Nearly Christmas....

Can you guess what I have bought from my mum for the bike??

Well it's the Friday before Christmas and the day of our work Christmas party, which is a BBQ cruise on the River Thames! Hope it works out OK, especially since we saw the company when we were in Windsor and suggested it! If it all goes wrong guess who's fault it will be....

Today I brought the bike in, took a while to get fully dressed in all the warm stuff, but was not too cold, just suffering from the visor and my glassed steaming up. Stalled it once on the approach to the Magic Roundabout, and nearly again at the mini roundabout at the bottom of our road. Out of practice I guess, when I go out on Sundays there is little if any traffic, so no need to stop!

Going to Essex to see Mum/Brother/Sister etc etc this weekend, back Monday. Taking mum to Stanstead monday morning, will no doubt end up in Lakeside Ikea later that day, it's Julie's new favourite place!

Anyway, will blog from time to time over Christmas, just to keep up to date....


Bye.....

Just a quick update...

Actually had time on Sunday to get the bike out, refit the centre stand (new stand from India, new springs from Hitchcocks), went for a ride and ended up on Thruxton circuit. Well, not actually ON the circuit, but inside the inner ring, looking at the pit's and airstrip. After a few minutes a car arrived so I thought I had better leave!

Had to clean the bike when I got back, it was filthy from the country lanes. Tucked it away on a bit of red carpet. Will have a go at timing it when I get the disk and TDC tool this weekend, as a Christmas present from my brother Chris.

Will be up in Essex Sat/Sun to see mum and family, not long now 'till proper Christmas!


Bye for now.....

Well you can't avoid it, can you!

Well it's Sunday 14th December and the Christmas lights are up on the house, and most of the shoppings done. The bike's going to get crash bars (hope a never need them!) and a rear luggage rack, plus I have bought a timing disk and TDC (top dead centre) tool to try and time it. The bike's not been anywhere for weeks, due to cold/slippy and for the last two day's very wet (flood's!) weather. Maybe today will be the day for a ride.

Been busy with a couple of community events, last Tuesday was Bluez N Zuz Christmas Party, and very good it was too, and Wednesday we went carol singing in Tidworth and Ludgershall. Take a look at the news on www.castledownradio.info for an update. And on Thursday I had the pleasure of two hours of teenage high jink's when I stayed with the 1st Helmsdeep Explorer Scouts, when none of the leaders could make it. Played table tennis for the first time in ages, which made me realise how unfit I now am! I used to say that running around after scouts kept me busy, and I think it was true!

Just renewed my brothers 1300E Owners Club site (it's a classic car club, if you don't know). Designed it earlier this year using Mr Site, and although it's not exactly exciting, it has worked out okay. We can both edit it (we are 100 miles apart), and it's been reliable in terms of hosting (with Daily.co.uk). Take a look if you are interested, www.1300eownersclub.org.

Today Julie and Tash are off to Basingstoke (hopefully that will finish the present shopping!) and maybe Dan and I will finish the Christmas lights, sort out the tree (bought yesterday for 28 quid!) and maybe even get the bike out for five minutes. Would be nice!

Dentist at 8.15 Monday morning, then work, sales meeting at 11am, not looking forward to it. Wales on Wedesday, in the office rest of the week.

Must go now, see you.....

NEC Bike Show Pic's

Just a few pic's from the NEC last Friday, top to bottom:

* Me on the Triumph Scrambler (for more details see earlier post)
* Me having a go on the BMW F650GS, probably just before I fell off!
* Dan on a Pari-Dakar KTM
* Dan on the KTM stand on some sort of KTM! (our favourite bikes, I think!)
* Me on the Royal Enfield stand with a new unit construction 500 Bullet Classic

We had a great day out, thanks to Charles for driving and Doug for coming with us.

Bye....

NEC Bike Ride

Had a great day at the NEC last Friday, actually rode one of these BMW's, just indoors in first gear! Going out now, will do more on the NEC later.

Jack Lilley special Triumph Scrambler

Motorcycle News have an article on-line about the lovely Triumph Scrambler pictured above, it's based on a standard 2009 Scrambler with satin black wheels and other painted bit's, high level exhaust and uprated shocks. And it's available to buy from
www.jacklilley.com. For the full article go to www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2008/December/1-7/dec0408-Jack-Lilley-special-Triumph-Scrambler.

I wonder how hard it would be to make a RE Bullet version, I suppose it's a cross between the military green RE and the trail bike version. I bet with lot's of time and bit's (try www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com)you could make one.

Off to the NEC tomorrow, looking forward to a great day out. Of course I must see the new Enfields and visit the Triumph stand, plus all the other stuff! Will blog it when I get time.

Bye......

Been away again....

Been away to France overnight, and just so you don't get the idea that it is all 5 star, take a look at the pic, which is the view out of my hotel window! The other pic is the famous bronze statue at St Pancras.

Decided to use Eurostar, because of the timing of the meeting, and had to travel Monday. Left home at 11am for the 10 minute drive to Andover, caught the 11.37 to Waterloo, then two tube trains across London to Kings Cross/St Pancras. Arrived a bit early so had a look around. Checked in at 2.45 for the 3pm Eurostar. Once it was going the Eurostar got to the Channel Tunnel in about 30 minutes, then waited 20 minutes for a "comfort break (smoking break!)when we got to France. Got to Gare de Nord at 7.10pm, French time. Used the Metro to find the hotel, arrived at 8.10. Just over 8 hours!

Hotel was basic, went out for a meal, slept OK, mtg next morning, then travelled back as follows: French overground (RER) 4pm train to Gare de Nord (nearly got crushed when loads of people squeezed onto the train!). 6.45pm Eurostar to St Pancras, 2 tubes, just caught 9.20pm Waterloo to Andover train, home by just before 11pm. About 6 hours.

Would I use Eurostar again...not likely! Ive had enough of trains for a while.

Other than that all's well, no biking due to the weather, last Saturdays Day In Radio was great fun (Hi Simon if you are reading this!). This Friday going to the Bike Show at NEC.

Bye....