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Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Ahhh The Upt' report is in. 3 days to go from Wooler to Le Shuttle? That sounds very civilised, nice and chill.
Sharon and I are just a little farther north, where the weather is proving "troublesome". I'm sure his Boggerness will be pleased to hear this.
04/09/2026 06:48:32 UTC
Occasional Lurker said :-
Just a little "nugget" of news that may well be of interest to anybody who holds "old-fashioned" characteristics of motorcycle design, rather close to their hearts ...
A couple of weeks ago, I had cause to call into a Honda dealer, for the collection of a couple of parts I'd ordered, ( tarmac damage ... don't ask ...) On the way out, I managed to find a member of the sales team, and asked, "Just when are we going to hear some concrete news of the much anticipated new GB500? ...
With a smile, the reply came ... "Not long now Sir. I can confirm that ALL Honda dealers have been notified recently" ... He then tapped his keyboard, and the said notification appeared before my very eyes..!!! The new GB500 is to be formally announced, for the European market, at the next EICMA show, on November 5th, in Italy ...
So, in eight weeks, we,ll have an end to the rumors, and rather poor computer renderings, of "mashed-up" GB350's...
I for one, can't wait ... Regards, Tony
04/09/2026 09:13:44 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ay up. Say that to someone in Germany. They just look up. Try it, it tickled me.
Now in Soest, Germany. Haven't seen much of it yet, we'll be out in the town shortly. I can report categorically that Belgium and Belgium drivers are blummin lovely....Germans, not so much.
About 260 miles today on busy major routes, as in, busy, busy, busy. No mirrors were harmed during filterin.
On the ride down the M1 The B did 160 miles on 12 Litres of go juice. Haven't worked that out.
Put the Berghaus overtrousers on today Ed, they're magic! It didn't rain.
I know.
Upt and Er'Indoors. She doesn't like filterin.
04/09/2026 17:07:27 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
That is a juicy little nugget Occasional Lurker, which Honda dealer was this? Knowing your location I'd guess Blackpool, possibly Manchester?
The whole purpose of waterproof pants is to ward off rain while making your legs exceedingly sweaty, rendering you as wet as if it was raining.
Keep up the good work folks!
04/09/2026 20:08:38 UTC
Occasional Lurker said :-
Ren,you are spot on with your guess / deduction, of Blackpool Honda ... The parts department have been good at their job, courteous, and friendly ... These things keep me coming back ...
I'm sure you remember the 1989 GB500 ... That was sold recently, at the H&H auction, at the National Motorcycle Museum ... It reached a whisker over my reserve, and I was glad to get the space back from under the stairs ..!!
Now I can get the Hoover out ... My housekeeping regime has been somewhat neglected for the last thirteen years ..!!
Who knows, if the new GB is a tempting prospect, I can see me asking for a test ride .... Just think ... I might just be saying ..... Yes, I've had one of the originals you know.... Regards, Tony
04/09/2026 21:48:19 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Leipzig for the weekend me ducks. About 1000 miles in. Good days ride today.
Far more interesting scenery and wildlife.
We won't ride on until at least Monday, my buttocks are sore.
Ethel are your buttocks sore? Stupid question apparently.
Upt.
05/09/2026 17:17:46 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Leipzig? That's a long way from Wooler now, it's no wonder they don't understand AyUp. Don't know anything about that area. Enjoy your rest and recovery days.
The good thing about you and the GB500 Occasional Lurker is I'm looking forward to a hot off the press first edition exclusive review from you!
05/09/2026 20:25:16 UTC
said :-
Ren,Google maps comes up with 953 miles from Wooler to Leipzig. I am sure a youngster like yourself could do that in a long weekend.
06/09/2026 08:08:12 UTC
nab301 said :-
@ UPT "The B did 160 miles on 12 Litres of go juice. Haven't worked that out."
Upt , that's 2.64 gals = 60.6 mpg , not bad for two up touring.
Nigel
06/09/2026 14:50:51 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I'll take that Nigel, not bad at all, considering it was a relatively lively ride.
I think the fuel is cheaper now we're in Poland land, although the money ain't half funny. It was 2.2€ earlier in Germany for some 98 Excellence per litre. Probably about the same as UK.
In a city called, what is it Ethel, Legnica, apparently. Won't see much of it, down for dinner, booze and bed; off to Krakow tomorrow. They're saying it's gonna warm up from the current 70 ish temps.
We'll be stopping there until the weekend.....probably.
The ride down some normal German roads was pleasurable earlier if a little traffic light, tractors, HGV's and dawdling drivers strewn. It was the B6, I think.
The sceneries changed in Poland all big skies and distant mountains in the general direction of Czech land. Now there's a thought.
Behave ya'selves, we won't.
Upt and Er'Indoors.
07/09/2026 16:38:15 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Sounds good, never been to Eastern Europe myself, preferring the more Mediterranean south.
08/09/2026 10:06:34 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Mediterranean you say. 95 of your f's here today......and yesterday.......but 65 tomorrow. That's some swing and it might be only 55f on Friday before recovering a little. Not that it'll bother us much as we won't be riding before Saturday. I'm actually looking forward to the 65 tomorrow which I would describe as perfect mooching weather.
But where to next.
Upt.
09/09/2026 21:58:05 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ed, I think you'd be proud of us. All this way and only 18 Polish some'ats in tolls. I can't remember travelling so far in EU land without getting clobbered with tolls. Just so you know 18 Polish some'ats is probably enough for a beer.
We're thinking the High Tatras and Slovakia from here.
Bikes don't need a 'vignette' apparently.
Upt.
10/09/2026 22:08:21 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I am proud of you Upt', but only regarding not going mad with the tolls. I am bitterly disappointed with your apparent spending on nice accommodation however. Mrs North I'm sur wouldn't mind saving a few Polish summats by sleeping in a field under a tractor from time to time surely? You're also spending too much of food and drink. Get yourselves down to the local supermarket and get the cheapest local delicacy on offer. Pffffffft.
11/09/2026 18:01:20 UTC
Occasional Lurker said :-
Not a topic usually brought up, but I think I may have "eyeballed" our leader one afternoon this week ... Or could I have been mistaken ..? Our Great Leader, is most certainly one who is .... distinctive.
'Twas just after 3-15 pm, I was returning from my weekly days work in the West Midlands ... M6 northbound, just passing junction 29, I spied two motorcycles on the southbound carriageway ... Ey-Up..!! That's Ren and Sharon, I thought ... Could I be mistaken..? Quick as a flash, I did a double-take, and checked out the lead bike, and saw what I reckon was the "dead-giveaway" ... A pair of hand-guards, each as big as an A4 clip-board ...
C'mon Ren ... Was it you and Sharon ..? Or was I seeing things ..? Regards, Tony
11/09/2026 21:07:52 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Are you sure?
That means he is heading in my direction.
I better hide the biscuits!!
11/09/2026 21:35:18 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
That sounds about right Occasional Lurker. So Sharon and I have been sighted in public? This is a clear lapse in our security protocols and part of the risks involved with daytime travel. Fortunately we were en route back to the safety and sanctuary of Fort BAT so we're safe for now.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention Occasional Lurker, we will review our protocols. Oh? The reason for such intense subterfuge? If people know where we're headed they try to hide their biscuits... ROD...
12/09/2026 08:17:23 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
The only answer is of course to stop eating biscuits and drinking tea. I'm sure Ren would give you a wide berth if you offered him a sprig of broccoli and a cup of matche (whatever that is). Sharon on the other hand.......
12/09/2026 15:25:57 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Got to Preŝov in Slovakia. There's mountains here!
Two nights here before Austria calls.
Cold today at around 16, but dry thankfully.
Should warm up again tomorrow so a mountain ride will probably occur.
Beer time.
Upt and Er'Indoors.
12/09/2026 17:18:55 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Forgot to say Ed, had a real bargain today. All the FREE bread and fat I could eat with a burger. The fat tasted very piggy.
Upt and Er'Indoors.
12/09/2026 17:20:27 UTC
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