Great weather for bikes

[craigs23]

Ah...looks like it's finally turning to that time of year again.

Before I leave for work, BMW R800 riding Steve asks why I haven't learnt to drive yet. He only brings his 'adventure' bike in when the weather's agreeable; tonight he's off home in his Civic Type R.

It's cold and dark outside and my headlight is pants; which is plainly obvious as I ride out of the staff car lot. It's absolutely chucking it down, so much so that I can barely see through the streams of water running up my visor. Attempting to wipe it away momentarily blinds me with even more blurred vision, so I give up doing that for the remainder of the ride.

I pass an accident - two cars off the road in what looks like a near head on, just after where a few inches of water has spilled across the road in one of the more dangerous (but fast) sections of my commute. My exhaust pops and burbles loudly as I pull past the waving copper, who doesn't look too happy to be out in such weather.

It's getting darker as I approach a queue of traffic - cars are turning around ahead as there seems to be a spot of water in the road stopping their path. I ride through the foot or so of water from the nearby burst river anyway, not bothering to raise my feet as my Sidi Black Rains, which are usually awesome in the wet, have already started leaking.

The traffic clears on the other side of the temporary causeway and I'm able to pull up to a respectable speed. Despite my Dunlop D208s and high centre of gravity on the DRZ conspiring against me, almost willing me to crash. The brakes are too sharp in these conditions, the steering too fast, and I've lost feeling in my limbs, so slides a-plenty for the next 10 or so miles of clearer roads. I even manage a few overtakes, around moving traffic islands (cars), which seem to be driving as if there's snow on the ground.

I pass another accident, a car sideways in a ditch with its hazards on - an Audi A4 of all things... and there was me thinking they drove themselves...maybe water got into the car's CPU...

Nearly home now... it's pretty much as dark as it's going to get and I obviously can't see anything. Even my Spada trousers have leaked - they've only done that once before in the 4 years I've been using them for. I'm completely soaked, pretty cold, had a few interesting 'moments' but I'm almost home.

And you know, I enjoyed that ride back. Despite the appalling conditions (and tyres), and dangerous lack of visibility, that's one adventure I might just remember in the months to come. The first "proper" ride on my DRZ. I get home safe and well, hang up my gear with a hope they might dry a little for tomorrow's commute.

Steve at work is missing out - his BMW would have loved that.

Isn't biking bloody fantastic.

[ms51ves3]

Clear sky all day here.

[P.addy]

[neil.]

I came home piss wet through, my top was completely soaked and I looked like I had completely and utterly wet myself. Mmm an hour of riding on the A13 during non stop rain. Yum. Still, my heated grips were somewhat comforting and my boots and gloves didn't leak. My REV'IT textiles are way overdue for a wash and re-proofing, so I can't really blame them for letting me down. Nikwax is on order. Knowing my luck when I do sort it all out, it'll be dry weather for months.
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[ryhardcastle]

[metalangel]

Threatening as I came in today, just starting to rain when I got to work so I crammed the bike into the bicycle shelter
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Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[Devils Advocate]

Perfect autumn day in lancashire today,not a cloud in the sky, so i went for a proper hoon.
The torrential downpours hit us yesterday though....but no freakin way would i have ridden in that unless i had to.

[Jayy]

[ms51ves3]

[Muscle Bike Rider]

Yer A13 was bad tonight, I only joined from canning town as the mile end road was fairly quite, plus theres a good stretch of bus lane to use, love that feeling of passing all the static cars. Got in dripping wet but even though its hard work with poor visibility and less grip etc I felt sort of chuffed with myself for getting to work and back in one piece with less than 10 mins added to my normal journey time.
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Previously Known As A5tra_G
Old Bikes :2010 Kawasaki ER6 F & 2000 Honda VTR Firestorm
Current Bike : XJR1300

[Devils Advocate]

[Jayy]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Monday was the 1st time in 5yrs i chose a car over the bike
I'd tucked it away all polished and shiney on Sunday night.
Monday was minging and i only had a 7mile journey to see a mate. Was offered the car by the g/f and took it.
But we're lucky in Britain, loads countries have proper rain, but usually warmer.


Pat
Thermals at the ready
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Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Devils Advocate]

[Seb]

I thought I'd get away with riding to Bude and back in jeans today, needless to say I discovered that goretex boots keep the water in every bit as well as they keep it out
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[Skudd]

[overide]

30 mile round trip yesterday in the rain. Only my second week of riding again after 17 years so still finding my feet. Couldn't see sh*t through the visor with the rain and headlights blinding me.

Took it steady and enjoyed it in the end. Prefered todays cold, but dry weather though!

[Mystery]