Original SE OffRoad - Ride Report - 30 Aug 2010

[silky666]

30 August 2010 - Bocketts Route.
Weather - Bright and Sunny.
Attendees: Mike J, Me, Joe, Multijoy.

After a hiatus of some 4 months (where the core riders of the Original SE OffRoad crew focussed on honing their fitness and endurance) ... the long awaited reunion came with a gentle run from Bocketts.

MikeJ made the effort to travel up from the coast ... and as expected he had not yet replaced the 'concrete bag' side panel fix (read: bodge) (almost a year old that now isnt it Mike?).
Joe made the effort to ride across from nearer the long route ... and as expected he lit up a smoke on arrival (suprisingly there was no sign of the legendary Ginsters pie ... must be on a health kick !).
Multijoy made the effort by simply turning up on a heavy bike with road based tires (it has been raining for the previous 2 days .. so mud was expected).
I made no effort whatsoever and simply rolled out of bed and hit the lanes.

The day started at a very reasonable hour of 10am ... and despite initial 'nerves', it was not long before everyone had a decent pace on.
Not really a lot to report ... one of the benefits of age and experience is that you know how to limit the 'incidents' .. so no break downs, no unprepared bikes, and overall just a damn fine run.
It should be noted however, that due to myself giving up the smokes, the stop breaks were a lot less than in the past

Only things of real note, are that I fell in love twice:
1) With the KTM again. I have 'fixed' the little niggles and it ran like a dream.
Plus, with my new found fitness (from mtb riding) I was just riding it a little faster / throwing it about a bit more ... and it really started to feel good.
2) With the petite, blonde, fast KTM rider (see image below),


Pictorial Report.
No videos, and some of the images have mud on the lens .. apologies in advance:

Start Of The Day:
Joe adjusts his goggles ... MikeJ leaves a pool of petrol as usual.

https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t69/silky666/Bike%20Stuff/startoftheday.jpg



Mike Giving It Some Beans:
Good chance to open it up a bit on the flat, and more importantly easy to see ahead, bits.

https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t69/silky666/Bike%20Stuff/mikebeans.jpg



Random Hater:
I saw him from a 'mile away' ... He made the usual point of standing and staring/shaking his head / backing away as if I was approaching him with a bloodied machete.

https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t69/silky666/Bike%20Stuff/wotustaringat.jpg



Thumbs Up:
Just checking that Multijoy was still in one piece.
He rode amazingly well considering his bike is the weight of a small van and had slicks on.

https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t69/silky666/Bike%20Stuff/thumbsup.jpg

Fans and General Well Wishers:
This was amusing. We went through a whole series of bystanders.
2 of which took the effort to stand on the riding line and take pictures of me as I went by, leaping out of the way at the last minute
I am sure I heard a round of applause.

https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t69/silky666/Bike%20Stuff/fans.jpg



Nervous Young Horse:
We saw quite a few horses, as it was such a lovely day and we started lateish.
No issues with any of them, and as usual, the riders all thanked us for stopping and cutting engines.
This one though was a youngun and not happy at going through a 'tunnel' of bikes.
Note Joe, standing his ground and showing no fear .... oh no! wait, it looks like he is trying to melt into the bank
(fyi: I was high up and well out of the way)

https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t69/silky666/Bike%20Stuff/horse.jpg



Race:
Just a pic of MikeJ's overtaking manouvers

https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t69/silky666/Bike%20Stuff/mikeracingcar.jpg



Water Crossing:
Multijoy approaching the water crossing at Mole St.

https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t69/silky666/Bike%20Stuff/multijoyriver.jpg



Nice Shot:
This one is for BlueSV ... as he has queried the focus/image output of the GoProHD.
This is a good example of where mine doesnt cope too well with speed.
I have not photoshopped this at all, apart from image resize. Looks quite good though.
I think its because of the downward angle I had the lens at ... focussing on the ground ?
I need to practice more with setup and camera settings.

https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t69/silky666/Bike%20Stuff/warpfactor7.jpg



Love:
At the end of the ride I had a bimble back up the Sand Gallops (Wolverns Lane) on my own to get home.
I found myself behind 3 KTM riders ... all with numbers and coloured backgrounds .
Kept with them though ... maybe a little outside of my comfort zone in places, but in others I was able to go past them!
The one at the back was riding quite fast ... little wheelies out of corners and air over jumps.
Then I noticed the bright pink enduro trousers ... slim waist ... and long platted blonde hair.
I think its love.

https://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t69/silky666/Bike%20Stuff/bird_wub.jpg
____________________
There's nothing that shouts "Poor Workmanship" more than wrinkles in the Gaffa tape.

Gaffa tape is like "the force" - it has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

[BigTobyD]

Looks like a good day was had by all - hopefully I'll get a pass for the next one!

[Blue_SV650S]

Yeay, a ride report!!

Cool pics (why no vid mind?!!?) do you have your gopro set on the point focus or the wide focus in the end, it seems to focus on your lid and mudguard - perhaps having something in the foreground is the trick ... but how many photos have you had to 'chuck' as they are all blurred??? I'd say out of every 100, I get about 1-3 that are good enough to keep

As for horses and walkers, I'd say 95% of the people I come across are either fine with bikes or actually seem pleased to see you (ok, the 'pleased lot make up <10%, the rest tolerate as long as you are courteous). As usual, it is always easier to remember the rotten eggs!

Oh and how do you know the chick on the KTM isn't a fugly???
____________________
The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[silky666]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

1st Dibs on Mrs Silky.

[manlove post]

Would love to go for a dirty ride with you lot.
Yours and Blue_SV650S's ride reports are always a good read/watch.
Makes me want to expand my very novice offroad skills.

[/ of gheyness]


.....Carry on.

Pat
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