Obviously, it would be rude to go to a Vineyard, drink coffee, then come away empty handed wouldn't it? Plus, we discussed going on their volunteer days to provide some hands on support to them, especially with having a vine of our own at home despite not having a clue how to properly look after it. https://www.dunesforde.com/ 80 mile or so ride around, aimlessly wandering led into a very interesting day out.
It looks like you and your wife had a very lovely and interesting day, @Eldon. Thanks for sharing your day's adventures with us. I really enjoyed your write up and the great photos. Thanks!
This was yesterday, hopefully still acceptable for this thread title. With the wife at work it was playtime for me and my mate although he was on "Afters" so we had to be back for dinnertime. A nice little run out through the lanes using Google maps and Calimoto was planned and we were off about 09.00. Today it was the 765's day out as I knew the pace would be a bit hotter than recently with the mate on his 675R. Jumping from the Street twin to the 765 is quite stark, the front brake seems really keen , the engine has so many revs, twice as many in reality, although one 4th gear roundabout caught me out where the ST would have chugged it. Breakfast at Terrington village store sounded like a good idea. Now I've passed this a few times and never called in, last time passed there were a few old British bikes outside so was worth a try. I asked my mate what he wanted as I ordered coffee and a bacon sandwich, he just said "make that two". The lady went into the back and came back apologising saying that they only had enough bacon for x2 slices per sandwich, which she thought was inadequate, so would we like a sausage in with it? How many shops do you get that service? The shop has a proper selection of homemade pies, pizza slices and cakes...... cakes So, there was this egg custard sat on the counter eyeing me up and I thought, I'll have you before I'm done here Naturally, and especially as this was the wifes last day for working Fridays, x3 day weeks from now on , I had to send her a pic of my pudding , no not that one, the egg custard whilst she was "enjoying" working . A ride through the lanes, which were a bit of a blast, and back to mine for coffee ensuring we were on time for my mates work schedule. A nice morning out and all done by 12.30. All these people missing out on life by going to work, I just don't understand them What you need is a true work/life balance and not the rubbish HR spout. A three day working week and a four day weekend provides so much more
As I said to my mate yesterday; You need to break the financial circle to make things work in your favour. Hammer the mortgage. Don't buy on tick. Pay off in full each month the credit card. Spend accordingly. Ah..... happiness Obviously you need to add in buy a few bikes into the above somehow as you need some spares for all these adventures
There is only one person who can make retirement work for them and that is themselves. As @Eldon has said you need to plan your exit, which can mean a little sacrifice now but reaps the benefits in the future
Oh I know all that. The mortgage is paid off, pensions are in place, but there is an unforeseen blockage that is stopping us buying our home for retirement. Our current home is supplied by my employers and I need to give at least three months notice to quit. So I can't retire until we have somewhere to live and the housing market has frozen courtesy of our current government's handling of the economy. "Best laid plans of mice and men ..."
Monthly start up, polished it lubed the chain, ran it up through the gears tried all the lights(yipppeee they still work) then put it to bed again
Had the 600 mile svc done on it yesterday. Has 781 miles on it but dealer said 'No problem'. Closest dealer is in Decatur. Al - about a 110 miles up the road from B'ham. Trailered it up & back due to weather. Nice dealership & people to deal with. A few friends & I are riding up to Warehouse 319 in Jasper. Al today for lunch. Warehouse 3Nineteen Only about 50-55 miles one way then back to the house & put a good polish on it. 1st svc cost was $337 bucks, which is reasonable I guess in today's mkt. Labor rate was $135/hr. But svc on my DCT 'Wing is about $50 bucks cheaper. Go figure.
Winning prizes at Sammy Millers Triumph day for the 70 TR6C and finally Sammy let me sit on the bike i saved a deposit for but Triumph never put into production.
Had 14 riders for our lunch ride today. Weather, food, & our route was dang near perfect. https://photos.app.goo.gl/m1ypudA5DqGg8pUDA
Winning prizes! Blimey, well done. If Bert Hopwood's description of the Bandit was correct then probably best you kept your deposit
On Sunday I took the Street Triple and Helmut the Mutistrada and we went to the Old Station, Tintern for a bite to eat https://www.visitmonmouthshire.com/things-to-do/old-station-tintern-p1502751 It's a great spot with decent food and coffee and we had a lovely ride there and back, dodging the rain!
So my parcel arrived A before pic. and yes it does need a wash. An easy job to swap over, whip the exhausts off both sides and plenty of access. Wound all the settings to zero counting the clicks and surprise surprise left and right weren't set the same..... they are now Always worth inspecting your parts carefully rather than just throwing things together, here is one of the mounting bolts showing a crack, so destined for the bin.
Figured out the proper size pin for my front Pit Bull stand and ordered one (Speedy3R). Got an oil filter wrench in the mail. Took a look at the New Mexico and Colorado Butler maps to start some ride planning.
Where do you like to ride in New Mexico and Colorado, Marco? I'm always interested to learn where others like to ride when they're planning trips around where I ride. I'm in Tucson and my hubby and I have ridden lots of northern New Mexico and southern/ceentral Colorado roads.
Front Fenda Extenda arrived today so I’ve fitted that to the Tiger. Boring I know, but as I found with the one I put on the Fireblade when I got that, it will help keep the crude off
Too numerous to list, but here are a few: Just outside of Albuquerque we have a great sportbike road that goes from 6,000 ft to 10,600 ft in about 12 miles - Sandia Crest road with dozens of switchbacks with the rest very, very serpentine - all through high alpine forests and great views. Park at the top and take in the view of Albuquerque and the Rio Grande basin. Weekends are busy. Just south of that is what we call "South-14" between Tijeras and Mountainair - high speed sweepers and twisties. North 14 (actual highway 14 between Tijeras and Santa Fe) is okay, and scenic - some twisty bits; nice way to get to Santa Fe through the village of Madrid. Another favorite is the Jemez Loop through the Jemez mountains. About a 200 mile loop from Albuquerque - start with Highway 550 in Bernalillo toward Farmington for 20 miles, then Highway 4 through the Jemez mountains is the meat of it with lots of twisties and sweepers mostly through high alpine forest and the Valle Caldera, then take a left to go through Los Alamos National Laboratory to the town of Los Alamos or keep straight toward White Rock and then loop back through Santa Fe and down highway 14 to Tijeras and Albuquerque. Take the 599 loop road to avoid the traffic in Santa Fe, which runs right into 14 south. We usually stop in White Rock for lunch. From Santa Fe go north on 285/84, take a right toward Nambe and do the "High Road to Taos" - fantastic ride that ends in Taos. Once in Taos you can do the Enchanted Loop which takes you through and around some of the highest mountains in New Mexico through Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, and Red River. If you find yourself on 285 going north toward Colorado (or on 64 between Taos and Chama) take a left in Tres Piedras onto highway 64 toward Chama. Fantastic road. Also some great riding in the Mogollon Mountains in soutwestern New Mexico between Reserve, Glenwood, and Silver City, and while you're there slip into eastern Arizona to ride Highway 191 between Alpine and Clifton - one of my favorites, but the road can be rough in some spots. In the 94 miles of 191 I usually encounter only ten or twenty cars, and about as many motorcycles. Just north of us in Colorado there are numerous routes including the Million Dollar Highway between Silverton and Ouray. If you're in Ouray, might as well take the road between Ridgeway and Gateway, then toward Grand Junction. That's just scratching the surface. Colorado tends to get more traffic than New Mexico - I think most have the impression that New Mexico is nothing but desert, hence the lower population here. They should keep thinking that!
