What did you do to your bike today?

[Danny 57]

Got home from work yesterday and went for a 75 mile bimble around South Wales which was quite delightful.

[CFB]

Yesterday... 140 miles crisis crossing Herts and Beds.

Half rain, half sun. Didn't care, I was on two wheels

[littleade]

Yesterday... 140 miles crisis crossing Herts and Beds.

Half rain, half sun. Didn't care, I was on two wheels

Yesterday...... 100 miles round Worcestershire and Herefordshire. No rain, no sun, but an IAM Observer on my tail for my initial assessment ride as they begin their attempt to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear

[Chriswright03]

Good on you Ade and that just goes to prove that age is no barrier to learning.

 

I have been asked to become an observer as I used to train and examine at Advanced level before and as much as I was flattered and it interests me I would hate to return to the days of having to go out on the bike for somebody else and not myself.  I just feel it would take away the enjoyment.

 

I have also backed away from volunteering for the blood bikes but that was mainly because you have to pay for your own fuel and over a busy weekend that could be two or three tanks worth and on my income I cannot afford that.

 

I am delighted you have taken the opportunity and sincerely hope you learn something and enjoy it.

[littleade]

Thanks Chris, you sarky sod :love: 

 

From someone that's been there done that it's a big encouragement. TBH it's not all new to me though I have to admit I'm not as good as I was as there's a load of rust to get rid of and many corners to polish :peek: 

 

I did an advanced bike course in the 80's with Star Rider and a couple of 1:1 bike courses in the 90's and passed my IAM car test 4 years ago, but I wanted to do my bike test too as logically thinking it's more important on a bike due to the risks involved and I know I'm not as good a bike rider as I am a driver. I enjoy my car driving more now and the increased confidence and knowledge that will hopefully follow should make the trips out on the bike more rewarding too. 

 

It is a little bit disconcerting being under the spotlight but hopefully I'll relax a bit between now and test time, then I'll no doubt be bricking it.....

 

On my Assessment ride I got mostly 2's with more 1's than 3's so quite chuffed really. He said it was the best assessment ride he'd witnessed but he probably says that to all the girls who've bought him breakfast! Got to improve my observations to subsequent actions and taking an earlier position for the next hazard ready for next Sunday.

 

I've learnt that my Observer is a divorced retired prison officer, has a wicked sense of humour and is someone you wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of, especially as he's over 6' and quite a big chap. he rides a Gold wing and also has a pan plus a sports car-one of the benefits as he put it of being single

 

I didn't know you'd have to buy your own petrol for the blood bikes- that's a bit naughty

[fabiamk2SE]

Sounds brill Ade. Nice one! Im sure you'll enjoy it once you get to feel more comfortable with the guy watching. He's just for advice really isnt he? So id imagine hes quite chilled?

Rides a Pan and a sofa on wheels though. *yawn* he must be quite layed back. .

[Chriswright03]

Sarky me?  Well I never!

 

I am not sure if blood bikers everywhere have to pay for their own petrol but they do in Lincolnshire Ade.

 

If you have done all that training in the past Ade you will be fine.  As you say just a bit of tidying up and polishing to do.  I did some Training on a track day at Cadwell with a bobby from Leicestershire where we were taking some of the newer riders back to basics and this Guy was riding his Pan in ever decreasing circles and making me dizzy!

 

All of the instructors I have come across have been so layed back they were horizontal!  I am the same as it is no good being exciteable.

[littleade]

Horizontal he certainly is. If he stood up I think he'd get a nose bleed! I did a day at Cadwell with BMW when I had my 1150R and the instructors were all from Traffic then and they certainly could ride.

 

Yeah that Blood bank stance seems a bit counter productive as the retired bikers would have more time to give and probably be very suitable but I'm like you I'm now retired but not getting my state pension yet so the thought of spending my own money on fuel for them out of a fixed income would be a non starter.

[CFB]

You have to pay for your own fuel when on National Escort Group duty too.

By the time you've travelled to an event and done the job, you could easily go through a couple of tankfuls.

I was doing club cycle racing and triathlons so could cover some distance.

[fabiamk2SE]

You have to pay for your own fuel when on National Escort Group duty too.

By the time you've travelled to an event and done the job, you could easily go through a couple of tankfuls.

I was doing club cycle racing and triathlons so could cover some distance.

 

Didn't know you were into abit of Escorting mate. Haven't seen your ad in the paper :D. 

[fabiamk2SE]

Just washed the T. Looking very clean again, just how i like it! 

 

Wanted to go for a ride too but i just cba. Too tired haha. 

[Chriswright03]

Thing is the blood biker service is doing something that should be paid for full stop. Let alone the volunteers have to pay for the fuel.  Without it people would die so why does it only exist because of volunteers?  That sort of thing should be funded by the NHS and thereby from central Government funds.  It is a disgrace that it exists but for those that need it a service that can and does make the difference between life and death.

 

I would gladly give up my time and ride for them but quite frankly I cannot afford to and when you see the obscene waste of money on MP's expenses I am appalled at the whole situation.

[fabiamk2SE]

Thing is the blood biker service is doing something that should be paid for full stop. Let alone the volunteers have to pay for the fuel. Without it people would die so why does it only exist because of volunteers? That sort of thing should be funded by the NHS and thereby from central Government funds. It is a disgrace that it exists but for those that need it a service that can and does make the difference between life and death.

I would gladly give up my time and ride for them but quite frankly I cannot afford to and when you see the obscene waste of money on MP's expenses I am appalled at the whole situation.

Its the same as the air ambulance set up isnt it.

Disgusting really.

[CFB]

Didn't know you were into abit of Escorting mate. Haven't seen your ad in the paper :D.

Pseudonyms are a wonderful thing.

Anyway, fit women in Lycra, what's not to like?

Except the fellas of course, but the ladies have to have something to look at too, I suppose.

[fabiamk2SE]

Pseudonyms are a wonderful thing.

Anyway, fit women in Lycra, what's not to like?

Except the fellas of course, but the ladies have to have something to look at too, I suppose.

You wont see me complaining!

Apart from men in lycra. Urgh. Enough to ruin your day completely!

[littleade]

Been out to the dealer and bought some summer gloves as my all round ones are a bit sweaty this time of year. They're gorgex so I won't have to carry a spare pair in case it rains...which it probably will....

[Chriswright03]

Something I really need to do Ade.  My riding gloves have seen better days and as I have had them sice the start of the Century must do something about it.  Was going to call in at J & S in Donny last weekend on our travels but didn't go on the bike in the end and as were were in the car due to the crap weather took a different route.

[littleade]

Just like many I'm a bit of a creature of habit I'm afraid. I had a pair of the Beemer all round gloves when I had my 1150R and they never leaked, even on a naked bike so when I needed kit this time around (as I'd sold it all ) I got another pair to start me off, but they are too thick for this time of year. I had a pair of BM summer gloves before, but they weren't waterproof and I got caught out a couple of times so this time i thought s*d it I'll get a waterproof summer pair too. At £90 they were more expensive than the all round ones, but looking at the Ride magazine some of their recommended ones are getting on for double that...ouch!

 

There's not many bike shops round by me to go and try gloves on either which is essential- would you believe I'm a size bigger in the summer ones! 

[Chriswright03]

Well I did buy some last year.  You know the sort with all of the knuckle protection.  Fitted great in the shop but when I eventually did get to ride with them they were next to useless as they restricted my finger movement so much I found it difficult to use the controls.  Ended up flogging them for a tenner which way way less than they cost me.

 

Note to self go on the bike next time and try before I buy!

[littleade]

Me I'm comfort over style any day so I know what you mean....When I got the All round ones the bloke in the shop suggested I sit on one of their demo bikes to try them out so I could choose between them and a pair of Richa ones i fancied and the BM ones were far more comfy holding the bars

[Chriswright03]

Sound good Ade but you know me there is no way I would spend extra money to have BMW written on my gloves.  I could spend that money on cake!

[XLBaconDoubleCheese]

Visited a bike dealer, had a little look at some of their bikes.  :sun:  Nice ride, very warm. It suddenly chucked it down when I left to come back, got soaked but since I was sweating anyway it didnt make much difference.  London is hard work! lol

Edited 17 July, 2016 by matt1chelski

[Madrunner]

Gave the xr a top to bottom clean under the shade of the tree this afternoon. Looking superb again. Ready to get it filthy tomorrow on the daily commute again.

Was stinking hot today so not up for a ride plus I was finishing off the patio and paths around the shed.

[littleade]

Daily commute, what's one of those 

 

Are you a ACF50 or Scottoiler FS365 man Dave? Can't think you'd let her go unprotected against the elements if you're riding most days to work?

 

1st proper ride out with my observer today after last week's assessment ride and his other candidate who's had around 5 sessions so far joined us this week. I rode out to the cafe and had my debrief which went well then he rode back to the local KFC for his. His ride didn't go too well and I felt sorry for him as it can't be much fun messing up in front of someone you've just met that day. Off out again next Sunday and once I get this weeks detailed feedback I'll have a couple of bimbles out between now and then to practice. It's a hard life......

Edited 17 July, 2016 by littleade

[littleade]

Sound good Ade but you know me there is no way I would spend extra money to have BMW written on my gloves.  I could spend that money on cake!

 

I'm surprised you didn't try to negotiate a discount of 40% - think of all the cakes that would buy :peek: