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Thanks guys! Nice to meet you all, always happy to talk motorbikes. I have a KTM 690 Enduro R which I've been riding around the world for the last three years - although to be fair, I've only gotten from Sydney to south east Asia so far. What can I say, there are a lot roads to explore between Sydney and the subcontinent. So anyway, I'm basically a homeless person with a motorcycle and machete these days, and that suits me fine. Obviously covid19 has made my rootless existence a little difficult at the moment, with all the borders throughout south-east Asia having pretty much slammed shut overnight. So for the moment I've gone to ground in Thailand (roof over my head, food in my belly) and reverted to cockroach mode while I wait for the borders to reopen and life to resume. Nothing else to do now but keep sharing all the ridiculous stuff that I didn't write about before because I was too busy riding my motorbike. You can google BikeHedonia if you're in lockdown and bored out of your tree. There are some good stories, like the one about the crazy guy with the machete in the middle of the night in East Timor (good times) or that time I broke down in the Gulf of Carpentaria (a region of crocodiles, barramundi, and Darwinism, for the non-Australians). And more to come. Cheers, Grace

Nah I think they were mostly just curious. Lone white girl repairing spotlight wiring on 690 Enduro at 2.30am on a dock in Larantuka... seat off, tools out. The police chief showed up with his homies, toting semi automatic weapons, asked some fierce questions.... and then asked for a selfie. Still, when you're female and on your own in the middle of the night, you don't want too much attention from 5 armed men who are used to getting their own way. So I said thanks and legged it. My experience of tipping in Indonesia seems to have been a little different. In nearly a year in Indonesia, I never paid a "tip" or a bribe to any police officer or official, and none ever insinuated that I should. The sole exception were the port police (I'm not sure if they're actually real police even, they have a different uniform etc). Two of them asked me if I had "permission" for my bike and I just smiled and said yes of course I do, all my paper's legit. ? And off I went. But in general, Indonesian police have turned out to be friends and generous hosts - people who bought me lunch, went dirtbiking with me, invited me for karaoke, offered me free accommodation. They'd have been offended if I'd tried to give them money, as I think would the kepala desa of the various villages where I spent time. To be honest, I think people mostly felt sorry for me because I was alone and didn't have a husband to look after me. Of course it's different in the more touristy areas - especially Bali, where everyone's out for a commission - but I stayed away from those areas as much as possible.

You are also fortunate, though, to have something to stay home for - to have something to lose. ? However if I makes you feel any better, here's a photo of me trying to sleep under my motorbike in a hotel carpark because I couldn't afford the hotel and it was the only safe, well lit place I could in a dodgy eastern Indonesia port town after my ferry docked at 2.30am and the police took a bit too much interest ? I don't think I'm really going to be much of a lifestyle influencer at this rate haha

After the 2005 Speed Triple came the 2006 Speed Triple and one would think that it would be exactly the same, but actually it wasn't. It felt different from day one, a lot less engine braking meant an increase of use of the bracks. Also different was the amount of throttle needed to get the same feeling of acceleration. It was a struggle to find out what was going on! Eventually I got the answer from Triumph. The maximum torque had been moved, from 5500 rpm to 7250 rpm, which doesn't seem a lot, but made a big difference. When questioned about this difference, Triumph explained it was in response to customer feedback, that the customers wanted more top speed and also more acceleration beyond 90 mph. Oh well, options! Can't say I loved it, but also did many miles on this bike. The best trip was 12 days riding in the North of Portugal with 3 other Triumph owners plus 1 Virago! It was such a nice tour with many funny moments and amazing roads, Some of those roads are @Pedro territory! Sold it in 2008 to help pay for my brothers school not with a heavy heart or sadness. It was always going to be a disappointment after the other one, but it was also fun and a good companion in all the trips across Europe while I was in charge of Jack Lilleys Triumph Rat Pack.

More snow Bruce ? This is actually outside my house , it was taken just after I'd fallen off as I hit the kerb that i couldn't see ? and then off to see how far I can get before it gets too cold or I fall off..........

Salisbury Plain........... and resting in the pub at lunchtime ?

In the mountains of central Sulawesi, Indonesia, before I got serious about offroad and added full knobbies + machete. But not a bad spot, eh? People call the village Ollon, because someone once said it looks a bit like Switzerland.

For bamboo, coconuts and uninvited visitors.

La belle France..........

Going 10 meters to the side of the road doesn't count as off road, Pete. Bob, considering the weather, I would rather have my car's heated seats, or even better, a fire and a glass of red wine.

South Gloucestershre, this is actually a roman road

Wales isn't it butty........

Pretty crazy in Wales as well. ?

Shropshire .....

things can change daily here when it comes to weather this was me and a couple of mates last November And this is the same lane a week later a (different mates photo)

not done any real off roading with the tiger yet, but just a couple of lanes and bits

Maybe it was just the colour being less funky than the previous bike, it affects personality too.

I know, Pete. Myself, I was looking forward to two or three big rides this year: June, warm souther Portugal ride to the Algarve for a week on the beach for my birthday. August, maybe Algarve, maybe south of Spain. I've got a friend in Murcia who promised a good paella and a couple e great local tapas when I visit. Late September / Early October, Morocco, I've been gathering courage to go back but am unsure if this is the year I'll be able to go. Renewing my passport anyway.

Not so much where I live, I go out as much as I want really, but there's been a lot of overreach in various places. I've got plenty of country lanes to play on. And, contrary to the fearmongering, should I bin it and break something, I'll likely have the ward to myself and bunch of nurses glad to have a fit older gentleman to look after.

Everyone here is anticipating if the government is going to lift a few of the restraints on the weekend. Things is, we've avoided the great mortality hit Spain has taken but as such have yet to get a drop in mortality as it seems that by avoiding quick high mortality you're just spreading the same amount of butter on a bigger slice of bread. I am about to go insane, and go out and start kissing random people on the street.

Here in Jobsworthshire, Ingerlund

it was just the push, a very deserved one as well!

Heated grips and a flask of coffee ?

Until my luck runs out or I find another way to live. I'm keeping an open mind.

Those conditions are magnificent - truly picturesque. But you must be tougher than me. I nearly keeled over from hypothermia in a typhoon in southern Thailand... what's your secret for staying warm?

Roadside vulcanisation?? Sweet as! Hey Indo is the land of scooters, you were doing it right. I learnt early on, never try to follow a local on a scooter. They will go places KTMs fear to tread.

Oh dear, not far from my mates house

Those are great roads, that you enjoy mostly sticking to lower speeds and just cruising along. Seemed that one of my favorite things to eat in Norway and Sweden are those petrol station hotdogs wrapped in bacon. Tastier the further north you go, but then again it could be that you appreciate them more when it gets cold ?

Hello Grace ?

Hi ?

Haha nah mate my skill to stubbornness ration is heavily weighted on the stubbornness side! ?

Haha I was expecting the "and this is a week later!" photo to be nice and dry, not wetter. Well done.

May as well go by car.

Lovely light there. Scenery's not too shabby either.

R. I .P. ?

Monday 4th Sept Lovely road over to Geiranger. Hassle with petrol pump payment system with apparent large payments from my account, but seems it’s a deposit which they never claim. Weird. Piss break. Apparently this stuff is edible, the reindeer eat it. Blowing like crazy here with dust stinging the face. Another speeded up clip. This trip was all about taking it easy and saving fuel! Great road down to Geiranger but place crawling with tourists from cruise ship. Think it was Costa Cruises. The platform at the top is the place at the end of the clip that I didn't bother with. Here I am at Geiranger after having a great ride through the mountains to get here. Great scenery, wonderful roads and enough hairpin bends to give Santa Sprocket apoplexy! Straight to the campsite at the edge of the fjord with only a cruise ship from Costa Cruises to spoil it a little. At least the ship lends the scene a sense of scale. The place is overrun with camper vans. Mostly middle sized ones with plenty of coach built ones. Fuel consumption today, mostly keeping to the speed limits, was a gratifying 68 mpg! Not bad for a loaded up 1200. Just a few random photos with the phone as I'm still missing the lead to my card reader. ? — at Geiranger Camping

Sunday 3rd Sept The road up to the Swedish border with Norway was very interesting passing through several ski resorts. The road coming down from the heights was quite enjoyable but the Swedes supposedly have an idiot proof system whereby the whole stretch is limited to 70 km an hour regardless of the straight bits in between the bends. Crossed over into Norway and stoped at a cleared bit of forest to take in the view. A shame about the tree stumps. I stopped at Lillehammer for a McDonald’s. Unfortunately the Wi-Fi didn't work so really it was a wasted break, but I was ready for the food. Rode about another 20 kms to find this place called Odden Camping, quite expensive at €20, but beggars can't be choosers. Somewhere to the west of Lillehammer having only done about 250 miles today. The tent was wet so I needed an early break in order to get it dried out. Tent up and dry now. Time for a brew and shower before chilling with a book.

Always sad to hear.

I got this after getting back into biking - brother and his grandson posing. Then there was this. This was at Land's End after setting off from Joh'n o Groats the day before and riding through the night. Had a test ride one one of these so had to get one. This was somewhere near the Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon, I think. Not mine , a hire bike, but I like the photo - in South Africa. And then I got myself a KTM. This was on Skye. Loved the bike, but it was too tall and I was always afraid of dropping it. So I got one of these. This was a quick weekend over in Normandy for tax purposes! Unfortunately I put it through a hedge. This was the replacement being craned off the ship I was on, up in Scotland, so that I could go for a ride. Lots of bikers on there, including the captain. I acquired The Turd round about this time. Sold it to a mate at cost as he was bike less at the time. He made a fortune out of it when his neighbour drove over it and it was written off. The Turd is dead. Long live The Turd. Never comfortable with the bike after the hedge incident so got one of these. This was in Romania I think on the way back from Greece. I got this as a project which never got off the ground so virtually gave it away to a new home. Now I have this. And this.

You should go to Phil's place Rigs, he'll hire you a KTM and take you out trail riding all day. https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/22021630?source_impression_id=p3_1587914991_YmFw7q%2FxM06IoSD0&guests=1&adults=1

Hey @XTreme, remember this?

After all these muddy pictures, I went and dug up a few pictures from the old days, didn't find what I was looking for but found these from when I first started riding my XR, back in 2007 I loved riding sand back then, when I bought the bike it had a few cables badly routed and the steering was stuck. Since I fixed it, I started falling down in the stuff ?

The downside to owning a kick-start only bike had to drag it out the rut to kick it up

Following a fatal road traffic collision that occurred in Barry yesterday (26.04.20), the family have released a tribute. Alan Jones, 62 years old, from Penarth was travelling on his silver Yamaha motorbike, westbound on the A4050 Port Road East, Barry when the collision happened. His family have said, “Alan was a husband, father and devoted grandfather and was well known as a postman in the local area. The family are devastated by his sudden, tragic passing and this will leave a massive void in all of our lives.” Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 11.15am following the collision which involved Alan’s silver Yamaha motorbike and a brown Volvo XC 40, both of which had been travelling westbound. Tragically, Alan suffered fatal injuries and was declared deceased at the scene. Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision, or the manner in which either vehicle was being driven prior to the collision, to come forward. Please contact 101, quoting occurrence 2000142848.