Epic weekend

[D O G]

I just thought I'd have a 'sharing' moment with you guys, and show some pics of what I got upto over the bank holiday. So, sit back, relax and get comfy for a (reasonably) long tale of biking adventure...

I have lived in Southampton for the last 3 years, but for the 24 other years of my life I lived in Washington, Tyne & Wear. This gave me access to some of the best roads and scenery in the country, which I spent hundreds of hours and all my money, blasting around in my Dad's Astra Merit 1.4 High Torque.

Ever since I got the bike, I wanted to take it up there and go over these old stomping grounds again, on a proper vehicle. Opportunities are difficult (with having a small baby etc), and convincing the missus that I should be allowed to go up there without them is no easy task. I did, however, manage to wangle
SotonDepart.JPGauthorisation to go on Friday evening, meet my mates, blast around on Saturday, and come back Sunday.

This is the first time I had ever ridden so far on the bike, or carted luggage on the tail, so I bought myself a bungee cargo net thing, put the pillion seat on (for a flatter load bearing surface), and armed with gaffa tape and some carrier bags (for shoes), I strapped it all up. Here is the result - all set to go from my work on Friday

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So I set off at 6pm, with only a T shirt under my leathers, and summer gloves on. By Oxford I was freezing! Thnkfully I had the presence of mind to bring my winter gloves with me, so I changed into them, but could do nothing about my body temp (well I just couldn't be bothered to unpack all my stuff to get more clothing!). After 4 1/2 hrs of pain & cold - my knees were killing me - I arrived at my friends pad in Sandyford, Newcastle. He let me put the bike round the back, in his (rather steep) yard. Put the stand out, and the bike promptly rolled off the stand and fell over. Bugger. At least it was the already damaged side! Anyhoo, we wedged it to stop it rolling forward, then I went inside, to be confronted by this sight:

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Ah well, nevermind, time for some very unsuccessful poker, lots of booze and general catching up, before bed at 4 and a fuzzy head in the morning.

On starting the bike in the morning, it had seemingly developed a horrible misfire - and was running on about three cylinders. Not what I wanted. After some attempts to just ride through it, it was clear that the problem was not going away. I was not amused. 330 miles of horrendous motorway riding, and now I couldn't do what I had come all this way for

So I limped to the parent's house, and borrowed my dad's help and tools, and set about trying to fix the bike. It should be known that I had no idea what I was loking for, and spent 2 hours taking the airbox off, realising I had popped the carbs out of their ports, working out how to put the damn thing back together, swearing at it, buying a long screwdriver to do the job, then finally managing to get it in one piece. Unbelievably, we had fixed it. I still have no idea what was wrong, or what we did to fix it.

Then I could FINALLY go to the road of choice - the Rothbury Run, an amazing B road slapped on some of the most inspiring scenery. Bumpy, twisty, fast and technical, this is a rollercoaster of a road, and I have never had a more physically demanding ride, including trackdays. The weather was glorious, and I stopped to take in the views...

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=47356

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After that, I headed to another old haunt/countryside thrash, and site of my first (and only) car accident.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=47357

The first time I went here I did not anticipate how severe that bridge is, it is the steepest bridge I have ever encountered. 40mph in an Astra produced a chassis twisting jump which very nearly wrote off the car. Whoops. Naturally, I lied to the folks about how that happened!

I had killed a lot of flies on the way, and it took some time cleaning them off...

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=47352

I then continued on my merry way - completing the route we call the 'Extended Humpback', a mix of long straights with 90degree corners, then fast flowing sections. Fantastic.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=47353

After that, back to my mates, and then a monster night 'oot on the lash', which I don't remember much of!

Post hangover, at about 1pm on Sunday, I left for a bit more riding about, after popping in to see sister and nephews, and went to a little spot where you can get some fantastic views of Newcastle/Gateshead...

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=47354

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=47355

Then, after a brief stop in at the folks', and some fun on the many roundabouts of Washington, I headed 'home' (this time well wrapped up under three layers). Another 4 1/2 hours later I arrived back, absolutely knackered, but it was well worth the effort...it's certainly prepared me for the trip to the 'Ring in a couple of months!

Well I hope I haven't bored you (I guess you would have just stopped reading!), but I thought the pics came out well - even though I may have attached them poorly!

[WeeSuziB]

Nice! Some of those pics worked out really well. Looks like you had yourself a good wee weekend. Glad you enjoyed it.
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"take pacman for example,if computer games influenced kids, then we would all be running around a dark room trying to eat magic pills while being chased by monsters and listening to repetitive electronic music"

Northern Irish? www.nibikers.com

[Stav]

Wow, small world, I used to live in Tranwell, half way between Morpeth and Mitford. Know that humpback on the way to Dinnington well, in my boyracer days had a rally spec nova that I used to jump as far as I dared over it!

About 10 years ago now but feeling sentimental!


Good on you for doing the trip, I'm in Oxford now and should really full my finger out and get on with it!
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Present> 03 Tuono RSV1000 - Past > 02 Honda NSR125RR > 02 Triumph TT600
Cage> 03 Audi TT

[Tattoo Artist]

small world indeed, i lived actually in washington tyne and wear, concord to be exact