What a difference a year makes!

A week ago I headed off to France (Bonjour!) for a long weekend as part of some birthday celebrations. This is the fourth time I’ve ventured round these foreign parts and the second time on my beloved Silvano – and as usual my main thoughts concerned getting on and off the ferry in one piece!

I don’t know why but there is something about wet metal surfaces that sends fear through my heart…. yet lo and behold, to my surprise there were no mad moments of wheel spinning, slippin and a sliding anywhere – and that “surprise” turned out to be the theme of the holiday.

Wagons roll!

Admittedly the first time I rode Silvano around France, at five months we were still in the early stages of our relationship. A year later and more than 9,000 miles between us it was a really different matter. This time I felt settled on my baby – I know how he reacts to corners, switchbacks, wet roads, gravel and high winds. I know his braking points and how much clutch control  I need. It is really amazing what a difference  a year’s made 🙂 Although initially we had thought of going to Millau we opted to take things easier and headed over to Reims, then to Charleville-Mezieres. I love this place with its sweeping and twisty roads and it’s only a short hop across the border to Belgium to enjoy their lovely roads too.

Same place next year?

But just as I was getting into the swing of things disaster struck… NO I did not fall off or drop my bike 😛 – instead we found ourselves in Mons. A rather quaint yet bubbly place to spend some time, rather picturesque with plenty of historic architecture to gawp at……and everywhere you go, whether pavement or street it is COBBLED 😦 Oh ye gawds I cannot remember the last time I was that scared – it made the fear of the ferry seem but a moment of hesitation).

At one point I had to turn a corner, head downhill, avoid pedestrians on the crossings and tackle three way traffic!!! I found myself frozen – at first I couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t moving. Then I realised my foot was refusing to obey and move off the back brake! I literally had to tell myself off  (“Man up girl and get off the brake so we can get the hell out of here”) before I could gather up the nerve to move. Needless to say I was pretty grateful there wasn’t any rain to add to the mix and I was ready to get off the wheels, kneel down and kiss the tarmac when I finally got back to a “civilised” road lol. Congratulating myself on getting through it was obviously too much for the universe which decided to throw in some more cobbles as we ventured through Tournai – but by this time I was ready to laugh at myself and just got on with it!

Feeling under the weather one day I was happy to go pillion to enjoy the views even more – and the Irish Coffee 🙂 and was eternally grateful I’d made that decision as the heavens opened for a torrential downpour 😉 Nothing like having a big bloke in front of you to shield you from the rain lol.

He’s also very useful at other times of the break when you realise that your bike’s battery is flat and you can’t get it started with a push! One set of jump leads later, a kind English man (spotted from his Brit plates!) and less than 20 mins later we were on our way 🙂 I may well have European breakdown cover but it’s so much quicker to have your own handyman with you lol (many many thanks honey 😉 )

Enjoying the great wines France has to offer!

France is a beautiful country to ride around (if you ignore the flat north part) and I enjoyed the roads particularly along its mountain rivers which roll out in front of you edged by massive  rock walls. With the autumn colours coming through it’s breathtaking.I use every opportunity I can get to practice my french and whilst my accent is probably pretty execrable it didn’t seem to annoy the patient receptionist at one hotel whose sign said “sorry we only speak French here” and was happy to converse about extra towels, a parking space for two bikes avoiding the local police as well as the extra code for late night entry to the hotel.

Much as I love the riding I do find I am always grateful to get off my beloved Sprint 955i at the end of the day to relax and unwind with a good meal and enjoy the sights.

Here I am at a wine tasting (that’s why there are so many glasses) and watching the world go by wondering where all the French people are. On a Friday and Saturday night it seemed deserted!

Just over 600 miles later and I was back at home, having had a safe and pleasant journey and already am planning the next one (as well as a course to overcome fear of gravel, wet metal and cobbles lol!)
Ride safe

Water water everywhere….when waterproofs go bad!

I’ve been caught out in some of the most horrific wet weather we’ve had for years and that uncomfortable seeping cold feeling when you realise your knickers are quite soggy has become second nature. For some unfathomable reason my once trusty waterproofs have given up the ghost and decided to leak…..quite  a lot 😦

As I am commuting more and more on Silvano and am unwilling to risk coping with sodden leathers I decided enough was enough and it was time to bite the bullet and fork out for a new decent pair. Of course two things happened – first it stopped raining and the sun came out with a vengence and secondly….literally two days after purchasing my new waterproof trousers the shop went into administration!!

Yep Hein Gericke UK is to be no more. Oh well. I can’t be too grumpy about possibly saving myself some muller since it is highly likely a swarm of locusts, otherwise known as penny pinching bikers, would descend on any of the branches and strip the racks clear before I could get there.

Besides I am extremely pleased with my purchase which I carefully researched beforehand – it needed to be Goretex, with removable lining, preferably with vents and shapely enough that I wouldn’t look like I was wearing my old man’s gear 🙂

Three styles later (and yes I was surprised they had them and the sizes in stock)  I found myself the pleased owner of a pair of Grace – and in a size smaller than I thought I needed. Yes – if you want your fat ass to be studied and commented upon in detail – make sure you not only take your bloke but ensure you bump into two mates in the shop and insist they stay and give their opinion too!

Once I’d made my choice I was rather pleased to see they had a deal on that gave me a very decent 50 quid off so yes – I might just possibly have got this pair even cheaper now they are closing down – but there was a greater chance that I might have missed out altogether!

UPDATE:  since writing this I’ve been on a short break to Cornwall – Bugle to be precise to see my sis and boy did my waterproofs get a trial. The 250 mile journey back was filled with non stop rain – at times it was so bad that I couldn’t see the tail lights of the vehicles in front 😛 A change of gloves was needed part way through the journey but that was all – I was warm and toasty for all the ride.

Who wants to be reminded of wet weather! This is Looe looking fab and I can recommend the Cornish Lust Strawberry and cream liqueur!

Ride safe (and dry!)

Did I miss something…?

What in the world is going on? – Stop press : For almost 24 hours there was no rain! and so I seized the day and went out on an all day bike ride round some lovely roads in Oxford and around the Cotswolds 🙂

Quick break to enjoy the view then off for more bimbles!

Seven hours of bliss, with the odd comfort break, a lovely lunch at a quaint pub and just stopping to enjoy the view, has left me with cramp in my left hand from clutch manoeuvres (I have small hands and despite adjustment to the clutch it remains a stretch!), and slightly sore knees from the armour (as my knees are in a more raised position thanks to my Daytona MStars with their increased height inserts) – and a big big big smile on my face 😛

And something truly wonderful has happened – it’s taken 13 months and 5,500 miles but my bike no longer feels “new” to me or has that “getting used to” feeling. Out for a ride and I find myself feeling emotionally comfy – at peace, with my wheels, like a pair of comfy slippers. There’s no feeling that this is “a big bike” or one I have to work up to getting used to or a twinge of concern if it rains and I need to think about greasy roads. I know his flexibility, braking points, reaction or delay to throttle on/off and have complete faith in my Michelin Road Pilots!

It doesn’t make me a perfect rider (hahah!) but since the accident which wrote off Buz, my FZ6s,  I believe my confidence and skill have really moved on and I am no longer stuck at that moment of impact. I surprise myself at my changed reactions – for example I’ve ridden a road several times in the Cotswolds that  is overshadowed by trees and high banks of earth which always crumble onto the narrow roadways, leaving grit and debris in your path.  All in all it’s always left me feeling nauseous, terrified I’d slide on the gravel and end up ditching me and the bike, probably in the pathway of oncoming traffic 😦

Recently I was on that road yet as I moved from corner to corner, crossing the gravel with ease and wondering if there was any opportunity to overtake the car in front, I suddenly found myself thinking “hmmm, isn’t this that difficult road? No it can’t be maybe it’s further on……hmmm that’s funny, did I miss something – when did this road become so easy?”

I know people who’ve had worse/easier crashes with greater/less injuries than me, and never gone back to riding as they feel the risks are too great. Everybody has their own reasons for riding and of course no one can or should judge another for deciding to give it up – it’s a very personal choice and reliant on many factors such as family, finance and ultimately one’s nerve.

Silvano is a dream to ride, so smooth and flickable, responsive and light as a feather (once he gets moving). The injury to my lower back means I still have difficulty with long periods in the saddle thanks to the sportier position, but so far I have been very lucky that I have retained my love of and ability to ride bikes. So at the moment if asked “would I even consider giving up biking?” The answer is very much  “Hell no!!”

Ride Safe

The wheels on the bike go round and round….at least if they’re filled with slime!

Tyres are expensive – I’m sure that comes as no surprise to anyone and whilst many bikers tend to splash the cash when it comes to their kit, it seems to be a particular passion to see just how much they can get out of their tyres before coughing up for new ones.

For some reason this is particularly true of sports tourers – we seem to pride ourselves on the lifespan of our non-squared off boots. So I was extremely unimpressed when checking my baby boy over before a ride when I spotted he was leaking.  Yes I know Triumphs leak – but this wasn’t oil , it was a leak from his backside – the rear tyre 😦 .

Being a bit of a geek  I have always had my back tyres filled with gunk of one kind or another to ensure that if I ever get a puncture that it will be sealed and rideable until I can get it fixed. Now I know some riders have quite negative feelings about the stuff. Comments range from mishandling of bike, liable to have a bigger accident following a small puncture etc etc. But in six years it’s never been an issue for me. In fact I’d say it’s certainly given me peace of mind when waltzing around the unpopulated parts of France – after all I’d rather not have to A – find a mechanic in the middle of nowhere, and B – explain in my schoolgirl French that my tyre is somewhat deflated.

On close inspection the tyre had a small slash rather than a puncture through. Having only completed 4,000 miles on it I was rather keen to see if it could be saved. A quick check with a mate of mine left me in no doubt that I could use it gently for a little while longer but should keep an eye on it and be ready to exchange at the slightest sign that its condition had worsened.

Well 500 miles later and upon inspection I noticed the gash had got bigger and, with the aid of torchlight, silver threads from the inner core could clearly be seen, not to mention the soft hissing of lost air 😦 Bah humbug! the gunk was making a valiant effort to stem the flow but the damage was too much for it and I was left with no option but to sort out a new boot.

Some might say it was fortune and my guardian angel looking after me as the day I gingerly rode it over to Flitwick Motorcycles was the first day it had actually stopped raining and the roads were dry and clear. Not me – personally it felt as it if was adding insult to injury! The most beautiful biking day imaginable and I’m trundling round like a newbie 😦 Indeed it was a strange experience to be riding around on purpose as straight up and as straight lined as I could. Definitely felt alien not to be working the corners and also seemed to take more effort to ride  this way.

It would have been cheaper to go with a different brand but I’m not one for mixing the boots on Silvano nor do I fancy putting my safety to the test with purchases I am not convinced about so I stuck to the Michelin Road Pilot 3s.

My wallet was considerably lighter as I rode off to pastures new to scrub it in – complete with the warning from the shop ringing in my ears to be careful on a new tyre!  I was very careful indeed but can safely say the Pilot 3s remain a joy to ride and at the end of the day I was more than satisfied 🙂

Having gunk in the tyre is not everyone’s cup of tea – and for heavens sake if you go to an unknown garage to get a tyre changed be sure to let them know as they’re none to pleased if they get caught out – and covered in blue or green slime! But for me, it’s a no brainer and adds to my independence so here’s hoping I can stay away from sharp edges for a while and my baby will pile on the miles before needing new boots!

Ride safe

Lost in space… or just navigating the M25!

I apologise now to any women I may offend, particularly if they are committed to fighting the good fight for equality but this is my blog and I’ll write what I like! As far as I’m concerned there are some things in life that men are just better at than women. Ball control – of the tennis and football variety I hasten to add, bbq-ing – there’s something about men, meat and fire!, changing tyres (after all what woman wants to get her hands dirty?), and of course map reading.

I KNOW men hate to ask for directions but they do at least know one end of a map from the other. But what is it about maps that turns me from a practical, sensible woman into a neurotic, foulmouthed, demented harpie? The dangers of using pieces of paper covered in directions range from near death by paper cut to locked brakes as you avoid riding into the vehicle in front of you cos you were distracted trying to read the blasted things.

And don’t even get me started on a road atlas – WHY are they never printed in the direction of travel? Surely I can’t be the only person fed up trying to read them upside down?

Perhaps I should say that my lack of map reading skills is legendary – even my licence plate bore the legend “Yes- I am definitely lost!” as a warning to others.

So my introduction to sat-nav was an epiphany. I started out with a Garmin Quest and suddenly the world – or at least navigating the M25, was within my reach! Six years on and I’m still a convert and moved onto the Garmin Zumo about four years ago. I must admit I’m almost evangelical in my desire to tell the world just how great it is.

Petrol stations, cafes and places to lay my weary head appear as if by magic, moments after I seek them out. Enjoying a great day’s biking is no longer marred by fearing I won’t remember the way home – now I can spend all day out just enjoying unknown roads before punching in for the most direct route home 🙂

My beloved Garmin and I have been up and down the country together and several times around France. With it unchartered territories hold no fear – his gentle reassuring voice coaxes me ever onwards, and with the ability to adjust the size of the map or directions I have overcome yo-yo head syndrome from constantly needing to look down to reassure myself. If I miss a turn, he doesn’t rant or rave at me but simply calculates a new route to guide me along. Strangely I also find it rather reassuring to find out my ETA – even if I’m running late it seems to calm me to know!

And I am seriously impressed by its robust design – not only has it survived monsoon like conditions, but this time last year my bike, an FZ6s was bouncing down the road in a series of cartwheels 😛 . As you can see from the pictures – the screen and bikini fairing disappeared, the Garmin cradle rotated to face skywards and the Zumo dug into the tarmac several times.

Cradled Garmin safe and secure despite a tarmac crunching bounce down the road

Yet they stayed intact (the Garmin and Cradle – not the bike!) are both in still in great working order and we’ve been on many an adventure since 🙂

Battered and bruised yet still in great working order!

Don’t get me wrong – at times you really have to remember not to be a slave to it and to think for yourself. There’s many a time I’ve looked at a road it suggests I take my bike on and thought “hmmm I doubt even a mountain goat has been up that – I think I’ll give that a miss!”. And often I’ll ignore it in favour of a better route just because I’ll know the area. Once you remember to hang on to your common sense you’ll find the Garmin a wonderful tool 🙂

I know the Garmin is not to everyone’s taste… “It’s a load of crock, give me my Tom Tom back” is a regular cry from my bruv Fatboy Ginge lol!

Well I don’t know about that, but if you are looking for a robust, intelligent sat-nav, that you can programme routes on even when wearing thick motorcycle gloves and that seems designed to last, then you’ll go a long long way before you’ll find a better bit of kit!

Ride safe