Motorbiking
"Biker" for me usually means motorbiking, though I also have a Marin mountain-bike...
My current motorbikes are a Honda CBR600RR ABS 2017 and a Kawasaki Ninja Z250SL.
Previously I have owned: Honda CRF300 Rally, Honda CBR600RR 2005, Honda CBR600FW, Honda VF750F, Yamaha FJ600, Suzuki GSX750EX, Yamaha FJ750, Yamaha XJ900, Kawasaki Z750 and I passed my riding test on my Kawasaki KH250.
See also my Motorbiking web links
Mosedale
Riding round Skiddaw to see Scotland across the Solway Firth at Silloth
Last ride before the clocks go back to winter time. Leaving Keswick as the mist was melting in to hazy sunshine. Riding the open moorland back in the mist round the east side of Skiddaw and Blencathra. Fording about 10 cm depth of water at Carrock Beck, then on to Hesketh Newmarket. Evocative place names! There to Wigton and onwards to Silloth there are long stretches of straight roads, some presumably following Roman alignments. Except for the steep sides of the deep valley of the River Caldew which are marked as 17% and 20% gradient, so have some interesting curves.
There’s a fine view from Silloth of the Solway Forth and Scotland beyond. Then the fun road back to Keswick through Bothel and Bassenthwaite village.
More photos: Skiddaw to Silloth - last ride before the clocks go back
Great day out riding with the French bike club AMA. A cool start (8°C) with a heavy dew where I was staying in L’Isle sur la Sorgue. The air warmed up while we met and had coffees at Cavaillon. Then a joyous ride on a back route through villages and vineyards to the restaurant booked for lunch at Bédoin at the foot of Mont Ventoux
A third fine morning despite the dire forecast so another unexpected ride opportunity. I stayed on the routes near the coast to avoid the low cloud and murk inland. This ride in my oldest Dainese leathers, with matching gloves, boots and D-tec helmet. All still fit and nothing broken but the 2005 style now looks antique.
Another welcome but unexpected ride opportunity whilst the weather isn’t as bad as forecast. Again up on the roads in the pine forests around the Circuit du Castellet. My photo was despite the distraction of the sound of a rider cutting a quite a few fast laps on the track nearby. Then I took the heavily-banked road down to the commune of Le Beausset, collecting not a few insects on the way. Fuel for the bike then lunch for me at a boulangerie run by two well-inked bakers. Excellent Viennoiseries.
Not the dream weather in Marseille, the dawn flight from Heathrow re-routed to avoid storms over the Cévennes. More storms forecast in this Episode cévenol so - after a rest - I took a local ride to grab some ride time while it’s still dry enough to refresh my reflexes and enjoy some revs and apexes. Riding in a favourite old set of twin-zip leathers.
Subcategories
Alps Biker 2016
I'm riding light for a week on the mountain roads of the Alps. No laptop, although I do have my SLR camera but photos will have to wait till I'm back in Marseille..
I left Marseille for a long ride north via the Col de la Croix Haute (1179 m.) to Saint-Gervais under Mont Blanc. A bit of rain towards the end of the day which cleaned the Provence dust off my white leathers and boots but didn't soak me through.
