Moutainbiking in Savernake Forest

Yesterday (30th Dec) Dan and I went to Savernake Forest, to have a ride around, in the mud and rain. They had been doing lot's of logging, and someone had very nicely carved this bear. Had a great time, got VERY muddy, even though the log's had been put on our favourite tracks! Hopefully they will be cleared soon.

Today (New Years Eve) has been pretty quiet, Dan's been out at Ian's all day, went to Tesco this morning and bought some jeans, put the bike together and it ran well, so may have fixed it by accident! Went round the village, felt good, might get a chance to go further tomorrow, who knows.

Planning to go to the pub tonite, will see the New Year in and go to bed! Happy New Year!

Back to Boxing Day...

Back a few days ago on Boxing Day I wanted to go to Romsey to see the cars/bikes, but my bike was not running (boo-hoo) so I cleaned out the rabbit, tidied the garage and decided to have a look at my Lister D engine, which is hibernating in the little "shed" that I made for it (a year or so ago?). Anyway, as you can see, it's looking nice and covered in oil, but the floor has collapsed in it's box so some work to do there. When I turned the flywheel it went round OK. Ran out of time to actually try and start it.

Bank Holiday Monday I tried to work on the bike again, got it to the point where it started but it ran rough. Then I worked on Julies MG which still looses water, tried to do the air pocket thing, dropped the little bolt, spent an hour looking for it until I took the air filter out and the battery and found it lodged up on the engine. Still, I fixed the battery mounting problem. Not fixed the engine problem though, no mayo in the engine, and it run's OK, just looses water, even on one Andover and back trip.

Talking of work had THE most boring day at work yesterday (Tuesday). Nothing happened! Took some pictures of the newest MIU for Andy, tried to tidy up but to be honest I was headachey all day and had a rough stomach. Took Dan to gym in the evening, his mate Ian has been away. Popped into the radio and loaded the rest of the Dansette Diamonds series.

Today (Wednesday) I think Julies going food shopping, may try and have another go at the bike, MOT is due later in January. Talked to Doug yesterday and he is going to lend me his carb balancing stuff.

What to do New Years Eve, Pub or boring TV? Will let you know what happens next time...

Christmas 2009

Well Christmas has been and gone, we (me, Julie, Dan, Dean, Tash, Margaret Snr and Jnr) had a nice day, well at least until the end of the day when we got stuck into boring TV. Julie was naughty and had bought me a shiny graphite black i-pod 8Gb, it's lovely!

Boxing Day we went to Nan's, Tash came round but she was tired and dozed (so did I!), played I-Spy and charades and Dingbats. Julie came home with headache and went to bed, was nearly sick. Yesterday (Sunday) I was pottering and Julie was in bed, took Dan to gym then Tash said she was going ice skating, so we all went (Julie to watch).



Had a great time, big bruise on arm today where I hit barrier too fast and knees ache! Then Tash and Dean treated us to a meal out in Frankies Italian, which was very nice and kind of them. Then we came home and watched 2012, which is a great movie. Today (Monday) is a Bank Holiday, bit frosty out and no plans so far. Might try and finish putting bike back together, saw a few out on the road yesterday, and I miss it.

1300E video test

New Super Tenere concepts.

Snow, snow, quick quick snow...

Well you know that we in the UK can't cope with bad weather, we have had some snow over the last few days that has basically stopped everyone in there tracks. Yesterday Natasha got stuck in Basingstoke for 6 hours plus without moving, before crawling home, getting home after midnight, just because of the snow.

Anyway, video is out the window at work this morning, 9.30 ish, snow looks quite thin, the road up to us is freezing over, and I don't like the look of that fog!



Went to Essex over the weekend, saw lot's of snow from the M25, but no problems on the road. Mum fly's home from Stanstead to Dublin today, hopefully!

Oh that bike went on Ebay for 280.11, not much, Best of luck to whoever bought it!

Bye for now....

Well it's Christmas party time and this year we went to the local pub for lunch. Somebody took a dreadful picture of me, which I am entering in the "Worlds Worst Picture" competition!















The bike is a 1959 (born same year as me) Francis Barnett Falcon, and I am tempted! 200 quid on Ebay. Just a bit short of money at the moment. S10 is still in pieces, we are in the process of stripping the carb's and they now need balancing (so say's Doug).

We have some light dusting of snow, nothing major, but we are off to Essex in the morning and they have had several inches. M25 will be fun....

Will try and keep blogging....

New "I want" on Ebay

What is it about me and allways wanting something different! The Yamaha has been sick now for three weeks, mainly because a) I had to buy a spark plug spanner and b) it's wet and horrid and I would not use it anyway. Tried to fix it two nights ago, changed the plugs, checked the coil and leads etc, charged the battery, it started fine so tried to go to work and it chugged like mad below 3K. Turned round and came home again. Doug say's I have to take the twin carbs off, and clean them out. Water or dirt in the pilot jet, he reckons.

So on Ebay I have been looking at this oddly attractive RE. Nowhere near as practical as the Yamaha for passengers and long distances, but it looks ripe for a trails type high level exhaust and a larger trails front end. It's a bit different from most of the RE's around.







From Ebay:

"For sale Royal Enfield 350cc, 1990 year. This motorbike looks a bit unusual as you can see. Good points: everything that you see in the photos is in a good condition.
- engine works very well, no noises, no leaks, is powerful and gives a proper speed, what's more it sounds nice.
- gearbox and cluch are in a very good condition
- original speedometer shows 2965 miles at present, there is no reason not to believe this as the last MOT from year 2000 shows 2272 miles.
- very good brakes and good tyres
- please notice the bike has cool numerplate (G500FAB)
-The only one bad point is the electric system.
The electric system needs some work to be done in order for the motorbike to pass the MOT. No lights - only indicators and stop lights work.
Usually the motorbike starts first or second kick but sometimes takes a long time (because of the messy electric system).
The mirrors are included but there are not in the photos.
Thanks for looking and happy bidding!!! No timewasters please!!!
Any questions please call 07816878707"

It's not on as a bidding thing, it's on as a classified add at 650.00 pounds, or you can make a best offer. I wish money wasn't so tight what with Christmas and the decorating. Maybe I could have had both the RE and kept the Yamaha (which I do find too big and heavy to move around).

By the way the "Dark & Mysterious" RE from the previous post went for 940.00 pounds, hope the new owner is happy.I looked interesting with old panniers etc etc.

Just finished reading Ted Simon's second journey book, Riding Home, he fills in some of the gap's from the first book, Jupiters Travels (which Malcolm is reading at the moment) and weaves in the story of how he and his new wife move from their ruin in France to California, and how they have their first baby. I thought it was a good read. One more to get, Dreaming of Jupiter, when he goes and does the journey again!

Work's OK, radio's frustrating, weathers awful, pretty normal winter I would say!

Dark and mysterious RE

Here's how NOT to photograph your bike (or your mates bike!) to sell it on Ebay. Decription as follows, just as poorly written...

SORRY DATES ON PICS ARE WRONG
I have for sale a ENFEILD BULLET 500cc manfactured in 1982
There is no paper work or reg number. I know the year through the royal enfeild owners club.
This bike has only done 14 kilometers since new so in theary its a new bike.
IT has been dryed stored in an army hanger since new and ridden only in the hanger.
The bike runs and rides well the only thing the bike needs is a battery.
The cost to get the plate is £12 to the owners club for the dating certificate and £25 to dvla for log book.
The bike is 27yrs old so its a classic.
Come on folks grab a bargin cash on collection.
Any Questions i will answer as soon as i can.
THANKS FOR LOOKING AND GOOD LUCK

As of today 3 days to go and no bids, starting at 800.00 pounds. Maybe it's the big 500 on the sides! Looks interesting to me if it is genuine....

What's happening with the radio....

Haven't really blogged about the radio for a while, since TDT went bust. In a nutshell, we formed the Castledown Radio Volunteers Group, of which I am chairman, then I got drafted onto the board of Castledown Radio Ltd, as a board member. Still waiting to get the kit officially transfered to The Wellington Academy, and still waiting for OFCOM to give back the license.









Last week (Wednesday 25th) we had to take down the FM antenna so we are not on air at the moment. It was a bit of a day, including the Fire & Rescue Service, myself, Dan, Baz and Glynn spent six hours taking the blasted thing down! Now we need to put a temporary antenna back up on the school gym, so we can get back on air.








We are hoping to get a 'phone line and internet back tomorrow (Tuesday 1st November), so we should be able to at least stream again. Just waiting to see what happens next!

Red Bull Romaniacs

Something else to keep....http://www.redbullromaniacs.com/video/videos-2009/

Luggage for bike...

...a link to keep....http://rtw.xtz660.googlepages.com/alluboxes...for when I have done all the decorating and saved up a bit!

Bikes, bikes and yet more bikes (for sale, that is)

Well my favourite bike, the red Tomahawk, sold for just under 1500.00 pounds, mind you it would have probably cost the same to get it back from Las Vegas, and to register it over here! Maybe one day I can build a replica. The other one is a RE2 Flying Flea, up for 350 pounds, but there's not much of it! and it's 350 miles away, on some Scotish island. Like the pile of scrap in the background. The green Indian Bullet in the last blog went for 511.00 pounds, and the black Triumph is up to 2K!

Did some decorating yesterday (Sat), basically prepared the "dining room" area, and chose the paint colour, all one colour. Not sure on carpet yet. More to do today, and then Shipton Bellinger parish Council Monday, France Tuesday/Wednesday, Garrison Fireworks Thursday, and the live radio day and Remembrance Day shows next weekend.

Must go, dinner to prepare!

Bit of an update....

Bikes are a nice Black Triumph, for sale on Ebay in Swindon, and a green Military Indian Bullet, also on Ebay. Julie hates the Bullet, and the Triumph is already too expensive!


......loosely based on an email I sent to my brother....

Anyway, it seems that every evening these days is busy, either with something to do with radio (meetings, minutes to type or interviews to edit), or watching telly (did you see James May's life size toy Spitfire, it was great!.Also watching By Any Means 2 with Charlie Boorman).

We are still trying to save the radio, the licence from OFCOM may or may not be given to us, and the equipment is still owned by Wiltshire County Council, or at least we think most of it is. Financially the local Town Councils have helped us with money, so we are OK there. But the 'phone lines have gone (not paid the bills) and we are not streaming (no internet) and it is frustrating!

Did do an absolutely cracking disco for the kids at the last Bluez n Zuzz, they all wore fancy dress, there were over a hundred of them, Dan played all the music and I did all the chat, best one in years!

At home we have decided to re-decorate, including getting new furniture and carpets. The suite is 17 years old, and the carpets have not been changed since we moved in 11years ago. So a few Saturdays ago we went to Hedge End, and spent all day in furniture stores, finally buying a three seater and two seater leather sofa, on what we used to call HP! (no interest over two years blah blah).

Since then we have had four carpet quotes, and that's not been straightforward to sort out, and we cannot decide on colour for the walls. We know which piece of Ikea furniture we want, but that's the last thing to get done. Lot's of painting before then!

Bike's OK, not much chance to do anything with it, get's used as transport when it is not raining! Hope to go to camping with other Super Tenere Forum members next year in Wales.

Kids OK, Dan's stuck unemployed with no benefits until he's eighteen, he's going to another Army experience week next week, but his next chance to do proper selection is next March. Tried quite a few job applications, including an interview with Argos, but all say no, or nothing at all!

Tash is ok, I think! She went to Cuba for a week with her new-ish boyfriend, and I think she is struggling to settle back to her routine.

Julie and her mum are going to the NEC for the weekend by coach to a craft show, which I paid for, including a night in a hotel in Birmingham. That same week is Castledown Radio's 3rd birthday, so we are doing live radio all Saturday. and Sunday is Remembrance Sunday, and I have an hours special to record. And Dan will be going to parade with his Army Cadets.

Car's are OK, ish. Mine's got 113K on it now, did the front brakes (disks and pads, 37.00 pounds from EBAY, fitted in an hour), back tyres need doing, and rust is getting worse by the minute. Julie's MG is ok, so far. Will be a year in December since we bought it!

Work's crap, really quiet, and scary. Been doing OK in our division but this month has dropped. The NC2 division is well behind target. Went to France last week for two days and back again next week for two days (just co-incidence), and maybe two days in Greece in November. Just trying to sell stuff!

That's about me caught up.

Link for S10 ally boxes (excellent!)..

http://rtw.xtz660.googlepages.com/alluboxes

Great video of a classic bike...

Love the way he is dressed in the correct style. From Bill Little's Open Day, 2009.

www.classicbikesuk.com

Lovely motorcycle on Ebay US

Couldn't resist putting these pics on my blog, description from Ebay US as follows:


Currently at 1,186 US dollars, reserve not met. If only..........

"FOR SALE on eBay in Las Vegas, Nev. Bullet 500 single in frame of 1955 Indian twin (actually a better frame than used in newer U.S. Bullets ). Upgraded to 12 volts. Beautiful and reliable".

INDIAN TOMAHAWK APACHE ROYAL ENFIELD 500 TWIN BULLET RED
Vehicle Description

Up for your grabs is one of my favorite bikes; a 1955 INDIAN TOMAHAWK 500. I just finished rebuilding it; but loss of storage space forces sale of this beauty. In case you did not know, Royal Enfields were sold in the USA as Indians from 1955 to 1960 after the demise of the original Indian company in 1953. Almost all major RE models were present in form or the other. Google “re-indian” for more info. The bikes badged as Royal Enfields was introduced in the USA after the Indian company was bought by AMC motorcycles of London from 1959. These late 50s bikes are collected both by Indian and Royal Enfield enthusiasts.

Indian has again started making motorcycles as of 2009. Google “Indian motorcycle” for more info.

This bike left the factory as a 500 twin on Dec 12,1955. Even though this is a 1955 (for which I have confirmation from the RE owner’s club in England) it already has the 1956 to 1970 open-loop frame that is stronger and lighter that the pre-1955 Enfield frame. The 500 Twin engine was notorious for throwing a rod early in its life and this example was no exception. This one sat in a barn somewhere in Arizona along with a few other Indians since the early 60s. The previous owner bought it in an estate sale along with a few BSAs. I bought it with the intention of creating a good rider. However, after hearing about the feeble 500 Twin engine from many experts, I gave up the idea of installing one in this bike. A suitable low mileage Enfield 500 Bullet engine and gearbox was sourced and installed with a few improvements. The frame is sandblasted, primed and painted.

The paint is as close as you can get to “Indian Red” and Vintage reproduction decals look much better that the original. Almost all alloy parts are cleaned up and polished. I built this to ride and not for show and so sensible modifications are made throughout. The wiring harness is custom made and electrics are upgraded to 12V with modern rectifier/ regulator. Tires have very low mileage on them. The headlight casquette appears original and I just have it professionally re polished. The forks and wheels are again newer items since the originals were destroyed beyond recovery. Other pattern parts used include brand new instruments, switches and controls. Most fasteners are polished or replaced with stainless steel fasteners.

Overall, you have an extremely light, ridable and collectible Indian that will only go up in value. Most states have no taxes for a bike this old and it is eligible for a “classic’ license plate. The Bullet engine will run reliably for years and comes without the cost of maintaining a classic. It is also California Legal in case you are wondering.

Well today I took the day off, doc's at 10.20, and the blood test and ECG were all OK, slightly high cholesterol, need to cut down on biscuits and cake! Fitted new disk's and pad's to the front of the Focus, easy to do, they seem a bit hot at the moment, hope they don't warp, like the Mondeo one's did!

Apart from that, quiet, off to Andover to drop Dan at Argos for a group interview, we are going to hang around until he is done. Not sure what to do this weekend, maybe start on the decorating!

Bye for now........

Don't know why.....

...I haven't been updating my blog very much, I guess I have gone off the idea? There has certainly been a lot going on to talk about. Let's see if I can catch up....

Had a couple of bouts of bad headaches (migraine?) that ended up with me being sick, never had them before. Both times I have been really tired (post IBC and post Baz's 25th wedding anniversary party, when we got in after 2am). So I went to the doc's, then back for ECG and blood test, results tomorrow. Probably nothing wrong, but it is good to find out, I guess.

Been a bit of a roller-coaster on the radio front, since TDT went bust. The license and equipment went to the administrators, who were going to give it to us, then they wanted money for it, then some money was offered which turned out to be a loan, then a much smaller figure was offered which, as far as I know, has been accepted. The license will transfer to Castledown Radio Ltd, and the equipment will go to Wellington Academy, who will give it to us to do as we see fit.

So, I am chairman of the Castledown Radio Volunteers Group, and I have Mike Giles as the chairman of the fundraising committee, and Simon Davies as the chairman of the profile-raising committee. So far we have promised donations by the Tidworth Chamber of Commerce and the Tidworth Town Council, Ludgershall Town Council have been asked and are yet to reply, the fire service, police and Sarsen are all on-board.

November 4th is the anniversary of our FM launch and on November 7th we are going to do as much live radio as possible. And I am putting together a Remembrance Sunday programme for the 8th. Also planning a meeting for next Monday and looking at a funding bid to OFCOM. Meanwhile we have to write to OFCOM and prove that we deserve our FM license and that we will stick to our guiding principles. Not much, really!

Home's OK, we want to decorate and get new carpets and furniture, not sure where to start! Julie and Tash have painted some colour samples on the wall, need to lift the old marble floor slabs and sort the bumpy wall where the fire was. I have suggested that we get rid of the big glass cabinet so we can get started on the decorating. Once that's gone we will have to replace it!

Tash went to Cuba for a holiday with Dean, enjoyed herself as far as I know. She is I think finding it hard to settle down again, Dean has gone back to University, comes home everyday though. At the moment Tash is away Friday, Sat and Sun nights. Dan's at home, no job yet, army on hold, Argos interview this Friday, fingers crossed. Julies OK, off to NEC with her mum by coach on the 7-8th November, to a craft show.

Why the picture at the beginning of the blog? It's where I went lunchtime on my bike for a ride and a think, it's the cemetery in Longparish, a few miles from where I work, up over the Andover Downs. And very nice (and quiet!) it was as well. When I came to leave I managed to provoke the back wheel of the bike into a little slide, just a tweak. It's greasy with all the rain we have had and dead leaves and stuff, but at least it is sunny today, if a bit chilly.

So there you have it.


That will do for now, back soon.

Hill Climb Havoc!

Naughty, Naughty me...

...I just keep forgetting to update my blog!

Got back from Korea OK, no problems with the flights this time. Went back to work Monday and Tuesday and then had Wed-Fri off with a heavy cold, but, as far as I can tell, not swine flu!

That Sunday we (Julie, Julies mum Margaret, Dan, Tash and boyfriend Dean) went to Bournemouth (well, actually Boscombe) beach to watch the free airshow. Bit hard to park and a bus to the beach, and boy was it hot! We sat and watch the displays by the planes until just after 5.30, then went to KFC near Mudiford. Arrived home about 9.30pm, well knackered!

That following Wednesday we (me, Dan, Andy from work) took our exhibition kit up to Sovereign (our IBC stand designer) in Coventry by van, then went and bought a flight case, then went to Ashby de-la Zouch to get some second hand bike bits for my Super Tenere. I got a fairing, mudguard, tank, rear brake, thermostat assembly from Paul (Vilguy on the forum), and we chatted about bikes and S10's for a while. Left there at 6, got home at 10. A total of 415 miles, 63 quids worth of diesel in the hire van.

Then all too soon it was Bank Holiday Monday, we went to Cotswolds Wildlife Park, and very nice it was too. It's about 45 slow miles away, up past Swindon. Had a great day, and got home in time to take Dan to cadets (just!).

The next week just flew by, and then it was time to fly out to Amsterdam, to do the IBC, Europes biggest broadcast tradeshow. Nine days later saw us fly back, and the following Friday I went up to Sovereign again to get the IBC kit. Only this time I was as sick as a dog! (Headache, not helped by a KFC at 11am).

The bike was re-built with the new tank/bodywork, but I found out that the airbox rubbers were shrunk, and had to get new one's. These were fitted, initially the bike played up, but it is in use now. Still need to paint the side and rear panels, and do up the rest of it! Doug brought his lovely 1930's BSA in to work, cannot believe the before and after pics.

During all this I have become Chair of the Castledown Radio Volunteers Group (CRVG), and we have been out fundraising like mad, to try and save the radio.

That's about it, will try and catch up with pic's soon. Or is it time to drop the blog altogether.......

Been away for a while....

...in fact a few thousand miles away, in Korea, on a business trip. Had to do some engineering type work before I could do my sales type work! On my way back now at Seoul Inchon airport, flights at 12 midnight, home via Dubai.
This is me at the EBS tv station in Korea, during the update visit.
This me with the guy's from Dong Hwa, outside a bar, in Seoul.

Whilst I was away the Tidworth Development Trust has gone into administration. This has an impact on Castledown Radio, since TDT funds CR. Manager Baz has sent us all an email saying that we can carry on if we want to, whilst the future of Castledown Radio is sorted out. All this on top of the collapse of the Tidworth Festival.

Will get back at 2pm Saturday. Next time I get a chance to post I will add some pictures of my trip to Seoul.

Here is the TDT announcement:

Press Release 14-08-09

Tidworth Development Trust has for a number of years been active in the
fields of training, recruitment and communications. Until recently the
operation has been financially sound. Unfortunately the "Credit Crunch"
has put serious pressure on income and put some of the services supplied
by the Trust out of reach of its customers.

A particular success has been Castledown Radio. Although the business of
the Trust will have to be wound up, it is hoped that the Radio Station,
which forms an important link with the community, can survive the current
problems.

Because of the financial problems the Trust will have to be liquidated.
For details of the creditors meeting and how to register as a creditor, or
if you are interested in helping with any aspect of the Trust, contact
Martin Trower of James Cowper on 01865 200500 or email

Amazing day out

Had a great day out yesterday at Bill Little's open day, over Swindon way. After dropping off the wife and mother in law in Swindon, I went and spent three hours getting immersed in old motorcycles. It was great!

This helmet was "posed" on a really old Triumph, and the owner was dressed to match!

More photo's later, right now I have to get ready to go to Korea. If the intenet access is good, will try and blog from there.

Bye for now.....

Colour scheme decided!

Well, I have decided on the colour scheme for my Super Tenere, or, should I say, it has been decided for me! One of the guy's on the forum has a set of plastic fairing etc etc for sale from one of his bike's, and I am buying it, along with some other bit's. So the bike will be....drum roll....white with blue bits!





I am also getting the white and blue petrol tank and mudguard, so I will need to spray the currently black side and rear plastics white, and get some blue stripes or something for them. I already have some www.xtz750.com stickers, but they are black.

Along with the bodywork bit's I am buying a rear tyre, to replace my nearly worn out one, and new exhaust downpipes, for the day when I have to try and change those. Maybe also getting fan and temperature gauge senders, unless they don't work!

Plan is when I go up to see Sovereign (our IBC stand contractor) at the end of the month we will go a few more miles to pick up the bits. Hope it works out!

Off to Seoul, Korea on Sunday for four days of hell, just looked at the weather, it's hot (30+), and thundery, with 100% chance of rain on some day's! Bit like here at the moment....

Will try and keep up with the blog's.....

What 2 do???

So I came across this guy on the Super Tenere forum (http://www.xtz750.com) and he has done the opposite to what I am thinking about. He has taken his S10 in original colour scheme (see first pic) and painted it matt black (second pic).


































I'm thinking of either spending money on a set of second hand plastics and a matching tank to get my S10 back to original, or spray painting it myself!

What 2 do????

Calne Motorcycle Meet 2009

Dan and I went to Calne last Saturday, and saw a huge number of bike's, all parked everywhere there was a space! There were classics, sports bikes and adventure bikes, as well as some custom bikes and trikes. It was amazing!

This red motorcycle and sidecar combination was driven from inside the sidecar, with a shop dummy as the rider! Great bit of engineering. I overheard that last year the owner had a skeleton as the rider.

Just some of the many sports bikes that were present.
A general view up the river with bikes parked in every available space!

And a classic oldie as well!

Super Tenere update...

Last Saturday Dan and I went to Calne for a huge bike meet, the whole town was just full of bikes, over 3,500 attended last year, and there must have been more this year. Photo's will be published at a later date.

When we got home I decided to change the oil and filter on the S10, something that I have not done before. You have to take the bottom engine cover off, then there is a drain plug, and then you take off the oil filter housing, which also has a drain plug. All went well, and I left it draining for a while, before re-fitting a new K&N oil filter, and filling up with 10/40 bike oil.

It took about 3 litres before it showed full, which is odd since the manual say's 3.9 ltrs after a oil and filter change. Then I decided to look at the instrument module that I bought to replace the faulty tacho. I decided to use the case of the "new" one, since bothe the mounting bolts were present, and the front of my one, since it is silver. So in the end I put my speedo in the replacemnet housing, built it all up again, and the tacho worked! Still need to fix temp gauge and fan switch.

Didn't use the bike that night, next morning checked the oil and it took another ltr! So not I need to buy some more. Used the bike a lot this week, including in my first real bit of rain on the way home from work one night. Didn't get too wet, boots leaked, but they are old and the velcro has gone.

Thinking of spraying the bike up, and getting some graphics, found a printer that will make Super Tenere logo on vinyl. May go for it soon.

That's all for now.

Horses and Motorbikes don't mix!

Had a bit of an incident on the way in yesterday morning by motorbike. I had been up to Tidworth and came back on the country roads, on my old Enfield Sunday route, out through Thruxton. Turned right just before the railway bridge and came upon a horse and rider heading my way.

The lady (she looked quite grey under her helmet so I assume she was fairly old) indicated that I should slow down (having just come of the junction and riding like an old woman as usual I was going no more than 20 anyway) so I actually stopped. It was a lovely road with houses down one side. Her horse took offense and decided to turn round and leave, she hung on OK but then tried to stop the horse, and she ended up on her back after going over it's head.

I turned the bike off, took my helmet off, and walked up the road to see if she was OK. She had got up and was busy putting the horses tackle back on (should it have come off?). I asked if she was OK, she said she will be. I asked if there was anything I could do, she said no. She said the horse was young and she was not sure what it would do. In the end she thanked me for stopping and walked the horse off in the original direction she was heading.

Looking back at it I was not speeding, and I stopped as soon as I saw her. The fact that the horse did not like me was not my fault, and the fact that she fell off was not my fault either. But, if I had not been there at all it would not have happened. So I apologise now for your horse chucking you off. As I said at the time, at least we were both wearing the right protective gear!

So much for using quiet country roads instead of the main roads to work....by the way, the horse in the pic is not the real one....

Today all it's doing is raining cat's and dog's, and I have the bike in again! Oh well....

What would it cost to replicate these graphics?

That's what I asked on Ebay recently. And the answer? Will have to wait and see.

The festival that was not to be....

Press Release
20th July 2009

Tidworth Festival Cancelled

It is with much regret that Community Dynamix Ltd announces that Tidworth Festival 2009 is cancelled. This is due to advanced ticket sales not generating enough funds to cover the set up costs for the Festival.

Baz Reilly Chairman of Community Dynamix Ltd said “We are all devastated! Lots of people have bought tickets in advance but unfortunately the sales did not cover the outlays. The aim of the festival was to generate funds for local schools and community projects. I would like to express my thanks to all the sponsors and people throughout the community who have strived to make the festival a success. As a direct result of this we are aware that people including, sponsors, suppliers and ticket purchasers will be out of pocket. Words cannot express our sincere regret.”

Community Dynamix Ltd is now in administration and further details will be available on this website: www.tidworthfestival.info

-Ends-

Had to find at least on motorbike on holiday!

This was on the beach owned by a fisherman at Kusadasi in Turkey. Did also see a fleeting glimpse of a S10 on the other side of th road, and a few Ninja deathbikes in town. Too hot for helmets and protective stuff, most riders were wearing shorts and a tee-shirt!
The other bike is Doug's "new" T100 Bonneville, which he has bought as a Cat D write off. It's already been fixed up, just waiting for his insurance and tax disk. Will no doubt get some more photo's when we I see it.

Well we have been on holiday....

Decided to go on holiday to Turkey this year, for the first time, although I have been to Istanbul on business. We went to Kusadasi, which is on the Aegean Sea, about 2 and a half bumpy hours from Bodrum airport. We went AI (all inclusive), and we stayed at the Surmeli Efes hotel. We, by the way, included myself, my wife Julie, son Dan and daughter Natasha.

We flew from Gatwick on a late flight on Sunday, and, by the time we had transfered, we arrived at the hotel in time for 8am breakfast! Then we launched into our first day, and sat by the very nice pool. Lunch came and went, Julie and Tash went to the "welcome" meeting, where they met Rob, Lin and Niki, who turned out to be very nice people from Southend in Essex.

During the daytime we were asked several times if we wanted to go on trips but decided to see if we could cope with the heat first! Every day was clear sky's and sun, about 35 degrees. Food was generally OK, beer included, the ladies struggled a bit to get a decent drink, vodka was too strong, local wine too sharp. Most nights we could get meat, chicken and veg etc. And some reasonable deserts.

We had pedalo's and canoes included so we enjoyed ourselves on those, and, by the end of the week, we had decided that the beach was preferable to the pool, since it was cooler! The hotel never felt overly busy, and we really enjoyed ourselves. If there was a downside it was the entertainment, a nightly show by the animation crew, and an awful pianist who played and sang at the pool bar until midnight. We could stand on our balcony and see and hear him!

We went to Kusadasi market on Wednesday by Dolmus bus, had McDonald's in town, and came back and went straight to the beach! Friday we went out on a boat for 6 hours, lovely on the way out, Dan and I dived into the sea from the boat, very rough on the way back. Tash has vowed never again!

Saturday Julie was not feeling too well and to cut a long story short we ended up staying the night in the local hospital! Only just got back in time on Sunday to pack, have a swim, grab lunch and leave at 1pm. At Bodrum airport we got caught for the worlds worst burger meals, at 12 Euro's each! Julie bought the same with a pizza at 10 Euro's. Disgusting! We arrived back home via Gatwick (and another MacDonald's!) at gone midnight. Surmeli Efes is well recommended, and Kusadasi deserves another visit, perhaps when it is cooler!

Now back in the office and boy has it rained this week!!!!