Welcome To Bikes And Travels...
...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!
What's New?
Prologue, Rain, Lost, And Hot
Another short winter break in Shropshire. This time Much Wenlock provides the location and the weather does what winter weather does. It'll be fine, hopefully.
Much A-Wenlock About Nothing
Title page for a short winter break in Shropshire.
Better Weather, Getting High, Warm And Cold
Andy is still heading homewards while doing some serious looking around. Mountains, a castle, miradors, and architecture today.
A Rough Last Day
In keeping with the theme of this trip - the return home for the Dynamic Muppets is "wet" to say the least.
Much More Something That Is Nothing
Another lazy day for Bogger before some big miles tomorrow. Ice cream this time with no mention of beer but I'm sure some was involved.
Gerrin' Owd
It's a bit late for Ren to be having a mid life crisis - but that's not going to stop him from having one anyway. To ride or not to ride - that is a stupid question.
Heading North In The Rain
It's wet, it's cold and Andy is just getting on with the business of travelling. There's not a lot to see, just a few notes from the day - and a beer.
Lincolnshire - And Dryness
There's something new in Lincolnshire today - DRY! Contain your excitement folks, Ren has found a cheap cafe and there's an awful lot of flat.
The Art Of Doing Something That Is Nothing
Bogger has many plans for the day, alas the temptation of food and beer is more alluring. It's a chill day but that's fine, I'm sure there's more chaos to come.
Easy Home And Epilogue
An easy ride home today - and a few notes from Ren regarding ashes, Wales and... The Ikea Effect? Maybe Ren needs (another) holiday.
See More What's New
Latest Posts
Prologue, Rain, Lost, And Hot
CrazyFrog said :-
There's a really nice little cafe by Clun bridge too, and the road up Clun valley is a bikers delight!
07/04/2026 18:03:39 UTC
Prologue, Rain, Lost, And Hot
ROD¹ said :-
I have been through Much Wenlock many times as it's on the way to my favourite stopping place en route to Wales.
I understand all this "can't work the heating, oh it's getting too hot" so Sharon does not wear any clothing to bed!!
The favourite stopping place Clun castle car park. With toilets, a picnic bench, and a walk around the castle ruins it's a great stop.
07/04/2026 16:43:19 UTC
Prologue, Rain, Lost, And Hot
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Put ya big jumper on Upt' - you'll be fine.
07/04/2026 15:55:35 UTC
Prologue, Rain, Lost, And Hot
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Brrrrrrrr, just Brrrrrrrr.
Upt.
07/04/2026 12:33:49 UTC
Better Weather, Getting High, Warm And Cold
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I suspect you got distracted while writing it Andy...or you fell asleep.
02/04/2026 10:44:18 UTC
Better Weather, Getting High, Warm And Cold
Andy G said :-
I’m sure there should be more words on the end of that but neither Facebook or my phone diary has them!
Ian, I was surprised how many mountain ranges that I found to piece together my routes. I had expected central Spain to be all flat plains.
01/04/2026 22:51:24 UTC
Better Weather, Getting High, Warm And Cold
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Very nice Andy, enjoyed that.
Upt.
31/03/2026 16:20:24 UTC
Better Weather, Getting High, Warm And Cold
Ian Soady¹ said :-
More great photos, thanks so much. I've never been to central Spain but it looks quite interesting. I love those aqueducts and keep meaning to go the Pont du Gard but haven't made it yet. Amazing how much the Romans built that's still in place - and often working - today. When you think how long HS2 is taking - will it ever finish? - it makes you wonder.
Our back garden abuts Icknield Street and I'm so tempted to dig up the tarmac and look for the Roman road underneath. Mind you if the potholes get much bigger I won't have to......
31/03/2026 16:04:57 UTC
A Rough Last Day
Bogger said :-
I've had 4 days continuous torrential rain on a trip to Spain, through France on me C90. It was actually on the way back. It never stopped day and night for four solid days, It was grim.
The weather was very, very poor all trip.
At the Pyrenees on the way down it rained all day and then we had a massive hail storm. The hail stones were as big as a Euro coin.
On the way back through France there were road closures everywhere. It took us ages to get anywhere.
It must have been bad as on two separate nights we hired a lodge and on the way back opted for a small Auberge type Hotel.
Bogger
30/03/2026 15:05:30 UTC
A Rough Last Day
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Both the instances I mentioned it rained solidly (well liquidly) all day without a letup. Actually intermittent is sometimes worse. Oh, the sun's out I'll take the overtrousers off. Damn, just as I set off it's pouring again so I'm soaked.....
As for rain cleaning the bike:
30/03/2026 10:05:32 UTC
See More Comments
Latest Repair-Chat
Go To Repair-Chat
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I've had a lot of helpful comments from the Federation of Sidecar Clubs FB page. Suggestions include stiffening up the rear suspension (I have a spare pair of stiffer units); thicker oil in the forks; yes a different tyre although there aren't any sidecar tyres in 18" size that I can find; reducing front tyre pressure; increasing front tyre pressure. And as you say fitting a damper though I agree I should be able to get it better without. A last resort maybe.....
07/04/2026 14:06:32 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
I think you are correct about the front tyre, a square section tyre is always better with a sidecar.
Although it is treating the symptoms rather than the root cause, a steering damper may help?
07/04/2026 13:42:31 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
First (short run). Needs some attention.
Finally I took the B'Zuki outfit intending a short run round local roads. Fortunately I started by going to the end of our road then down a local cul de sac with a turning circle at the end. It was awful! As soon as I set up there was a terrible flutter from the bars, getting much worse if either the sidecar or one of the bike wheels hit a bump. I never got out of second gear and was thankful I didn't venture onto the main road. Scared me quite a bit I can tell you. Of course my outfit piloting skills are very rusty!
I've checked tyre pressures at 34 bike front, 38 bike rear and 26 sidecar but not looked at anything else yet. My initial thought is that maybe it's due to the Roadrider front tyre which has quite a round profile. This can easily be changed. Second thought is that aligment is not right although I have checked it carefully. Toe in at 3/4", sidecar wheel lead 10", lean out when I'm on the bike about 1/4" at the tyre. I'll check again. Worst case is just that the bike geometry - trail especially - is just not suitable.
07/04/2026 11:25:57 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Interesting article there Nigel, apart from the ranting responses! I vaguely remember the anthropic coffee machine takle but will read the longer article later.
Glyn - I take your point but being tight fisted I'd rather not pay for something I don't need. I will have the B'Zuki outfit tested later in the year but only to check I haven't missed anything. Having said that, what will a 20 year old spotty youth know more than I do?
02/04/2026 10:13:10 UTC
Glyn said :-
I forgot to add that the Morris Minor / Mazda MX5 is fully insured by Adrian Flux in their full knowledge that it is a 2 Litre Mazda with 6 gears. Apart from bodywork it is an unmodified MX5 with many of the safety features intact. Given the modern brakes, steering and suspension mechanisms it is probably a lot safer than a period Morris Minor. So, in the event of an accident Mr Plod might not be overly concerned. It’s the revenue that could be missing out here together with the loss of the MOT fees. Grey area for sure. I understand that the government feels that a 40 year old vehicle generally belongs to an enthusiast but I am seeing more tatty old VW golf’s, full of rust, still on the road and I would feel happier if the MOT test was a requirement for all. I could understand “less stringent “ for vehicles with rod brakes and leather shock absorbers but they should still be covered by some sort of test in my mind.
01/04/2026 16:52:26 UTC
nab301 said :-
An interesting car modification story here, strange when there are tv programmes documenting major patch repairs to rotted A and B posts
Nigel
https://www.hagerty.co.uk/articles/maintenance-and-gear/dvlas-dos-and-donts-the-...
01/04/2026 16:49:07 UTC
Glyn said :-
I had not read that bit about the year after for historic vehicles. As my TZr is imported I had to have a dating certificate which I do hold that states the bike was BUILT on 1st May 1986. So it might seem that I will have to wait until 1st April 2027 to obtain the exemption. It will be a few weeks off 41 years old by then.
01/04/2026 16:37:25 UTC
nab301 said :-
This one is a bit of a longer read but interesting enough ...
Nigel
https://www.anthropic.com/research/project-vend-2...
01/04/2026 16:22:54 UTC
nab301 said :-
Excellent Ian although I believe the model used in their office vending machine became a bit like Hal when threatened with removal...
Nigel
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpqeng9d20go...
01/04/2026 16:19:49 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I've fixed the compressor thanks to Anthropic's Claude. This is the conversation - if anyone's interested. I must say AI can be a great help.
https://www.iansoady.org.uk/claude/Conversation%20with%20Claude.htm...
01/04/2026 15:00:41 UTC
Latest Chit-Chat
Go To Chit-Chat
Glyn said :-
I put the mighty Trumper on Fleabay for £2750. The response was amazing with hundreds of views and dozens of watchers after just one day. The first chap to turn up couldn’t resist it and money changed hands within a fairly short time. It seems rare that I have something so sought after. There have been several messages saying that if it goes wrong, contact them. It was maybe undervalued by me. I think I should be looking for more Mk1 Speed Triples but they are rare these days, perhaps that’s the reason for the popularity.
07/04/2026 18:05:52 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
This one:
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2621244144926636&set=pcb.10163053136898067...
30/03/2026 12:09:01 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
"Time for a “step through” do you think? " I thought that while I was waiting for my replacement hip so bought a scoot. One of the worst decisions I've ever made as documented in these pages some time ago. That's the only bike I've fallen over with in the shed and been pinned to the deck, fortunately managing to squirm my way out otherwise I'd have been there till Electra realised her morning coffee hadn't arrived.
Don't do it. I'd still recommend looking at an outfit. A lovely Triumph one on FB.....
I'm similar in that I need the (solo) bike on the side stand to mount but that's more the worry in the back of my mind that the whole plot may tip over to the right if I catch the seat awkwardly. Never used to be a problem when I was in my 20s (or indeed 40s). I always make sure I have a prop stand on my bikes even if I have to make it myself.
30/03/2026 10:12:33 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I can't think of why you would mount a solo from the right Glyn, unless there's restricted access of course. I can do it even on the raised STrom but then again I could hunt geese with a net.
30/03/2026 09:23:09 UTC
Glyn said :-
I was reading again Ian’s account of how he gets up onto the outfit with his gammy knee. With my knee I find it only possible to mount the Triumph from the left hand side, whilst it resides on its side stand. The reason is that I can’t lift the right leg high enough to clear the saddle whilst holding the bike upright. The right knee is the one that received the replacement joint 11 weeks ago. For some reason I find it so unnatural to mount from the right hand side that I won’t even try. Time for a “step through” do you think?
29/03/2026 21:02:08 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Diesel was £169.9 Nidge. That's got to be around 2€ I would think.
Glad I ain't got the Beemer anymore although to be honest we don't do that many miles anyway. I'm just keeping my tanks brimmed just incase.
19/03/2026 17:25:58 UTC
nab301 said :-
72 mpg is economical motorcycle territory !, The only issue locally for me is petrol (and more so diesel which I don't use) is heading to 2022 prices , over €2 euro per litre...
Nigel
19/03/2026 17:02:10 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
On the Toyota Hybrid front after 250 or so miles it has returned over 72 mpg without trying. Also on the fuel front just bought some garden E5 petroleum and it was only 4 new pennies more than E10.
Strange world innit.
19/03/2026 16:40:28 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
All advice appreciated Nidger.
19/03/2026 16:37:54 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Life's an edumication, in't it.
Found out what a blum dowel and blum screw were today. Who knew I wanted 50 of them to make my life complete?
More DIY Ed, sorry.
Upt.
19/03/2026 16:40:46 UTC
Random Link - 7 Need to Know Campsite Cooking Strategies - By Eric Stephenson