Welcome To Bikes And Travels...
...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!
What's New?
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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Good Weather, Good Scenery, Bad Surfaces
Upt'North ¹ said :-
We couldn't ride through the Dolomites in September 2024 Andy, I think it was about the 3rd or 4th of September going south and it was already blocked with snow. We've been lucky in early June and got through. But more luck than judgement I'm sure.
20/03/2026 11:27:18 UTC
Good Weather, Good Scenery, Bad Surfaces
Andy G said :-
Upt, I’ve been trying to go to see more of the Dolomites and Alps but by the time I go (sept/oct), the weather in N Europe has usually got wet. This is the reason I’ve ended up in Spain.
19/03/2026 21:32:37 UTC
Mooching Around The Mach Loop
Andy G said :-
That lane is Happy Valley, I recognise the barrier at the top. Just posted about it on your post for the previous day.
I like Machynlleth. Bernard, Francis Gypsy and I spent a weekend camped in the field behind the coop when Nick Sanders ran his first Mach Festival. May well be popping in there and part of the Mach loop tomorrow on my way to me you.
The Parliament House building on the right as you’re heading to the T junction houses Caffi Glyndŵr which does nice food. Very interesting as most people in there are speaking Welsh.
19/03/2026 21:15:43 UTC
Braving Barmouth Bridge
Andy G said :-
I didn’t realise how law abiding you are! Thought you were a rebel biker ?
Did you ride thru Happy Valley? Nice little lane from just outside Tywyn to Cwrt
19/03/2026 20:24:15 UTC
Gerrin' Owd
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Nothing wrong with socks and sandals nab301 - particularly in my predicament. With one leg shorter than the other I always have to wear some kind of footwear. With always wearing footwear my feet can't breathe much - except in sandals. As such I wear sandals a lot and if it's cold I wear socks.
I'm aware of the fashion faux pas but fortunately I'm handsome and stylish enough to carry it off. That's what I'm telling myself anyway. Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
19/03/2026 17:51:59 UTC
Gerrin' Owd
nab301 said :-
Good to know Ren, I was getting worried there! By the way , socks and sandals are a bit of a no no even for an ageing 54 year old! (at least they're not white socks...)
Nigel
19/03/2026 16:49:43 UTC
Gerrin' Owd
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Well I'm glad I got you all thinking! It's got me thinking too. If I can at least make it till April then I'll have secured my state pension (only claimable in another 13 years (so far)).
Fear not nab301 it's not work that's putting me in a bad mood at the moment. It's trying to sell a 50% ownership bungalow...
19/03/2026 08:20:22 UTC
Gerrin' Owd
nab301 said :-
Ren , there's an awful lot there to take in , most of which I agree with, maybe a diet change , a sun holiday, plenty of omega 3 , vitamin D and Dark chocolate ( although 20 kg of dark choc would probably leave you with life threatening cholesterol levels) would boost your mood, failing that go bike shopping (usually works for me) or rent an allotment , getting back to nature handling soil is good for the soul apparently (Glyn and Ian excepted..)
Nigel
18/03/2026 18:43:10 UTC
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
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Ian Soady¹ said :-
Thanks all. I don't know what I've done to my knee but I suspect it was actually getting on & off the outfit. What I have to do is: right foot on the pillion footrest (rider footrest is too far forward and also on a taper mount that I don't trust); stand up on that footrest and swing left leg over and navigate between the sidecar struts while holding the handlebars, then sit on the seat and bring right foot forward. Disembarking is the reverse. I think I may have twisted awkwardly doing this, but it's now been 3 weeks. It is recovering slowly with the help of an elasticated support but I'm very wary of damaging it further.
Your point re holding bikes up is one of the reasons for the outfit. I'm physically strong enough but once it crosses your mind that you may be vulnerable there's always that nagging feeling. A pity as I'm missing this good weather.....
20/03/2026 09:13:27 UTC
Glyn said :-
That is superb Ian. How is the knee hampering your progress? My knee is making me look at Trikes again because I don’t fancy keeping a bike upright ( especially one weighing 210Kgs).
19/03/2026 21:22:28 UTC
nab301 said :-
That looks great Ian , I'm sure Ren could drop over and massage your knee for you , we need to know if the outfit performs as well as it looks!
Nigel
19/03/2026 17:56:23 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Very nice Ian, can't wait to see Ed in the chair.
19/03/2026 16:19:14 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
The last picture actually made go "oooof!" out loud. Yeah, yeah I get it, that looks blummin' lovely that Ian.
19/03/2026 15:04:49 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
and.....
19/03/2026 14:55:36 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
and.....
19/03/2026 14:55:15 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I think it's looking pretty good although the test ride will have to wait as the knee's still a bit iffy....
19/03/2026 14:54:49 UTC
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
Latest Chit-Chat
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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
nab301 said :-
Upt , 2 weeks seems poor for a 12v battery , as mentioned already there may be an excessive parasitic drain , amp clamps are handy for measuring parasitic drains without disconnecting the battery, maybe your local friendly garage person has one, and some sort of a graduated discharge test might reveal that the battery isn't performing correctly if the voltage drops too much too quickly. (maybe sitting unused in a showroom for too long and sulphated) , also , apparently a lead acid battery can lose 40% of its cranking ability at 0°C compared to 27°C.
Nigel
18/03/2026 17:52:14 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Thanks Glyn.
I have been reading up on the batteries and performance and also spoken to two neighbours who have a Yaris and Corolla HEV's. They haven't had issues other than one dashboard warning saying 12V battery was low. This is over 6 or 7 years and they often sit for a week or so.
Toyota also advise putting vehicle into Ready Mode and in Park after a longer lay up, the 177V battery will then trickle charge the 12V. There's no information on charge rate or duration but it seems a sensible precaution after a bike tour type period of none use to carry out the above procedure.
Now I've seen the battery is lead acid I will obtain a lead for charging.
Ta me duck.
Upt.
18/03/2026 17:14:07 UTC
Glyn said :-
That is a standard Lead/acid battery. It can supply 240Amps for engine cranking. If you replaced it with a similar sized 90Ah it would last twice as long before it went flat. There must be a small drain to discharge that battery in 2 weeks. It must be maintaining a computer chip or two in one of the systems. The Optimate ( other types available) is likely to take care of that just fine.
18/03/2026 16:41:27 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I found it, it wasn't easy.
39 Ah.
Upt.
18/03/2026 16:07:53 UTC
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
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