Alexio's trip to Ireland 2009

[Alexio]

So, I've just set a date for my next epic 125 journey, I've promised to visit my friend in the south of Ireland, Cork. On my CG125. In 8 days time. So on with the planning! I'm going to set forth from Hastings in the early hours of the 3rd of December and try to make it to Fishgaurd in Wales to catch the ferry over.

The first part of my journey I plan to head up the A21 to London, find the A40 that starts in the very centre of London and then follow the A40 (without getting off of it once) all the way to the very end of Wales where I will be getting that ferry. Of particular interest here is the challenge of riding the length of the A40, one of the longest A roads in England I think.

Google maps tells me via directions that it is:

[ms51ves3]

My only advice would be to wrap up

Good luck and I will be following your progress

[Clanger]

Wow, that's an epic journey...hope the weather is kind to you.
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Devans]

Good luck dude, i'll be keeping updated.

Take care and ride safe

[cvntdude]

Balls, you have, and take care to boot ...

Balls, you have, and take care to boot ...
____________________
We all choose what to think about ...

[Pernig]

Making roads a focal point of your journey is always fun. When we went to Cornwall we followed a Roman road as much as we could. Originally it went all the way from Lincoln to Exeter!
____________________
H100 Breaking for spares

[smegballs]

Sounds like a good trip. I did a 300 miler on a Yam SR125 and it wasn't that bad.

What I found most helpful was simply not to care when you get there. Just rest easy and be happy to bumble along slowly. I was doing 50-55 most of the way on the 125. You're gonna get there at the end of the day so sit back and enjoy the ride.

Stay hydrated, its easy not to drink when your riding for many hours... I get bad headaches if I've got a helmet and I don't keep my fluids up.

Lastly, don't fret about stopping. Need to take a leak or sort that tight spot in you lid. Just pull over and do it, same with adjusting clothing as the weather dictates. Get the lid off and massage those ears as often as poss too it really helps keep the blood going and avoid horrible pain. Zorst makes a great way of heating hands too when things are getting dire, just keeps the gloves on.

Drink up, wrap up and take it easy and you'll be fine.

Enjoy the trip!

Rich

[Faldo]

Certainly looks like an epic 125 journey.

Godspeed .
____________________
Current: ZZR1400
Previous: ZXR 400 L9, ZX-7R P5, ZZR 400, ZX-7R P6, Bandit 600, GSXR 750 Slingshot, DRZ400, DR650, ZX10R C1H, ZXR 750 L1, ZXR 750 L3, '99 ZX7R P4, KTM 300 EXC, ZX-9R E1, TDM850

[G]

Can you leave the day before and stay/camp somewhere on the way?

Were it me, I'd be tempted to do half the UK bit the day before then stay somewhere the night. Suspect I'd find it more fun that way.

Have you checked you can ride on L plates in southern Ireland?

[Alexio]

[G]

Depends if you see the challenge as the fun or the general riding .
I've done long days on the bike, but tend to find it tedious more than anything.

For the record, google says 'no' - but then throughout my time riding in Europe I never had anything checked across eight countries .
Might be worth checking out the possible penalties and seeing if it makes sense to take your L plate off.

[Alexio]

[Jamie S]

When I went to cardiff on my 50, I only had one problem in 512 miles, that was the split link broke on my chain. Luckily I was only about 5 miles from a bike shop and a nice farmer gave me a lift, I bought a brand new chain and fitted it out side the shop !
I reccomend for the cost (no more than £3) you carry a spare split link some where on your bike , I allways have a spare in my jacket just incase.

If you have room: id reccomend you carry a whole chain cut to the right length, two spare spark plugs and something to remove your plug with, any tools you need to remove either wheel, a can of tyre weld, (again, for the sake of £6 id never go any where long
distance with out one) a few pairs of disposible latex gloves, nothing worse than having to fix somthing on your bike to then find out you have oily hands, and have to put your gloves back on...
Also a hi-vis jacket + tourch , just incase you brake down some where with no lights, on an unlit road

[Alexio]

[Clanger]

I have the number for an SOS mobile bike mechanic if you need it...
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Jamie S]

[Alexio]

[Dom]

It's a CG125, why would it break down? Only thing I'd say is I wouldn't fancy sitting on motorways/dual carriageways all day on a 125, so I'd try and make the route as interesting as possible without doubling the time it'd take (or just accepting that and camping/B&B/hosteling). Even if the boring roads don't bother you it's not as if you can use half of the ones you've got mapped on L plates anyway.
____________________
Photos and that

[27cows]

I agree with carrying a good supply of tools and replacements. It's a pain and it takes up valuable space, but imagine having to abandon your trip because of something silly.

I always carry a foot pump, spare tube, tyre weld, spare brake cable (can be used as a clutch cable with the aid of one washer, in an emergency), spare throttle cable, multi-screwdriver, two spare split links, 3/8" ratchet, six sockets, three spanners, tyre levers, pliers, gaffa tape, spare bulbs for headlight and tail light, stanley knife, plug, plug spanner, mini torch, three bungee cords, some rag, mini can of WD40, 500ml of 2 stroke, a foot of spare fuel line, a foot of spare oil line, superglue, spare nuts and screws for things like the chain guard, spare 17 and 19mm castellated nuts, plumbers sealing tape, Red Hermetite and a mobile phone.

I've probably forgotten a couple of bits too

[G]

A quarter of top box sounds like rather a lot - on my daily ride I generally have the top box full of stuff needed for when I get to the other end, as well using an additional tank bag.
Generally an 'official' tool bag will contain all the basics you need.
I've never had a plug randomly stop working, though it is known for them to get a bit coked up on competition 2 strokes (I've never had this, I thought I was, but it turned out to be a dodgy HT lead.) Taking a spare, maybe, taking too seems rather excessive.
When off-roading I often carry a small can of push-bike tyre weld, this is useful, but you're much more likely to get punctures when riding over rocky stuff with 10psi! A decent but short-lived key ring LED torch is useful for most things, but a phone will do the job ok most times too.
A spare chain links can be sensible, a whole spare chain again seems excessive - get to the point you're towing a whole spare bike behind you .
In conclusion, I'd maybe add a couple of bits to under-seat tool kit, but no more than fits under the seat, unless you're expecting some kind of nuclear armageddon, anyway.

[Faldo]

[Alexio]

[G]

After getting a puncture and the breakdown not being able to do anything about it (they gave me a knackered Fiesta to get home in), carrying a spare tube makes sense, but I'd be tempted to stick some levers in too, as not sure they'd be able to get it off either.

[27cows]

[ms51ves3]