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...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!
What's New?
Finally To The Gite
It's a much less stressful day's ride today. Good weather, a sensible mileage to cover, and no reason to rush. Fear not Ren will find a few things to gripe about.
Struggling Into France
It's time to go to France, alas there's far too much time to go to France. Ren is early, the trains are late, it's hot, and it's disorganised. Oh and Sharon's life flashes before her eyes - or was it a Transit van?
Honda GB350S Test Ride Review
Ren stumbles into a test ride of the Honda GB350S. Can he get his head around a new way of riding? It's all very different in the world of low revs and heavy flywheels.
A Dodgy Hip, A Mesh Seat Cover, And Pants
In trying to reduce leakage in the rain our brave and heroic half-wit Ren has got himself a cunning and devious plan. However this idea is causing him issues because he's getting old now and the newness has worn off.
Bedfordshire Is Not In France
And they're off to France! Well Bedfordshire today, but they will get to France eventually... hopefully... maybe?
The Last Day Of A Big Ride
It's Andy's last day of an epic trip. Save for some wind (no not that kind of wind) it seems all rather mundane somehow. Anyhow he's home and safe after over 4,500 miles.
Home And Epilogue
Just a brief summary of the return leg from Much Wenlock and Ren's thoughts of the lovely little town.
A Holiday In Normandy - Prologue
France! Well northern France because our soft arsed lazy writers can't be bothered to go any further. It's time for excuses and explanations as to why The Dynamic Muppets are off on holiday and not an exciting expedition.
A Holiday In Normandy
Title page for A Holiday In Normandy
Rain In Northern France
Yep - the rain has returned, the temperature is colder, and the accommodation is below par. Andy must be getting closer to Blighty now, obviously.
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Latest Posts
Honda CB 125 F Test Ride Review
Martin said :-
A little more on my CB125F. The current indicated fuel average consumption is 160 mpg, this is a little disappointing as not having completed its first 300 miles I have been riding it very gently. Perhaps the engine will free up with use and the economy improve though of course 160 mpg is still very good. Other reviews I have read mention the position of the foot rests which do seem rather far back together with the gear selector being further forward than expected so it does not seem quite natural. No doubt I will get used to it. One thing I have noticed is that the clutch seems rather "snatchy", an opinion shared by my riding instructor son who says he prefers Yamaha YBR and YS 125s for their smoother clutch operation. I find this a little irritating as I like to ride smoothly, at least being a 125 there is not so much chain snatch when re-applying power. I am not sure whether the bike has a cush drive. Hoping to get some miles on the bike soon, the hot weather and family requirements have limited the bikes usage this week.
12/08/2026 16:19:25 UTC
Finally To The Gite
Ian Soady¹ said :-
OK I'll try again.
I've had a few near misses due to priorité à droite and one actual collision. This was many years ago. I was gently entering a village in my Triumph 2.5PI (lovely car) when a 2CV driven by a teenage girl came hurtling out of a minor road on my right and slammed into the offside. A minor dent in the Triumph's door; a crumpled 2CV. After some discussion I realised my mistake and completed the relevant accident report form, admitting liability. As far as I remember the insurance company sorted it all out but then this was pre-brexit of course.
Back to your trip: it looks as if you're quite close to where we stayed on our last French trip - La Mailleraie sur Seine. This was a bit disappointing. I'd thought the campsite - which itself was OK but pretty basic - would have access to the river but there was a small forest in the way with no way through. We could however see the superstructures of big ships making their way upstream to Rouen. The village was OK but as it was September the 2 restaurants were both closed. The weekly market consisted of 2 stalls. Fortunately there were 2 decent boulangeries so we didn't starve. The riverside area of the village was very pleasant but nothing special.
The area was interesting being on the banks of the Seine with pretty roads. The free cross-river car ferries (bacs) were useful and scenic. However, this was not one of our memorable holidays.
The gite you show looks very much like some buildings we saw just north of La Mailleraie where there was a little museum but I can't even remember whether we visited it! Typical Norman architecture.
12/08/2026 14:41:03 UTC
Finally To The Gite
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Each time I've been to France I've studied the priorite-a-droit rules, I am familiar with the signage and I've read often enough about how even the French folks neither understand nor follow the rules. I figure the best you can do is approach junctions with caution.
Foreigners are weird Upt', but one has to suppose they see us as weird too. They definitely see us as peculiar for having milk in our tea, or even just the fact we drink tea.
11/08/2026 17:02:16 UTC
Finally To The Gite
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I'm not going to say anything about French D roads, but my thoughts were probably yours too. It does sound a little easy but easy can be pretty good. The shower sounds a lot like hotel bathrooms just about anywhere, how can it be so hard to fit a proper shower and enclosure? I remember when we were travelling in Greece and you had to carry your own sink plug everywhere and the shower curtains had never arrived off the boat.
Foreigners are weird.
Upt.
11/08/2026 12:54:04 UTC
Finally To The Gite
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I just tried to edit my post but got an error and lost it. Maybe later.
11/08/2026 12:14:10 UTC
Finally To The Gite
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Priorité à droite. This site (link below) has a good explanation with examples of the signs.
https://www.drive-france.com/faqs/get-your-priorities-right/...
11/08/2026 12:00:33 UTC
Finally To The Gite
ROD¹ said :-
The priorite a droit works as follows:
In larger villages they have signs showing a diagonal crossroads, this shows the vehicles emerging from your right have priority.
In smaller villages you need to look for solid white lines at the junctions. If there is a solid white line at an emerging road they have to stop. If a solid white line is not painted at the junction then emerging traffic from your right have the right of way.
Along with the signs and solid lines at junctions there is often other helpful road markings, but not always.
It's looking like a lovely trip. Empty roads, and a support vehicle.
I would have copied an image of the priorite a droit sign, but copyright ect.
11/08/2026 11:07:08 UTC
Struggling Into France
Snod said :-
Both times I've been on my way home, the first time was with a CB250 that was threatening to literally fall apart so I avoided any motorways so as to not stress it so much, and the second time we planned it as a gentle route back. The guy I was with had always avoided having much to do with northern France but even he managed to see some of the charm in it. Until near the tunnel, obviously.
10/08/2026 06:48:14 UTC
Review of the Honda CLR 125 City Fly - By Ren Withnell
nab301 said :-
With time you may find something cheaper to suit , a friend of mine did locate cheap replacements for a CG125 , They are a much more popular bike but I'm guessing a shorter stanchion , however if you google search for rusty fork stanchion repairs using epoxy adhesive this may tide you over. Sand off the surface rust until just the pitting remains (assuming it's not structural rust, ) thoroughly degrease the metal and spread on the epoxy mix thoroughly filling the pitting , sand down the surface until smooth , all very time consuming , then add gaiters and all may be fine for a year or so...
Nigel
08/08/2026 17:50:45 UTC
Struggling Into France
Upt'North ¹ said :-
She's not that little. But yes time does fly. I was running a 77 Honda CB750f2 sohc at the time. She was a beaut.
Thanks for posting.
07/08/2026 16:34:53 UTC
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Latest Repair-Chat
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nab301 said :-
Ian , I never had an AVO but I remember a biking neighbour back in the 70's had one , or rather his father had which was useful for fault finding on his electric start Yamaha 200 (combined alternator / dynamo electric start)
BTW , I recently purchased a cheap digital meter from Lidl which has a capacitance check feature that works as you describe.
Nigel
08/08/2026 18:08:12 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I thought there may be some people who remembered AVOs here given the demographics. Sadly mine didn't come with the leather case although does have the original heavy cardboard box together with instruction manual. I've sorted out the overload button which just needed a hard press to reseat it and it now measures voltages correctly. I'll pick up a D battery later today and will order the 15 volt one - there's a seller on ebay.
It's so beautifully made inside and as you say Jeff the rolls-royce of meters and I look forward to using it in earnest.
I too have forsworn kickstarts given my knee issues - saw a physio yesterday who said I was progressing well. Three months with ongoing - although lessening - doesn't feel like good progress to me but heigh-ho.
06/08/2026 14:03:31 UTC
kiwiJeff said :-
Ian your mention of AVO8 certainly bought back memories. Like Glyn I used one through the 70s and early 80s as a radio technician working on communications valve radios. They were the Rolls Royce of multimeters. Using one balanced at the top of an equipment rack was a challenge though, they were heavy! Did the meter come in a stitched leather carry bag with a carry strap? Riding through our winter on the Bandit although while you are overheating in Europe we are having an unusually cold winter? Turned around on one of my favorite roads when I reached a sign that said next 12 kms is ice and grit! We use grit instead of salt on icy roads here which while our vehicles don't rust like yours due to the salt causing rust the grit doesn't melt so becomes a hazard on the bike for some time after the ice is gone! Ren you have my sympathies with your aching hip, my titanium hip aches in the cold my theory is the metal gets cold and affects the surrounding tissue so causing pain. The hip and the arthritic ankle mean I'll never use a kick starter on a bike again! I have to get the missus to help me roll the Bandit onto the centre stand these days! Getting old is a privilege but comes with it's challenges! Ride safe everyone through your summer, we are off to China for a month to have a look at where everything we use these days is made! Regards Jeff
06/08/2026 11:14:26 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I had to google U2 Battery, apparently it's what I would know as a D Cell? If I recall that's the big 'uns that were in the Ever Ready bicycle lights when I were a lad. Several weeks worth of pocket money for a pack of 2 D cells into the bicycle light that would be bright for 20 minutes, then dim for maybe half an hour, then dead. Today you fit a AAA into an LED light that'll blind drivers for several weeks. Kids these days, don't know how lucky they are(n't).
06/08/2026 08:27:11 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Nostalgia's not what it was.... As Glyn says, the 10A current measuring is a bonus - my digital meter has this but it's a bit of a faff. The AVO is a beautifully made bit of kit. I've found out why it doesn't work - the overload button has been activated and won't stay down It should be a simple repair or if necessary bypass it. When I hold it down it works for voltage (and I assume current). The batteries for measuring resistance have of course disintegrated. One is just an ordinary U2 - the other is special but replacements are available.
One use of an analogue ohm-meter is to check capacitors. Connect one way and the needle should make a slight kick and drop back to zero. Connect the other way and the kick should be repeated. This won't work on a digital meter.
I do have an old analogue job but it won't zero any more so when I get the AVO fixed that will be retired.
05/08/2026 13:08:16 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I would be Glyn but have a look at Chit-Chat. Due to "unforseen circumstances" I've had to remove the ability to upload images :(
Why do you want the old mulitimeter Ian? Nostalgia I presume.
05/08/2026 12:03:12 UTC
Glyn said :-
I used an Avo8 daily for at least 5 years back in the early 70’s. It was forcibly removed from me and replaced with a Fluke digital which I hated for a while. One of the plus’s of the Avo was the current measurement, even a 10Amp setting if I remember correctly. This was very useful then and would be so today.
The surgeon that repaired my finger may not have done me a favour, it’s been that painful since, I’ve often thought it would have been better to have removed the top. Are you ready for that picture of it now Ed?
903306...
05/08/2026 11:13:01 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Idly browsing my local auction house's offerings I came across a "vintage" Avo Mk 8 multimeter. I rmember using these nearly 60 years ago as an apprentice. A low bid secured it for just over £12. It doesn't work but I'm sure I can fix that. Or can I?
No pic (obviously) but here's the link.
https://www.lilybidsauctionhouse.com/catalogue/lot/482979564e1c213be831d1848eb58...
05/08/2026 09:53:30 UTC
nab301 said :-
Glyn , looking forward to seeing and hopefully hearing the fruits of your labours , will you be stripping the engine?
Nigel
26/06/2026 14:53:36 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Ooooh eeeee ouch! I'm glad you didn't post your gory sliced digit Glyn (Flyn). You can show us when it's healed a little and we can imagine the rest. As for the heat... Enough already but it won't be long until I'm griping about the rain/cold dagnammit. The nights are already drawing in.
26/06/2026 09:57:29 UTC
Latest Chit-Chat
Go To Chit-Chat
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ay up Ed, you provided details of the Berghaus overtroosers recently. We popped into GoOutdoors today at Berwick-upon-the-Tweed. Cut a long story short, I am now the proud owner of a pair of Berghaus Storm Cloud Pants, purchased at double discount for around £60.00. They zip all the way up and include poppers. I bought the long length, 33 inch leg I think. They weigh just around bugger all.
Ta me duck.
Upt.
12/08/2026 17:32:55 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
The grammar police nab301? We'll be fine here if we're visited by the grammar police - innit. Kos we is awl edumicated tipes an speek posh like. I dun av an GCSE level in Engleesh (is "D" a pass?) an I chex all da messejes two, I korect dem all see.
Perhaps I should set myself up as a professional writer? The only problem is what would I write about?
11/08/2026 07:59:25 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ren , I haven't been on here in a few days but that's a bummer with the copyright issues , as they say " a picture tells a thousand stories" hopefully you'll continue even if just with text while avoiding visits from the grammar police...
Nigel
08/08/2026 18:35:50 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
It's in the DNA of motorcyclists of a certain age to have a dislike of Vespas.
07/08/2026 15:10:07 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Thanks Ed, that helped. It also helped going up a blummin big ladder at 45° yesterday and spraying all kinds of crap in there. No stings to report.
I hate wasps.
06/08/2026 09:45:06 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I'm familiar with the Monkey Hanging tale Upt', I shall endeavour to not mention it when I'm collecting my free brew dressed in my latex waterproof jacket and pants. I wonder how the scoot got a V5 without any details on marque and model? Might be a fake V5 huh. And yeah I can imagine there's some rough Uber-Eats scooters out there. I was overtaken in a 30 zone recently by a scoot with a back box the size of a Victorian travel trunk. When the rider went around the roundabout it looked as though the rear wheel was either flat, the bearings had collapsed, or the contents of the trunk weighed more than the bike and rider combined. Probably all 3.
Calm down! They're only wasps.
06/08/2026 08:21:01 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Wasps, I said blummin wasps. Is it rational to hate the stripey little blummin fingies. They're flying into that hole she said. That fetishists attire might come in handy.
Wasps! I hate Wasps, but is it rational.
Upt.
05/08/2026 13:41:57 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Little Richie, the rubber fetishist. There's an image that'll keep me awake.
He was very perplexed yesterday, which replaced the normal, "what do you want you ugly git". The reason for this perplexitiscous behaviour waa a Chinese Scoot. Totally unbranded and even so on the V5. It was just a generic blob of plastic with an engine with no identifier anywhere, even the number plate dealer identification details were no use, "we just supplied the plates mate"?
Why was any of this an issue, because it had snapped a cable of strange sizing and no one knows where to buy a part from for a bike you can't ID. Might be a one off replacement to be manufactured which is worth more than the deliverers scoot. It was just two years old and a complete wreck.
But after a bit of chanting and psssting the job was complete under the cloaks of the Hartlepool Monkey Hangers. Just a tip, if you go to Hartlepool don't call em Monkey Hangers.
I'm almost dry today.
Pffffffftttttt or is that psssssssssst.
Upt.
05/08/2026 13:38:06 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Are you at liberty to divulge the real business details of "Little Richie"?
I'm beginning to suspect this is actually a secret club of tyre fanatics from across the North East. They meet in darkened rooms under clandestine conditions wearing robes bearing brands like Michelin and Pirelli. They chant mantras such as "Thou shalt scrub thy new tyres in carefully" and "Check thy pressures weekly". They meditate to the sound of a vintage compressor and cheer when the little pressure release valve gives off a "PSSSFFFFT".
On the other hand if there's free tea it's worth the journey.
05/08/2026 08:16:57 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
There's free tea to be had Ed. Sold (!) to the Manchester lad with a big mug.
04/08/2026 23:47:55 UTC
Random Link - Southern Ireland 2015