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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
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Put some old oil, brake fluid, rubber bits, a sprinkling of metal filings, some animal poop, a dollop of pollen, bits of grass and twigs, not forgetting some dried remains of washer fluid in a food mixer for approximately 30 seconds. Voilà, soapy looking horribleness.
The slipperiness seems to be heightened on smooth continental roads, probably because of the melting tar rising to the surface. Don't ride in the rain, it's stoopid.
We had a damp morning on Saturday after what seems like an eternity, couldn't wait for the sun to come back out. Strange innit, we want it to rain but when it does we don't. We hoomans are weird.
20/07/2026 09:33:08 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Hoomans are weird Upt'. I'm planning a trip or two at the moment and when I envision riding to each destination I'm seeing glorious sunshine and dry roads in my mind - because that's what we've had this last few weeks. I have to mentally force myself to envision cold and rain and wind otherwise I get carried away on a wave of enthusiasm thinking it'll be all terribly easy and pleasant.
Take this weekend. By the time Sharon and I had covered our 200 mile ride we were indeed a little tired but we'd enjoyed a lovely day. It was easy cruising up the motorway to Lancaster (otherwise it would have taken all day), it was easy carving the corners across the countryside's main roads, it was easy pottering along the single track, it was easy stopping for a brew and sitting outside. 200 miles of mixed road types was easy.
Well perhaps we should plan our trips based on 200 mile days if it's that easy? It's not so easy when it's wet and cold, it can be blummin' hard work. It's hard to see through the rain, it's hard being cold, it's hard trying to constantly calculate grip levels. 200 miles of even the straightest of roads in the rain is a challenge.
We can hope for good weather, we must plan for inclement weather in a country where weather forecasts are only good for a couple of days at best.
20/07/2026 12:23:09 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I find the rain very tiring Ed, much more so on a motorsiccle than a 4 wheeled contrivance. Thankfully my rides can be chosen when sun is forecast in the most part but on a trip it's a lottery. Some of the more dire private motorcycle weather I've experienced has been in Belgium, France, Spain etc. There's nothing to do about it, just try to arrive safely and get the kit ready for the next day. On one occasion approaching Lille from Belgique land it was frightening for me, Er'Indoors probably slept through it. But the waves coming off the HGV tyres and the lying water will hopefully never be repeated, throw in loud thunder and lightening, foreigners doing what foreigners do and it adds up to a good night's sleep.
Thankfully Jenny had the barn ready at the "Silent Picket" for the bike and kit and the tea in the pot.
Upt.
20/07/2026 12:57:32 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I'd once got as far as the Loire going south and stopped at a small hotel in the early afternoon as the rain was so bad. I switched on the TV and saw there was a relentless band of depressions rolling in from the Atlantic so I decided to cut my trip short and headed back to Cherbourg the following day. Glad I did as the weather turned from bad to worse.
I also abandoned a planned trip before even setting off as the storms were again coming in thick and fast. I can (could) cope with the odd day but day after day is just no fun at all apart from being more dangerous than I will accept.
20/07/2026 14:58:59 UTC
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