A picture a day... biker banter (Vol 6)
Discussion
Rick448 said:
Pretty close to one of my routes then. Have i seen that bike at Willingham Woods?
Probably, I was on my way to the woods that day often meet mates there. The photographer is usually on West/middle Rasen bends. If you head through Market Rasen out on the A631 you would come across them. Apparently they usually announce on Facebook where they are going to be and when, but I dont go on FB much. Some days have ridden past and thought "what are they up to" and slow to double check its not a speed trap. Then realise it was a photographer. The same corner is often a popular spot where Trafpol may sit.bogie said:
Probably, I was on my way to the woods that day often meet mates there. The photographer is usually on West/middle Rasen bends. If you head through Market Rasen out on the A631 you would come across them. Apparently they usually announce on Facebook where they are going to be and when, but I dont go on FB much. Some days have ridden past and thought "what are they up to" and slow to double check its not a speed trap. Then realise it was a photographer. The same corner is often a popular spot where Trafpol may sit.
Thanks for that, I don't do FB at all, so that's probably why I am totally unaware of this. 
Sunday ZZR1400 ride by Rick Phillips, on Flickr
Sunday ZZR1400 ride by Rick Phillips, on Flickr
Sunday ZZR1400 ride by Rick Phillips, on Flickr
Sunday ZZR1400 ride by Rick Phillips, on Flickrbolidemichael said:
spareparts said:
Krikkit said:
spareparts said:
bolidemichael said:
Very nice. Details of the routes you describe would be of interest.
Happy to share. These were the basic routes (limited by GoogleMaps number of waypoints), and there were some slight adjustments when we took some scenic offroad routes along the way.Day 1: https://goo.gl/maps/ATqk67L9RYkE3o4s8
Day 2: https://goo.gl/maps/LR2HfdmnKcG4VSDg7
Day 3: https://goo.gl/maps/BB4ERhwyUwJAZXPf9
Day 4: https://goo.gl/maps/38RxVrw9R7DGaizUA
Day 5: https://goo.gl/maps/BfewE9Hxu7Rseqc48
Day 6: https://goo.gl/maps/gtwWDSBci917w2Ag9
Day 7: https://goo.gl/maps/fh5qbtmNqCexmnjJ9
Day 8: https://goo.gl/maps/GS9NcnsHhLE4xz8LA
Total distance was about 2.5k miles.
spareparts said:
bolidemichael said:
spareparts said:
Krikkit said:
spareparts said:
bolidemichael said:
Very nice. Details of the routes you describe would be of interest.
Happy to share. These were the basic routes (limited by GoogleMaps number of waypoints), and there were some slight adjustments when we took some scenic offroad routes along the way.Day 1: https://goo.gl/maps/ATqk67L9RYkE3o4s8
Day 2: https://goo.gl/maps/LR2HfdmnKcG4VSDg7
Day 3: https://goo.gl/maps/BB4ERhwyUwJAZXPf9
Day 4: https://goo.gl/maps/38RxVrw9R7DGaizUA
Day 5: https://goo.gl/maps/BfewE9Hxu7Rseqc48
Day 6: https://goo.gl/maps/gtwWDSBci917w2Ag9
Day 7: https://goo.gl/maps/fh5qbtmNqCexmnjJ9
Day 8: https://goo.gl/maps/GS9NcnsHhLE4xz8LA
Total distance was about 2.5k miles.
I'd be f
ked in the heat mind.spareparts said:
bolidemichael said:
spareparts said:
Krikkit said:
spareparts said:
bolidemichael said:
Very nice. Details of the routes you describe would be of interest.
Happy to share. These were the basic routes (limited by GoogleMaps number of waypoints), and there were some slight adjustments when we took some scenic offroad routes along the way.Day 1: https://goo.gl/maps/ATqk67L9RYkE3o4s8
Day 2: https://goo.gl/maps/LR2HfdmnKcG4VSDg7
Day 3: https://goo.gl/maps/BB4ERhwyUwJAZXPf9
Day 4: https://goo.gl/maps/38RxVrw9R7DGaizUA
Day 5: https://goo.gl/maps/BfewE9Hxu7Rseqc48
Day 6: https://goo.gl/maps/gtwWDSBci917w2Ag9
Day 7: https://goo.gl/maps/fh5qbtmNqCexmnjJ9
Day 8: https://goo.gl/maps/GS9NcnsHhLE4xz8LA
Total distance was about 2.5k miles.
bolidemichael said:
spareparts said:
bolidemichael said:
spareparts said:
Krikkit said:
spareparts said:
bolidemichael said:
Very nice. Details of the routes you describe would be of interest.
Happy to share. These were the basic routes (limited by GoogleMaps number of waypoints), and there were some slight adjustments when we took some scenic offroad routes along the way.Day 1: https://goo.gl/maps/ATqk67L9RYkE3o4s8
Day 2: https://goo.gl/maps/LR2HfdmnKcG4VSDg7
Day 3: https://goo.gl/maps/BB4ERhwyUwJAZXPf9
Day 4: https://goo.gl/maps/38RxVrw9R7DGaizUA
Day 5: https://goo.gl/maps/BfewE9Hxu7Rseqc48
Day 6: https://goo.gl/maps/gtwWDSBci917w2Ag9
Day 7: https://goo.gl/maps/fh5qbtmNqCexmnjJ9
Day 8: https://goo.gl/maps/GS9NcnsHhLE4xz8LA
Total distance was about 2.5k miles.
Yazza54 said:
SAS Tom said:
Sounds like you need to lose some weightLong & very enjoyable day in Yorkshire dales & parts of Cumbria & Lancs today.
Left home at 8am, got back at 16:30, in between took in Grassington, Hawes, Tan Hill, Nateby, Ribblehead, Ingleton, Whitewell & Longridge, for those that know that part of the world.
Lots of slow speed single track lanes, amazing views, quality coffee shops and plenty of other bikers in the towns passed through.
Left home at 8am, got back at 16:30, in between took in Grassington, Hawes, Tan Hill, Nateby, Ribblehead, Ingleton, Whitewell & Longridge, for those that know that part of the world.
Lots of slow speed single track lanes, amazing views, quality coffee shops and plenty of other bikers in the towns passed through.
spareparts said:
Recently completed a superb trip through northern Spain and Portugal - focused on the Picos, Galicia, and the Douro over 8 days of riding. We took the ferry to/fro Santander, and the service from Brittany Ferries was excellent. It goes without saying that the roads were nothing short of perfect. It is really hard to explain just how fantastic it is to ride for a long as you want or are able to - without stopping for a traffic light - along roads that are almost never straight. Pure biking heaven. And then when the tarmac ends, the hardpack trails began - themselves also just a delight as the mountainous vistas give a sense of awe that is not possible in the UK. The heat was punishing, and even with fully vented kit and Coolvests, it was when it hit 43C in the Douro Valley that we abandoned the riding as mild heatstroke began to set in, stopped at the beach, stripped and jumped in. Key highlights were the neverending fast radius sweepers where you can just set the bike on edge and run at pace for dozens of miles until the next fuel stop. The GS was superb and I honestly cannot think of a better bike for the mix of tarmac and offroad work over touring distance. It is both supremely comfortable, stable, and capable in ANY situation. I started with 8mm of tread on brand new Conti TA3 tyres at the beginning, and 2k+ miles later I'm down to 4mm worn from edge-to-edge. If you haven't been to the Picos and various national forests of northwest Spain, go!
...
It gets lots of flak, but I haven't found a better bike yet for distance touring going fast or slow on tarmac or offroad.
Looks like a great trip, can't wait to do mine next weekend!...
It gets lots of flak, but I haven't found a better bike yet for distance touring going fast or slow on tarmac or offroad.
spareparts said:
The amazing roads and scenery made it a total joy! So certainly not taxing at all. The only thing that is taxing is the thought that I'm having to leave behind certain places I would love to stay longer and enjoy the local cuisine, sights, etc. At every stop, there is almost always a pre-chosen culinary venue. My trips tend to focus on the riding and local culture/food. Bike and general fitness certainly play an important role, as is being able to enjoy the local cuisine! These trips go by far too fast.
This "Fat Lad" suffered a bit with the heat and getting on and off the bike as I am slightly impaired. The distances are less of an issue for me even as a fairly lardy 64 year old but route choice is more important.I prefer to Avoid Peage' or Motorways/Autoroutes and of course any Toll Roads. I like the larger faster flowing National Roads and the better smaller roads but hate hate hate mountain hairpin roads.
Ideally for me an 8 or 9 day tour would go something like this, assuming reasonable temperatures and weather:-
Days 1 & 2 in Europe up and out at 8am. Fuel and hydration stop at 09.45 or so. Lunch stop at 12 sharp. Ideally 45 mins but 60 mins is liveable. 14.45 fuel and hydration stop. 16.45 arrive at hotel to make use of the facilities. Shower and dress for for dinner etc. Distance covered around 300 miles with photo opportunities etc.
Day 3 & 6 off the bike. City Tour or just loaf and swim etc.
Days 4,5 7 & 8 as per 1&2
Total distance covered in Europe over 6 riding days is around 1850 to 2000 miles plus UK miles to arrive at an exit port and return home from an entry port.
However to be fair to "Spareparts" I have now done 8 or 9 Euro Trips with him and have not had a bad experience. He is a dedicated "Foodie" and I am just a philistine when it comes to grub. As I am a tad impaired I dont do a lot of mileage off the bike and he is like a bloody mountain goat.
However culturally opposed we are the tours seem to work fine.
Edited by Chipchap on Sunday 24th July 09:20
Fullook said:
Long & very enjoyable day in Yorkshire dales & parts of Cumbria & Lancs today.
Left home at 8am, got back at 16:30, in between took in Grassington, Hawes, Tan Hill, Nateby, Ribblehead, Ingleton, Whitewell & Longridge, for those that know that part of the world.
Lots of slow speed single track lanes, amazing views, quality coffee shops and plenty of other bikers in the towns passed through.
Lovely. Not been 'round that way on a bike for many years now - have done similar in the MX5 or one of the kit cars a good few times tho'. My sort of route; motorways, autobahns, and track days, not for me anymore... Sadly, by the time I get to those areas of the country, I'm too knackered to enjoy them nowadays - thankfully, we have similarish roads around here.Left home at 8am, got back at 16:30, in between took in Grassington, Hawes, Tan Hill, Nateby, Ribblehead, Ingleton, Whitewell & Longridge, for those that know that part of the world.
Lots of slow speed single track lanes, amazing views, quality coffee shops and plenty of other bikers in the towns passed through.
Rick448 said:
Sunday ZZR1400 ride by Rick Phillips, on FlickrSunday ZZR1400 ride by Rick Phillips, on FlickrSunday ZZR1400 ride by Rick Phillips, on FlickrSunday ZZR1400 ride by Rick Phillips, on FlickrHow do you find the comfort levels on the big Zzr?
Im only 5ft 8 and find it a bit of a reach to the bars, therefore a bit “wristy”
im in the market for one, looking at long euro trips next year. Sat on a few in dealerships with the missus (who finds it supremely comfortable!) I cant help but think Bar risers would help but haven’t come across any with them fitted already
I may try a Superduke GT but cant look past the Zzr at the moment & try to find ways of making it more comfortable for myself
Exploring some back roads the inevitable happened and ended up with no clutch. 701/690 slave cylinder failure very common issue, a case of when not if it fails.
Exactly the reason I've been getting as many miles on it before start using it for laning.
Handy having your own van to come and rescue you though
Uprated aftermarket item ordered
Exactly the reason I've been getting as many miles on it before start using it for laning.
Handy having your own van to come and rescue you though
Uprated aftermarket item ordered
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