Those Burrell engines are fantastic aren't they? Have you been to the Museum in Thetford where they started? Got caught behind a similar one a couple of weeks ago and just stayed there. 10 to 15mph at most but the smell of the engine..... glorious.
Went out to Willingham woods, an s1000r complete with yellow jacket shot past us in opposite direction in 60 limit, he had a bit of speed on, but then so did we, it seemed he was a cop and turned round to follow us, we had slowed for the village, which he liked but had then shot of at high speed after the village, which he didn't think was so nice, however very pleasant guy, talked about the dangers and then we had some laughs abouts the joys of bikes and track days, he had done one at cadwell, pleased to say we had met a nice bike copper, so seems they are not all bad after all
Hooning around the Trossachs again. ...ostensibly to put some miles on the new lid and gloves I picked up last week. Went in from Denny for a change. Duke's Pass is nearly clear of chips from the resurface. Well, the south side and over the top is anyway. North side is still a little hairy. Usual random nature of rides up that way was aided by a couple of road closures. The A81 closure left a little 15 mile or so triangle of road up Callander way that no-one was using - when I got back round to the start of it again I couldn't resist another lap. ...and back over Duke's Pass again, arms pumped and looking forward to getting back on the 81 and getting the pace up to taking-the-weight-off miles per hour for the blast home. So how did the gear do... Gloves (Knox Zero 3 Mk 2) are nice. Comfy lining that stays put and although they were tight when I got them(and still are a touch) they're breaking in ok. Not a massive step up from the Held Quattrotemps that I've been using but a step up nonetheless. The helmet(Shoei NXR2) is brilliant. Quiet, light, good solid visor that seals great, barely seems to catch the wind at speed and excellent visibility. Best lid I've ever had. Very happy bunny.
You can’t tell me that he doesn’t go on a jolly on his own And that’s what pisses me off with bike cops
Half-eaten cheese salad crusty roll, nibbled round the edges. Phew! For a moment I thought I was being brought to task for my chicken strips.
Up over Rannoch Moor. Down Glencoe. Lunch at Oban. Along Loch Awe. (this road is a thing of beauty) (...and the view's not bad either if you can tear your eyes away from the next corner) ...and home again from Tyndrum. As runs go - it's an oldie but it's a goodie.
Had SORN mine end of October but too good to miss todays weather so retaxed for November. Even if I only get today out of it - more than worth it for the fun factor.
Popped down to Cumbria to see the folks for a couple of days. Usual route - which must be about my most traveled road over the years that isn't just a local commute. Through East Kilbride to Strathaven. B7086 round to Kirkmuirhill then onto the B7078 south and let the good times roll. Goes over and under the M74 a few times so sometimes you're on one side and sometimes the other. Wanders off into the hills a couple of times but basically just follows the motorway. Stopped at Beattock summit for a smoke. Motorway is over on the left and was droning away with it's usual traffic levels. B7078 on the right, also with it's usual traffic levels. Down at Beattock itself turned left into the B7076 which is more of the same down to Gretna services. Hopped onto the motorway for a tedious pootle to and round Carlisle then off again at the start of the A6. You can link this bit without going on the motorway but it's a little convaluted. Sometimes I do but most of the time I just suffer the 10 miles or so of M6. A6 was - as always - an exercise in self-control. Then it's just through Penrith, a little more of the A6 then 12 miles of back road to the cottage. Coming back this morning - same route. ...but when I got to Abington... ...decided I wanted more so headed west on the A70... ...then up over the Muirkirk rollercoaster to Strathaven... ...and home again. Happy days.
Down the Stewarton road, which apart from this little muddy bit was it's usual fun self. Wasn't the only bike out - not by a long shot. Think everyone had seen the sunshine and wondered how many nice days there were left before winter hit. Met up with a mate. ...who knows the area much better than I do and led me around and about for a while on some roads I'd never been along and a few I had but not recently. Ended up in Dalmellington. Went up and over to New Cumnock on one of the most entertaining new stretches I've ridden in a good while. Parted ways there - him going off to a prior engagement and me doubling back and running the road again both ways for giggles. Then headed inland to Muirkirk and over the top back home.
Quick update from the end of August, dislocated shoulder, still off the road. Just been informed I now require major shoulder reconstruction surgery so probably over 6 months waiting, fucking shit skate board.
