Welcome To Bikes And Travels...
...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!
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Homeward Bound And Epilogues
Alas it's time to go home. The weather gives Ren deja-vu and there's a moment for a little more cake. Both Sharon and Ren sum up their feelings about the area.
Naughty Boys On Strange Bikes
It's a discouraging start to Bogger's Feet Forwards French expedition. Not to worry, soon the 2 old men are sneaking around like naughty school kids.
More Wonders, Weird Food
It's another day filled with fabulous things for Andy. Knights and bends in the road, mountains and flat bits, and a posh hotel with a sunset.
Wonderous Wales And Epilogue
The ride home from The Elan Valley gives our Dynamic Muppets some delightful scenery - which confuses Ren. It's also time to wrap up the tale.
Braving Barmouth Bridge
Our brave and heroic editor is bravely and heroically doing something many many riders have easily done before. There's also a lot of reminiscing, oh and some chips.
Feet Forward Prologue
Bogger is organising his next French escapade. It's the who, why, what, and where this time, oh and the how. The why never makes sense, nor should it.
Best Feet Forwards
Title page for Bogger's latest trip with a bunch of people on weird motorcycles.
Back On The Road And Heading South Again
Having mostly recovered Andy's back on the road making big miles through ever more stunning scenery. A few notes then pictures aplenty that'll make you wish you were there.
Bigger Scenery South Of Biggar
Sharon has suggested today's destination with Ren putting in an add-on. It's a part of the UK less explored, which is a shame, but at least it's quiet.
Andy's Local Ride
Feeling a little better Andy's having an easy day exploring The Pyrenees. Scenery aplenty while dodging some rain.
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Latest Posts
Homeward Bound And Epilogues
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Blimey Ian that's LUCKY!!
I have a massive set of key but with a carabiner. On the carabiner the bike key alone comes off, then one set of house keys and one set of bike security keys. I also have a spare bike key, disc lock key, top box key and house key secured "elsewhere" in case I lose the set.
Oh that feeling when you've lost your keys, it's like nausea, panic, dizziness and disbelief. Same when you've lost ya wallet.
The window is open Upt' to allow the smell of roughty toughty mean and well'ard bikers to leave the room. Fear not the owner of the property lives nearby and would soon be there to secure the place. Tables? Pfffft, nerd.
09/01/2026 17:46:52 UTC
Homeward Bound And Epilogues
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Ah, but do you put the cream on first or the jam? I also understand that some odd folk don't bother with the butter. The more saturated fat and sugar the better as far as I'm concerned.
I'm the same when leaving a place - I always think I've forgotten something. I've probably mentioned this before but I was on the Tiger one early morning leaving the small Ouistreham hotel I'd stayed in before a ferry. I'd split the Tiger's keys between 2 rings - one for ignition / top box, the other for panniers etc as I hate great bunches of keys rattling about. Of course I zoomed off to the ferry leaving the pannier keys on the steps outside the hotel.
I didn't realise till I was on the ferry and went to get some comfy shoes for the trip out of a pannier. Not really a problem but I'd have to wait till I got home for the spares. However, as I was enjoying a cup of Brittany ferries' excellent coffee, a bloke came up to me waving some keys and saying "are these yours?" He'd spotted them on the steps as I left but missed me in the ferry queue. Nice chap - he could easily have just left them there.
09/01/2026 14:17:11 UTC
Homeward Bound And Epilogues
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Oh yes, those tables aren't inline and the window's open.
09/01/2026 12:48:10 UTC
Homeward Bound And Epilogues
Upt'North ¹ said :-
There's always time for cake. If there ain't, some'ats up.
I do like D and G, I've said it before, probably here? But, it ain't the Highlands, but as you succinctly put it, that's the problem, innit.
We're off to Skye in May but it'll be a four wheeled trip and hiking aplenty to boot. But we've made sure we're on the West Coast away from the ferry to bridge crowd who are "doing Skye". Whatever that means?
And then there's another but, some will say until you've been to Tongue, Bettyhill and Gairloch you haven't seen the Highlands anyway so when do you stop going North, when your feet get wet? Life's a quandary, but only if you let it be so, make time to go where you want and see those places with your own eyes. Who said, "there's one life, live it"? Easy to say but sometimes much harder to achieve.
Thanks you pair of rascals and stay away from men on pink bikes.
Upt.
09/01/2026 12:45:53 UTC
Naughty Boys On Strange Bikes
nab301 said :-
@ Bogger , I'm looking forward with trepidation while simultaneously being careful what I wish for!!
@ Ian ,re airbnb the same sort of thing has happened in my part of the world too.
Nigel
08/01/2026 16:42:56 UTC
Naughty Boys On Strange Bikes
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Cheers ROD - it's a curious, possible interesting possibility.
As for your kidney Upt' are you in the process of trying to pickle it?
08/01/2026 11:09:45 UTC
Naughty Boys On Strange Bikes
ROD¹ said :-
Link for Ren.
I have not used the app. I was just browsing ready for later this year.
Some hosts have small campsites others just room for one tent. The facilities also very from full showers and toilets to wild camping levels.
https://campspace.com/en...
06/01/2026 19:11:54 UTC
Naughty Boys On Strange Bikes
Upt'North ¹ said :-
On reflection Ed, I think I'd prefer to sell a kidney.
Although who'd want one of my wine shrivelled up walnuts.
Upt.
06/01/2026 17:57:36 UTC
Naughty Boys On Strange Bikes
Bogger said :-
Reference the trip Nab. You'll have to keep on reading unfortunately, to find the depths we sink to.
Bogger
06/01/2026 17:55:49 UTC
Naughty Boys On Strange Bikes
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
ARGH!! I've fixed the date error Ian, thanks.
06/01/2026 15:57:50 UTC
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Upt'North ¹ said :-
Sometime ago I was out in the boozer with me big brother, he arrived back at the table with pints in hand and two packets of crisps under his arm.
All he could say was, "15 Shilling for a packet of crisps"!
09/01/2026 15:58:39 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I don't think so Rod, It was either 4 shillings or 48d. I think. Or 4 bob of course.
09/01/2026 15:56:07 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
When I wur a lad 20p was 20d!!
09/01/2026 14:55:09 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I am proud of you nab301 - well done you. However, never one to be satisfied, the next step would have been to create a permanent fixture using the bungee hook, a jubilee clip and a length of galvanised wire from a farmer's wire fence.
Pictures, we need pictures. Like Ian's "fix", he has pictures. Mind you I'm worried Ian might lose 20 pence if that vice grip comes asunder. Eeeeee when I wur a lad 20p would get ya a chewie and a choccie.
09/01/2026 11:38:36 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Bungee? Mole grips and a couple of 10p pieces are what you need! This got me quite a long way when the silencer bracket on my ES2 fractured. I was very impressed that the exhaust remained in place even though it was only held on by the rose nut into the cylinder head.
Fortunately this happened just outside a little pub so I could enjoy a coffee waiting for it to cool down.
09/01/2026 11:28:43 UTC
nab301 said :-
Good news with the C11 , that is exactly how my Enfield has been since I did a top end rebuild, which is better than it has ever been in the 10yrs I've owned it , including after I rebored it , If only I knew why!
It did however blot its copy book in the last week with a broken downpipe support bracket , I stopped at the side of the road exhaust popping and banging , down pipe at some distance from the cylinder head, scaring sheep and spitting flames from the open exhaust port . Ren would be proud of my fix however , which involved a bungee and lots of smoke from the plastic coated steel hook on the way home.
Nigel
08/01/2026 17:02:47 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Woohoo! And it's not a 2 stroke. Phew.
07/01/2026 21:06:29 UTC
Glyn said :-
Oh well done Ian. A just reward for your endeavours. It’s a great day when you get them started after a long rest in a shed.
07/01/2026 19:57:28 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
The C11 runs!
It was a bit warmer today so ventured into the workshop, fitted the camshaft, timed the ignition, set the tappets, poured some oil down the pushrod tunnels and gave it a couple of priming kicks. Switched the ignition on and a cough after the first kick then it picked up and ran very nicely.
So I'm a happy chap!
07/01/2026 15:43:41 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Of course I'm also always available to share my limited knowledge!
05/01/2026 09:56:33 UTC
Latest Chit-Chat
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Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I object to random businesses spamming the feed in the hope of improving their Google ranking. I've no problem with you trying to find the jacket a suitable home.
02/01/2026 17:46:19 UTC
Glyn said :-
If anyone is a size 3XL I have a brand new RICHA jacket. It’s never been worn but the tags are not there as it was originally a gift. There is some light armour in the elbows and shoulders but it can be upgraded. I’m not even an L size these days so it hangs in my wardrobe unlikely to ever see the light of day. Sorry Ed I know you frown on advertising on these pages (so I humbly apologise ) but it’s a shame to see it languishing unused.
02/01/2026 12:23:34 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Your feet must be even bigger than mine Nigel, size 46 is about UK 11.
01/01/2026 16:11:19 UTC
nab301 said :-
A pity they don't have any mens sizes!
Nigel
01/01/2026 14:35:13 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Anybody after new motorsiccle boots.
Check this out, sizes 42 to 46.
Upt.
*Remember there are fees and vat etc.
https://www.johnpyeauctions.co.uk/Browse?FullTextQuery=Motorcycle%20...
31/12/2025 12:55:19 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Yes, not bad looking - te tank seat unit has a Triumph Hurricane look about it. I'm not so keen on the exhaust pipe lines however. It might be improved with something like the Triumph's stacked pipes. Although not the comical front brake.
18/12/2025 15:49:07 UTC
nab301 said :-
That looks great and the original so called (I think) Euro styled versions (although I never owned any) were always my favourite looking bikes , CB900f CB750F etc
Nigel
17/12/2025 15:46:27 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Styling Upt'. As you say it's a modern bike in old school clothing. If you took the same chassis and engine and covered it in fairings it's a sports bike. Cover it in angular body panels its a modern naked. I think it looks lovely just as it is.
17/12/2025 11:35:51 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Is it our own fault? Is it fault? Is it what we really want? I dunno. But some of the latest bikes could at first glance be exact copies of 70/80's bikes with a detuned modern ICE thrown in.
Is it what we want?
Yes, this is what happens when the nights draw in.
17/12/2025 09:12:02 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Yes nab301 this is not going to be one of those bikes that takes you by surprise with rapid speed and arm-wrenching acceleration. I daresay if that is what someone is looking for they're probably looking in the wrong place. I think I would wish to try before I buy if nothing else to convince myself there's enough power even for one as humble as my dawdling self.
16/12/2025 18:53:06 UTC
Random Link - Sharon's Stunning Achievement