(Updated)My trip to UK

[kawashima]

This contains also non bike topic, but I'd like to update on this thread. If necessary, please move this to random bantor.

I brought my video cam and made some videos.
[Videos]
<<Video (Sandown Beach)>>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e2USx2TG6w
<<Video (Windermere)>>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et4Cy9iXwnw
<<Video (Seven Sisters/Birls Gap)>>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR53lmgvlZ8
<<Video (On Board Camera on kawasaki ER-5)>> My riding is dodgy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhPwNhb7OPg

For train fans
<<Video (Ferry to Tube train Isle of Wight)>>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgvFBsjAyQ4
<<Video (Virgin Train Pendolino)>>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc7xGG40iuc
-------------
Day1(Feb 15th)
When I arrived at Heathrow, it wasn't cold than I expected, I didn't need my coat.
I could meet with Ms. Paivi. We ate at italian restaurant"Napule" at Fullham Broadway,
very tasty real italian foods. Dishes were not arranged like ours. I heard many interesting
stories from her. She helped me a lot for my questions before the trip too, I can't thank her
enough!

Day2(Feb 16th):Isle of Wight, Ace Cafe
[Isle of Wight]
I had already bought SW Train ticket online, cause I heard it's cheaper than buying on the day.
I could print my open day return ticket from waterloo to sandown with no problem.
Platform wasn't fixed till 5minutes before departure. Train was not crowded at all while trains
for london were full. It's monday morning.
SW Train was very quiet, I couldn't believe it's diesel train. I just couldn't hear the diesel
sound from any coach.
I bought a coffee from an old staff in the train, then he gave me a shortbread for free as service!
This can't happen in japan! Thanks.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0037.jpghttps://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0041.jpg
Ferry from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier was very quick and comfortable.
Tube train on IOW.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0058.jpghttps://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0060.jpg
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0062.jpghttps://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0065.jpg
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Sandown Beach.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0076.jpghttps://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0081.jpg
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Most food shops were closed cause it was offseason. I ate here.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0092.jpghttps://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0094.jpg
I went to Newport, then changed to another bus to visit Ozbourne house but
it was closed on Monday and Tuesday from Nov1 to Mar29th. My fault.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0116.jpg
I went to Ryde and took earlier ferry and train to london.

[Ace Cafe]
So I went to Ace Cafe on Bakerlooline.This might be an evil way but I didn't lose the chance to
visit there, so I didn't sticked to going on motorcycle. Few minutes walk from Stonebridgepark.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0168.jpghttps://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0182.jpg

Day3(Feb 17th):Lake District
I took Virgine Train Pendolino from Euston to Oxenholme, then minibus tour for 5hrs with guide.
I visited some locations and Lake Windermere. Especially Lake Windermere was superb.Silver Gray
water surface. I've never seen such a beutiful lake.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0199.jpghttps://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0203.jpg
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https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0314.jpg
I got back to the hotel and did some preparation for the nextday.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0338.jpg

Day4(Feb 18th):Seven Sisters
[Seven Sisters]
Day2 and 3 were reluxing time, and Day4&5 were the main dish for me.
I went to Raceway Motorcycle Rental west branch at Shepherds Bush to rent SV650 I booked.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0341.jpghttps://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0345.jpg
My rental period was Feb18th 9:30 to 20th 9:30, but was planning to return by 19th 16:30 when the
shop closes. I brought my all riding wears, helmet, tankbag with me.
I got lecture about allarm system from the staff. I was a little bit uncertain, but was to try
myself later. I headed for Junction2 of M4. When I came near the end of A406, I thought I should
attach video camera on the handle bar, and turned left to power Rd at volvo dealer. When I
stopped the engine, the allarm was set automatically which I didn't notice, and allarm started beeping
till it stops. I failed to stop it 2 times and then the batterie gone flat, startermotor didn't run
at all. I tried 5 or 6 times of bump start at the side road in front of volvo dealer which has gentle
slope, but it didn't work at all. I gave it up and called the raceway staff on my mobile and explained,
he said "Call AA, number is on the paper". So I called AA but it says"Your number is not recognised
however...." I phoned the staff again, then he said "Maybe cause your mobile is japanese one? Call
from a publick phone". I pushed the bike seaching for a public phone, and I could rent a phone at
chiswickhonda luckily. I waited there for about 50minutes.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0346.jpg
The AA guy was very helpful. At first he charged the batterie, then the starter runs but engine didn't
start, and "FI" signal was flashing. And he couldn't neither set allarm nor disallarm it. He detected
the failure causes were the nearly dead batterie and collosion on the fuse of allarm system. He changed
it to new one(He even had such an fuse too) then engine started. He phoned to raceway staff on my mobile,
explained how bad the SV650 condition was for me. The staff agreed to change the rental bike.
Thum up to AA guy! I rode the SV to raceway with great care not to stall it.
I got ER-5 instead there, and he said I can extend the rental period till 20th 16:30, but my flight
was on 20th anyway. At least I was lucky that this trouble didn't occur at countryside, cause I had to
rent someones phone to call AA.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0347.jpg
I understood the allarm system this time, my inside wears were drenched with sweat, but I started
riding again. My route was M4-M25-M23-A23-A27-A26-A259.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0350.jpg

Seven Sisters was a very beautiful place. Waves were gray with bubbles. I arrived at Seven Sisters at
17:30, it started becoming dark, if I walked few miles from visitorcentre to the cliff, I wouldn't be
able to see it, so I rode to Birling Gap and saw from there. I couldn't see it in the bright day light,
but could see in sunset, which was unable if I could trip as planned.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0357.jpghttps://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0361.jpg
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https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0428.jpg
I lost chance to visit Rye but it's ok. I went back to the hotel straight.

Day5(Feb19th):Sammy Miller Museum,Stonehenge
[Sammy Miller Museum]
It was raining in the morning, I wore rainwear, I could somehow attach videocamera on ER-5 this time.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0447.jpghttps://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0431.jpg
My route is : M4-M25-M3-M27-A337-A35-B3055.
I headed for M4. Ibis hotel to M4 is very easy access. When I got on M3, rain stopped but it was still
foggy, camera lense got wet soon.
Ouch I forgot to refuel before I got on motorway, petrol was about 1/4 on the meter then. There weren't
any petrol station.... I found "service" road sign but if it didn't have petrol station, it's over. So
I got off to A road, asked a security guard of some operation where the petrol station is, and I could
refuel it, got back on M3 again.
There was Service Station on M3. It was very large and clean.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0449.jpghttps://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0457.jpg
I had to turn right to A35 from A337, but the roads at Lyndhurst was complicated, I went to wrong side of A35 first.
I noticed it at Ashurst station, and made U-turn. This A35 had good scenery.
I arrived at Sammy Miller Museum at 11:30(It opens at 10:00).
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0459.jpghttps://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0461.jpg
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0463.jpg
I was stunned with the collection. Some 1920 or 30 models were just shiny as brandnew! There were oil
catchs under oil pans, which shows they have oil in them. I can never see bikes like these in japan.
Just incredible. It was priceless experience. I thank 69.9mph who taught me this place. I asked the staff
if taking picture is prohibited, he said ok so I took some.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0467.jpghttps://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0472.jpg
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https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0535.jpg
If you pay entrance fee, you paste this seal on your clothe, then you can go out and re-enter.
There is a restaurant "Bashley Manor Tea rooms" next to the museum, I ate full english breakfast, it was
very good.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0570.jpghttps://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0572.jpg
I wanted to go back and see newer racers too, but I decided to head for Stonehenge at around 13:00.
Route was A35-A337-B3079-A36-A345-A303-A344. I missed the course few times but I somehow arrived there.

[Stonehenge]
It was full with tourists from all over the world, tour buses. It's located very close to A road and
maybe that's why there are many bus tours from london.
Stone it self was of course good, but I liked the scenery around the stone. There's nothing around the
stone, and it makes the stone attractive. If this was in japan, I bet many souvenir shops and hotels are
built around the stone, and it totally ruins the value. Stonehenge's souvenir shop is located under the
ground surface, this must be the difference of sense.
It was impossible to return the bike till 16:30 so headed for the hotel at normal speed.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0576.jpghttps://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0592.jpg

Day6(Feb20th)
Returned the bike at 9:30, brought one suitcase to Yamato transport to save money, got on the plane.

[Impressions of UK roads]
-Motorway is free! This is just great for us japanese who pay highway tolls.
-Very comfortable. M25 has 4 lanes!! M4 is nearly the same as our highways.
Some main A roads were better than our minor highways.
-Speed limits are generally higher than ours.
-There were not many S-Cameras like ours which try to deceive drivers/riders.
(They clearly said "S-Cameras (40) or (50)"on M25)
-Very reasonable system. Strict 30 or 40 in town area, and 60 out of the area.
(Ours are 50km/h or 60km/h(37.5mph) at highest on normal road and police use radar to earn money)
(Half of our expensive highways are limited to 80km/h(50mph))
-Riders shake their heads sideways: no worry of losing sight. We do it vertically and sometimes dangerous.
I'll try sideway from now. Not sure if they understand what I am doing though.
-Most roads didn't have pedestrian area on the road side, no place to park road side.
-Sometimes I wanted more service/petrol stations on motorway.
-Roundabout was difficult for me.
(Turning right was difficult when moving from inner to outer cicle if other car was coming)
(I had better go into inner cicle first if I wasn't sure which way to go, cause I can try again then. My
mistake was go to outer one, had to turn left watching sign... Garrr it was turn right, and I couldn't make
U-turn for a period of time cause it's dual carriage way.
(Small roundabout without signal in london was also difficult sometimes got confused which car has priority)
-I came accross horse once on the road, must be careful(you can see it in my video).
-There is no silly rule like us : if we don't stop in front of railroad crossing, we'll be fined 7000yen.
-Generally UK drivers were gentle on countryside. No pushing and keep queue.
(Some Japanese tend to push meaninglessly.)
-My favorite road was A259 from Seaford to Birling Gap. It was really beautiful to see sea shore and hillocks.
[Impressions of bikes]
[SV650]
-It stalled often at low rev. Maybe that's why I'm getting used to W650 which have no high end.
-It had sporty position than I expected.
-Wrench was necessary to remove the front seat.
-Need clutch in to start engine.
[ER-5]
-Position was more upright compared to SV650.
-It had enough torque at low rev too, easy starting.
-lightweight, very easy to handle even in london.
-Enough space for chainlock under seat.

<Some non bike related>
[Train]
Virgin train Pendolino: I tried first class. Very good service with good staffs, and very comfortable, fast.
SW Train : Very quiet for diesel, and quick.
Tubetrain of IOW: Old but I like it.
Underground: Trains come one after another, very useful. Trains were running very deep level.
[English]
I quite liked the way they say "See you" instead of "Bye". I was glad when petrol guy said it to me.
[Food]
I liked british foods. I couldn't try many though. I liked full breackfast, Pasty, Sandwich, vegetables,
Fish & Chips and Crisp. I bought McCoys for colleagues and for myself.
https://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b295/kawashima_/UK%20TRIP/RIMG0634.jpg
[Manner]
I came back to Nagoya Airport, peaple say nothing when his baggage hit me. Never say "sorry". I was disgusted
like "arghhh". I will keep this in my mind and try not to go back to our bad style.
[Other]
I found some japanese K-car(Suzuki) on UK road.
Some underground stations didn't have toilets.

Thanks for your helps and advises. I could fully enjoy my uk trip.
==============================================
<Original Post below>
Sorry for posting a personal one!
I got 1week holiday and I visit uk (from japan) for 4days(Feb 16th-19th) next week. (I go to isle of wight on 16th, lake district on 17th)
I booked to rent SV650 on 18th and 19th from racewaymotorcycle in london. On 18th I'm planning to visit sevensisters and some other SE cities, but I haven't decided where to visit on 19th yet. Is there any suggestion of place? On 19th, I ride from london hotel and must return the bike to raceway till 16:30.
Any advises welcome
(I'd like to avoid area which still has snow on the road)
-----------
(edit)Sorry for confusing. I corrected the date.
____________________
2020 Touring Serow 250
,past 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900 2005 W650, [url=d], 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)

[yambabe]

You HAVE to go to the Ace cafe!

Not good roads or anything, just a really iconic biker venue.

https://www.ace-cafe-london.com/default.aspx
____________________
Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[kawashima]

[Paivi]

Box Hill is even better, and you can do that on the Wednesday on your way back to London from Sussex.
____________________
My other bike's a Monster...

[Clanger]

Eh?
You're planning to visit the Lake District and Seven Sisters in one day!!! You will be riding on motorways all the way then, to get from one to the other.

If you are down the south coast, then perhaps you ought to give Hetzer a shout, he'll know the best routes for you!!!

I would personally skip the Isle of Wight bit and visit other areas of Britain...it is an expensive bit of water over to that island...and if there isn't a rally or a festival going on, I wouldn't say it was worth the money really!

What sort of things are you interested in, apart from bikes...?
____________________
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

[69.9mph]

If you are going down south, there is the Sammy Miller Museum https://museum.sammymiller.co.uk/ which I think is better than Beaulieu ( https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/ipus/beaulieu/lotstosee-national-motor-museum ) for bikes.

I'm not working that day, so if you're in my area I' be pleased to ride out for a bit. I'll send you my details via PM.

Cheers

[MarJay]

Hi Kawashima,

Not wanting to sound rude at all, you do realise how large the UK is right?

Because it sounds very ambitious to try to fit all of those things into 1 week. Its difficult to tell on my world map (as the country sizes are distorted because of the way the globe is 'flattened') but the UK appears longer than Japan, and is almost twice as wide.

Plus we aren't as efficient as the Japanese, and so our roads are often clogged and our trains don't run on time. When I say don't run on time, I don't mean two minutes late, I mean up to an hour late or longer...

Don't get me wrong, there are bits of the UK that are nice, but trying to see all of that in a week might be a little over the top - especially on a bike in february!

Good luck!
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[jerryburgess]

try lands end to john o groats.See how longa it takes.
____________________
Its simples

[Paivi]

I think Kawashima san has his dates mixed up. His flight lands on the 15th, and leaves on the 20th, at least that's what he told me first, and the initial timetable was as follows:

On the 16th, he's planning to visit IOW by train, which is easy enough, as the trains go from Waterloo. It'll take a fair bit of time, though.

On the 17th, he's going to the Lake District by train.

For the 18th and the 19th, he's hiring a bike, and on the 18th is visiting the Seven Sisters and whatever else is nearby (e.g., Rye, Leeds Castle, Box Hill). On the 19th, he doesn't have a full day, so either get up really early to go to say, Cotswolds, or Stonehenge.

Marjay, the UK is actually really small for some of us. I can't understand why most people were astonished when I did a round trip in -4C to Stratford-upon-Avon in December, on my scoot. Three hours each way is hardly a long distance. I've done longer distances than that for a bacon butty and I don't even like bacon.
____________________
My other bike's a Monster...

[.....]

Box Hill could well be deserted on a February Wednesday. Went past yesterday and there were about two bikes in there and the car park was covered in slush. It's nothing like a sunny Sunday summer's afternoon at the moment. It's just like any other car park and I fear Kawashima will be very disappointed.

[Paivi]

[MarJay]

[kawashima]

[MarJay]

I'm probably not worthy of being referred to as MarJay san...

Domo Arigato.


____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[sickpup]

Would this be Raceways in Rotherhithe South London that you are picking the bike up from?

[MarJay]

[lydanial]

the weather doesnt look very promising for your visit.

[Cigaro]

There's some amazing roads in the lakes, just not sure about this time of year though and it can be very remote!

If you're passing through Lancashire at any point after 6pm ish feel free to drop in for a coffee, I'm not far from the M6

[NSR Mick]

[ZRX61]

[MinhDinh]

[sickpup]

[Tonka]

[kawashima]

[MinhDinh]

Just wondering, why not stay longer? I think it would be beneficial to stay longer to enjoy your trip rather than get tired and rushed.
____________________
Hit the G spot.