Welcome To Bikes And Travels...
...It's about bikes...and travels...mostly on bikes!
Autumn is upon us as the nights draw in and the weather changes. Is it time to put the bikes to bed for the winter?
No of course not! It's not like Ren's bike could get any dirtier could it.
What's New?
Whoops!
Ren spends the morning humouring a salesman. Then he sets himself up for a fall. Spot the idiot.
UK And The Epilogue
After an early start the Muppets return to good old Blighty where they catch up with BAT reader Ross. Poor Ross, he doesn't know what he's gotten himself into.
Bad Weather, Brilliant Roads
Andy's first proper ride into Scotland is proving to be a cracker even if the weather is dire.
Familiarity And Food
As the end of the trip draws near the surroundings become familiar. But will the Dynamic Muppets survive without sustenance?
Trouble, Tired And Transport
There's trouble this morning so it's not the best start. Throw in a grumpy Sharon and a scowling local and you have another day on the road.
A Long Day And Night
A long day on the road then a night out in the town? That'll be two tired travellers then.
Riding With Friends
Cities aren't really Ren's things but with a little local knowledge he can cope. It's the countryside that gets him thinking.
Friends And Finally Scotland
Day 2 and 3 of Andy's Scottish expedition - and he's only just reached the borders. He's having way too much fun and should be focused on heading North.
Breakdown Recovery - Expectations V Reality
If you're unlucky enough to break down it might be wise to manage your expectations regarding your recovery insurance.
Llangollen
Andy starts his trip to Scotland... by going to Wales! It is a long way from London Village to The Highlands though, give the man a break.
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Whoops!
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Good heavens! You're being most agreeable Upt', have you been abducted by aliens too?
It's one of "them" things. I paid £1400 for the CBF125, I've had 80,000 miles out of it and not had to spend any serious cash on it. The previous 500 could have just kept on going or gone pop this week. Then, equally, this one could do too! Everything is a gamble there are no certainties.
I am not at liberty to discuss my being entered by an alien. This is a judicial matter and I'm bound over by the courts.
15/11/2019 1:16:46 PM UTC
Whoops!
Upt'North said :-
I think 2K for 39,000 miles is a bit of a bargain sir.
It'll probably work out even sweeter as at that mileage yours must have been due some bits soon.
You could even put some nice shiny handguards and new luggage on whilst you're at it. No, OK.
Enjoy Ren and more pics please before it resemble the last one.
Borsuk could be onto something of course, have you been entered by an alien being.
Upt'North.
15/11/2019 10:01:47 AM UTC
Whoops!
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Yes well done Ross. And yes I was hero-worshipping you and your shiny silver bike. I just HAD to have one.
And yes I have ruined it already. In fact I spent last night extending the rear hugger. Why oh why oh why can't Honda make proper mudguards? Ah - fashion and pretty - that's why (cue Upt').
It now looks like a "Ren" bike but with some clean bits, but not for long.
15/11/2019 9:27:28 AM UTC
Whoops!
Ross said :-
Ha! Nailed it!! You were obviously impressed with the shininess of my new bike and it subliminally drew you to opening your wallet...but good grief! Did you have to nail your 'Ren-built Adventure Accessories' to it already and spoil it's lovely lines!?
It's ok, Sharon, I'm sure normal service will be resumed soon and Envy will be the cleaner bike!
15/11/2019 9:08:34 AM UTC
Whoops!
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
The conversation went like this if I recall Borsuk
Can I keep my centre stand?
Urgh, well, hmmmm, OK.
Can I keep my front mudguard with the DIY fender extender?
Urgh, well, hmmmm, OK.
Can I keep my rack and top box?
Oh jeeez, well it is a bit rusty, OK.
Can I keep my shortened and drilled sprocket cover?
Urgh, well, hmmmm, OK.
I'll remove the charging socket under the seat shall I?
Urgh, well, hmmmm, OK.
And my fork protectors, them rubber bits?
No, we want them...
Well what about the extended screen?
Urgh!! Well look OK but that's it for goodness sake. WE ARE KEEPING THE HAND GUARDS!
No you ain't mate, them's is patented.
I'm fairly sure that's how the conversation went.
15/11/2019 8:59:15 AM UTC
Whoops!
Sharon said :-
Yes things have gone very strange around here. Because when I went for a ride with Ren the other day his new shiny bike was cleaner and shiner than mine, as I had neglected to clean mine from the previous ride. It's all so wrong.
15/11/2019 2:00:20 AM UTC
Whoops!
Borsuk said :-
Forgot to ask, did he offer more if you removed the hand guards and screen. :-)
14/11/2019 10:26:30 PM UTC
Whoops!
Borsuk said :-
okay. Where is Ren and who are you.
Sharon, Ren`s been replaced by a pod person.
14/11/2019 10:01:55 PM UTC
Whoops!
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
OH NO! Oh poop Snod you've found me out. Yes I'm an eccentric millionaire who likes to spend his days pretending to be poor. I am living Pulp's "Common People".
14/11/2019 7:58:14 PM UTC
Whoops!
Snod said :-
I seem to have stumbled across some rich bloke's humblebrag blog!? Bring back Sharon and her down-to-Earth Tour-A-Plank/Angle-Iron-Screen-Mover-Upper engineering!
14/11/2019 7:52:22 PM UTC
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Ian Soady said :-
One extra reason I avoid the Pas de Calais / Picardie etc. I find the memorials and the thoughts they provoke unbearable.
I've also never had any desire to visit Oradour sur Glaine. I know what happened there (and in many other villages across Europe, not least Greece). Visiting them does nothing but distress me and make me feel hopeless. Striving to counter racism in all or any of its forms may have some positive effect.
10/11/2019 1:54:45 PM UTC
Upt'North said :-
Please forgive a sombre note, a moment of remembrance.
From Ulster Tower to the Somme, June 2018 en-route to Italy.
The horror was unmistakable even in the beauty.
Upt'North.
10/11/2019 9:58:28 AM UTC
Upt'North said :-
Early 90's.
Wow makes you think.
I was getting paid to drive a very garish XJ6 along the M6 and M54.
Rode a 78 CB750f2 through most of the 90's and into the mid 00's. Wished I still had it. I can still hear that camshaft sizzling.
Thanks for the memories, the dementia can't be as bad as I thought. Maybe.
Upt'North.
8/11/2019 11:13:34 AM UTC
Ian Soady said :-
Early 90s Ross - seems a long time ago now.....
8/11/2019 9:50:54 AM UTC
Ross said :-
Thanks for posting the magazine articles, Ian, I thoroughly enjoyed the Norton trip! I was trying to work out when that trip was made...late 80's/early 90's?
As for my magazine collection, when I get a quiet day I'll get them all together and work out exactly what I've got and try some job-lots on local Gumtree or similar...perhaps try the Real Classic collection in the magazine's free ad's.
8/11/2019 8:45:00 AM UTC
Ian Soady said :-
No.....
Things sold for any "niche" activity always attract a markup because the people flogging them know that the customers rae actually interested in what they're doing rather than just looking for the cheapest article.
And thanks for the kind words.
7/11/2019 11:13:51 AM UTC
Upt'North said :-
Question...
Does anyone know the difference between a bulb marketed as a motorcycle bulb and one as a general automotive bulb, that's besides the 100% mark up. Are they more robust?
Upt'North.
7/11/2019 10:22:08 AM UTC
Upt'North said :-
Ian,
Thanks for posting your articles, most enlightening.
Upt'North.
6/11/2019 1:46:54 PM UTC
Upt'North said :-
Jim,
It's running Bridgestone T31's, non GT varietal.
They are the best wearing and recommended tyre I can find for the Pan.
I got about 7000 out of the last rear but changed it a little early to accommodate a forthcoming trip. That tyre must be coming up to 5000 miles.
Front and rears wear well with little cupping on the front.
Remember I think the BeaST will be harder on tyres because of its weight and nearly all two up touring mileage.
Previous Bridgestones have not worn so well with sets totally destroyed over 4000 miles.
I was thinking of putting double sided tape on Er'Indoors arris but she isn't too keen.
Upt'North.
6/11/2019 1:45:56 PM UTC
Ian Soady said :-
Hi Ross.
Kent a bit far to come from Brum.....
I got rid of about 30 years' worth of Motorcycle Sport plus some club magazines by giving them to someone (CrazyFrog) who was going to take them to his local club meeting. It's a shame to chuck these things away but you just end up knee deep in stuff.
A few years ago I bought almost the full run of Classic Bike and Classic Motorcycle for £40 - mostly because I happened to be going on holiday near where the seller lived. I spent weeks going through them cutting out possible useful articles but they've just sat untouched since.
I gave the rest away via my local Freegle / Freecycle but even then there was only one potential taker.
6/11/2019 11:28:09 AM UTC
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