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Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I am reading this with interest, the whole insurance thing sets me on edge with the ducking and diving, dodging and weaving. So far it seems a good policy Ian and while £35 isn't "cheap" for 2 weeks I'd say it's manageable.
One of my occasional friends is 82 and just been informed by his motorcycle insurance that they will not be offering to renew his policy when it expires. He's not made a claim this century, just got older. Yikes!!
21/06/2026 06:05:22 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I agree it's not cheap but when I compare it with £500 and upwards for an annual policy (quotes via comparison sites) it looks like a bargain.
I'd never previously considered the shuttle but have been treated very shabbily by Brittany ferries. Briefly, I originally booked a crossing for last year but knew we'd probably have to defer due to various health issues so chose a flexi ticket. Defer we did a couple of times but when I tried to do that again a couple of weeks ago I was told I couldn't. The small print said there was a 12 month limit for rescheduling. All I could get was a 50% refund.
Had I known this I would have amended the booking earlier to remove expensive options like cabin etc so the hit would have been much less than the £300 or so we actually lost. So I've gone from a Brittany enthusiast to a wouldn't touch them with a bargepole sceptic. I still remember when I boycotted them for some years after they banned motorcycles over a certain age. Ostensibly because they were ridden by hell's angels......
The shuttle actually may make a lot of sense but we'll see. Haven't booked anything yet.
21/06/2026 10:01:30 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Yes, I heard from a motorcyclist a few days ago. He ran various Suzuki hyabusas from 2002 and was refused renewal on this bike just under two years ago at the age of 81.
He sold the bike and got a 400cc scooter, but it did not go well. He missed the riding experience of the big bike, and has given up biking. He still really misses the bike.
I have been wondering about this scenario as I am also reasonably healthy, getting old,(am old)and love larger capacity bikes.
If I was to move to Spain I believe that the bike is insured, not the rider. Could I still ride at over 80 in Spain, or is there an age restriction like vans insured for any driver in this country, eg over 25?
21/06/2026 10:06:03 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ian, if you haven't used the tunnel before don't worry about it. In my experience it is way easier than ferry travel, even with a butler. If I still lived in the midlands it would be my default option.
The only reason we've used the Amsterdam ferry is we literally have to ride the length of England to reach Ashford, whereas it's 50 miles to North Shields. But obviously you pay for the privilege, but it's only money.....sorry Ed. Plus, you have to plan well ahead which can be tedious.
Regarding getting old, no I'm not quite there yet, but from speaking to friends, relatives, neighbours etc if you haven't done it by 80 you might as well not bother as travel and transport just becomes too difficult because of the dreaded insurance premiums. Some neighbours have had to change fairly mundane vehicles to even more mundane types to get cover. Getting old ain't for cissies.
Upt.
21/06/2026 13:03:00 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
With regard to Rod's friend, I think if he's missing a bike he could do worse than look for a smaller lighter machine. Possibly dare I say like my Herald? Very cheap, weighs only 130kg (it is far far easier to move around the shed than the "lightweight" Norton Electra) and insurance should be available. My broker has even added it to my classic policy! I've been pleasnatly surprised by its quality and have just bought a Gold Star type silencer on ebay which hopefully will give it a deeper exhaust note as the one fitted is a bit high-pitched. Or maybe just louder..... As Ren will testify, small bikes can be just as much fun. I'd rather ride a Honda 50 than get the bus (even with the bus pass).
Re the tunnel: the main things I've held against it are the dreadful M25 car park to get there - although I confess I haven't been that way for a long time - and the fact it disgorges in the Pas de Calais which is not my favourite part of France. Although have been looking at the Alabaster Coast and in particular Dieppe which is a place we've never been to as a potential for our next trip.
My torn meniscus seems to have miraculously improved over the last 2 or 3 days although not nearly back to full functionality and I'm now feeling much more positive after resigning myself to a long slow recovery. Is that a light at the end of the tunnel? Don't be daft....
21/06/2026 14:08:39 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
There is indeed a light at the end of the tunnel Ian - but is it daylight or the headlight of a huge freight train coming right at ya?!
I may be bringing you a very brief insight into the coast near Dieppe soon enough Ian.
01/07/2026 10:26:04 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Alleluia, the air warmed up. 30c's, blummin lovely.
Upt.
09/07/2026 09:14:28 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
It's tooooooo hot!!!
Wurzat Upt'?
09/07/2026 22:46:19 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Just a day ride Ed, into the Borders passed the Loch on the picture above on the site then onto the Waterwheel Caff near Selkirk. Good day had by all.
That's Er'Indoors demanding cake before she travelled another inch.
09/07/2026 22:58:43 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Too hot to even think of getting on the bike (even if knee allowed) or venturing in the shed. So am watching youtube instead. I found an interesting one on thread repairs comparing helicoil, timesert and would you believe JB weld. Quite eye opening. See link. Also watched a really good documentary about John Surtees. Beautifully styl;ish rider and the only person to be world champion on 2 and 4 wheels. He missed sidecars though (although he was a passenger on his dad's grasstrack outfit in his youth).
https://youtu.be/NZItuPnU7lU?si=QFCykEnZxvD_hEUQ...
11/07/2026 16:16:30 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Fascinating stuff Ian. So JB Weld might not be the ultimate solution but it seems it'll likely be a good shot to get you home.
I've added the Waterwheel Cafe to my extensive list of cafes stored in my Google maps Upt'.
11/07/2026 19:33:57 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ian , thanks for doing this so we don't have to ! Some great videos on that channel , I'll keep them for the inevitable wet day....
Nigel
12/07/2026 13:32:07 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Still too hot so came across this channel. A Canadian woman who explains all sorts of machining in a clear and accessible way, if sometimes a little irritating. But then who amongst us isn't? Limited audience I accept......
https://www.youtube.com/@Blondihacks...
15/07/2026 14:02:05 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Got out for a ride. A697 and A1 south to Newcastle upon the Tyne, then across the A69 to Hexham for lunch before a ride up the A68 to Jedburgh and onto home via Kelso. Fabulous day for riding upt here. 25c's with a breeze from the NE and blue skies. If someone here hasn't ridden the A68 from Hexham north be sure you do. It's makes you feel young/er again.
150 miles of pure joy.
Upt.
15/07/2026 17:03:26 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
The vertical bends on the A68 are quite exciting........
25? You're lucky, exceeding 30 again down here.
16/07/2026 11:32:37 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Yes Ian, I wasn't gloating with the 25c's. It was a perfect weather day for a ride, 30 would probably have been OK for most of it but it would have been a bit sticky in Hexham traffic havoc. Why is everywhere so damn busy, just been to Alnwick upon the Aln for a spot of food shopping, blummin havoc I tell y'all. Every other car seems to be from the EU and motor homes are in abundance. 21c's today in case you were wonderin. Although it's difficult to enjoy it outside with all the darn thrips about. At least they ate all the midges.
Pffffffftttttt.
Upt.
16/07/2026 14:07:26 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ian , that'd another channel bookmarked for a rainy day, I don't know if I have the patience or ability to restore this family heirloom though..
Nigel
16/07/2026 15:20:40 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
200 miles for Sharon and I yesterday. Caton, Devils Bridge (Kirkby Lonsdale), Dent, Hawes, and Settle. Steady pace with the occasional squirt. Got caught in this weird weather event on the way home - big globules of water falling from the sky!?!? Very peculiar.
Here's a question. Recently after a dry spell in summer the rain seems to turn into washing up water on the road. It looks like the rain contains soap. I noticed it last year and excessively so during yesterday's brief but wet deluge.
I can't think of a logical explanation.
19/07/2026 06:59:25 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Build up of rubber-like substances from tyres? What I do know is that roads are very slippery when the rain first falls after a long dry period. We could do with some of that wet stuff down here.
19/07/2026 10:10:53 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
It was quite scary! It's remarkable how quickly we adjust to dry riding then when the rain started I realised I'd forgotten how little you can see, I couldn't judge the grip, how blummin' cold it is. I've no doubt I'll relearn it all too quickly soon enough but in those first few minutes I was befuddled.
19/07/2026 10:22:19 UTC
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