Leaderboard

Went on a bimble to Colin Flashman Motorcycles near Gunnislake in the Tamar Valley this afternoon. Stunning day to be out there. I went to Flashmans on the recommendation of a work mate who praises them very highly. Came across as bleddy nice people, very busy to which is normally a good sign. Proper old school bike shop, I loved it. Several bikes caught my eye but didn’t take to many photos but did find out that the owners cousin married my cousin thirty years ago . There is a reason we all have webbed feet . I left Flashmans and ventured across the Tamar into Devonshire and rode on to Tavistock, a lovely scenic old market town. Should have stopped and took some photos I thought after I was 10 miles down the road After I left Tavistock I popped over to Kitt Hill which was near for a mooch. Today you could see Plymouth Sound, Dartmoor, Bodmin Moor and miles of stunning countryside. Great place. On the way back I popped into Trago Mills Liskeard to get some summer gloves. Some where during the day I managed to knock one of my panniers lose. Reckon I kicked it and it sagged onto the exhaust. FFS it’s fucked. Anyway pissed off and made the decision I can either look at it and be sad or buy a new one and move on Expensive lesson. New one winging its way from Germany as I write this. Filled up on the way back today and saw I did the whole trip in less than a gallon of fuel. .

Just finished cleaning up my place to go away, working a bit and then will go to meet with @Sofia on the way to her place to later have dinner and laughs with three women. Will stop on the way to see a bike someone's curious about, though. Who knows about tomorrow, might finally go north and spend some time with Costa.

Been over our friends Steve and Julie's place......they're the ones with the exotic animals. Hadn't seen them since we took the boys around to see the monkeys a year ago.......so they wanted the story on what happened with the Fat Munter. You tell people some of the things she said and did and they just look at you in disbelief! Anyway, their Rottie homed in on me as she always does......so I spent most of the time fussing her. And then Steve brought his giant poisonous lizard out......no way was I going to fuss that fucking thing!

But this one being put away dirty, yer that’s on me. are you itchy yet Pete?

I could have pulled over every 20 miles as the scenery changed to take more pics - hard to force yourself to just continue on ....

Because my daughter is adopted there is funding available from the original adoption agency once we have a exhausted all routes with local agencies. Currently doing a bullshit online zoom parenting course as part of that process. Plenty of scope for a rant but this is not the place.

Knowing @yen_powelllikes a small sloped street view, I stopped just for him! This is just outside a castle door, in Torres Vedras.

Finished work. Am outside washing the Goldstar as it was filthy and if perchance a pic happens tomorrow Pete will break out in a rash at the sight of it.. for more than one reason I’ve even opened a box of autoglym wax I bought 5 years ago and never used, probably a tiny desiccated disc in a tub by now

You can see why it's a fun road to ride. No run off room though and the drop is rather severe - bad place to crash...

Back up to 10,000' over the Escalante - Grand Staircase area of Route 12 south of Torrey, Utah. My favorite road in Utah...

Dropped out of the mountains for a bit into another basin area ....

Surprised at how well the Wing handles these roads at a fair pace. It's not fast but does well once it gets up to speed. Wind has a real effect on it at times, but other than that it does well...

Whole lot of nothing out here - no houses, no animals, nothing. But a great road to ride - high speed touring at it's finest ....

This area is high desert, so despite looking warm - it wasn't. Temps were about 45F / 7C. Then headed up over thew mountains to about 9,500' and it got colder. Down to around 38-40F / 4.5C and windy. Was hoping this sign was true or I'd have to back track 100 miles.....

This area is an old ocean basin, thus all of the sandstone. After being eroded for millions of years, it leaves a stunning landscape. Barren and awesome at the same time. Even the old west train robbers thought it was cool...

Between truck stops the scenery is just fantastic - everywhere ya look . Shot these as I pulled off the side of the road...

Long day yesterday - 660 miles across Utah, Arizona and Nevada. Gonna call this the Truck Stop Tour as that's where I spent a lot of time yesterday.....

Only 12c here all day, cloudy and drizzle too.

I'll bet that's fun on a rainy day!

Yep it’s the same everywhere, not just in the UK either. So I looked at private. Surprisingly inspite of demand there’s hardly any private concerns either, we’d have to travel at least two hours, plus the ones that exist are already bunged up with desperate people. One of them is in Truro though if that’s any help. Just re-mortgage your house before you ring

Also not on the street, but @Sofiawanted a sit on one. I am very underwhelmed by it, to be honest. This one has a massive screen and still no bash guard fitted, seems like someone made that tiny sump to specifically be exposed.

Hope that’s not what you have in mind if you come over my way!

Yes mum Weren’t me anyway, honest. It was due to have fancy heated grips fitted and I was away so Mr Slowly took it in. It’s a short motorway ride away so it got plastered. He offered to wash it but.. I’ve watched him wash cars and bikes and umm.. well lets just say I’m careful how I do it, all grit is removed, snow foam is used, there’s careful rinsing before any suds get near it etc etc I thought “thanks for taking my bike in but now only wash it in this very precise order” might be pushing it a bit

Made me laugh.

I dropped off of this mountain into some serious heat. It was getting late in the day and it was time to make up some miles, so I hopped onto Interstate 15 for the 3 hour slog south to Vegas. Temps were now 95F / 35C and traffic was thick. Apparently they don't teach people to get outta the left passing lane in driving schools here, either. Pity. I feel bad passing them on the right and on the berm. But I made it to Vegas after a long day and enjoyed a few beers for dinner, Life is good....

One last mountain area to cross before descending into Arizona and it's cold as fook - about 33F / 1C ...

Look at the trunk - it's dirty as Hell. Dirt is probably freaking you out ...

Had the Full American breakfast at one truck stop followed by the Full American lunch at another hours later. Just nothing else to eat out here ....

Might go out on the BSA tomoz. Might even take a pic. No promises

I've got a reprieve from the trip to the Garden Centre tomorrow as the wife's back is still giving her problems after the 3 days of cleaning at that stinking flat!

In work today. On the bus tomorrow with Paolo to get to our start point for a walk, pizza and beers in the evening

You wouldn't understand old man it has tools with it.....

We got rain tomorrow....... ......but as it is I've got to take the wife to the fucking garden centre in Caniles, then go and see our Cardiff friend Jane in the Cave B&B in Baza! Sunday I'm clear......so hopefully I'll get out then. What about you?

Not much of a ride report, just a stop at Torres Vedras and decided to go up to see the Castle. Torres Vedras of “Lines of Torres” fame played an important part in Portugal’s defense from the French invasion. This castle, however, is way older than that. I liked learning about the roman water reservoirs, but I won’t bore you, you can read the signs on the pictures if you want. Ignored the signs as surely they didn’t mean to forbid motorcycle parking by the main door. Inside there’s quite a pleasant space with some nice trees. The Roman water cisterns, clever people those romans You guys, helping out: Quite the history: Shortly after I met up with Sofia, who made her big “I’m having a huge pastry for lunch” smile And we went to look at Hondas

Its true, very flexible motor for a 500cc twin. Couple of times today it rolled on from 40 mph with no fuss at all just pulled away cleanly. Just so easy to live with, I have never had a bike quite like it before. Suppose it helps that it is relatively new but apart from chain lube and fuel I haven't had to touch mine in the first 1300 miles. I look at other bikes all the time but wouldn't trade the CB, might get it a friend and I swore I wouldn't do that.

Was a relatively slow ride but even so great mpg

Nice report Saul.....I love the oldschool bike shops! That's how it's meant to be......not car sales outlets masquerading as bike shops. Sickener about the pannier though......wouldn't have happened if you had a nice top box! And the fuel consumption on these things is insane isn't it?

go on be a devil

I suppose you could carry your own food if it was that important to you. I just don't really care much what or if I eat on bike trips. Especially when I'm by myself - just eat quick and get it over with.

Exactly my first thought

I think between 10 and 11k

It's just fuel - not really food. There are no restaurants out here so you end up eating crap out of fuel stations. It's that or nothing. Can't beat standing by your bike and eating

This I really like!

Yerp getting there

Great stuff Eric......considering you've had rain the bike looks pretty clean! This is an amazing shot......

And you smell of wee.