Welcome To Bikes And Travels...
...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!
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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.
Good Weather, Good Scenery, Bad Surfaces
It's time for Andy to start the return leg of his big trip. It's all sunshine and hot weather, the views are still good too. The roads... well they're not quite as good. You can't have everything can you.
Feet Forward, Food, And Friends
It's a much more relaxed day for Bogger and Pete. There's a handful of miles to ride, people to meet, food to eat, and of course the odd beer.
Mooching Around The Mach Loop
The Dynamic Muppets take on the Mach Loop! OK, it's far less impressive than it sounds. There's some countryside, a cafe, and all the things you'd expect.
To The Most Southern Tip Of Europe
Andy reaches the final destination of this trip. "You can see Africa from 'ere".
Haulin' Ass
It's gonna be a long long long ride for Bogger and Pete today. Our brave heroic riders are up to the task and it all seems rather easy overall. Hopefully the digs at the end of the ride will allow their asses to rest comfortably.
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Gerrin' Owd
Glyn said :-
I’m with Ian all the way. I hate gardening and everything associated with it. Why then do I own 1/2 acre of the stuff? Mrs Glyn loves it and I hate her even asking me to help with this or that.
Although I built my own house 10 years ago I’m not in the least bit interested in its maintenance. Hours in the garage are far too short because I choose to go to work 3 days per week aged 71. Why! do you ask, and so do I? Lots of reasons really, my Dad is 90 now and would expect many more visits if I were fully retired. I also work for the money, whilst I do probably have enough of the stuff to see me out if I live frugally which we do not want to do. So we really enjoy going away a lot and can afford it. We have nice cars and clothes. I have to say that I work with some great people and get a tremendous amount of respect. There is probably more to it than that and all my early life I said I was going to retire at 55 but failed.
17/03/2026 18:32:15 UTC
Gerrin' Owd
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Gerrin Owd Me Duck.
Sorry Ed, it's not going to help your dilemma izzit. I think Spring has arrived, the gauge on the four wheeled contrivance just told me it was 18 of your centigrades out there. Feels like it too. Time to scare the neighbours, Ethel! Where's me short troosers?
No long pants until October, except riding troosers obviously.
Upt.
17/03/2026 16:17:01 UTC
Gerrin' Owd
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I hate decorating. Come to that I hate anything to do with houses. Whenever I start a job it always turns out to be far more problematic than it looked. Rotting wood, out of square rooms, rawplplugs that disappear into the wall, previously bodged (probably by me) jobs.
Fortunately I can afford to get a man or woman in for these things and save myself for knotty vehicular problems. Speaking of which, chrome strips are now on the sidecar and mudguard, lights fitted and tested and ready for assembly. When the chap who helps with the gardening* comes over on Thursday.
*Forgot to mention that gardening is even worse than houshold DIY.
17/03/2026 14:34:16 UTC
Gerrin' Owd
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Love it. Not joking either. So far today, finished the white edging and will do behind the radiator after coffee, silicone renewal accomplished and a new kitchen cupboard door attached. Not bad before 11.
The day may get steadier from here, it may not.
I think you have misconstrued my views, which are, enjoy what you do. Although clearing the drains would be a push to enjoy.
Upt.
17/03/2026 11:05:06 UTC
Gerrin' Owd
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
For someone living each day to the best Upt' - you seem to spend a lot of time decorating. I hope you like decorating.
17/03/2026 07:54:44 UTC
Gerrin' Owd
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Incase you're wondering I found my brush, matt white edging, dulux of course.
Plus the posties just been and delivered Bosch Longlife H7's and Capless, plus a standard H9 for the Strom. Spring must be approaching.
16/03/2026 13:00:36 UTC
Gerrin' Owd
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I would never live by the mantra of, "live everyday as though it was your last", you can't and it's a bit daft. "Enjoy everyday" is a very different philosophy, yes I know you can't actually embrace everything that happens in every day. When they were cutting a BCC off my head before Christmas I'd have to say it was difficult to see the enjoyment; but I made sure I had a damn good steak and a bottle of Italian red for dinner.
Making the money last is the hard one to get your head around but simple mathematics can help. I think the real danger is dying with savings in the bank instead of the other way round. What is right for one will not be right for the next man/woman/transgenderist anyway. My brother still works at over 70, loves it, can't stop. Pays well too. He enjoys life outside of work but can't wait for the next business opportunity to come along.
Plus don't forget the large elephant in the room, government policy on taxation, pensions, benefits etc.
Which brings us full circle, there are only two certainties in life, death and taxes. Avoid the first for as long as possible and minimise the second.
Upt.
16/03/2026 12:54:38 UTC
Gerrin' Owd
Ian Soady¹ said :-
In other words, carpe diem. It is true that you don't know what's going to happen. I was a (relatively) fit 74 year old a couple of years ago. A bout of shingles left me with a post-viral fatigue state much like long covid which still persists. Hopefully it will ease in time but no guarantee. Recenetly twisting my knee only adds to the problems; that is slowly recovering but means I can't start the little BSA to sort out its charging problems.
While I can still do the things I want to I can't do them for anything like the length of time. 20 minutes using the lathe and I need a lie down and a restorative mug of cocoa. I can't see me making any more continental bike trips. But as long as I can still ride and do those other things, even if much less than before, I'm OK. As Upt' says, having enough income though far from being rich helps enormously.
My wife and I have a suicide pact and the means are in the garage just in case........
16/03/2026 10:10:26 UTC
Gerrin' Owd
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
The old "Live each day as if it's your last".
The philosophy is sound, the practice is much harder. You see if you said to people "you ARE going to die tomorrow" they wouldn't go into work, subject to the shock and terror of their impending doom most people would choose to have "a wonderful day". Go buy a fast bike and thrash it, sod the tickets and fines and points. Go punch that boss that annoyed you. Buy 20kg of chocolate and eat it all. Rent a Ferrari and dine out at some expensive Michelin starred restaurant/
The thing is statistically it's quite likely you're not going to die tomorrow. As such you'd then be facing being banned from riding, assault charges, obesity, and fiscal ruin.
16/03/2026 09:59:44 UTC
Gerrin' Owd
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Wonga. The route of all evil, maybe not?
You almost seem to be wishing your life away Ed, please don't. Every day counts and I think all you need to do is what you can, when you can. I was very fortunate to retire at 50, although that brings with it first world issues. You know, how long will the money last, am I too young to hang up my boots, will I be bored, etc. I was also fortunate that I had some skills I could utilise in volunteering and this I did for about the first 8 years or so.
I've never been bored but I do think about the wonga situation, don't we all, but I haven't been bored for a moment and I don't feel the urge to disappear for months on end to far flung places. In reality we have travelled closer to home and mainly by bike, we hadn't flown for 14 years until last autumns jaunt to Abruzzo. Long distance flights ain't cheap.
If I was you, would I do a Reggie Perrin with Er'Indoors and wander off for two years, no, but that's me. You probably won't die next week Ed, work won't probably be too bad, Sharon will still put up with you, but what I would do is consider my future carefully. Could you move on to pastures new, could you take a 3 month sabbatical to enjoy that long European ride, would it be so bad driving the Tesco grocery truck to get the savings back upon your triumphant return?
Whatever you do Ed, enjoy every day, they won't come round again.
Now where's my paint brush?
Upt.
16/03/2026 09:02:03 UTC
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Ian Soady¹ said :-
Flyn? I assume a mistype!
The twin horns I use are plastic bodied from ali express and cost around a fiver the pair. They're copies of Fiamma type but seem very well made and are loud. I find that a short blast on them often gets the attention of the car driver wondering whether to pull out....
If you want to keep what you've got then I would use a relay to switch the live feed.
https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-twin-snail-horns.html?spm=a2g0o.productli...
16/03/2026 09:59:58 UTC
Flyn said :-
Unfortunately this will mean that the two metal bodies of the twin horns will be sat at plus 12 volts. If I simply isolate the mounting brackets it will work but if I drop a spanner below the headlamp and it ends up between the horn and the frame, I will have a zapped fuse.
15/03/2026 20:30:14 UTC
Glyn said :-
I rarely use horns myself, usually because, when an incident occurs, I’m so glad to have survived or the incident has passed and what’s the point. I prefer to use the barrage of expletives that cant be heard by the perpetrator. This method has served me well enough for years.
15/03/2026 17:12:00 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Most horns these days are switched on the earth path. I think the theory is that there's less current in it. However, I've wired the horns on the B'Zuki with the switch in the live side as that was convenient. If I'd been feeling posh I'd have added a relay but hopefully am not using the horns that much.
15/03/2026 17:06:26 UTC
Glyn said :-
That is exactly it Up’t. In the Triumph this permanent feed comes through black wires. I’m very old school where black was usually negative. I remember that Vauxhall cars started using black wires for positive 12v feeds which blew up many after market radio cassettes players.
15/03/2026 17:03:22 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I think the horns on my Strom are wired in the same way Glyn. I think what you are saying is that they are basically always live and operating the switch completes the circuit. Or some'at like that.
Upt.
15/03/2026 16:52:53 UTC
Glyn said :-
Got it! It was the new horns. I’m afraid you folks didn’t have a chance to help me as it was on of those “man made faults” that, obviously, don’t comply with the usual rules of repair. I had (wrongly) assumed that the switch button on the handlebars was providing the plus 12v to the horns via the brown wires. I even checked it on the multimeter and found it switched on and off when the button was pressed. Therefore, I also assumed the black wires to the horn were the negatives and so earthed them to the frame. The truth is that the (earthed by me) black wires actually carried the plus 12v and the browns went off to the switch… pay attention young Glyn, assume nothing, Idiot boy!!
That “shunting the broken fuse with a 12v bulb” is a brilliant hack Ian, it saved the lives of several more 30Amp blade fuses.
15/03/2026 16:41:43 UTC
Glyn said :-
I don’t have any time today to check it out. However, if I remember rightly, the battery plus connects directly to the alternator without going through a fuse. I took a quick look at the wiring diagram which revealed that the horns, lights etc are switched through their earth return and not in the plus 12v feed. The old horns had 2 wire connectors whilst the new have a single with the earth being the body. This could hold the answer to the problem although, I suspect, the horns would have blasted loudly rather than the fuse rupture. It seems to me that switching the earths only permits the use of less fuses. When you have a fuse for everything, it’s much easier to trace a fault. The Triumph 30Amp fuse puts plus 12volts all around various electrical circuits not just one.
15/03/2026 14:46:23 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I can't remember if it has been running at all Glyn. If so I would be suspecting the lead short issue. If it hasn't then could be any of Upt's suggestions. I find it useful to replace the fuse with a bulb and progressively disconnect things till the bulb goes out. But rereading your last point, it would be as well to check the alternator for a short. None of the 3 leads coming out of it should show a connection to earth.
15/03/2026 12:49:47 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Alternator, reg/rec or a positive lead touching the frame would be favourite.
I hate electrotrickery.
Upt.
15/03/2026 12:36:54 UTC
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Upt'North ¹ said :-
To clarify boys, I can't say what the Toyota will do on the 12V front, it's too soon. Just trying to cover the bases before the oh crap moment.
The Hyundai does struggle after 2 weeks plus of inactivity, but there is no drain as far as I am aware and if you check the forums (God help us) it's not unheard of for full hybrids to have no 12V's after only a few days. The manufacturers answer is to use the vehicle fir longer and more often or use a solar charger all of which won't happen.
I will check on the type of battery, it's on the to do list......when I can find it.
Pffffffftttttt.
Upt.
15/03/2026 21:52:49 UTC
Glyn said :-
If you don’t have an ammeter you could always put a 12v bulb in series with one of the cables “DONT TURN ANYTHING ON” and see if the bulb lights up. If it does, regardless of how dimly, then there is a current drain.
15/03/2026 17:07:24 UTC
Glyn said :-
Is the 12 volt battery (in this case) a standard lead acid unit or something far more fancy? As Ian says, there must be some small leakage current if it drains when left. I would expect a standard lead acid battery to remain charged for weeks without going flat. Perhaps the security locking system works off of it.
15/03/2026 16:58:11 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I wonder whether there is a parasitic drain on the 12 volt battery, perhaps connected (pun intended) by its being somehow feeding into the electric drive system? I don't know whether it would be possible to temporarily put an ammeter in the main battery connection and see if that shows anything amiss?
14/03/2026 10:01:14 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Nidger, we have a mild hybrid Hyundai 48V. This certainly struggles after a couple of weeks of lay up. The Toyota has got the 1.5 litre HEV 177V set up. They both have 12V running batteries. From the interwebthingymabob it would seem that lots of hybrids struggle on lay ups and I'm hoping that a trickle charge to Er'Indoors Toyota will make all the difference as and when a longer period of none use occurs. Manufacturers will only tell you that regular use is required.
I am also hoping that our use of fewer but longer runs may negate the need for extra charging but time will tell. We seldom do journeys of less than 15 miles each way.
My opinion so far is that the Hyundai uses an over complicated, clunky and probably unnecessary 48V system to achieve mid 50's mpg; the Toyota which we've only had a week makes better use of the larger volt system, it's better thought out with EV only use and potentially achievable 70 mpg plus.
I wouldn't run either without a manufacturer's warranty, 5 years for the Hyundai and 10 for the Toyota.
Upt.
13/03/2026 23:39:12 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
I think 20bhp would be a bit low for Ren, especially as Sharon is going for bigger and more powerful bikes.
And of course it is not a Honda.
13/03/2026 22:02:59 UTC
nab301 said :-
Rod , did you sell it to Ren, he's been without two bikes for far too long now !
Nigel
13/03/2026 17:17:54 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Someone once said that "insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result".
I have just sold the Royal Enfield HNTR.
Some of you will remember, I have been here before.
Same reason as selling the Suzuki Inazuma, 20 bhp just restricts my riding.
Although having two bikes is nice, I only really need one.
Wait; what do I know. I am clearly insane!!
13/03/2026 16:54:29 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I think, being a bloated plutocrat, he has 2 cars Nigel......
13/03/2026 15:38:30 UTC
nab301 said :-
Upt , your post sent me down a few rabbit holes on mild hybrids, including some sort of a regen button if the 12v battery discharges after lay up. what does the car manufacturer suggest in terms of the " 12v static battery life" ? It would be interesting to know what the acceptable parasitic drain is. I know that the optimate literature states a max of 5 amps through the obd port but also the optimate email mentions Toyota while you mention Hyundai! Afaik Toyota hybrids like the prius don't have a 12v battery.
Nigel
13/03/2026 13:47:01 UTC
Random Link - Odd Reasons To Be In Wales