Featured What you been doing with your TRIUMPH today??

Too cold for Mrs. V and the Street?

 

Yep, that and she's playing with her horse...

 

Finally got the Tiger out Friday afternoon as the sun was shining and the roads were dry (good job as it's been raining ever since!). A bit nippy at around 5 - 6c but that'll do. A 70 mile round trip to Masham via the Swinton Park Estate. Swinton Park Castle is in the background, now a 4 Star hotel.



The market square at Masham is huge and bikers normally congregate around the Border House Tea Rooms - you get served from the two windows if you don't want to go inside. Just me today though





View across the square





"Johnny Baghdad's" cafe on the other side of the square





Interesting collection of mainly Georgian buildings around the square mixed with older buildings like the school and these cottages

 

You can just see Harry's Fish and Chip shop in one of those pics, great fish and chips

 

Yes! One of the best

 

@steve lovatt: Thanks for your great impressions!

 

@steve lovatt
Glad you're "back in business" riding those bikes of yours and posting on the forum again, Steve. I really enjoy your reports. It's good to know that you have your priorities straightened out.

 

I finally got out on Speedy yesterday for the first time since I rode to the Sneak Peek tour at my local dealership back on January 11th. That's (nearly) criminal neglect. He looked so forlorn sitting there in the garage. But out we went and we had a great day riding together!

Five of us met up at our usual QT and decided to ride over Gates Pass to our ol' favorite, Coyote Pause. There were three Harleys, one Suzuki, and one Triumph (mine) in the group.


The day was picture perfect and just right for riding a motorcycle. I call these days "Baby Bear's Porridge Days"--from Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Not too hot, not too cold, just right.


The roads were pretty busy compared to normal and the restaurant was hopping, too. I finally remembered that the Tucson Gem Show was going on which is a very big deal around here. Thousands come from all over the world for this gig. It didn't happen last year due to Covid and I think it has still ben a bit subdued this year. If you're interested in gems, minerals, and fossils, check out this link.

https://www.visittucson.org/events/...vents/tucson-gem-mineral-and-fossil-showcase/



Our group is still opting for places where we can sit outdoors due to Covid in general and omicron in particular. We figure why not when the weather is so cooperative? Most people are dining indoors again which is great for us--all the more patio tables available to us.




The little shops in the plaza where Coyote Pause is located are starting to pick back up, too. Here's a shot down one breezeway where the shop owner put some of her wares on display outdoors. Most of the shops sell items made by local artists--everything from paintings and photographs, jewelry, wind chimes, dog bowls and leashes, pottery, greeting and note cards, you get the picture. It is a great place to get unique gifts.

Edit: I forgot to post this photo of the breezeway.


After lunch we rode through Saguaro National Park West and back into town over Picture Rocks Pass, about a 55 mile loop. I've ridden this route scores of times on both bicycles and motorcycles. And still I'm tickled each time and I think to myself, "Wow, I'm able to ride through a national park that's right in my back yard!" And I'm thankful every time.

Edit: Sorry for the double post of this gem show screenshot.

 

Nice report again @Sandi T and good photos. Glad the old Speedy got a look in! 70f or 21c for us is the perfect riding temperature, unfortunately we're still around 8 or 9c today and due to get two storms and high winds later this week

It's too cold to enjoyably sit outside at the moment but that's OK. We seem to have adopted the attitude of "bugger Covid" - it's hardly mentioned in the news and we have no restrictions in place anymore, which I'm fine with

 

@Sandi T: Thanks for your report and the lovely pictures. In a few weeks I`ll able to enjoy the outside temperatures while riding too. Today we had -2 C (28,4 F) in the morning.

 

Fitted the TEC progressive fork springs. A very worth while mod and good VFM considering the improvement they make.

 

There was a gap between weather fronts this afternoon so took the opportunity for a few hours blast to burn off the fuel in the tank ready for removal when doing engine service this week. Managed to get fuel economy down to 54.5 MPG and when I got home it said I had one mile of fuel left



Why do they call mud guards 'mud guards' ?

 

That looks like my "dirt bike" jacket.

 

It's the literal version of a "dirt" bike jacket. Good luck with the cleanup--both bike and jacket (and body?)--@brown mouse!

 

I took advantage of the dry 8c temp today and pulled the tiger out of the garage. Enjoyed a 3 hour run out calling at the local HD and B*W dealership in Elsmere Port and the Bill Smiths Triumph in Chester. Going to have a look at the jap bikes in the coming days.

Been thinking about swapping out both my thruxton and tiger, but cannot decide on what to go for next.
There is so much choice out there at the moment across all of the manufacturers, but I have not seen anything that is saying buy me yet. We will see

 

Thinking of getting a set for my 700 Tracer.

 

I hose myself down when I get home before going into the house, that pic of the jacket is it on a water butt before getting blasted

 

You must try Jonny Baghdad’s cafe in the diagonally opposite corner. Much better food. Great service and great prices. A great full English.

 

I’ll put that on the recommended places map if you want to give it the nod.

 

Definitely, lovely food, good coffee and a little quirky inside. We never use the border now.