Specs

Bike is there somewhere. The one under the lights I believe. MAG Fred Hill run yesterday.

Must have been from the North Wales part of the line to Holyhead. Learnt something new. Had always thought that it was only GWR here in Wales.

Great read. Thanks.

Great read, thank you, and a great idea for a business venture. Good luck!

A great ride report Pedro. Thank you. All very inspiring, great photographs, and very brave of you to relive and share your grief here. Respect. Unfortunately it seems to have got me looking at bikes and maps. I keep fooling myself that I still have one long trip left in me! The aches and pains might disagree.

Yes. The messed up a front spindle for me at Bristol when I had the K12GT. Said that it was already knackered. I’ve not been there since. I can’t remember what I heard about M & P but know that it was negative. Maybe mechanics not having been on BMW training courses, that sort of thing.

I hope that they’ve done it! They’re supposed to. I’ll see in a few hours when I pick it up.

No. It was in Ryders Cardiff which closed. M & P have a dealership here now but I heard that they weren’t great. Cotswold Motorrad in Cheltenham or the place in Bristol were the two nearest dealers, and it’s a far more pleasant run to Cheltenham on a nice sunny day, and to date I have no complaints.

This morning I braved the elements and took my bike over to Cheltenham for its annual service and MOT. It also needed an inspection of the final drive, a recall warranty issue. My brain fade made me leave the motorway a junction early but it was a pleasant enough detour. Bike dropped off and given a BMW S1000XR courtesy bike. Fortunately the wind had been behind me heading east and the only place I noticed it was on the New Severn Bridge, so I had a bit of a shock when I realised how blowy it was. Plan was to take the A40 to Brecon and then A470 home. Diversions the other side of Gloucester so had to go through the Forest of Dean up to Monmouth. At some point I noticed some unsettling noises from the bike so I stopped for a look. Chain was pretty slack so I convinced myself that it was the problem and it would be ok! Getting off I painfully realised that the bike’s ergonomics didn’t suit me, nowhere near as comfortable as the GS. The seat wasn’t very comfortable, it’s sort of dished, and pushed me forward making my hips ache. You sort of sit in the bike - all a bit strange. A hell of a job getting off and took me a while to loosen up before walking about. Not good. The engine is a peach though. Revs to about 11k rpm and once past about 6k rpm it takes off dramatically. My arm sockets are still aching from hanging on. Drop down to 3rd or 4th gear at about 50mph, blast past three cars, glance down and shit myself when I see the speed. Brilliant brakes so easy enough to slow down. Had rain and strong winds over the Beacons so not the best of conditions to enjoy it, and because of the aches and weather issues, no photos. Ok. I forgot! Tomorrow I do it all over again.

Harris I think.

I’d nominate Ren or at least his teeth if he can find some. At least he’s got a better bark than a bite, and he’s from Cardiff.

You've not heard about his Xmas works dos then.

Not just yet!

Yes. Looking north over Orkney.

That's the place. A new Welsh record caught there way back if I remember correctly.

I remember having a go at the mullet in the Leys. They're still there, but no fishing allowed, I believe.

If I remember correctly you could buy them with plastic last time we went. '18?

They now have an online booking system for day-trippers. Takes away the ridiculous train smash, with first come first served, that used to exist.

My mate Titus has had terrible trouble with his GoPro Hero 10. A lot of it is probably down to him. I mean, he's only a former electrical and radio officer who maintained the equipment. He's now in Spain, having done just over 5k miles on his 25 year old Harley since leaving UK.

Just put maps.me on your phone and download the area you need. Doesn't use any data. Not quite google maps but more than adequate.

How many of us with superior genes haven't had the dreaded lurghie yet? Seems that most that I know have had it.

I wanted cold so left at 0430. 6C was great to begin with. Then I stopped to put a sweater on. Ok for a while, then it got foggy. Bloody cold and damp, but far better than sweating my nuts off during the day!