MooN

Hi Tammy. Tymmy advertised your presence so it's all his fault!

@gymwitch If you're going to windermere, there are about a gazillion hiking shops in and around the town ( or there used to be) and they often have sleeping bags "on display" so you can get a look at the size and shape. They are also usually full of helpfull info, once they have understood the parameters ( weight being less of a problem on a bike then when backpacking for example). Though I guess you need a bag before you go up there... I love the lake district, I grew up walking the fells every summer cos we had no money but an aunt who had a B&B in Ambleside...

interesting, but not sure howlong it would last with my great bulk on it...

roads were dry where they were in the sunshine, not otherwise. I haven't the foggiest what that building is now though it was obviously once a church. Either the towers predate the church and are the remains of a previous building or the whole was once a fortified church, which would date the building back as far as the 9th or 10th century but rare in this part of France ( though commun in other areas).

El cheapo tent from decathlon bought years ago for about 3o€ specifically for the Bol D'or ( i.e to be disposable) but still going strong. reasonably easy to put up and take down, rolls up small and into a bag that is narrower than the panniers and is held on with 2 bungees. For a 2 night trip I have a change of clothes and footwear in one pannier. sleeping bag ( a good one) and inflatable matteress ( back packing item) with wee stove in t'other. Top box has the rest of my gear ( chargers, torch, spare gloves depending on season, 1st aid kit, bog roll, maps, one meal worth of food, coffee, water bottle and book) in the summer i'd fit waterproofs in here as well, out of season jacket liner if not wearing it. I usually manage a small tool kit in there somewhere as well. A proper waterproof roll bag is better and bigger than a topcase if your using a soft pannier set up like yours I expect. I do regret not having a hammer or something to bash tentpegs in with on that trip, the ground was hard as bloody nails in places!

quick couple of hours this afternoon as it was good clear weather again, too hot for the thermal liners really but I couldn't be arsed to take them out so I didn't stop much. nearly 15 degC. Rode west for an hour, then North for half an hour and then followed the "target" arrow on the compass home.

Bonne Année the lot of you.

The sun came out so I abandoned the kids and dissappeared off out of it for the afternoon. 200 odd km, finishin in the years failing light. temps up into double figures celsius! Tiger hiding in the shade. I actually stopped to wind out the preload adjuster on the rear shock cos my lower back was taking a beating. comfier following that. mostly still wet after 3 days of rain.

that probably would not be as good as you hope...

personally the low points on the forum are when people get their knickers in a twist and somebody feels the need to flounce. it's usually due to a misinterptretation of intent or of the written word lacking nuance. You could argue that this happens in real life too. and it certainly happens on nearly all forums. I just think its always a shame and the forum is almost never better off or richer for it. The high points, for me, are the writings and ramblings of some of our "raconteurs" who are real story tellers and have had me in stitches behind the computor screen. Being allowed to share in moments from the lives of members from around the world with different experiences and cultures is, and always has been, a privilege. Thannk you all ( or nearly all...) for that this year.

Boxing day 2021

I don't care Bob, I just know yoy can't buy them here and they were my favorite as a kid, after Terrys chocolat orange which you can't buy here either, despite it being made in strasbourg now ( i believe) Wow, I just had an idea for a ride out...

you park like a twat

but the best one was No1 daughter managed to get hold of a selection of chocolat bars from the uk that you can't get here, Cadbury's dairy milk,, fry's mint chocolat, Crunchy, pemguin biscuits... etc...etc, I got quite nostalgic

christmas is happening tonight here, Midnight mass ( at 6pm ! ) in the village followed by big feast at home with just us and present opening such as it is. Tomorrow will be spent driving to Lyon and back for a couple of hours with the Bruv in law. Then I shall sleep. " Have a good one folks"

I think...

That's the money shot! BOTM materiel right there.

ever seen one of these? It's a BFG. a french make that didn't last long. Engine from a citroen visa, dashboard from a renault 5, shaft drive and ugly as Feck! They were excellent at pulling sidecars allegedly...

from my misspent youf, XJ900F. mine was red and black and had a slightly taller screen. effortless to ride too. purely esthetically at the moment I really like this one probably couldn't ride it though...

isn't hat going to make for a shed load of bikes in the same lanes on the same day? Is that wise? oh, wait a minute... looking at thise pics and the time of year, "wise" is possibly not part of your vocabulary...

sorry, I get easily confused

I voted for 6 cos I can't decide wether he does it on purpose or not.

work was better this year than last, more of it and better organised. Me too for the 3 injections. endless hospital visits and exams due to knee and shoulder problems lost mother in law in march so every major event this year has been "the first time without..." and Christmas will be the first at home with no family other than the 3 kids. apart from that ( and the verious lockdowns earlier in the year) nothing special. Will 2022 be any better? I do hope so.

Not really, I know where the buttons are by feel and never need to actually look for them. The High/Low beam is a pain to activate but I don't do much riding at night in really cold weather but that would be a problem. That's the Port at Chitry Bob, Got my eye on it for a futur satellite base for work and I know the incumbent has ceased trading this year so I though I'd have a look whilst I was up that way.