In this issue BIKE REVIEW BMW R1200RT HIGHLAND RIDE 26

Transcription

In this issue
BIKE REVIEW
BMW R1200RT
HIGHLAND RIDE
26 DAYS IN SPAIN
VIEW FROM THE SIDE
BRISTOL ADVANCED MOTORCYCLISTS
2
WINTER ISSUE 46
REGULARS
5
7
8
19
26
27
45
48
49
49
50
Kipper’s Komments
Chairman’s Chatter
Super Sundays
CONGRATULATIONS – TEST PASSES
BAM Events Calendar
2015 Super Bike Race Calendar
Puzzle Time
Kessi’s Kapers
Contacts Page
Puzzle Time Answers to Issue 45
Retail Therapy
JAN–APR 2015
FEATURES
11
17
23
30
36
46
View From The Side
Speed Camera Talk
Bike Review – BMW R1200RT
Highlands Winter Ride
26 Days In Spain
Where Do They Come From
Articles)may)also)be)published)on)the)group’s)website)and)in)other)IAM)group)newsletters.)The)opinions)
expressed)in)this)newsletter)are)those)of)the)individual)contributors)and)do)not)necessarily)form)the)views)
of)the)editor,)BAM)or)the)IAM)
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Welcome to our BAM newsletter, Winner of the
Best Club Newsletter at the IAM AGM in Nov
2014.
A fresh start to 2015 so go careful out on those frosty
roads at the moment whilst you give your bikes a spring
clean, get ride fit yourselves after all those choccies and
mince pies and get ready for the start of the new biking
season which kicks off on 1st Feb with Super Sunday.
We had a very good season last year in BAM with lots of
new members, ride outs, promoting what we do at events like Bike Safe and of course the
weekends away. This year will be just as jam packed to try and cater for everyone’s needs but
we can only do it with your help.
We always need helpers at Super Sunday's and are seeking an organiser for Coalpit Heath to
share the workload so we don’t rely on the same people too much. If you have ideas for
events we can attend at local dealers or bike shows, recommendations for speakers at social
evenings or fancy leading a ride whether half day, full day or an evening social ride then please
get in touch with any of the committee.
Don’t forget March is our AGM, so a reminder from the Treasurer to get your membership
forms back to Alan Davis
Early notice that in May there is the International women riders day on May 2nd with events
planned at local dealers, plus on May 14th we will be joining up with our Dorchester and West
Dorset colleagues for a Women’s Biker Day ranging from have a go at riding, bike handling,
observed rides and talks from professional racers – so watch out for details nearer the time.
The deadline for the next edition is 17th April so please send all items to
[email protected]
Enjoy the season ahead!
Martyn
S.M.A.K
I’ll be back for breakfast.
PS. Thanks to The Green Team and other volunteers for all the support they give the committee...
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Good grief, doesn’t time pass quickly? We are now into another
year. Happy New Year to you all.
2014 has been another successful BAM year with many pressures
Billy
and demands. What comes first, the chicken or the egg? The
Burns
Associate or the Observer? How many Associates coming our way in 2015? Totally
unpredictable. Observers, on the other hand, don’t just happen, there needs to be an
implemented training program. We have and continue to have a rolling program of training. Tim
Wrighton, our Chief Observer, is looking for volunteers as Trainee Observers for 2015.
He/BAM needs you so if you want to commit yourself to the advancement of BAM please get in
touch with him. What does it involve? He will be enlightening you all after the normal sessions
of February & March Super Sundays have been completed.
Reflecting on some of the things 2014 brought our way. Newbie numbers have been steady.
We introduced a short theory session after allocations at Super Sunday. The idea being to give
some bones for the new Associate and Observer to chew on. It is a taster session to start
understanding the system of Motorcycle control contained in “Motorcycle Roadcraft” and
“How to be a better biker”. None of it is rocket science but essential skills necessary for
modern “stay alive” biking along with more enjoyable biking.
The buzz continues at EVERY Super Sunday with folk catching up with each other. Martyn’s
diner always sees plenty of bacon, sausage, and goodness knows what else, baps consumed at an
incredible rate. The presence of so many bikes & bikers adds to a bike club meet as well as the
serious side of developing biking skills.
We have a busy time ahead as we provide some continuous training for our present Observer
numbers. We will be moving towards having all our Senior Observers qualified as National
Observers under the IMI scheme. Also this year’s Trainee Observers will start under the new
IMI Local Observer scheme. The principal behind these IMI changes are sound and give better
clarity to the role of Observers. In reality we have been applying these levels of Observer
training over recent years and IMI is a helpful written criteria applicable across the whole of the
IAM Group network. Well that’s the theory anyhow. However, we will ensure we put it all
into practice for the benefit of all.
We still need some more willing hands to spread the load. Please contact me if you want to be
one of those absolutely essential willing soles.
Wishing you all a prosperous 2015.
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The first Sunday of every month, except January, a wide variety of bikes and bikers meet up in
Kingswood, all with the same intent – to get the most from their biking.
There are the first timers who come along to go out on an assessed ride. This is free and
carried out by a team of trained volunteer observers. This is a great way to find out if you could
get more from your riding by signing up to complete the Skill for Life course. This course will
improve your biking skills and the safety of you and other road users.
Once you have enrolled, you are known as an Associate and you will need to turn up for Super
Sundays right through your training. Associates are allocated an Observer to take them through
their training, but at Super Sundays all Associates will get the chance to meet the Examiner,
attend a class room session on bike techniques or ride with a different Observer for a cross
check of your progress. The last Super Sunday you need to attend is when you get presented
with your IAM Certificate!
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But this is just the beginning. Bristol Advanced Motorcyclist is a club with an active calendar of
social events, talks, ride outs and trips away. It is also the route for further training if you’d like
to learn how to pass on your newly acquired skills to others.
Who?
Whether you want an assessed ride, a refresher ride for current members, or just to meet up
with friends, then;• Arrive between 9-9.15am and register your name first, ready for a 9.30am start
• Grab a bacon butty and/or a cup of tea
• Get allocated an Observer for your assessed ride and off you go
• Enrolled Associates to attend the “Meet the Examiner” or the theory session before
you set off on your observed ride.
Where?
King’s Oak Academy. Brook Road, (off Tennis Court Road), Warmley, Bristol BS15 4JT
When?
Every 1st Sunday of the month (except January)
Wonga?
It’s FREE on your first visit to a Super Sunday event. The Skill for Life course costs £149.
There are offers available for individuals under 30 - sponsored by South Gloucestershire Road
Safety
The RAC offers all new IAM members FREE Roadside & Recovery cover for
their first year. Worth £106 RRP
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Anne Garnish
VIEW
FROM
THE
SIDE
Waking up on the Isle Of Man on race morning, Saturday 31st May 2014, I was as jumpy as a cat
on a hot tin roof. The weather on the island can be very temperamental, and I had no idea if I
could manage three full laps consecutively since we’d only completed three laps in qualifying
week, each as individual attempts. Of course, when I came down to it, what was the alternative?
Decamping mid-way round a lap? It was a year and a day since David and I had crashed on the
Mountain so this time I was determined to lay that demon to rest.
The weather on Saturday was kind and just after 2pm Francois and I waited on the start line on
our Shelbourne Suzuki Safe Response machine. The nerves had been building as we pushed the
sidecar through scrutineering and into the collecting area (which is closed to the public). As
start time approached we had donned leathers, walked through the tunnel of well wishers and
spectators to the collecting area and finally pushed the sidecar out onto Glencrutchery Road.
You push out the wrong way (towards Govenor’s Bridge) then u-turn to join the line of
competitors in start order. We were 34th starter, so not far from our plate number of 32. After
final hugs with our loved ones, we went past the last marshal holding the “Competitors Only
Beyond This Point” board: the point of no return. I felt physically sick, shaking with nerves. It’s
noticeable that very few competitors are chatty and relaxed for those last few minutes! There
are cameras and film crews everywhere, adding to the tension.
The number of machines ahead of us diminished; the figure of the starter in his cream overalls
was calmly placing then lifting his hand from the shoulder of each driver at 10 second intervals.
When his hand lifted from Fanch’s shoulder, me with my head down and all my weight over the
rear tyre, we roared down Bray Hill and onto the opening section of the lap. Making our way
through dappled sunshine at Glen Helen, we swept down Cronk y Voddy straight, through the
village of Kirk Michael, airborne over Ballaugh Bridge before arriving in Ramsey’s Parliament
Square for the first time. Our run over the Mountain was smooth and we crossed the line at
the end of lap one with an average pace of 102.447mph. We hadn’t seen any serious incidents,
and whilst I was still running on adrenaline, I felt strong and ready for lap 2. I was aware of the
faster speed, and it did feel smoother than slower laps.
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Lap 2 started slightly slower due to an accident in the Glen Helen section: the Birchall brothers
had clipped the wall and crashed. We were directed through at a reduced pace by marshals
with yellow flags warning of danger, but we made up time through the remainder of the lap. It’s
horrible seeing the flags and knowing someone is having a seriously bad day. Fortunately, other
than Ben Birchall’s hand injury, the crew got away very lightly! To our delight we overtook
some fellow competitors further down the road, each time knowing we had caught up by 10
seconds on the road. On lap 2 we had averaged 102.990mph as we raced down Glencrutchery
Road to start our final lap.
The heat and brutally physical nature of the race was taking their toll on lap 3. I was feeling
tired, thirsty and made an error coming into Westwood (the left bends just before Kirk Michael
village) and was lucky not to miss my handholds. There was much English and French swearing
going on inside my helmet. As the fuel remaining in the tank reduced the sidecar started to
need more and more work for left-handers so I had to concentrate and up my game. We were
both becoming fatigued, but the thought of taking the chequered flag spurred us on. By Ramsey
I could begin to think about completing the race and achieving a finish. I didn’t want to tempt
fate by being too overconfident, and my tired arms and reducing stamina meant I was moving
less and less for corners, sacrificing some tyre grip on rights to conserve energy and ensure I
could make the lefts.
Coming through Govenor’s Bridge on that final lap I couldn’t believe we were so close, and as
we accelerated over the Finish line I wondered if I’d miscounted the laps. My head was buried
down to improve aerodynamics so I couldn’t see anything: was Fanch accelerating because we
had another lap to go? But no, we swung left into the return road. I was almost too tired to
hold out my right hand and touch the spectators who were leaning over the fence to
congratulate us, and when we got back into Parc Fermé I was shaking so hard I couldn’t stand. I
saw another driver collapse as he was pulled from his seat, our support crews pressing us with
energy drinks and congratulatory hugs. The first thing we did was look for Estelle, but her
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sidecar was missing. What had happened? Fortunately it turned out to be nothing more serious
than a fuelling issue – she was safe but retired.
Our final lap was a superb 103.969mph, taking our overall race average to 103.132mph over a
personal race time of just under 1hr 5mins 51secs and a finishing position of 23rd. I had been
one of only three female passengers to complete the gruelling race, with veteran passenger
Fiona Baker-Milligan (with her father Tony Baker) finishing in 13th and 19-year old newcomer
Hayley Capewell finishing 32nd at 91.509mph. Debbie Barron was the only female driver to
cross the finish line in 29th. The race had been won by Conrad Harrison and Mike Aylott: one of
the nicest crews you could ever meet and very deserving winners.
Mad Sunday was a welcome day of rest for all the spectators, but there was a lot of preparation
and cleaning to do on the machines for the racers. Fanch was furious with himself as Estelle’s
fuelling problem proved to be a tiny hole rubbed in the high-pressure fuel line where Fanch
hadn’t cable-tied it out of the way after Friday’s practice session. Estelle had gone through
2/3rds of a tank of fuel in under one lap, retiring at the Bungalow on lap 1 of the race. She
managed the stress magnificently and with a maturity beyond her years, especially with the
added pressure of the French film crew wanting her every reaction on camera. Given that on
Friday 30th she’d been presented with the 2013 Susan Jenness trophy for ‘Most Meritorious
performance by a female competitor at the TT’, this was not the fairy-tale ending all had hoped
for.
On Monday 2nd June we were scheduled for a single lap of practice, and I felt confident. I wasn’t
too tired or sore after Saturday and I’d proved to myself that I could do 3 laps, so one would
be a doddle. Mannanan drew his cloak around the island for a delayed start, but we took it
steady for a 101.92mph finish. There were teams out there using this session as a last-ditch
qualifying, and we all had our fingers crossed for them.
In race 1 we’d missed out on a bronze replica of the famous TT trophy by a mere 0.5mph
average, but that Monday evening we proudly received our bronze finisher’s medals at a prize
presentation at Villa Marina in Douglas. Hearing
our names called in front of such illustrious
company and so many famous sidecar and solo
racers, was fantastic.
To our delight and surprise, we were told by the
race organisers that due to the number of
stoppages and weather problems in practice week,
we would have another practice lap on the
Tuesday before our 2nd race. Unfortunately a very
serious accident in the Superstock qualifying
scuppered those plans, so after the bike was
through scrutineering there was nothing to do
except prepare ourselves for the following day’s
race.
Coming up: Back down to earth at Darley Moor, Mallory Park and beyond.
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Group news: Somerset
Somerset Advanced Motorcyclists is gearing up
for the seventh annual South West Peninsula
Spring Rally (SWPSR). Taking place on 28
March, the SWPSR invites participants on two
or three wheel machines to explore the
delightful environment of Somerset, Dorset,
Devon and Cornwall by navigating to various
clues throughout the day. With awards at
bronze (about 150 miles), silver (300 miles) and
gold (400 miles) distances, participants can set
the challenge at the level they feel most
comfortable at. The event is regarded as a
great day out, and participants receive a
certificate, meal, t-shirt and rally sticker for
their entry fee. Full details and entry forms can
be found at
www.somersetadvancedmotorcyclists.org.uk
Thruxton Skills Day places sell out in under an hour
Places at the IAM's first 2015 Skills Day for riders at
Thruxton on 17 April went on sale yesterday (20
January) and sold out completely in 50 minutes flat! The
Thruxton Skills Day for riders on 28 May has also sold
out, but there are limited places on the 3 July riders' day
also at Thruxton. Dates for other Skills Days for drivers
and riders have been announced for later in the year.
Skills Days are a great way for drivers and riders to
challenge their abilities and develop their skills in a
professional environment. You will enjoy at least six on
track sessions and there are two skills levels to choose
from: beginners and intermediates.
Book now on 0300 303 1134
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IAM appoints Sarah Sillars to
chief executive officer role
IAM Chairman Alistair Cheyne OBE announced on
Monday the appointment of Sarah Sillars as the
organisation's new chief executive officer. Sarah has a
long and successful background in the automotive
arena and has most recently overseen the
commercialisation of Semta, the skills sector council
for engineering and advanced manufacturing. Sarah said: "I am very proud to be appointed your
CEO. I know that you, as representatives of our network of groups around the country, are
our front line. You are dedicated to promoting the IAM because you are committed to what
you do and have a passion for improving driver and rider skills. As I get established at the IAM I
will be travelling around the UK and aim to meet as many of you as possible."
Mark had kindly braved the elements tonight and arranged to change his shift in order to talk to
our members about what the motorcycle speed enforcement team do.
The bike, a BMW R1200RT liveried with a speed camera sign
on the panniers, was parked up outside for people to have a
look, but the main camera kit was setup inside with the top
box actually the recording unit. The laser is calibrated and can
be used up to 1km, but generally is used at 200m when a
vehicle is deemed to be exceeding the limit. The laser isn’t
pointed at every single vehicle passing by, it can of course be
pivoted on the tripod so a bike number plate can be recorded
if required !
The team are all civilians with 3 bikes working shift patterns
across a wide area with the aim of working with local residents
who have requested their assistance in certain locations, or
where there is a history of incidents. By having a personal
presence, Mark has found people are more likely to stop and
chat and learn rather than the negative feedback people sat in the white camera vans can
sometimes get.
Discussions veered towards the M5 gantry cameras; average speed cameras and the plethora of
20mph zones across Bristol but the bikes are most effective outside these areas. People had a
go at lining up the camera laser cross hairs and taking a closer look at the recording kit before
Mark was able to head home and get ready for tomorrow’s shift. An interesting insight into the
speed enforcement team, thanks for giving up your evening Mark.
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Billy Burns presents Richard
Eling with his IAM Certificate
Chris Nourse presents Jim
Burn with his IAM Certificate
Jim Caola presents Karen
Goodinson with her IAM
Certificate
Nick Calvert presents
Caroline Clark with her IAM
Certificate
Al Budden presents Phil
Crabb with his IAM
Certificate
Andy Boulton presents Roy
Chivers with his IAM
Certificate
Tim Wrighton presents
Simon Paver with his IAM
Certificate
Steve Buckley presents Guy
Gibson with his IAM
Certificate
Jim Caola presents Tim Crisp
with his IAM Certificate
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BY NICK CALVERT
BMW R1200RT
We like to get our bike serviced at CW Motorcycles in Dorchester. They’re a great dealer and
it’s a great ride there and back. Taking our BMW K1600GTLe down for a 24,000 mile service
turned out to be incredibly expensive. Nothing wrong with the bike but I made the mistake of
taking the new R1200RT out on a test ride.
Mark the salesman said ”Make sure you ride it for at least
an hour, you’ve plenty of time as your bike is in the
workshop”.
I last rode the R1200RT in 2011 and as a result we bought
the K1600GTLe. I think you either love or hate the boxer
engine and I couldn’t get my head around it. It may have
been that the R1200RT was about 100kg lighter than the
K1200LT we had at the time and it just felt too light, but
whatever it was, it wasn’t for us at the time.
What I was aware of before I had sat on the bike was that
it has borrowed much of the styling and parts from the
K1600. The panniers, top box, handle bar clusters, dash
arrangement, head light arrangement were shared parts or
almost identical. This meant I was basically climbing onto
what seemed to me to be a very familiar bike, yet I had
never ridden it before.
Once sat on the bike, I noticed I was at somewhat higher than on the current bike, not a bad
thing, and slightly tilted forward compared to the armchair position I’m normally used too, but
only a smidge. I could have lowered the seat but this height felt good and I could easily reach
the floor. With a variety of OME seat options it seems to cater for most leg lengths.
Mark did the talk through which seemed very familiar, however, there were also new toys
consisting of Proshifter and a handbrake, but not a handbrake as we know it. The Proshifter
allows you to change gear without using the clutch. It works really well in progressive
acceleration and cuts the gear change time to a fraction of a second, making that sprint
extremely swift and smooth, providing you with 0-100mph in a tad over 7 seconds should you
have an autobahn handy, 0-60 in 3 seconds as you get there. You simply keep the throttle
open and change gear. Goes against the grain but it works. When changing down, you roll off
the acceleration, and push down on the lever, the engine blips and you have a smooth gear
change although it isn’t recommended for second to first.
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He also explained the handbrake
and I was rolling my eyes a little
as to why it was fitted. A nod to
car drivers I thought but hey ho,
I’d give it a try at some point.
Riding off it soon became
apparent that this bike was very
different to the R1200RT from
2011. Yes, still the boxer engine
but
it
seemed
smoother
somehow. This couldn’t simply
be because the engine is now
part water cooled, that has been done to increase the BHP from 107 to 125. I didn’t
understand why it seemed different so thought I’d need to read up later. Turns out the new
engine has a heavier crankshaft and alternator, acting as a flywheel effect and evening out the
vibration and power band. I chose to ride the bike in engine mode “Road”. The other options
being “Rain” or “Dynamic”. These are options within the engine management system that are
also tied into the ESA (electronic suspension adjustment) and DTC (dynamic traction control).
Select “Dynamic” and you have a more responsive throttle, greater engine breaking, stiffer
suspension and less traction control. Choose “Rain” and it delivers softer acceleration, softer
suspension and full traction control. The ”Road” setting being midway between the other
settings. You can also change the suspension setting independently in each mode. All this is
done through your right thumb or the rotating selector wheel on the left hand. You also need
to select rider/pillion/luggage options before you move off.
Not only had the engine changed dramatically, but the also the frame. The steel frame from the
GS has been adopted and the reports say this gives a stiffer, better feel to the whole bike. I
can’t comment on it in comparison to the previous RT’s but it was certainly comparable to the
K1600 and gave me no issues at all. Taking the bike around some of the Dorset roads was a
pleasure. The R1200RT is three bags of cement lighter than the K1600GTLe and is quicker and
far more agile in the twisties along with feet up turns in the road being a doddle.
Something we had noticed on the K1600GTLe was that the wind turbulence was pretty
uncomfortable for the pillion at anything over 70, but I was already beginning to suspect this
was different on the new R1200RT. The demo bike had the larger screen option and I was
more than comfortable behind it, sheltering away from the wind and reducing the noise. You
can adjust the height of the screen over quite a distance with the touch of a button. It turns out
that I was correct, we did another demo ride together a few days later and Roz confirmed it
was much better.
The handbrake seemed a weird accessory to me at first but once you have used it on a hill for
the first time you are hooked. Pulling up at lights on an incline, I squeezed the handbrake fully
and an ”H” illuminated on the dash. I could then release the hand or foot brake and the bike
stayed put. To release, simply squeeze fully again or drop into gear and pull away, the brake
releases automatically. It only works when the engine is on and it isn’t a parking brake as such,
so all the normal precautions are to be used when leaving your bike on a slope. I can see this
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being really useful when Roz & I are touring, fully loaded up. It just makes life a little easier on
occasion.
I rode the bike for an hour and a half before the rain started so I headed back to the dealer. I
knew I had a problem. I had really enjoyed the ride.
On the 1st November we picked up the new
bike. We had carried out a second test ride
and made the decision. It was quite easy
really, much better pillion comfort, three
bags of cement lighter, the same luggage
capability and high level of features as the
K1600GTLe.
900 miles later, we are of the same opinion.
I’ve actually ridden 1300 miles on the new
R1200RT, but 400 miles of that was on a
Blood Bike. My first shift and they let me
out on one of the new bikes. It was a great
way to find out more about the R1200RT
whilst doing something useful for others.
As for further conclusions, reading the longterm report in the latest Ride magazine is
very encouraging. It looks like the R1200RT
will be a tourer we will enjoy. Having
covered approximately 90,000 miles on our
biking holidays since 2000, a comfortable,
fun bike is important to us.
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BAM CALENDER 2015
FEBRUARY
MARCH
1
SUN
SUPER SUNDAY
Kings Oak Academy, Kingswood
1
SUN
SUPER SUNDAY
7
SAT
OBSERVER REFRESHER TRAINING
8
SUN
HALF DAY GROUP RIDE
Ride Leader Required
11
WED
BAM CLUB NIGHT – Coalpit Heath
Come and catch up with members
11
WED
CLUB AGM - Get your nominations in!
22
SUN
BREAKFAST CLUB
New Manor Farm, West Harptree
22
SUN
FULL DAY GROUP RIDE
28
SAT
GROUP REGIONAL MEETING
Tedburn St Mary, Devon
28
SAT
South West Peninsula Spring Rally
Somerset Advanced Motorcyclist
Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road, Bristol
BS16 2RW
APRIL
MAY
5
SUN
SUPER SUNDAY
2
SAT
INTERNATIONAL LADY RIDERS
DAY See local dealers for events
8
WED
Drivers Assist First Aid Talk
3
SUN
SUPER SUNDAY
12
SUN
HALF DAY GROUP RIDE
10
SUN
HALF DAY GROUP RIDE
17
FRI
DEADLINE FOR CHAINLINK ARTICLES
Your Chance to Contribute
13
WED
FlyBikeFly – Chris Hathaway
19
SUN
FULL DAY GROUP RIDE
17
SUN
FULL DAY GROUP RIDE
17
SUN
WOMEN RIDERS SKILLS DAY
With DWDAM
BAM CLUB NIGHTS
Coalpit Heath Village Hall
214 Badminton Road Bristol BS36 2QB
Arrive from 7.30pm
SUPER SUNDAYS
Kings Oak Academy Brook Road
Kingswood Bristol BS15 4JT
Arrive between 9-9.15am
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ABOVE EVENTS WILL BE POSTED ON THE BAM FORUM AND EMAILS WILL BE
SENT TO CLUB MEMBERS
26
F)E)B)U)A)R)Y
22) WSB)
M)A)R)C)H
22) WSB)
29) MotoGP)
A)P)R)I)L)
4) BSB)
12) WSB)
12) MotoGP)
17) BSB)
19) WSB)
19) MotoGP)
M)A)Y)
2) BSB)
3) MotoGP)
10) WSB)
17) MotoGP)
24) WSB)
31) MotoGP)
) )
Australia)
Phillip)Island)
Thailand)
Qatar)
Chang International Circuit
UK)
Spain)
Americas)
UK)
Donnington)Park)
Doha/Losail))
Netherlands
Motorland Aragon
Austin
Brands Hatch Indy
TT Circuit Assen
Argentina)
Termas)del)Rio)Hondo))
UK)
Spain)
Italy)
France)
UK)
Italy)
Oulton Park International
)
)
Jerez)de)la)Frontera))
Imola)
Le)Mans)
Donnington)Park)
Mugello)
27
28
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Jeff Perkins tells us of his son’s first bike and riding together
Stuart and his YBR, My Hired CB500 in the
background of Mitchell’s Motorcycles Inverness
Christmas week is not normally
associated with a Bike jolly in the
Scottish highlands, Freezing cold, snow
and ice usually put folk off, along with
the lack of daylight. However, as night
becomes day, we become our parents,
my son had his 17th Birthday in
November. I can recall constantly
nagging my parents for a FS1E a year
before I was 16. Now of course 30mph
mopeds do not appeal. “Dad, I want a
125”…came the words. “Yes, but your
birthday is in November and you live
in Inverness, don’t be silly”.
So how do you approach the subject, of course he was going to get one, how can I deny him
after all, I can only blame myself as he has seen me with a bike since he was born? So a plan was
hatched in conjunction with my Ex (never easy as we have not agreed on a single thing in the
past 10 years). “ Yes son, you can have a bike, but you need to demonstrate the following first”.
Basically, get a weekend job, show me you have all the gear for winter. Secure a place to park it
under cover and be able to perform maintenance on it. Find insurance. Then do your CBT, with
follow on one to one. I thought that will take him until April……
Wrong. Two weeks after his birthday he had completed his list, found a bike and wanted me to
complete the payment. For those now faced finding a second-hand 125 for their offspring’s, its
not easy. Despite a good selection of bikes available, insurance kills them flat. My choice would
have been the KTM Duke. Many are available at £2k mark or £4.2K new with insurance.
Quotes for £1800 for year 2 were scary.
My ex was set on him having a new Korean custom bike off the internet, as nice looking and
cheap. Following some gentle persuasion she agreed it to a non-starter (Highland salted roads,
rain and thinly chromed / paintwork will not last long, electrics I have heard so many bad stories
of cutting out and warranty claims).
I eventually found a Yamaha YBR125 in Mitchells Inverness. This is the only dealer in the area
and well worth noting down if you plan to visit the far north of Scotland. They were very
helpful, so via emails and phone, as I work in Algeria, we agreed a sale. Mitchell’s delivered it to
Nairn where he lives, a small fisher town overlooking the Cromarty firth.
Part 2 of the Bike plan was he rode with me….. a bit more difficult, but interesting. Was I really
looking forward to riding my bike up to Inverness and back just before Christmas? Nope, not in
the slightest. Then an Idea struck…. would Mitchell’s loan me a bike, after all just spent a wad
30
on a bike with them. The answer; possibly, but they work with a chap called Raymond (Highland
Bike Rental) who rents bikes out from a very small industrial estate in Muir of Ord, situated in
one of the most scenic areas of the UK. Even more impressive was his list of available bikes.. A
Penigale ?? is he serious. Yes for £165 a day a full blown Ducati is yours. Tempting, but not ideal
for ducklings. He has several bikes, including a Speed triple, Honda Crossover, GSXR and a ZX
10R. I opted for the CB500. All his bikes are less than 2 years old, well maintained and shiny.
He quoted me £60 for the day, not many customers in mid December.
So thanks to Easy Jet direct from Bristol to Inverness, my task was made simple.
Back to the bike training. My lad had only ridden the bike around the back roads of the town, a
bit of a sleepy hollow at the best of times. The main road is Aberdeen road, not nice, lorries,
impatient drivers, tractors salty and covered in muck. He did his CBT in Inverness, but was not
happy about main roads yet. In the end, I rode his 125 to Muir of Ord some 25 miles away. My
ex followed with son and daughter in the car, they were going Christmas shopping and would
pick us up on the way back.
Emmm I recall my FS1E being about as quick as this, I am sure my old CB125 used to hit 80. My
first shock was looking down at a speedo needle ¾ of the way around the dial (if this was my
bike I’d be serving a sentence), but still only doing 35 Mph. Back came memories of slip
streaming two feet from backs of trucks and buses, to get up to 50 mph (guess he will be doing
that at some point, scary). Then the joys of at least 3 gear changes as you enter a roundabout.
Braking, plan well ahead. At least I was beginning to appreciate what he has to harness and relearning my youthful mistakes. Plus devising a strategy for him to cover while out with me.
The original plan was to Ride around the Beauly Inlet of the Moray Firth, up to Strathpeffer,
then back to Tore over the Kessock bridge into Inverness and along the coast back to Muir of
Ord. 50 ish miles. The weather was holding up, snow from previous few days had melted.
Temperature was a pleasant 5 degrees.
I picked up the CB500, what a lovely machine, the previous week I had a loaner of a Kawasaki
Versys 650, SP motorcycles Exeter, they have one 1000 miles only 2008 for just over 3K, I was
tempted as would be a nice winter bike. The new CB500 much nicer, ideal for what I needed,
comfy, reasonable poke, good visibility and nicely put together. (Except the fuel cap. Spent ages
working out how to put it back on).
Back to the matter at hand, training.. Right let’s set the objectives
and plan of our day. The roads in the area are silent, scenic with
lovely bends, a few farms not a lot else. No lorries and very few
buses. First objective was road position and basic familiarization
with the bike and controls. Off we went, I was impressed with my
lad’s road position, proof he read the books I sent him up. After a
couple of miles, I pulled him over and went for the first
roundabout. A big confidence slide there, but we worked on it.
As he was gaining confidence I thought it was time for coffee. We
pulled in on Tore café; basically if you ride the A9 with its new
average speed cameras there is nothing from Avimore until Tore.
We discussed progress and decided to make full use of my time
Tore Services
31
we will do Inverness next. I showed him how to use a fuel pump, but he still managed to pour
fuel over himself.
We headed off on the dual carriage way to the
Kessock bridge, I take the lead, oh great a mile long
traffic jam, now do I filter or not? Plenty of room, no
one lane changing, lets give it a go. My lad did follow
for a bit but I could tell he was not happy, so we sat
in the traffic. We headed through the Christmas
shoppers; I led, as his navigation skills are none too
good. He did well though and after a brief stop in PC
world car park, we headed along the coast to
Mitchells for a coffee.
A really nice ride followed along to Beauly, refuel and
back to Muir of Ord. I swap bikes, for the 125, Ex
wife has finished shopping with my daughter and they
head back to Nairn. I have a long chat with Raymond,
as the light fades. He has a real untapped potential
there, it is his second year of rental. He thought the
BMW RS type machine would be the bike demanded,
Station Hotel Loch Carron..what
but most of his rentals are the sports bikes. Which
more do you need!!
when you add up, it makes sense if your coming up
from the south or overseas. To get to the highlands
you will need a new set of rubber or plan a new set somewhere on route. Chiropractors are
not available on the M74, so a touring bike is best for getting there, but it is ideal sports bike
territory.
My ex in-laws run B&B’s and get a lot of bikers, some send luggage ahead one even sent his bike
on private plane. (He is the head of BMW Motorcycle division though). Raymond is starting to
work with the B&B’s so he can advise on secure parking, routes etc. Now, for us southerners, a
long weekend exploring the highlands is extremely feasible and not too costly at all. Allow £130
for your flight with add on’s etc. could well be cheaper if you book in advance. £35-60 a night
B&B, £150 for 2 days bike hire. I am sure Raymond will deliver to the B&B, then you have one
of the best rides your ever going to have. (I’d go for the Penigale, because you can!!)
32
After all the uncertainty of a winters ride, it
turned out to be one of the best rides of the
year even on the shortest day of the year. Far
better than the previous week, spending 4 hours
in Morton on the Marsh waiting for the RAC
with a dead charging system on a 2 year old bike.
I stay in the Braeval Hotel or Havelock inn in
Nairn when I go up, £35 a night single with
The weather man said 13 degrees .. emm
hearty breakfast. It has a huge selection of real
Ice snow and roads covered in crap,
ales from all over, but watch the Alcohol
Battery terminal corrosion was the
content some are 8%, new Scottish drink driving
problem.
laws are very strict. From there Ullapool or
Garloch are 2 hours away or if the weathers bad that side go over the Moors to Avimore.
Go on you know you want
to go!!!
Nairn overlooking Firth of Comarty from the Braeval
Hotel
If anyone has any contacts for
training in the Highlands let
me know. Since then Stuart
has done one follow on
session
with
his
CBT
instructor. Learned to use
the town’s pressure washer
and cover the bike in Scottoil
365, he also owns a can of
WD 40, tyre pressure gauge.
I am already looking forward
to some more rides up there
this year.
Highland Motorcycle Hire, Unit 12 Tomich Ind Est, Muir of Ord, IV6 7XW, 01463 870541,
07766241246
33
34
35
26 Days In Spain....
Tim Perry and Pete Michael
The plan was very clear. It was that there would be no plan!! I had been wanting to do a longish
tour of Spain for a while. I think it started after I regained consciousness in an ambulance having
been side-swiped off my beloved GSX1250FA, in a bus lane opposite St Mary Redcliffe... But
that is another story. Suffice to say, having asked the paramedics if the other guy was OK, and
being told he was, but my bike definitely wasn't, my next question was if was still going to be on
the ferry with Billy and crew in a fortnights time. “Oh, I very much doubt it...” came the reply.
Ah well. Next year maybe.....
Wind forward 6 months, we are all having lunch in Llandrindod Wells on one of Rob
Armstrong's epic Welsh ride-outs, Pete Michael and I were discussing overseas trips. He had
not long returned from a bike trip to Turkey. My 'No Plan Plan' had been developing over the
previous few months, and my darling wife had already suggested I take several weeks rather
than one, because I had missed out on the previous years trip. When I mentioned it was still a
solo tour, Pete immediately expressed an interest, and once the dates had been checked, we
settled for almost 4 weeks in September through to almost the end of October. By chance, the
return ferry was going to coincide with Billy's next group trip, but more of that later! To be
honest, I was very pleased to be having some company on
the tour, as it was becoming clear going solo for a month,
first time, was a bit daunting!
'No Plan Plan'. I'll explain. I had realised that with almost a
month to play with, we would have plenty of flexibility to
amend the route, or change it completely, if need be. The
only 'hard' date would be the ferry departure to return to
the UK, so rather then spend hours adjusting mileage
(kilometerage?) routes, itineraries, booking and so forth, I
plotted a bunch of potentially interesting places to go, and
just drew a vague loopy line through them. We had a
standing invite to see my old friend Howard Parker (ex Avon
police biker) who now lived in Javea with his girlfriend
Ursula, east of Benidorm, so we set that as a marker for the
first weekend.
I spent a fair time with books such as Dorling Kindersley's
excellent Back Roads Spain, as well as the inspirational
Michelin maps, both the Orange and Green series. By chance,
Ride Magazine published a timely guide to tours in Spain with
36
plenty of other suggestions for roads and places to visit and stay. The Internet is obviously a
fabulous source of inspiration, and we gradually worked out a list of possible Points of Interest,
and a bunch of potentially great roads between them. The maps helpfully mark scenic routes
with a green border, as well as particular viewpoints, and just looking at the geography is a
great guide too!
But that is all it was, a list. It was kept deliberately a bit vague, because we also wanted to be
able to take advantage of anything we discovered on the way. This turned out to be an
excellent plan. It instantly removed any self-imposed pressure to be anywhere in particular, at
any particular time. This was supposed to be a holiday after all, not some military route
march! We did however eventually relent and book somewhere to stay for the first night, in
Aranda de Duero.
Having both been on the Brittany Ferries boats before, we were able to load up at Plymouth
with no fuss at all, in fact we were at the head of the queue and the first bikes on board. Of
course that meant we'd be last off too.... The weather had been fresh, bright and very warm,
and the crossing was very good, although held up in the Harbour by a Royal Navy Type 45
destroyer slipping menacingly across our bows, but the Pont Aven is a fun ship to spend some
time on, plenty of excellent food, drink and entertainment. However, with almost everyone on
board owning a smartphone or laptop, they really should upgrade their Wi-Fi system!!
The following day, the weather was more overcast, but were soon climbing away south from
Barcelona. As the altitude increased, so the weather closed in, but it didn't matter; we were on
holiday! And before long, one of the main themes of travelling in Spain started to become clear;
variety. As you move through the landscape, it changes, sometimes gradually, sometimes with
stunning suddenness. Having climbed and climbed up through the mists and drizzle, through an
almost Alpine landscape, we broke out onto a level, rather bleak plateau, no traffic, and then
dropped into a gaping chasm that made Cheddar Gorge look like a stream. Villages nestled in
the floor of the valley, while sheer cliffs rose up vertically the other side, maybe 5km away. We
just had to stop and look....
And so it went on. Stopping in Burgos to buy a laptop, a sandwich in Carrefor super market,
petrol, the roads were a mix of open plains, some mountains, small villages, industrial units in
the middle of seemingly no-where, with next to no traffic. The roads generally are excellent,
although be prepared for sections that have yet to be upgraded here and there. Look out for
new tarmac too, which can be extremely greasy when wet, and kilometres of road that have
been gravelled, but not had the loose material swept off. Relax...
We arrived in Aranda as the sun was setting, and the rain clouds behind us we lit up, purple
shadows, in striking contrast to the dusty yellow earth and fields and fields and fields of
sunflowers either side of the road. We passed several castles on the way, and this became
another theme; castles, everywhere! The hotel was very quiet, apart from hundreds of
sparrows, and lay next to a canal and a riding school and stables. Unfortunately their restaurant
was closed, so we went into the town for our first proper Spanish meal, in an asador
recommended by the hotelier. My, what food! Another theme for the holiday; the food was
uniformly excellent, wherever we stopped. And I'm no vegetarian, but I have NEVER eaten so
much meat in my life!
37
The next day we headed west to the Castillo Penafiel, like a
warship marooned on a crag. The tour guide rattled
through her spiel in Spanish, but I was able to pick up a few
facts in amongst it all. All those evening studying hard at El
Rincon (www.elrinconbar.com) in North Street were
starting to pay off. Then south, across vast plains of
vineyards and cereal crops, dodging a huge thunderstorm at
one point, to Segovia where again it rained a bit, but it was
worth it to park directly under the massive Roman
aqueduct and eat the local cake and coffee at a very swish
restaurant, with the most amazing mosaics in their loo.
Sorry, cuarto de bano....
Next Target of Vagueness was the Museo del Aire in
Madrid, so from Segovia, we headed towards the west of
Madrid and booked rooms in a modern Holiday Inn, via
Pete's mobile. The following morning a short trip up the A-5
led us to the tiny entrance to the museum which was off a
socking great 4-lane duel carriageway. With all the traffic in
standard Spanish City pedal to the metal mode, it took only
a few moments to get there, but we went flying by the
turning! A big loop detour eventually got us around the
airfield and back on the A-5, this time we were ready for it. We pulled up in the car park, and
chatted with the gent in the car that arrived alongside us. Turned out, he was President of the
Society of Friends to the Museo del Aire, and offered us whatever help we needed while we
were there! Sometimes it pays to get lost. Yet another theme....
The museum is fantastic, by the way. Even if you are not a complete propeller-head like me,
they have some fascinating exhibits, from all through Spain's rather illustrious aviation history,
from WW1 fighters and bombers, record breakers of the 20's and 30's, Franco's Dragon
Rapide, fighters and bombers from both Republican and Nationalist sides of the Civil War, Cold
War jets, rockets, engines, simulators, radar, and a hangar dedicated to rotor craft pioneer de
Cierva. Most of the aircraft are beautifully restored, and those outside which are a bit sunbeaten are being worked on. And I got to photograph a REAL CL215!! Heck, I even TOUCHED
it!! Was I excited? Ask Pete.....
That afternoon, we backtracked a bit to
have a look at El Escorial, which we had
seen signposted the day before. Again,
Spain surprises, as we crested the last
ridge, the scene was stunning, huge
mountain ridge sweeping down to a big
river, forests, and town gleaming, with
the HUGE building of El Escorial
overlooking it all. Think Buckingham
Palace, St Paul's Cathedral, Blenheim
Palace and Hogwarts, all rolled into one
vast, ultra-impressive mass of an edifice.
38
We went in, looking for the cafe really, but quickly decided
to do the tour and I'm so glad we did. The building is part
church, monastery, college, seminary, school, Royal Court,
museum, art gallery, and most sombrely impressive of all,
contains the mausoleum for the Spanish Royal Family. After a
plunging staircase we entered a circular void, a riot of black
and dark purple marble, and gold leaf, sarcophagi and a huge
chandelier. The stuff of nightmares, but utterly fascinating. To
see from where the Spanish Empire was controlled, the
Armada dispatched, to feel the mix of religious, economic
and political power and history was awesome. And judging
from one letter on display, boy, did they hate Sir Francis
Drake...
The road away from El Escorial was very impressive, and
then after the mountains, we headed south again towards
Toledo, our next stop.
And so it went on. Toledo was memorable for our trip to
the Post Office. We had been given some fabulous aeroplane
posters by the gorgeous lady in the ticket office at the air
museum, but we were not convinced they would last the journey, so wanted to post them
home. Anyway, after a walk into town to unsuccessfully buy a cardboard tube at the Correos,
we found a graphics/mapping/stationery shop and managed to buy a plastic artwork tube,
perfect! The posters survived the rest of the trip unscathed, and are framed and on our walls
right now.
At Consuegra, we saw Don
Quixotes windmills in the
middle of the vast open plains
of La Mancha. The road to
Riopar had us back in the
mountains, some of the best
twisties I've ever ridden, and a
thunderstorm with the longest
bolt of lighting I've ever seen.
Riopar has a tree-lined High
Street, great little hostal, the
manager of which helped us
with our maps, and made space
in his garage for the bikes. And he wasn't the only one to do this! Next day, even more twisties
out of the mountains and onto the plains again. We managed to get lost twice, but then ended
up going down another main street lined with hundreds of HUGE amphora-like pots, each
maybe 10 feet high.
39
At the end of the first week we had got
as far as the Autopista going past
Benidorm, at which point the Heavens
opened. By the time we arrive in Altea,
lost again, the water was washing across
the road over our wheel rims. No
drains, you see, all you get is either a
frame-breaking gulley or a shallow
concrete channel at best.... We
eventually met Howard on his new
BMW, and we headed back along the
coast to Javea, and 3 days with him and
Ursula. They were perfect hosts, H cooks a mean Paella, and the Gurkha Palace does great
Mango Chicken! The weather picked up too (it had been the first proper rain in the area for 13
months apparently) so trips to Guadalest and then the monastery at Simat just reinforced our
impression that whatever you might expect, Spain will deliver, and then some! It never fails to
surprise!
After Javea, we headed north and I managed to get lost again, so we ended up riding past the
entrance to Valencia Airport... Back into the mountains, and a night at a truckers Hostal, clean,
warm, food was great, and the rooms were only 22 Euros each! Next day, more rolling hills,
eagles, sculptures, a vast nuclear power plant and dam, coffee breaks and lunch in a little village
with the bikes getting admiring glances from passers-by. Then on to a little village called
Beceite. This time, we spotted a likely looking hotel and just knocked on the door. It was
perfect, a converted paper mill, stream at the bottom of the garden, lovely rooms, and the lady
hotelier looked after us royally. It turned out we were the only guests! The dinner was
outstanding, and we decided to stay another day. Lunch in the little piazza, just bocadillos, but
the bread was fresh, the meats were real and had clearly never seen a polythene pack, olive oil
and sun dried tomatoes for the bread.. I could get used to this!
The next day, maybe one of the highlights of the holiday. We visited the vulture sanctuary at
Mas de Bunyol, where the owners have been building an observatory, and feeding the Griffon
Vultures, for over 25 years. To see a massive cliff literally explode with hundreds and hundreds
of these huge, huge birds was utterly breath-taking. Spain has no real sense of the value of its
wildlife, and the vultures almost died out through deliberate poisoning, shooting and
environmental problems, but this delightful couple have devoted their lives to recovery of these
amazing birds. An uplifting and humbling experience.
Onwards, heading north now, towards the
Pyrenees. The scenery changing from rolling
hills and farmland, to spectacular mountains
and gorges, all gleaming in the autumn
sunshine. Tremp, Sort, Bielsa, Monte
Perdido (the Lost Mountain), Campo,
through some long, long tunnels, it is
impossible to find a dull road in this country.
We lost count of the times we would round
a bend or crest a hill ridge, and be stunned
40
by some fabulous vista of crags, mountains, lakes. It was never a problem to pull over for
photos, there was no traffic to speak of, except in the bigger towns, and we were through them
in a few minutes. We stayed an extra day in Bielsa, a chocolate-box pretty little town near the
French border, so we could see Monte Perdido in the morning, although it was a bit overcast, it
was still stunningly spectacular.
Next, back south to Castillo de Loarre, a medieval fortification with the most magnificent views
across a huge dry plain, laid out at our feet stretching off until it disappeared into the afternoon
haze. A quick booking on the mobile, and our next stop was a Casa Rural in Murillo de
Gallego, and as we arrived in the late afternoon, the view of Los Mallos de Riglos was picture
perfect. These massive red monoliths standing clear of the surrounding ridge looked like
relatives of Ayers Rock, glowing orange and red in the evening light. Our host for the night,
Raphi, told us he was being interviewed the following morning by a TV news reporting team,
because the river in the gorge between us and the mountains, had been polluted, indeed
poisoned, by an insecticide factory for over 30 years. Looking after the environment in Spain is
probably 25 years behind us here in the UK, but it is catching up. I hope Raphi was able to raise
awareness a bit with his interview.
On the way to Jaca, we took Raphi's advice and turned off the shockingly bad A-1205, so bad it
broke Pete's GPS mount, and onto the A-1603, which turned out to be a perfect racetracksmooth bendfest, no traffic, with spectacular drops into the valley below, then into a forest at
the top. Here, after a long straight avenue, we approached a massive monastery building with
several coaches disgorging dozens of pensioners, on a religious day out we assumed. No. They
were all running off into the woods, shouting and laughing like kids, looking for mushrooms!!
Dropping down the other side of the ridge, we suddenly found a church cut into the rock face,
apparently one of the sites that may have housed the Holy Grail in centuries gone by. Or so
they say. I think those wily monks knew exactly how to extract the pilgrims doubloons...
41
Jaca, we stopped just outside for a coffee, and had a chat with two Danish ladies who were
walking the Camino, complete with scallop shells on their rucksacks. The cafe was obviously
owned by a biker, with checkered flags, a replica of the MotoGP trophy all over the building.
And instead of a garden gnome, a Goldwing. Yes, a Blue Goldwing, all polished up, as a garden
ornament. Someone made a comment about it being the best use for a Goldwing he could think
of. Who? Ask Pete...
Jaca, a smart little town in the
foothills of the Pyrenees, with a
perfectly preserved fort in its centre;
but it is no towering mass of turrets;
this castle is sneakily low-level, buried
flush with the surrounding landscape,
with a huge dry moat surrounding a
razor-sharp
pent-angular central
fortification. The earthworks are
hundreds of feet thick, to provide
protection from cannons, and the
firing positions inside the fort all
cunningly overlap, so anyone approaching the fort would catch it from several directions all at
once. Now, the moat is home to a small heard of deer, who circle the castle through the day,
keeping in the shade! The fort is still used by the Spanish Army, but one of the buildings is a
museum containing dozens of dioramas showing battles through the ages, from Pharoahs in
chariots, to knights and castles, Napoleon, the Civil War, right up to Peace-keeping in Bosnia.
And Mary Poppins. Ask Pete....
Next day, a change in temperature, as we headed for a big loop around the Bardenas Reales, a
desert area used in hundreds of Spaghetti Westerns. It was getting hot hot, peaking at 35 C, so
we decided to make straight for Tudela, our next stop. Lunch at Ejea, amazing yellow landscape,
clouds of circling vultures, being overtaken by a Merc that must have been doing, well, a lot!!
The road was so straight, 18km without a bend, we could still see him a minute later... The
outskirts of Tudela were a bit grim, and jammed with rush hour traffic, the hotel the complete
opposite to the Casa Rural, it was a modern stack of studios, but none the less comfortable and
clean. And two streets away was a perfect Spanish plazza, teeming with kids and families
strolling about, as it got dark the storks settled on the chimneys and TV aerials, beaks aclacking, and lots of bats flitted between the street lights. And the pizza was fabulous too!
Next, Arnedillo, where we had seen the vultures on a trip with Mel and Martyn, but they had all
gone for breakfast when Pete and I were there. The vultures that is, not Mel and Martyn. The
road to Soria had almost been completely rebuilt now, another perfect ribbon of tarmac that
looked so fresh and new, we might have been the first traffic on it! It was drizzling, so we took
it easy, but in the dry it will be a fantastic ride; apart from a little section in the middle, still
more filled potholes than original tarmac, testing Pete's GPS mount, now mostly gaffer tape, to
the limit. Again. Lunch, some kind of kidney stew, while in a village pub. Made entertaining by
the half-dozen or so grizzled farmer types all intently watching the TV in the bar. Football?
MotoGP? No. How to cook a chicken on the Spanish equivalent of 'Good Morning
Britain'...... They take food very seriously here!
42
The wonderful N-111 was a bit of a trial, as it started to rain, with mist capping the gorges so
we were riding along the bottom of a triangular tunnel sometimes, rocks to the sides and cloud
only a few feet above our heads. Ah well, will just have to come back when the weather is
better! Eventually we arrived at Laguardia, where we had managed to book rooms at the same
hotel we stayed at a couple of years ago. I was knackered by this time, and we decided to stay
another day here as well. The weather cleared too, so our next leg to the Parador at Cervera
de Pisuerga, another familiar stop-off, was an exhilarating gallop with barely another vehicle to
get in the way. As we arrived, the
weather closed in again, grounding
the filming helicopter that had just
landed on the football pitch. The
parador was full of families with
small children, as the following day
it was Spain's National Day, a
rather low-key affair and just a day
off for most people, although the
Military put on a huge parade and
fly-past in Madrid. I hoped the
weather was better for them!
Billy's group had arrived in Santander by now, so we were able to make contact, and our last
leg as a pair was north, to the coast, over some spectacular mountain farmlands, huge gorges,
changes from perfect tarmac to rutted gravel and pot-holes, and back again. We stopped for
lunch and had some spectacular hamburgers, served by an equally spectacular barmaid! (Valle,
on the CA-280) Then on to Cobreces, and a grand reunion. 2 were now 10!!
Ibraham turned out to be a wonderful host, keeping us fed and watered with Mahout beer and
crisps, telling us stories of collapsing farm economies, gathering sea-weed from the beach,
discussing differing driving habits in Spain and the UK, Abramovich's enormous yacht, and lots
more! Well, that's what I think we were discussing.... Ask Ozzz.
The next day, a group ride to the cable car at Fuente De, far too spectacular for me to brave
going up it, so a few of us split off and went for a jaunt over the mountains, made all the more
exciting for me as the V-Strom played up on almost every hair-pin bend, and then Pedro in a
truck with some cows on board, decided to straight-line it just as I was overtaking! Breath IN!
The holiday was coming to a close. Our final day in Spain included a most sophisticated lunch at
Suances, where the waiter was most impressed with Martyn's iPhone 6! The traditional haremscarem banzai trip back into Santander on the A-67 (Jeez, I hate that bit...) and we gradually
gathered under a posh tin roof beside the Pont Aven, meeting Andy Boulton, and dozens of
other bikers, to all be poured into the belly of the ship.
We were going home. Pete and I decided the No Plan Plan had worked perfectly. The bikes had
been ideal for the trip, his FJR only suffering a broken GPS mount, while my low-rev throttle
issues on the V-Strom were a bit of a trail at times, but both are being sorted. Booking
accommodation late in the afternoon proved to work, using Booking.com or Hotels.com, loads
of choice wherever we went. We stayed in all sorts of places, from a truckers hostel, some
43
very modern hotels, a mountain hostel in Riopar, a couple of Paradors, with friends, a seaside
resort hotel, all excellent places to stop, rest, sleep.
The Spanish people were unfailingly friendly and helpful. Most had no English at all, so a bit of
study beforehand paid dividends. If you have a go, they laugh, correct you, and sort out the
issue. And frequently want to try their English out on you! Food was excellent where ever we
went, from the cheapest roadside cafés to the best restaurants we tried, although if you don't
eat meat, you might struggle! If you want filling up, ask for the Menu del Dia, or Menu for short.
It will be at least a 3 course meal, and even with drinks won't be more than 15 or 20 Euros at
the most. We ended up with this option by accident, and never regretted it! Eating in the
evening doesn't even begin to start until at least 8.30 in the evening, so be prepared to stay up
later if you want a proper evening meal. And be prepared to try some different things. I tried
kidney stew, and anchovies, things I wouldn't have dreamt of eating before, and I am so glad I
did! And the baked bacon, like HUGE pork scratchings, was just fabulous! Steaks, chocolate
soup, a starter dish of assorted cured meats which would have fed 6, bocadillos with olive oil
and mashed tomatoes, just wonderful! And somehow, I only put on a pound while away!
The roads are wonderful
too.
From
mile-busting
motorways, twisties in the
mountains, tarmacked farm
tracks, racetrack smooth
sweeping bend after bends,
scary bridges over gorges
with next to no parapets,
straights to the horizon,
Spain has it all, and then
some! And of course the
countryside
is
vast,
spectacular, ever changing,
ever challenging. If you think Spain is just the burnt sand colour of the Costas, think again. Rock
of every colour possible. Castles everywhere, from the middle of hilltop towns, to perched on
crags. Fields and forests, vineyards, olives, the bluest of blue lakes, and so much distance and
space you can stop and just look. And look. And the skies are big too, in La Mancha for example
we could see 4 complete thunderstorm anvil clouds at once!
Any problems? No, not really. The road markings can be a bit challenging sometimes, especially
the half-roundabout left turn junctions, but once you see them in use, they make sense. Petrol
was easily available, although the auto card reading pumps need a bit of practise, as do the
AutoPista tollbooths! Traffic, out of the towns is non-existent, but can catch you out on
twisties, when you can drive for hours and see nothing, then get flashed at by the last of a gaggle
of 6 cars going the opposite way, because you were baulking his overtake! Silly really, behind us
was 10km of clear road!! The Spanish park wherever and whenever they like, too, and no-one
stops for pedestrians waiting on zebra crossings, so take ULTRA care approaching them. White
lines become like greasy glass with a sprinkling of ball bearings when wet, so avoid at all times!
The Spanish follow VERY close, so just wave them by. It will surprise them, and probably deflate
their manhood a bit because you told THEM to overtake, rather than them BEATING you, but
at least if they are in front, you can keep an eye on them. Otherwise, blasting by is a hoot! Just
44
remember, the Police take a very dim view of speeding, drink/driving, crossing solid white lines,
and not indicating to overtake, and then again to move back. Or even not indicating when there
is no-one there to be indicated at. And they have guns. So just don't get caught.....
My. I haven't mentioned so many things! Other bikers we met, roads and scenery, folks who
helped us, kept us watered and fed, dogs that ignored us. The Harley light up like Blackpool
illuminations in Riopar, the mushroom pickers, poor Pete's bad luck ordering 'Te Ingles', (ever
seen a tea bag floating in a cup of cold milk? Pete has..) The route Pete's Garmin lead us up to
Raphis Casa Rural. The herds of cows, the splintering crunch of a lorry-load of logs clipping the
gorge wall, the underground by-pass through a tiny village, with underground parking branching
off the tunnel! Pete crushing grapes and nuts under his tyres, being undertaken by a Pan with
only half an exhaust, the derelict nightclubs in the middle of no-where, or joining an Autopista
through the overgrown forecourt of a derelict petrol station.
People watching, we saw Japanese tourists by the coach load leaving almost all their breakfasts
in Toledo, a Spanish Hairdressers convention, the Russians who filled the hotel at Laguardia, the
gravel-voiced barman who served us our lunch, and the petrol tanker driver who thought we
were Police! The lovely ladies in the restaurant in Simat, at the Monastery, at the air
museum, and the, um, differently lovely ladies who lined the main road towards Valencia. Ask
Pete... But maybe that is for another article.
PS Thanks Pete! It was a hoot, wasn't it!!?? And are we going again next year? Oh yes....
PUZZLE
TIME
This Issue’s Puzzle Time (Issue 45 answers on page 49)
This is a cryptic puzzle. There are eleven clues to either parts of a motorcycle or things
associated with a motorcycle. When you have solved the clues, take the first letter of each
of your answers (11 letters) and rearrange them to give a two-word phrase relating to the
completion of this puzzle. Good luck. The prize to anyone who solves it completely is the
satisfaction of a job well done !
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
A sort of ancistroid.
Not the stair riser.
Onion is large initially.
Really tire out.
Soccer violation resulting in a free kick for the defence.
Sounds like you’re getting weary.
The means of measuring swimwear?
The top of the body is not heavy.
Top cowling.
What you eat digits off?
Wooden novel.
45
A CASUAL OBSERVER PONDERS THE QUESTION
Do you sometimes wonder where something you know originally came from? Classics are
common sayings or the words to nursery rhymes. One example is “Ring a ring a roses” which
some say comes from the Plague in 1665.
It’s come to my notice recently that some things relating to advanced motorcycling and driving,
which are second nature to me and others, seem to be disappearing from our observer training.
Hence the knowledge is not being passed on to our associates. When I came to look for the
source of these subjects in Roadcraft (RC) and How To Be A Better Rider (HTBABR), I was
unable to find direct references; there are hints but nothing emphasised.
These subjects are still very relevant and, to the best of my knowledge, are still looked for by
the advanced test examiners, including one which is a Safety Critical issue.
The first is “The 4 S’s”. This always formed part of the theory sessions for associate training
before we moved to the Super Sunday approach. When I looked, I couldn’t find the origin
although they do form some of the category headings on the ride report and is included in the
information pack for new trainee observers.
The 4 S’s are:
Safety – top of the list as always
System – of motorcycle control also referred to as IPSGA
Speed – legal and appropriate
Smooth – no sudden changes in speed or position, etc. A smooth ride suggests good
observation, planning, implementation and machine sympathy.
A ride pre-brief from an examiner or long serving observer will probably include a sentence
similar to “I’m looking for a safe, systematic, smooth and progressive ride at legal but
appropriate speeds”.
There is a 5th “S” often referred to and that is “Sparkle”, i.e. show that you’re up for the ride
and enjoying it.
The second subject is very much related to Safety and that is positioning for bends. Now
there’s plenty of advice on this in RC and HTBABR but I can’t find specific mention of open and
closed bends. An open bend is one where you can see the road surface at the exit of the bend;
a closed bend is where you can’t, for example due to a hedge or a building.
Why is this important? On a right hand bend it’s not a big issue as you will tend to be
positioned towards the nearside anyway. But for a left hand closed bend your view forward is
46
severely compromised. Equally the view available to the oncoming driver is reduced (I know
this is a RH bend for them and may seem to conflict with my statement above but bear with
me).
Post test training has 3 mantras which are sacrosanct: “Always be able to stop in the distance
you can see to be clear on your side of the road”, “Give yourself time to react” and “Plan for
what you can see, what you can’t see and what you can reasonably expect to happen”. I refer to
these below as mantra 1, 2 and 3.
Now, you’re riding along nicely and you position yourself towards the centreline of the road for
a closed left hand bend. Your view is restricted. Can you keep to mantra 1 at the speed you’re
going? A driver or rider coming the other way is close to or over the centreline (a common
occurrence). Have you heeded mantra 3? Can you still keep to mantra 1 bearing in mind that
you’re both heading for the same bit of tarmac at a closing speed approximately double? Can
you keep to mantra 2 and react quickly enough to get out of the way? The answers to all three
are almost certainly NO.
The other consideration is the mnemonic SSV. In the situation above is Safety met? No. Is
Stability met? Initially and if nothing is heading your way, yes but if you have to take avoiding
action then stability will be compromised, so No. View? We’ve already established that your
view is compromised anyway, wherever you position yourself for a closed left hand bend.
So what can you do? It’s simple. On the approach to the bend, position yourself away from the
centreline towards your nearside and, if necessary, reduce your speed to meet mantra 1. How
far you move over is a matter of judgement but you want to reduce, to as little as possible, the
risk of being on the same bit of tarmac as the vehicle approaching and encroaching from the
other direction. In doing so you have met mantras 2 and 3.
Correct and safe positioning for closed bends is important. So much so that a recent advanced
test was almost stopped prematurely on safety grounds due to this. This is what prompted this
article.
In summary, riding to the 4 S’s is a ‘good’ thing but the correct positioning for closed bends is a
safety critical issue and should be heeded by ALL motorcyclists at whatever level of experience
or qualification.
If anyone knows of any reference to 4 S’s and positioning for closed bends in RC or HTBABR
which I’ve missed then please email the editor (who will pass it on to me) or put a post on the
BAM forum.
Safe Riding.
47
Kessi’s Kapers
Happy
New
Year
everyone, can’t believe
it’s nearly February already but it means we’ve
made use of the winter months with the
Christmas quiz in December and some breakfast
runs, the most recent to the Farmers Table at
Tortworth with fantastic views whilst we
munched on scrummy local produce.
That reminded me the 2015 Super Sundays start on 1st Feb with the infamous BAM brekkie roll
and the banter that goes with it !
Earlier in the year I joined Billy’s BAM tours to Spain but I think
Mr Perry’s article on his exploits
have filled enough pages so I will
just show you a couple of pics to
prove I was there and enjoying
myself - hic
Well done to those involved in
producing this newsletter and for
winning best newsletter at the IAM
AGM – I was dead chuffed to think
all that typing with my puddy paws
has helped contribute !
Kessi
48
Some useful contacts
POST AND EMAIL ADDRESS
NAME
Chair [email protected]
Billy Burns
0117 957 2653
Secretary [email protected]
Sue Nolan
0117 952 5170
Treasurer [email protected]
Mel Rowbottom
07918 603191
Group Membership [email protected]
Alan Davies
01275 372637
Chief Observer [email protected]
Tim Wrighton
0771 434 5634
Leader Observer Team B [email protected]
John Crawford
0117 960 8247
Leader Observer Team C [email protected]
Mike Trembeth
07867 672056
Leader Observer Team D [email protected]
Tim Coulson
07778 852946
Group Rides Co-ordinator [email protected]
Geoff Abraham
07870 702088
Chain Link Editor [email protected]
Martyn Rowbottom
07879 612865
Events Co-ordinator
[email protected]
CONTACT
NUMBER
Mel Rowbottom
07918 603191
VOLUNTEER REQD
In addition to the above team there are others who assist in the running of
BAM. We are totally reliant on volunteers and we are always looking for
more!
PUZZLE
TIME
ISSUE 45 Solutions
The words are:
BATTERY
FRONTFORKS
INDICATOR
OIL LEVEL
SUSPENSION
BRAKES
HALOGEN
KAWASAKI
REBOUND
SUZUKI
BUELL
HANDLESBARS
MAINBEAM
RECTIFIER
TRIUMPH
CLUTCHFLUID
HONDA
NORTON
SPEEDOMETER
YAMAHA
49
To order any of the following, email Melanie or fill in an order form on the website, at Super
Sunday or at a club night.
£15
RS114M Micro Fleece S – 4XL
£16
RS37 Body Warmer S – 2XL
£19
RG122 Regular Fleece S – 3XL
£21
RS17 Fully Lined ½ zip fleece S – 3XL
50
£30
Hi Viz – Front view L – 2XL
YOUR NAME
£17
K606 Kustom Kit Polo
SM (36/38) M (40) L (42) XL (44)
XXL (46/48)
Hi Viz – Rear view L – 2XL
Highway Code
£ 2
Not the Blue Book
£ 6
The Column (MAG)
by Kevin Williams
£ 8
Little Green Book of
Advanced Motorcycling
by Eddie Lambert-Stoat
£9
How To Be A Better Rider
£10
Roadcraft
(new edition)
£15
Stickers and pin badges also available on
request.
Also available – Hoodies, Windproof Vests, Kiddies T-Shirts
Please ask Melanie for details
51
52

In this issue BIKE REVIEW BMW R1200RT HIGHLAND RIDE 26

Transcription

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