Skippy

Can’t wait Pete.

So a plan was hatched today for next Thursday and Friday. Four of us are doing a scenic 350klms from Mazarrón to Trevelez taking in the best twisty bits we can find. Staying over in a couple of wooden bungalows on one of the highest campsites in Spain. Friday morning we’ll set off home nursing hangovers The weather looks a bit iffy as there’s a 40% chance of rain on both days but I couldn’t give a flying fuck. I need a road trip, albeit a small one. I’m going on the 23 year old, 84,000klm Honda CBR600F3……..because I can. I’ll be joined by a mate on his ageing Kawasaki ZR7-S, another mate on his spanking new Triumph Tiger and his wife on her Kawasaki ER5. Photos and a crap write up to follow.

Now yer talking……..never get bored on that!

It’s lovely on a stinking hot day mate

A couple more from Mr Triumph Tiger.

A trip out to explore the dirt tracks in the natural park with like-minded souls. Only three of us today but hey who’s counting. Took the track all the way to the blue lake, next time I’ll be taking my trunks.

In that case you’d do a lot worse than a twin. However, the main limit will be your budget and also how old you’re prepared to go. For example, a newish Honda CB500X with decent tyres will do everything you want and Rally Raid in the UK do some great stuff for them. However, you could pick up a much older Kawasaki KLE500 for next to nothing, spend a little bit on consumables to get it running and riding nice and that will also do the distance stuff but will be so much better than the Honda off road……….and it’s a Kawasaki so will not break.

Needed the cash at the time

@Slowlycatchymonkey how about a second hand KTM690 Enduro R, fairly tall but again they sink a fair bit once you get on. Great bit of kit off road and plenty of grunt on the tarmac………but that seat is truly awful. Mind you, I rode mine from Burgos in the north of Spain to our house down here on the south east coast in one hit. Couldn’t walk properly for a couple of days Anyway, loved it and I’d have another in a heartbeat.

Good bikes that’s for sure, ditch those wheels and replace with some nice lightweight spoked ones and you’d have some credibility.

I go off road with a couple of blokes on XR250’s and to be honest unless you gear them for the road they’re awful. Slow and very uncomfortable on tarmac but useful off road if the terrain gets difficult.

I know what you mean about riding with more powerful bikes, if the road opens up it’s impossible to stay with them but when it’s tighter and if you carry some corner speed all that additional power is redundant. The range of bikes I ride alongside on tarmac includes a few Triumph Tigers, the new Triumph Trident, Africa Twin, Yamaha MT07 (very fast lad, ex-motorcrosset), Benelli TRK502, and a few custom bikes. It’s rare that I’m last to get anywhere but that requires having faith in the bike, reading the road well and………..caning the tits off the Himalayan (and it still does 90mpg!) When I get bored with their antics I just cut across country and ‘explore’.

Not trustworthy enough for that mate

No that couldn’t have been me, I did proper fuck all work-wise. Does that still make me likeable?

Waste management for North Somerset Council and also some private environmental consultancy work for a couple of different companies based up in Bristol.

Work mate.

I lived in WSM for a couple of years so I know exactly what you mean.

Errrrrr be careful because you do have to wear them if you cannot guarantee a distance if 1.5m between you and anyone else e.g. in a busy town centre. I think you are required to carry one.

Fully functioning and thanks for your concern.

There’s more than enough Pete

That’s my profile photo on the local dating site. Took it using an iPhone app called PrettyMeUp.

I don’t know what you mean?

If you ride with an open face helmet you used to have to wear a mask but not sure if that’s still the case? Funny as fuck watching the mask either shred if it was the paper variety or simply ride up over their eyes if it was cloth.

Are you here on holiday………..or have you moved in with Pete?