh6aFb0d03RSW5t6ujdtKJdiUQsikrUdQpWsk1yPVOyyv3hzeWbTw43LENxdg1c1fRu7OGFwLvKuRWEyYDyoiYJ04j0VCvx/s1600/IMG_2123.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Keeping our petrol costs down, Emma and I plodded along the M23 and M25 back to her parents in Billericay. I was surprised with a birthday cake, washed my bike (which was super dirty from the trip) and we stayed there the night.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_BMHQJyzCOZq62_AheJywluQBdYHCIjlwJ5XANwxmYa6kYDJelwPiNoGERGh41K_WkPbPBuYlS83FhXbEV877oRPGTDCpaGBtvYyJnpFvsmtD1a1rgh0iOl9DokNUqPz2c8AhqjXfL0n/s1600/IMG_2124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_BMHQJyzCOZq62_AheJywluQBdYHCIjlwJ5XANwxmYa6kYDJelwPiNoGERGh41K_WkPbPBuYlS83FhXbEV877oRPGTDCpaGBtvYyJnpFvsmtD1a1rgh0iOl9DokNUqPz2c8AhqjXfL0n/s1600/IMG_2124.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">So that brings the trip to a close... sorry it has taken more than a year to get this whole thing written up! It was a long trip with lots to write about :). All the planning, routes and packing lists can be found in the preparation post. If you would like a copy of any of the routes for any trip or would like information on something in particular then please let me know and I will gladly write about it or leave a comment :).</span></span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-42339942892633508132014-10-15T06:09:00.003-07:002014-10-15T06:09:50.024-07:00Pyrenees: Day 14<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZasDcUkWadN_XENUpoiwhI6pW3cmIoyYCIbLp5FW7iKG9SCdoTQxrvYjS4yYRFOiqKnsOKA4UyMVN2BFEA9bchXwEmGiCri8pJM3lTMeAE77Z_abO0acf45OkcpTu3j8xh5SvUjRD6Mc/s1600/IMG_2099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZasDcUkWadN_XENUpoiwhI6pW3cmIoyYCIbLp5FW7iKG9SCdoTQxrvYjS4yYRFOiqKnsOKA4UyMVN2BFEA9bchXwEmGiCri8pJM3lTMeAE77Z_abO0acf45OkcpTu3j8xh5SvUjRD6Mc/s1600/IMG_2099.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><b>Pyrenees: Day 14, 9</b><b>th September 2013</b></b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Camping Santander - Portsmouth</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">The original plan was to head from San Sebastian to Santander on this day. For the original route please look at this entry here: <a href="http://mcblogspot83.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/only-2-weeks-to-go-until-pyrenees-trip.html" target="_blank">http://mcblogspot83.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/only-2-weeks-to-go-until-pyrenees-trip.html</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmxV8u_IMAjJjE0lEuLXwK26ua51PFdKgIg-IAFVmYlj9V1EIaxX1DRdmFcXLmLdi8TGWYEqA6GX7dqWH5mM9U9BIH6TjXdvWNiwtcpfK1kaOp9ypYHaoXL_saAquWRN3co1JMzrfufD6/s1600/IMG_2101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmxV8u_IMAjJjE0lEuLXwK26ua51PFdKgIg-IAFVmYlj9V1EIaxX1DRdmFcXLmLdi8TGWYEqA6GX7dqWH5mM9U9BIH6TjXdvWNiwtcpfK1kaOp9ypYHaoXL_saAquWRN3co1JMzrfufD6/s1600/IMG_2101.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Obviously being in Santander already made this a lot easier to manage. We were able to go and have lunch without rushing around and then head over to the port. We had a few issues finding the correct road to take us there and also there were road works so we were eventually re-directed another way.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">We departed slightly later than the scheduled 3:15pm time. Most of this ferry trip we just sat around reading and making use of the wi-fi where possible. Rob spent a lot of time in the cinema watching films, but I think Emma and I were slightly low on funds by this point as food on the ferry was quite expensive.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">As for the overnight sleep, I really struggled to sleep on the way back but was looking forward to coming home and sorting out other things. I am sure if I have missed anything Rob will gladly comment and fill me in again :).</span></span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-38778631038154552162014-10-14T05:51:00.002-07:002014-10-14T05:54:28.302-07:00Pyrenees: Day 13<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><b>Pyrenees: Day 13, 8</b><b>th September 2013</b></b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Camping Uhaitza, Mauleon- Soule - Santander (227 miles)</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today was all about getting to Santander rather than the via point at San-Sebastian. I do not know what route we took, but I set my sat nav up to go the fastest whilst avoiding tolls. As you can see in the google embedded map above, there are a few available options. The one highlighted at the moment includes tolls, but there are alternative routes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUa7mjLte97jYPKZb2wNrSVwhtoes-fy22EQ1GiYuTIs0zRYEKS1W3mi9vdqBMzSX4nzWB5EXDgDYIyfWaA30JiKM06hHmSceQN7r7Ak2X4xUucu7LVZt55Te_9St1z5Tthp0t_UCGpHD5/s1600/IMG_2093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUa7mjLte97jYPKZb2wNrSVwhtoes-fy22EQ1GiYuTIs0zRYEKS1W3mi9vdqBMzSX4nzWB5EXDgDYIyfWaA30JiKM06hHmSceQN7r7Ak2X4xUucu7LVZt55Te_9St1z5Tthp0t_UCGpHD5/s1600/IMG_2093.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKstyYYIf67WH7eV2EjHwJ0sjI6FsTicHe6DOU_9PJryKiTxPJM8ISHCTuMrk2G8cVOOMspusKevzS8njI_myQyaiWPwJ73PzG4jcXGqXXzGLj6bdBxs-oC1ADq8q_S2l73eD9P_CfrDyM/s1600/IMG_2092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKstyYYIf67WH7eV2EjHwJ0sjI6FsTicHe6DOU_9PJryKiTxPJM8ISHCTuMrk2G8cVOOMspusKevzS8njI_myQyaiWPwJ73PzG4jcXGqXXzGLj6bdBxs-oC1ADq8q_S2l73eD9P_CfrDyM/s1600/IMG_2092.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Due to the limited amount of pictures I took for this day it is relatively difficult for me to figure out what we did! I believe that we stopped at a couple of petrol stops, one of which we bought and had lunch. The journey was pretty dull and there wasn't much to see until we ended up back along the northern coast of Spain. We stuck to motorways as much as we could, whilst avoiding any tolls.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EFpqm1_E97gYuT09ag-l4iaRPYPVqV1uL8w4F21-CHZndLVpaamfIZ4eoI26iSG1AEojV3oGHSrSSqAR0UIEOOktniMzF5dJPNhhDviL3rwiui4Qvu8XeERl7yIbSd5VDt8ScWJ8JEGf/s1600/IMG_0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EFpqm1_E97gYuT09ag-l4iaRPYPVqV1uL8w4F21-CHZndLVpaamfIZ4eoI26iSG1AEojV3oGHSrSSqAR0UIEOOktniMzF5dJPNhhDviL3rwiui4Qvu8XeERl7yIbSd5VDt8ScWJ8JEGf/s1600/IMG_0441.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We booked a hotel before arriving in Santander and locked our bikes up in a local lock-up. I can't remember the charge, but it was quite reasonable.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-LGUCQW3hnbNriqt0KCYSkDRSmtDpqSbgB4mvmmQXeSVZdp-mJMI9ENPgRY50UJYkvbugON-EkWkgYqhvyPhetB5SVCkrNInafe9_ADeGWx6Tfu4R4mYHy3suVvAYPjmbAXmZDxKJgcl/s1600/IMG_2094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-LGUCQW3hnbNriqt0KCYSkDRSmtDpqSbgB4mvmmQXeSVZdp-mJMI9ENPgRY50UJYkvbugON-EkWkgYqhvyPhetB5SVCkrNInafe9_ADeGWx6Tfu4R4mYHy3suVvAYPjmbAXmZDxKJgcl/s1600/IMG_2094.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We visited a McDonalds nearby for wi-fi access (I think that might have been how we sorted out the hotel) and we had lunch at a local Chinese. Everybody was slightly more relaxed now that we had arrived at a last stop in Spain, all prepared for the ferry home the next day, which wasn't due to leave until 3:15pm.</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-26636529730113892302014-10-12T04:32:00.002-07:002014-10-12T04:33:35.010-07:00Pyrenees: Day 12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><b>Pyrenees: Day 12, 7</b><b>th September 2013</b></b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Airotel Pyrenees - Camping Uhaitza (83 miles)</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">This was a very testing journey. Having already programmed the route into the sat nav with some challenging and scenic roads in mind, the weather was proving to add to this challenge.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Although wet weather generally isn't a problem, the visibility issues this can have when riding up and over mountains is quite severe. We were forced to ride at pretty low speeds for the majority of this ride and with cyclists still making their way around these mountains we had extra things to watch out for.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdZP6mpHQBLeB3hvnRD_ykvc4IWr23imhkAX07ytYE0e4JfkGlge5sipWN8TonWY2uYbISPvHx_vjXZ9NQ8Cjrp-abuxJvcZvorVypKgqiRS5ttAiCg3Jgx5-LzfOVdUNZZnMb9vtSAnV/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdZP6mpHQBLeB3hvnRD_ykvc4IWr23imhkAX07ytYE0e4JfkGlge5sipWN8TonWY2uYbISPvHx_vjXZ9NQ8Cjrp-abuxJvcZvorVypKgqiRS5ttAiCg3Jgx5-LzfOVdUNZZnMb9vtSAnV/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">With everything that had gone wrong so far this trip, emotions were starting the get the better of us. Understandably Rob was frustrated with the planned route in these weather conditions and so we ended up separating and meeting at the campsite instead. Despite the issues the weather was having, the low clouds made for some great imposing views. As Emma and I continued following the route, we ended up getting slightly lost with some of the roads causing issues and the sat nav not knowing about them. After a bit of meandering we did however end up on the right path.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXca-O81ShK7EY6OHMpezcIAM8EPf-lb95qT1eF4MBovx5ne_ngEqmTDDT2OTu8ua9ohpulAYshOg99jyRuWIJeUwSq0YVxUHVxGqccD5FIAA1uYq67m4RNAJzc06YnMRYQOGf5-cyl_i/s1600/IMG_2083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXca-O81ShK7EY6OHMpezcIAM8EPf-lb95qT1eF4MBovx5ne_ngEqmTDDT2OTu8ua9ohpulAYshOg99jyRuWIJeUwSq0YVxUHVxGqccD5FIAA1uYq67m4RNAJzc06YnMRYQOGf5-cyl_i/s1600/IMG_2083.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">We arrived at the campsite before Rob and waited in the bar area. Once he arrived we set up our tent and then </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">rode into the nearest town, Mauleon-Soule for lunch. Rob's tent had been leaking in the midi-Pyrenees and so he decided to book a hotel for the night. The room seemed pretty nice, a large room with en-suite and we were able to leave our stuff in there to dry.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4LZTGqNuLp7W3ef__LQxJr3rOMKrZU2NzwHyhIzFZgokEAdQr65-YCcdiUugjWuPB3dV2j1OT9gTsteMHpxZxLDPQAEJjBRDf9m0rct52dXsmzHNUJrckkbcPA5UYFVUamoQmUQiCCaE/s1600/IMG_2080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4LZTGqNuLp7W3ef__LQxJr3rOMKrZU2NzwHyhIzFZgokEAdQr65-YCcdiUugjWuPB3dV2j1OT9gTsteMHpxZxLDPQAEJjBRDf9m0rct52dXsmzHNUJrckkbcPA5UYFVUamoQmUQiCCaE/s1600/IMG_2080.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Leaving Rob at the hotel we went back and took a walk around. We hadn't really planned much to do here, although there were some gorge's to visit if we had time but due to the weather and the time it took to get here we decided against it. Back at the campsite we ended up chatting to a guy who was going to a gig that night. He was very </span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">talkative, explaining his nationality and heritage and comparing with the locals. Unfortunately I can't remember the details, but at the time it was interesting (if not a bit tiring!).</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZfzCCpx-3I/VDpbVm0qNkI/AAAAAAAACqo/opoMlSA5n4Y/s1600/IMG_2091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iZfzCCpx-3I/VDpbVm0qNkI/AAAAAAAACqo/opoMlSA5n4Y/s1600/IMG_2091.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Due to the weather and the state of Rob's tent, we altered our plans slightly so that we headed straight to Santander the following day rather than camping in San Sebastian. By this point I think we just wanted to get back to the port as quickly as we could ready for the ferry home.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-13001579339041601292014-10-11T04:48:00.004-07:002014-10-11T04:48:54.870-07:00Pyrenees: Day 11<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyP_K7mk6TP1pIKaTQFCRwGUBWkh-tTi3UrCNhgAghyphenhyphenH8O3-GPefS-MkalwMUIJViu6pdoFcTQERmLUToS1nb9KM-M39Gvulj3REOTu4eyevjPWU1eKOWhSAl7jF_OvAGCWHATm0hDFD9/s1600/IMG_2039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyP_K7mk6TP1pIKaTQFCRwGUBWkh-tTi3UrCNhgAghyphenhyphenH8O3-GPefS-MkalwMUIJViu6pdoFcTQERmLUToS1nb9KM-M39Gvulj3REOTu4eyevjPWU1eKOWhSAl7jF_OvAGCWHATm0hDFD9/s1600/IMG_2039.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small road to Gavarnie</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Now that the Scotland trip is finally written up its time to continue with the Pyrenees trip from 2013!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSn-6qRpgRTzoxr_RARtQGk9LMHvwyskUP4gDAkK2sdVmlJ89XJd8wBjtSTUu6Ezr7yZRbTG5xFeagobp6j2hvqspciPf-g-kwZNfx27Lae_2Pn99sKIy2TnNCjViDh6ecAtM1Vp9MZhe/s1600/IMG_2033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSn-6qRpgRTzoxr_RARtQGk9LMHvwyskUP4gDAkK2sdVmlJ89XJd8wBjtSTUu6Ezr7yZRbTG5xFeagobp6j2hvqspciPf-g-kwZNfx27Lae_2Pn99sKIy2TnNCjViDh6ecAtM1Vp9MZhe/s1600/IMG_2033.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Pyrenees: Day 11, 6</b><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">th September 2013</b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">Airotel Pyrenees - Luz Ardiden (9.6 miles) - Gavarnie (20.6 miles) - Airotel Pyrenees (12.7 miles)</b><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Looking back on some of these pictures I am reminded just how gorgeous some of the places we visited are. After travelling around Scotland this year (2014) its easy to forget the beauty in other parts of the world.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">A couple of routes were suggested to us by members of the SV org. These are normally tackled by cyclists, but we took them on by motorbike. The total mileage was just over 40 miles but we were told that the views were meant to be stunning.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmbjBqXGrnJ8dMHW5T78KgrNJBr7xSpaeqVofxhNM11PANXuS_v9hWgu-4TNK-sxvZMMqtAqEBIacrbL4NtX-e2arN99w_-Yt3ep_biH3C-Hdo_5XqQYV0ukmNkoE19SCC7Ch3_CS5JEd/s1600/IMG_2038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmbjBqXGrnJ8dMHW5T78KgrNJBr7xSpaeqVofxhNM11PANXuS_v9hWgu-4TNK-sxvZMMqtAqEBIacrbL4NtX-e2arN99w_-Yt3ep_biH3C-Hdo_5XqQYV0ukmNkoE19SCC7Ch3_CS5JEd/s1600/IMG_2038.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Our first route was a short 9 or so miles to Luz Ardiden, another location that falls on the Tour de France. These roads are loaded with hair pins and sheep and in today's instance also poor visibility. We were unable to see the great views from the top, but we had better luck on our next ride.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">As Rob could handle the bends better than I, he took the lead to Gavarnie. With my bike occasionally slipping into neutral I wasn't too confident taking them any faster. The view was better this time round and we could see the great surroundings. We headed back so that Rob could do his own thing at the campsite and Emma and I went back to do a short walk around the Gavarnie region.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93M4ohtlkErplkbAabosXVDuapUZ2U7eRccVNe7UUid2E7sbGCUIRtM7g4XfW3MZDW31lAVnjPvgDlXqIBThX1jMPNmwUMgSFkOW7Utk3Y9E3qFKunPCAyIXmQV-9pSC6F7BmbqCNSy7b/s1600/IMG_2050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93M4ohtlkErplkbAabosXVDuapUZ2U7eRccVNe7UUid2E7sbGCUIRtM7g4XfW3MZDW31lAVnjPvgDlXqIBThX1jMPNmwUMgSFkOW7Utk3Y9E3qFKunPCAyIXmQV-9pSC6F7BmbqCNSy7b/s1600/IMG_2050.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4E6m_jF9trNk0PI0sDH7MJ25qwFoRpoJ_wal8uKTNqi_n9edBuCGlswOcJ3brShyphenhyphenNwqNxBtWo6OmrlEjovamSE34H7N7nmzlTB6of2kSDsNQV1PV3UYMJEu27CExpSCiylzz1t663-aGY/s1600/IMG_2042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4E6m_jF9trNk0PI0sDH7MJ25qwFoRpoJ_wal8uKTNqi_n9edBuCGlswOcJ3brShyphenhyphenNwqNxBtWo6OmrlEjovamSE34H7N7nmzlTB6of2kSDsNQV1PV3UYMJEu27CExpSCiylzz1t663-aGY/s1600/IMG_2042.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">We didn't have to go far when we spotted the waterfall. There weren't many hours of daylight left so our walk didn't progress much further. However, it is somewhere that we would like to revisit in the future and do the trek properly. I believe it takes around 5 - 7 hours in total and so we would require a whole day to do it!</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfREs3yBJl3vNgkNGsLMOiRX68vSKGcswXXHOmGF6cWc62FULSvY_viBfgnH44DV7rPQxnwBHs6WP-HVB7ekpo9TiCh5hwyvubPNOp7ch8lU6oxan83hNzCUtS9Ij45hbFUoRe8K2txqk/s1600/IMG_2055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfREs3yBJl3vNgkNGsLMOiRX68vSKGcswXXHOmGF6cWc62FULSvY_viBfgnH44DV7rPQxnwBHs6WP-HVB7ekpo9TiCh5hwyvubPNOp7ch8lU6oxan83hNzCUtS9Ij45hbFUoRe8K2txqk/s1600/IMG_2055.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Back at the campsite we made a friend. There was a cat very interested in our food... I think it belonged to the British couple renting one of the cabins on the campsite. With the weather getting worse it was important that we sorted ourselves out ready for the ride tomorrow to Mauleon-Soule on the fringes of the Pyrenees region. We were about to get pretty wet...</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-86578533725296242882014-10-10T00:24:00.001-07:002014-10-10T00:24:01.879-07:00Scotland: Day 8<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifib0DY_i41JxcZc6BYIUH2_7BQ46MkNlTU6I0iYnTBr8TMTpWwqhhf8uZXSYk5DN_ILIseRbd88OMENIHoVG9yuL3RKfBHfY8t5lDO1Vi7JtHkFIXlNBMwa0Orz7b9fB56jsxHu9z62k1/s1600/DSC_0599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifib0DY_i41JxcZc6BYIUH2_7BQ46MkNlTU6I0iYnTBr8TMTpWwqhhf8uZXSYk5DN_ILIseRbd88OMENIHoVG9yuL3RKfBHfY8t5lDO1Vi7JtHkFIXlNBMwa0Orz7b9fB56jsxHu9z62k1/s1600/DSC_0599.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Scotland 2014: Day 8, 5th September 2014</b></span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><i>Fort William - Houghton Regis (478 miles)</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">So here were are, writing up the final day of the trip! Today was all about getting home - almost 500 miles to travel in one day, all along motorways and direct from A - B (allowing for petrol stops of course).</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeks1a_hVXIX2F736nrRSPQiYPKi7-Wb8GOkLKqYOb2KfSYmFJo5MGQY8YIBnOwVZWqJZ522sWhVCAZVnX-abr04BAAgsoAPvTX8jVs1JPMpLDvydu2OcBKiHER8T0TQNkgxD8bn3znnE/s1600/DSC_0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeks1a_hVXIX2F736nrRSPQiYPKi7-Wb8GOkLKqYOb2KfSYmFJo5MGQY8YIBnOwVZWqJZ522sWhVCAZVnX-abr04BAAgsoAPvTX8jVs1JPMpLDvydu2OcBKiHER8T0TQNkgxD8bn3znnE/s1600/DSC_0600.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">The night before we were planning to leave I re-adjusted the route to include the cheapest possible petrol stops on the way home. There were 4 stops in total, mostly at ASDA petrol stations and away from motorways. Otherwise we spent all day on the main roads.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">As you can see from the pictures it was not a dry start to the journey home. We left around 8 am and we ended up behind a lorry most of the way along the A82 towards Glasgow. Visibility was pretty poor too and the views were covered by mist. It took around 2 hours to travel the 100 miles to Glasgow and our first petrol stop. However, once we were here we had access to motorways and so the rest of the journey we were able to travel at decent speeds.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7d4UNB3Rsec5OXMpKy53OmvWfGbYMcabgUmYGHsL7ka1NoNjvlMUmBxrGvvk-ROcDS6_kXL0Ag1H_FzflbyJSWp4R19QHnU5uzLzmRXwT69QidR4_wSGbpmmgu2nl7w04CjW98P1Lfnm5/s1600/DSC_0601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7d4UNB3Rsec5OXMpKy53OmvWfGbYMcabgUmYGHsL7ka1NoNjvlMUmBxrGvvk-ROcDS6_kXL0Ag1H_FzflbyJSWp4R19QHnU5uzLzmRXwT69QidR4_wSGbpmmgu2nl7w04CjW98P1Lfnm5/s1600/DSC_0601.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Our second petrol stop was near Carlisle as we planned our stops between 100 to 140 mile intervals. Once we crossed the border to England we were greeted with great weather! About 10 miles after this we stopped at the services for lunch, just off the M6. After munching down our BK meal we set off to our next petrol stop located near Knutsford with our last stop at Northampton, just 30 miles from home.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">We got home around 6pm, which isn't bad considering we had 4 petrol stops and a lunch stop. Obviously it was a pretty boring run, but this meant we didn't have to pay for another night somewhere and gave us the weekend to get stuff done back at home. Time and money permitting you could mix the journey up with rides through the Lake District and the Peak District.</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-16928511849762065972014-09-04T10:47:00.000-07:002014-09-04T10:51:15.704-07:00Scotland: Day 7<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2367Cu6M2j1JO2oVCTUAqUF4EXHjrbUyzq4dT5_Kc8IasrwH4pJbGp5GV-6s97b6rBWh_TdH4mmltfH2BWBt-JnX1cj7XNM9V_igkN7ymBU1tiq2TXH3GE5eXXxeqisCuPRCaMGeo1kWw/s1600/DSC_0581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2367Cu6M2j1JO2oVCTUAqUF4EXHjrbUyzq4dT5_Kc8IasrwH4pJbGp5GV-6s97b6rBWh_TdH4mmltfH2BWBt-JnX1cj7XNM9V_igkN7ymBU1tiq2TXH3GE5eXXxeqisCuPRCaMGeo1kWw/s1600/DSC_0581.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View Along Glen Nevis Road</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Scotland 2014: Day 7, 4th September 2014</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><i>Steall Falls, Nevis Gorge and Lower Falls (7 miles approx. to parking)</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><i><a href="http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortwilliam/steallfalls.shtml" target="_blank">Click here for information about the walk</a></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Our last active day before the long trip home the next day. Unfortunately we ran out of time to climb Ben Nevis as its estimated by the advice centre to take a good 8 hours. So Emma decided we would walk to the Nevis Gorge, which is also where you will find the Steall Falls. But before that breakfast at the local Wetherspoons was a must - Emma had the vegetarian breakfast whilst I opted for the large Scottish breakfast. Much like the English breakfast, however comes with potato bread and sausage meat rather than the usual tube like sausages. Very filling...</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Now as I told you about our wonderful room facilities in the last post I thought I would share a couple of pictures below. As you can see not the greatest hotel room in the world, but nevertheless one of the cheapest in Fort William and right in the centre of town.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7EJJODpam9Eqv4EonlG1OBrBb70HcDK2NLaeXqLv71N51dj0YUv_HK0It3eHw8__LIGTJ4Fljkqy7njb7vLJSDD2IBQ6C7nWit0G6gtz3vtzQk3-PrKqi9klxpHanIPItdQkCx2hL_lS/s1600/DSC_0583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7EJJODpam9Eqv4EonlG1OBrBb70HcDK2NLaeXqLv71N51dj0YUv_HK0It3eHw8__LIGTJ4Fljkqy7njb7vLJSDD2IBQ6C7nWit0G6gtz3vtzQk3-PrKqi9klxpHanIPItdQkCx2hL_lS/s1600/DSC_0583.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">To find the parking spots for both Ben Nevis and Glen Nevis mountain paths follow the A82 from the town centre towards Inverness and at a roundabout you will see the Highland Centre on the right hand side, so follow the 2nd exit (one after the A82) along Glen Nevis. The paths for Ben Nevis will be at the visitor centre on the left hand side. We continued further along and parked up at the start of the Lower Falls.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQMah9efC4QVNuQJZdwBvYIu4RYpk-x-3z5MBV1OiJjyeJCzOILY1e3wMXKvYOUKnQs3x9LjX5RxUSJ6XBPayqlytq2POl9q5V8lHPOEOvFdBeObtBsxpQxLcjaU8pUHn2A_7htXCb7d_/s1600/DSC_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQMah9efC4QVNuQJZdwBvYIu4RYpk-x-3z5MBV1OiJjyeJCzOILY1e3wMXKvYOUKnQs3x9LjX5RxUSJ6XBPayqlytq2POl9q5V8lHPOEOvFdBeObtBsxpQxLcjaU8pUHn2A_7htXCb7d_/s1600/DSC_0588.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From here it took about an hour to reach the gorge and perhaps another ten minutes or so until we were practically standing in the waterfall. At the gorge we stopped for a drink and saw a rope crossing to continue the path to the waterfall. Many other walkers were sat nearby whilst others debated whether to attempt the crossing or not. After seeing two older Scottish guys getting across we decided that we would give it a go too. Emma went first and I followed not too far behind (not more than 2 people are allowed on it). One of the guys who had crossed helped us up once we got to the other side.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4haz_6HUxF7o_NoaX2AFImz0Gcdo5YZG0keTkVIUEoDCFii2Y6_JyRoS7Uk2vMLPAcgXLjuFgL-YKDDczESJ3kzMiRe83pBcVipXrJVFCU3lWo0rk9a-V_fLCbFCPqU7MatAsGy2ZTbG/s1600/DSC_0594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4haz_6HUxF7o_NoaX2AFImz0Gcdo5YZG0keTkVIUEoDCFii2Y6_JyRoS7Uk2vMLPAcgXLjuFgL-YKDDczESJ3kzMiRe83pBcVipXrJVFCU3lWo0rk9a-V_fLCbFCPqU7MatAsGy2ZTbG/s1600/DSC_0594.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">After a few more metres the path kind of disintegrates temporarily until nearer the waterfall. In the flat areas it is quite boggy, I am guessing caused by the waterfall. Our hiking boots are meant to be waterproof however it would appear that Emma's not so much...</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrx65u0bwuYpoahJlzGtqaA0uiDVO_JWFfqh9q1TqhJp74z2JoFE5u6jBRvkzH5__-3rF35tV32Mn5Got-HNXyEJ4Uyc-8VqjncjrfVw3Sb7iqyZyOYxFFv2S6FqwJibs5SkOShNhphrw/s1600/DSC_0595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrx65u0bwuYpoahJlzGtqaA0uiDVO_JWFfqh9q1TqhJp74z2JoFE5u6jBRvkzH5__-3rF35tV32Mn5Got-HNXyEJ4Uyc-8VqjncjrfVw3Sb7iqyZyOYxFFv2S6FqwJibs5SkOShNhphrw/s1600/DSC_0595.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Finally we arrived at the waterfall and climbed as far up as we dared. It was really refreshing standing there, the water actually warmer than what we experienced in the Pyrenees. Emma had debated going further up, but that would have meant getting soaked and I think she wanted lunch by this point. On the way back down the 2 Scottish guys had caught up and we had a bit of a natter before heading back.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">On the way back I managed to get my right foot caught in a deep boggy puddle and after grabbing Emma almost dragged her down with me. I decided I would just walk across the gorge rather than attempting the rope crossing again to give me a chance to wash my shoes. Emma was going to use the rope due to the rather non-waterproofness of hers. It was OK though as walking across the gorge mine weren't as waterproof as I thought and so we both walked back with lovely wet feet.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioO1AkAKvsHXsg7fzCxHkG_kaLw_PhJ1j2dlmK4ZickdkO3MDMFHUICFItLmgLoSudg2Ss4BaSMXwaHjy7NWS37FSOOq0zKx71tAOlpmWii-Mg9k1iJf0ApazfsOOdZ7fApIva6n82DP4i/s1600/DSC_0597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioO1AkAKvsHXsg7fzCxHkG_kaLw_PhJ1j2dlmK4ZickdkO3MDMFHUICFItLmgLoSudg2Ss4BaSMXwaHjy7NWS37FSOOq0zKx71tAOlpmWii-Mg9k1iJf0ApazfsOOdZ7fApIva6n82DP4i/s1600/DSC_0597.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Arriving back at the bikes we decided to have lunch along the river and see if there was a cable car to Ben Nevis. It was around 3pm at this point and so there wasn't enough daylight left really to walk it. Unfortunately there isn't a cable car to Ben Nevis, only one to the mountains in the range which overlook Ben Nevis so instead we went to crystal/fossil exhibition that Emma had spotted in some of the tour leaflets.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WKccjhjTPv4wtlxUMzFPcHeBe6iGzwUis4oLRTKtfda6h_aiAnhx9EnZRRz4E_2VfFY5HGWn16mbeMOfU24T-84A_IWGclNzBBINct4dw4QVIBB-trWgaVDRdRdnoSpLBauhZyvnq_Vb/s1600/DSC_0598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WKccjhjTPv4wtlxUMzFPcHeBe6iGzwUis4oLRTKtfda6h_aiAnhx9EnZRRz4E_2VfFY5HGWn16mbeMOfU24T-84A_IWGclNzBBINct4dw4QVIBB-trWgaVDRdRdnoSpLBauhZyvnq_Vb/s1600/DSC_0598.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Although it was not even 4.30pm we decided we would fill up ready for tomorrow and head back to the hotel to get out of our wet shoes and socks, have a shower and head back over to the Wetherspoons to get a drink, write up this blog entry and have dinner. Plus its nice to relax a bit this evening, get an early night so we can leave as soon as possible in the morning.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-38938549245979983242014-09-03T12:53:00.002-07:002014-09-03T12:53:27.136-07:00Scotland: Day 6<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdL3i4hJNBdyaVIf-kFZQlj4_TWB7G_NGTQx9FW8HrJ7oiNrfjJD2rUfBYeVtth07Gjv1noQzqGRDtPUMY2j7NvU_QllCYFgxc3GyTCUdUjM6YhrlZnpzJRRpTfk8eYmdQH9QcsM3cyoT/s1600/DSC_0567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdL3i4hJNBdyaVIf-kFZQlj4_TWB7G_NGTQx9FW8HrJ7oiNrfjJD2rUfBYeVtth07Gjv1noQzqGRDtPUMY2j7NvU_QllCYFgxc3GyTCUdUjM6YhrlZnpzJRRpTfk8eYmdQH9QcsM3cyoT/s1600/DSC_0567.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castle Urquhart, Loch Ness</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Scotland 2014: Day 6, 3rd September 2014</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Morefield, Ullapool - Fort William (via Loch Ness) (113 miles approx.)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Petrol Stops: 1</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Time: 7 hours approx. (with stops)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Emma and myself were woken up today from banging sounds from the room next to us. We were trying to figure out whether it was DIY or basically people having sex. Well that was confirmed once we heard people making interesting noises....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNDV0OGqNJgq0t7jbpW-hNd5cfx-Nzy-VOTZYcF680FkDyBzAs_yv5XQhp4FkPbaAAuXz0GZumP5OTH8WBh9ZGP59LfdSYuT04EKgNfhedQN-aQZ0d8j3i_Lrp9b5fUqvhHYzuL-hoBQ9/s1600/DSC_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNDV0OGqNJgq0t7jbpW-hNd5cfx-Nzy-VOTZYcF680FkDyBzAs_yv5XQhp4FkPbaAAuXz0GZumP5OTH8WBh9ZGP59LfdSYuT04EKgNfhedQN-aQZ0d8j3i_Lrp9b5fUqvhHYzuL-hoBQ9/s1600/DSC_0561.JPG" height="112" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGR2N_vPvywMa2K1PZZ3MUAQfII-udUwOKSc0YXYaUF_DvNcCCvcsMajLFVqcJS1OjYvFtjASJnFUvgHJN_Kqu1ZDYycHQEa9KYCnMiFj9Z944RTEIWWdVCjT-cUe3dfY-DBSdVAOVUwKn/s1600/DSC_0560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGR2N_vPvywMa2K1PZZ3MUAQfII-udUwOKSc0YXYaUF_DvNcCCvcsMajLFVqcJS1OjYvFtjASJnFUvgHJN_Kqu1ZDYycHQEa9KYCnMiFj9Z944RTEIWWdVCjT-cUe3dfY-DBSdVAOVUwKn/s1600/DSC_0560.JPG" height="112" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought it was only fair that I took pictures of the view from our bedroom window but I forgot to take pictures of the room. The room is nice and has a small TV in the corner but a large double bed with memory foam mattress, a desk with stool and tea and coffee making facilities. Each of the 3 rooms has its own bathroom but these are separate, on the same floor. They are all nicely decorated and very clean. It cost £50 for the room for the night and is known as the Ardlair Bed & Breakfast. The hostess was not offering breakfast as she has just had a baby, so I think the price had been reduced to reflect this. Another thing to bear in mind is the midges in the area. We got attacked when we pulled up the night before and didn't have any issues in Scotland until we got here. We brought repellent but Emma couldn't find it until we ended up leaving.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkUbLXdNgZsJp0K43TXFUDI8dRq9GMZRp158va7L_1j51KNe8YwKdvN6iMwtzO8W4Cp-ODb6P-8yqvOGdD5be2zq_xvSJrebSOKEBGjQg_CNURo5-GnqNc3kv9gYvjsj1tTBGWzG6dH47/s1600/DSC_0562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkUbLXdNgZsJp0K43TXFUDI8dRq9GMZRp158va7L_1j51KNe8YwKdvN6iMwtzO8W4Cp-ODb6P-8yqvOGdD5be2zq_xvSJrebSOKEBGjQg_CNURo5-GnqNc3kv9gYvjsj1tTBGWzG6dH47/s1600/DSC_0562.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we basically followed the A835 until we needed to turn off for a petrol stop in Dingwall. Scenery was still brilliant but the colours were changing - becoming more green whilst the mountains were gradually disappearing and the landscape was becoming more open spaces. The weather was really cold on the way down although it was pretty sunny and road conditions were pretty good. The route pictured below doesn't highlight the detour to Dingwall, but you can see on the map how to get there should you require a reasonably priced petrol garage - again a Tesco.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAFjUMz7u66vMkPSUJ1-kneD_pGQxXwDj0SLqmL0Kb52VLlAUPDG4SvJAoO30xU74yt2soQ9YHv8bLSC3a7CJl78xLgbvCfKPf1jmEHquEWNz4daKuC6CQOnjBtTOFHU3mT5xyaH5hTKX/s1600/DSC_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAFjUMz7u66vMkPSUJ1-kneD_pGQxXwDj0SLqmL0Kb52VLlAUPDG4SvJAoO30xU74yt2soQ9YHv8bLSC3a7CJl78xLgbvCfKPf1jmEHquEWNz4daKuC6CQOnjBtTOFHU3mT5xyaH5hTKX/s1600/DSC_0565.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another 40 miles and we reached the A82 and middle of Loch Ness. We stopped at the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition which has several presentations on the original findings of Loch Ness and how this can be explained. The lovely woman at the ticket booth asked if we were students, we both said no and she asked again hinting to charge us the lower student rate which was nice of her. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeXgjIsg0v0b0x4DSUZc4t7FqSj8eaBBTrkZul7VYVD7BwWuTyVWzISk62-ygHpxN0rfIiphRdIQhTApha2Q5v7h0WdAfmJQm36pskD3E-KHm1rhEnhrFIdNtYLPu7E68yu1i5YPicIys/s1600/DSC_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeXgjIsg0v0b0x4DSUZc4t7FqSj8eaBBTrkZul7VYVD7BwWuTyVWzISk62-ygHpxN0rfIiphRdIQhTApha2Q5v7h0WdAfmJQm36pskD3E-KHm1rhEnhrFIdNtYLPu7E68yu1i5YPicIys/s1600/DSC_0569.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Further along the A82 Emma said she'd quite like to visit Urquhart Castle so we stopped again. As well as the interesting history there are fantastic views across Loch Ness. The price was around £7 an adult. Although mostly a ruin there are displays showing how the castle was used for different purposes by different owners.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAGPPEYLAlKTGqo4yZxO-nA1Ak-H3MuZpP8Y-TuWg7xzeVp1Gm457Y0FciOSm2RM3RQSPy6yTCM4kL5poQEgiTllYlt24XW4wUhCrLpyQIb-95QRWpqH19DHIp5l8xAWjElOqvpSVrvVd/s1600/DSC_0572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAGPPEYLAlKTGqo4yZxO-nA1Ak-H3MuZpP8Y-TuWg7xzeVp1Gm457Y0FciOSm2RM3RQSPy6yTCM4kL5poQEgiTllYlt24XW4wUhCrLpyQIb-95QRWpqH19DHIp5l8xAWjElOqvpSVrvVd/s1600/DSC_0572.JPG" height="112" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Walking around the castle grounds the sun decided to come out and it possibly reached around 20 degrees. Emma and I had both layered up earlier with heated vests, hoodies and thermals so we were melting by this point. We got back to the bikes, packed some of the extra clothes onto the back seats of the bikes and headed off to find food.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As well as several road works along the A82 there was many instances of slow moving traffic. Although we expected this to be mainly caravaners we found that it was mainly cars that we plodding along a 60 mph road at 30. Due to the nature of the A82 to Fort William there are not many places where we could actually overtake. However, when we did have an open stretch I took full advantage of the sweeping bends. The mountains had come back into view, with white shades at the peaks and continued all the way to Fort William.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once at Fort William we unloaded into the room and went for a meal at the local pub followed by picking up some sweet supplies at the local Morrisons. The cost of a room here, at the Ossian's Hotel is also £50 per room per night for a double room. However, its not the prettiest room in the world but they defend this apparently because of its location right in the centre of town. There is a small CRT TV with free view box and an en-suite. The room is just very out of date and the mattress feels incredibly soft. The previous 2 B&Bs were luxury rooms in comparison. However this is the cheapest Emma could find in the area so here we are!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4209752606647604277.post-78500366119917354072014-09-03T01:36:00.003-07:002014-09-03T01:39:44.165-07:00Scotland 2014: Day 3, 4 and 5<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have been so busy and without Internet one night so time to update you on the last 3 days!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4po1WUCZdJd0VObtDKrpD8NWCEfj7vM1HfyD2WQEbCsKBX9AAWCf73G1RAh4sH6DiREF0T9WRpk8438T4etkuof_lBpqzsakdr1X446yP3bsKJYHrWBHB32GJsfTQzSlCZo_Vkz5FY7S/s1600/DSC_0470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4po1WUCZdJd0VObtDKrpD8NWCEfj7vM1HfyD2WQEbCsKBX9AAWCf73G1RAh4sH6DiREF0T9WRpk8438T4etkuof_lBpqzsakdr1X446yP3bsKJYHrWBHB32GJsfTQzSlCZo_Vkz5FY7S/s1600/DSC_0470.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Scotland: Day 3, 31st August 2014</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Edinburgh - Dundee </i></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(66 miles approx.)</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Petrol Stops: 1</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Time: 2 hours approx.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leaving at 9.30am we took the slightly more scenic route to Dundee, riding over the famous Forth Road Bridge and leaving the motorway for the A92. We then came off at Redhouse Roundabout to follow the A915 to St. Andrews and then onto Dundee via the Tay Bridge.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhpUTmxTb4v9ZtBiyPk4XrIbRIODAhDJRM-wum_CoJUJUs2_y669J1uZFn2ixNBXFfOHkcVgfZ_iDZYXotCrj-TyDNklGjypr2tbD2ImPl9mZq_Botyh7na5dL8nogbkfzrjflk5NWpBS/s1600/DSC_0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhpUTmxTb4v9ZtBiyPk4XrIbRIODAhDJRM-wum_CoJUJUs2_y669J1uZFn2ixNBXFfOHkcVgfZ_iDZYXotCrj-TyDNklGjypr2tbD2ImPl9mZq_Botyh7na5dL8nogbkfzrjflk5NWpBS/s1600/DSC_0477.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ride was fairly straightforward, little traffic and some lovely views of mountains on the left and every so often you can see the sea on the right. No challenging bends on this route, but we wanted to arrive in Dundee relatively early as we were spending time with family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a few issues with the bluetooth connection between my sat nav and headset and as we passed over the Tay Bridge,looking at the old bridge on the left, we had to partly guess our way into the city. The connection came back however so I over took Emma and led the way. The view over the river tay from the top of their road is fantastic, complete with a park at the bottom.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcxljkcrFd5tlm0I3i46tCrBmorthRXZDHw6lnMvMt0Mt-rBPUs4t6Td4z2WGiDCEOJnd_Nmp3NPOnii3k2yboN9aD12db7MxehgMLtSfMz9ZQ7w-lk1TV2lCY2FeHuzIFlQGFxZ7yMLG/s1600/DSC_0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcxljkcrFd5tlm0I3i46tCrBmorthRXZDHw6lnMvMt0Mt-rBPUs4t6Td4z2WGiDCEOJnd_Nmp3NPOnii3k2yboN9aD12db7MxehgMLtSfMz9ZQ7w-lk1TV2lCY2FeHuzIFlQGFxZ7yMLG/s1600/DSC_0488.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My aunt must have heard the bikes as we pulled up as she came outside to meet us. Emma and I had a lovely day being shown views of the River Tay, the old bridge and a walk around Broughty Ferry. She pointed out where my Grandad and her were brought up, my dad's drinking spot (Cookies) and took us up to the top of Law Hill to show where they played as kids. We also went round to see family and Emma volunteered my services to repair their laptop riddled with viruses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfTIFHXm3MHXsWCrcTbF6mHXoQOswx1IoYfSi0JcdjmoY2kQ5SFMbgWdlKuBkubY7EBipA2ANtx0KaFQAFtc7XHDbh6vCCO2E8HlTD0gHjbLn-lR7YRNSY_f_34QK7rVhJds5Np27aR9D/s1600/2014-08-31,+Edinburgh+-+Dundee.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfTIFHXm3MHXsWCrcTbF6mHXoQOswx1IoYfSi0JcdjmoY2kQ5SFMbgWdlKuBkubY7EBipA2ANtx0KaFQAFtc7XHDbh6vCCO2E8HlTD0gHjbLn-lR7YRNSY_f_34QK7rVhJds5Np27aR9D/s1600/2014-08-31,+Edinburgh+-+Dundee.png" height="316" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJC-9c2PfcHISMs_AuiNQa-xf0HzuJoxhVI27QmckpP8Pe_fipSqv1WWylOuGcSoJfqDS6zIXaH777FBg_3jg9tPE6AsaEfxZuAW4GubE9OAuKbMAt1Kxu0LFM3TvEjkB_6Sx2NCPPcfL/s1600/DSC_0493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJC-9c2PfcHISMs_AuiNQa-xf0HzuJoxhVI27QmckpP8Pe_fipSqv1WWylOuGcSoJfqDS6zIXaH777FBg_3jg9tPE6AsaEfxZuAW4GubE9OAuKbMAt1Kxu0LFM3TvEjkB_6Sx2NCPPcfL/s1600/DSC_0493.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scotland: Day 4, 1st September 2014</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Dundee - Brora </i></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(191 miles approx.)</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Petrol Stops: 2</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Time: 6 hours approx. (with stops)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I just need to make sure I don't get too muddled with my days as Day 4 and 5 have been long riding days so here we go...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the beginning of our scenic rides - steep hills, mountain views, lochs and rivers and so on. The main thing was getting into Cairngorms National Park which lies inland between Inverness and Dundee. Before this however we filled up at a Tesco Petrol station despite only doing around 50 miles since our last stop. Prices can be expensive in Scotland's national parks and remote areas and large supermarket chains tends to be pretty good so its probably worth bearing in mind.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkgRSuoe_KnN-Nk51BQeHFmONOAkMaglVCrezjUf_Yr0aLgnCXsS271FsKA1rz0uRCGRnlC26nJmGHE9pdoffHi7ZmpHOQxTMmf2sjBhaoPgVA89ftN-gJMLAVbZ33Rf4BRdj7rflBSbf/s1600/DSC_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkgRSuoe_KnN-Nk51BQeHFmONOAkMaglVCrezjUf_Yr0aLgnCXsS271FsKA1rz0uRCGRnlC26nJmGHE9pdoffHi7ZmpHOQxTMmf2sjBhaoPgVA89ftN-gJMLAVbZ33Rf4BRdj7rflBSbf/s1600/DSC_0497.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The A93 runs almost through the centre of the park, through the town of Braemar. It's a lovely flowing road with fantastic views of the mountains. There are plenty of great bends but few that will actually catch you out which makes this a really enjoyable ride. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the A93 we took the B976 road that leads to the A939. I'd recommend both the A93 and A939 if you go through the park or looking to get to Inverness. You can following the A939 to the A95 or A96 and either will be a great ride. We stopped somewhere along the A939 I think for lunch after climbing a 20 degree hill!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D38QUtGt-3w/VAZAZi8W0cI/AAAAAAAACZE/43xfuIiBKPg/s1600/DSC_0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D38QUtGt-3w/VAZAZi8W0cI/AAAAAAAACZE/43xfuIiBKPg/s1600/DSC_0506.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2KAVV0HO5eWE4_Z2tcQuyIoYTOzhWBlmrGIYWmbkLFL_jouuDZarRbamZkelpP98WrRmnKCbjhqS3Tj582rpI5KBcG9o2jl57msZmWTWThT8PL02IPEK9T_6rrUZM6e0C-2cOlBBc-fY/s1600/DSC_0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2KAVV0HO5eWE4_Z2tcQuyIoYTOzhWBlmrGIYWmbkLFL_jouuDZarRbamZkelpP98WrRmnKCbjhqS3Tj582rpI5KBcG9o2jl57msZmWTWThT8PL02IPEK9T_6rrUZM6e0C-2cOlBBc-fY/s1600/DSC_0502.JPG" height="111" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
Our next petrol stop was on the outskirts of Inverness at another Tesco. It was a good job as my bladder was about to burst and being in the national park (with very few trees...) I had to wait over a hundred miles before I could go! From here it was the A9 along the coast with views to the North Sea on the right. Weather was still pretty good, although it was getting colder the further we headed up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1qKgBKiB6pJdLPhpvevIv-7qgIQxxtmEMMRuvgXhzHAyxr-k1p7C1K7mS3ZYdvdddWFN_GXqs4SYody-S8Vp-sS6M3ts64N7YVfMvrXvFdzUcuDwFPmq6C9X2wuScUb1TdvMlFBqcbiO/s1600/DSC_0509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1qKgBKiB6pJdLPhpvevIv-7qgIQxxtmEMMRuvgXhzHAyxr-k1p7C1K7mS3ZYdvdddWFN_GXqs4SYody-S8Vp-sS6M3ts64N7YVfMvrXvFdzUcuDwFPmq6C9X2wuScUb1TdvMlFBqcbiO/s1600/DSC_0509.JPG" height="112" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We arrived in Brora (Emma's family) just before 4.30pm. They live in a great spot with views of mountains either side. Next on the to-do list was John O'Groats and the ride along the northern coast. But that was for the following day...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3pXHX2T5BZNLUx2Nx2wdZi7wEFzlEpOFI-e2L9WqYAoWAGQutQ6ePgSycIaH86pQny00TIhgBmHXPmqLAkYqDJ-VwtLm3PQKnWWAGD1f6T6HkkkPFMUArkQhVbSZinjLR-PN9SLAW52F/s1600/2014-09-01,+Dundee+-+Brora+(3).png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3pXHX2T5BZNLUx2Nx2wdZi7wEFzlEpOFI-e2L9WqYAoWAGQutQ6ePgSycIaH86pQny00TIhgBmHXPmqLAkYqDJ-VwtLm3PQKnWWAGD1f6T6HkkkPFMUArkQhVbSZinjLR-PN9SLAW52F/s1600/2014-09-01,+Dundee+-+Brora+(3).png" height="183" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8djBEBNMF46vfsqTPUzbNA7TRVBbdAwvMEMAPbnEuP2t1qCoBXU-rJAQKvhJ2G1ppT8Cxer_O7qD20A_QoljrfPce3FyTPK7ipwv0DKRrk8sr8WAX51zQFCj5V9_oBZBn3eb9gFY_jv8/s1600/2014-09-01,+Dundee+-+Brora+(4).png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8djBEBNMF46vfsqTPUzbNA7TRVBbdAwvMEMAPbnEuP2t1qCoBXU-rJAQKvhJ2G1ppT8Cxer_O7qD20A_QoljrfPce3FyTPK7ipwv0DKRrk8sr8WAX51zQFCj5V9_oBZBn3eb9gFY_jv8/s1600/2014-09-01,+Dundee+-+Brora+(4).png" height="307" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgDqig6fML-RABE_wyyTdEFKgtLmUJV0NuXN_eUk4zCKj2_0mahQGl70azK8LUn9G4iNiYJi3rPmLLCK5U6NTtO4JxBMFb4Q-mchxIWrlXJFyWCfM7kKwoqV3p983FGtpNd_ynsqzL30b/s1600/DSC_0554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgDqig6fML-RABE_wyyTdEFKgtLmUJV0NuXN_eUk4zCKj2_0mahQGl70azK8LUn9G4iNiYJi3rPmLLCK5U6NTtO4JxBMFb4Q-mchxIWrlXJFyWCfM7kKwoqV3p983FGtpNd_ynsqzL30b/s1600/DSC_0554.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loch Broom, Morefield, Ullapool</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhol2W31mD00QYAexZ5379VRS-XQ4rv8ZavXx5cXtEBWauIhMoC9V1gBAKbyv2v-qwWSwNIHzl5XZDWLFPBzHrPpmgS4-JX7BZBF6YRxBfJMBNAFJDhHvHM78H66gg9WlQXC-Ezl0AhsHQI/s1600/DSC_0513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhol2W31mD00QYAexZ5379VRS-XQ4rv8ZavXx5cXtEBWauIhMoC9V1gBAKbyv2v-qwWSwNIHzl5XZDWLFPBzHrPpmgS4-JX7BZBF6YRxBfJMBNAFJDhHvHM78H66gg9WlQXC-Ezl0AhsHQI/s1600/DSC_0513.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scotland: Day 5, 2nd September 2014</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Brora - Ullapool (via John O'Groats) </i></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(207 miles approx.)</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Petrol Stops: 2</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Time: 7.5 hours approx. (with stops)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think this has to be my favourite day so far...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So our first mission of the day was getting to John O'Groats - the north-east peak of Scotland. Most bikers have done it and some have even rode the entire length of Lands End to John O'Groats in a day - not an easy task at 874 miles!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were told that there was a Tesco with petrol station at Wick so we headed along the A9 north. The landscape was mainly open and although we had to overtake a few cars it wasn't too bad. Having arrived at the garage at around 11.40am we decided we would find some food at John O'Groats for lunch, which from here was only around 15 miles.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLT2sF91vhqj_layP8zOrPi3pKNm0UBoeS1HHoL8mLH2urCE5KbRKPk0XTXdYdxEHvIvhNA0LkVaCgFm_iWVY_HoiYCCtQyRQIyijhN5g01mixo37yArcnlW-XvWbV5VA1t7sMhgQmWH6/s1600/DSC_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLT2sF91vhqj_layP8zOrPi3pKNm0UBoeS1HHoL8mLH2urCE5KbRKPk0XTXdYdxEHvIvhNA0LkVaCgFm_iWVY_HoiYCCtQyRQIyijhN5g01mixo37yArcnlW-XvWbV5VA1t7sMhgQmWH6/s1600/DSC_0515.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The A9 follows onto the A99 just before Wick and you follow this all the way into John O'Groats. There are two signposts here. The original one apparently had been erected by a photography company. The first sign post we saw however was the newer one and a couple with a dog took our picture near the newer sign. There is a notice by the fish bar stating that you must ask permission to take pictures by the original sign as the sign was erected for that purpose. Anything to make money I guess!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We stayed here for lunch where I had fish and chips and Emma a chip batty. We could see Orkney quite easily from where we were sitting as it was only 8 miles away by ferry. We where there for almost 2 hours but never saw a ferry coming or going. There are also little grey buildings dotted around the area that seem to be for people to stay in and take in the sea views.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxj7ygclIkfIqyUfd_90xUFpoMrTnr6rd9PuXkdg2xLOOl72YtJQdVxYtuFuuqAfAimz-XfWWePCS6sdISxlfm0u96CrDXrI8ttVfl5U9ieda7pLleNGYSSdVnXkVHDcR-GP_uRFxUDQS/s1600/DSC_0532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxj7ygclIkfIqyUfd_90xUFpoMrTnr6rd9PuXkdg2xLOOl72YtJQdVxYtuFuuqAfAimz-XfWWePCS6sdISxlfm0u96CrDXrI8ttVfl5U9ieda7pLleNGYSSdVnXkVHDcR-GP_uRFxUDQS/s1600/DSC_0532.JPG" height="112" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJc8uumHf59ebYD4p6FKhg4SWZJtFj4tHAxYtJxTd1Ae_kBgxjUv7tIYrxjsAuuKyUHPmO9JpSPNfoza2ymSPfLVE_cDjtn8eR0xcwltTdoHFsagOrfyb4GpMUjTu9loF_Iooq6_HuC64/s1600/DSC_0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJc8uumHf59ebYD4p6FKhg4SWZJtFj4tHAxYtJxTd1Ae_kBgxjUv7tIYrxjsAuuKyUHPmO9JpSPNfoza2ymSPfLVE_cDjtn8eR0xcwltTdoHFsagOrfyb4GpMUjTu9loF_Iooq6_HuC64/s1600/DSC_0529.JPG" height="112" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Continuing on our journey we stopped at the Tesco in Thurso for a toilet break and then headed east to west along the north coast. It is after Thurso where the views get really exciting. The further west we headed the further into the mountains we got. The mountains in this region are really brown and the roads we particularly fun to ride.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-FDn7NFZnyqRdiRrXXuficuZ00pqbEdIxnD0cFPqp7m5sbw4N0tXTkrcVTH3BEr2vYgk03-n3vpIccNN6eKGVSNDaTMe2W0cjVGC4cwOlm2sjDRZsTPmCDN4uDQpRJgzEh1RHLHBaDZk/s1600/DSC_0546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-FDn7NFZnyqRdiRrXXuficuZ00pqbEdIxnD0cFPqp7m5sbw4N0tXTkrcVTH3BEr2vYgk03-n3vpIccNN6eKGVSNDaTMe2W0cjVGC4cwOlm2sjDRZsTPmCDN4uDQpRJgzEh1RHLHBaDZk/s1600/DSC_0546.JPG" height="112" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoK6ssv5QAT7kr_DPiVbJ4qiwaZ3OYvdrv6N4F8A9GGD_Jd4R03GInawZ6OivHqe_VCIoFP-1K4vhsuku8LGIxhZsf6ktGyBGw3RX2wk1WTyE9TooMLKP4BaTB0LUyfqtardCilDlDbt2/s1600/DSC_0537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoK6ssv5QAT7kr_DPiVbJ4qiwaZ3OYvdrv6N4F8A9GGD_Jd4R03GInawZ6OivHqe_VCIoFP-1K4vhsuku8LGIxhZsf6ktGyBGw3RX2wk1WTyE9TooMLKP4BaTB0LUyfqtardCilDlDbt2/s1600/DSC_0537.JPG" height="112" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heading left onto the A836 was very cool. Although mostly a single track road with plenty of passing places the landscape was spectacular. We stopped quite a few times to take pictures. The weather was gorgeous, the loch's a dark clear blue and mountains displaying a mixture of greens and browns. I said to Emma as we stopped next to Loch Loyal that I'd love to live up here. I wanted to just stand for a while and take in all the views, but we still have a fair way to go to reach our overnight stop so back on the bikes we went.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUyKOvRYhDPHVqi6v836T3JxtXJB8T79jBHQlJGsz6TshF_MYpzhW5QGtF4YOk_2zh3yxWWlBA9KUEZmtWancTyq5hlmBx2I6nXpPf_U1jdIAXq6GEUKIEboCFUbSkj7NO5gNsaTLcHVQ/s1600/DSC_0550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUyKOvRYhDPHVqi6v836T3JxtXJB8T79jBHQlJGsz6TshF_MYpzhW5QGtF4YOk_2zh3yxWWlBA9KUEZmtWancTyq5hlmBx2I6nXpPf_U1jdIAXq6GEUKIEboCFUbSkj7NO5gNsaTLcHVQ/s1600/DSC_0550.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loch Loyal, A836</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately there were no more supermarket petrol garages so we had to fill up at a Gulf for our second stop. With about 40 miles to go we ended up stuck behind a coach all the way to Morefield. As these were single track roads we couldn't really overtake and it the driver didn't want to pull in so that we could. However, I decided not to let it bother me and just take in more of the view.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The B&B in Morefield has a lovely spot overlooking Loch Broom. We walked into Ullapool to find somewhere to eat and decided on a small bar/restaurant that overlooks the ferry port. As we were eating Emma spotted a dolphin and a seal at the surface of the water and tried to point them out to me. Unfortunately I missed the dolphin, but did spot the seal poking its head out of the water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Routes are below. The A836 from Coldbackie to the A839 is particularly stunning.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6K5TA7gzQ41vXLC8n42fxu6XEYRjNqfHhFTeOr6ywts17tRvy5tEuTXiJDuXW_K3oI-UlHN3tEpjz_8VjajAz1_e88omjCAmNO2y359V9ZwvrY7o3y2dBVgWQe72WA7Ro-464q91a25s/s1600/2014-09-02,+Brora+-+Morefield,+Ullapool+(2).png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6K5TA7gzQ41vXLC8n42fxu6XEYRjNqfHhFTeOr6ywts17tRvy5tEuTXiJDuXW_K3oI-UlHN3tEpjz_8VjajAz1_e88omjCAmNO2y359V9ZwvrY7o3y2dBVgWQe72WA7Ro-464q91a25s/s1600/2014-09-02,+Brora+-+Morefield,+Ullapool+(2).png" height="92" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FARMuHGTomv5OK85xf1v4KsusETI2WusHXrNR-3RRz1eZDIHc2StJFGNMX05LMirlz3CzPb9TSP5TnqnF_jvKD6u3dDDYLzysUZ-RnyECqYOjUOls1KpM_wGtKJF7Zuu6U2llQuNNczJ/s1600/2014-09-02,+Brora+-+Morefield,+Ullapool+(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FARMuHGTomv5OK85xf1v4KsusETI2WusHXrNR-3RRz1eZDIHc2StJFGNMX05LMirlz3CzPb9TSP5TnqnF_jvKD6u3dDDYLzysUZ-RnyECqYOjUOls1KpM_wGtKJF7Zuu6U2llQuNNczJ/s1600/2014-09-02,+Brora+-+Morefield,+Ullapool+(1).png" height="131" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06912618883746355870noreply@blogger.com0