Went on the best rideout of my life...

[JonB]

I finally have some time on my hands to ride an account of the ride I had earlier.

I thought as the weather wasn't too bad I would go for a mini tour of Somerset.

I started off from Chard (hometown) and headed on the back roads all the way to Taunton which was quite pleasant, I went off to Minehead on the A358 and had some fun even though a section of the road was closed so all of the traffic was diverted through a country lane, it was at a stand still because a lorry couldn't get round the corner. The lane wasn't wide enough to filter through either.

I got to Minehead and had an ice cream it was very nice indeed.

After this I thought I would do the ultimate task...Porlock Hill! Anybody from the area will know that this is a very steep hill which is mainly 1:6 but in places steeps to 1:4, it has two very sharp hairpins on the 1:4 part and the wall next to it has been rebuilt many times. Incidently Porlock hill is the main road on the A39 at the entrance to the Somerset side of Exmoor. I knew my bike wouldn't get up this hill, so I decided to take the toll road which was less steep but very scenic through the woodlands with some nice twisties and such a smooth road surface (one advantage of privately owned roads), I got to the toll booth and the woman told me to carry on because she couldn't be arsed to wait for me to take my money out of my jacket pocket. Lovely. I got to the top and my fuel light came on. I was 2 miles into Exmoor and it was such a lovely sight, I wish I had taken my digital camera to take pics. The weather was clear and it was lovely. I have never discovered how brilliant it is to ride on Exmoor the roads are winding and twisty and my 50cc coped well with a steady 48MPH (indicated speed) I am now pretty sure my bike must be derestricted. It was so fun I have never had such a breath taking experience in my life, the Moor countryside is something which makes me proud to live in the UK. I then came to Porlock hill and got ready for some fast riding, I got my bike up to it's fastest speed ever of 56MPH (indicated speed). I then realised it might be a good idea to slam on the brakes when I saw "1:4 incline ahead, use escape lane if necessary" so I put on the brakes. I was rolling at 30MPH and increasing the brakes must of burnt after this. I swept round the hairpins and it was a lovely feeling.

I was in such a happy mood, but I really needed to get some petrol so I went into a village shop in Porlock and asked where the nearest petrol station was, I was diverted to it and it was tiny. The man instantly started filling up my bike, I wasn't even ready and now I understand why he did it so quick, the price was 89.9 Pence per Litre!!! I didn't mind it came to a hefty £3.61.

So Off I went coming back on myself on the A39, but instead of turning onto the A358 at Williton I decided to carry on the A39 towards Bridgewater on the edge of the Quantock hills. It was the BEST road I have ever rode on it was fast and the tiwisties were lovely, there were nice, swift turns and it was brilliant tarmac the tyres just gripped to the ground. (Incidently the A39 is in the top 5 roads in the Westcountry in the "Ride" magazine. I got to Bridgewater in peace, I was the happiest I have been for ages. I headed on down towards Taunton again on the A38 and got a nod from a police biker which was gratefully received.

I got to Taunton and was waiting at a busy junction of traffic lights near Creech Castle. The lights just changed Green and I got ready to move off, but the woman in front stalled so I had to wait, well anyway she finally got moving so I started, I got to about 3 MPH and the throttle spring snapped and I slowed right down to...0.

I pushed my bike onto the lay by...somehow and rang up DAS Breakdown (Motorcycle Direct's, my insurers breakdown service). A man turned up after about 45 minutes, but they were the worst 45 Minutes ever! The day had been lovely and sunny, but I got caught in 2 torrential downpours and I was drenched!!! He couldn't fix my bike at the scene and took it to the nearest Piaggio dealer, it was closed so now my bike is located outside the Piaggio garage UNLOCKED and I am scared of it getting pinched. It should be fixed by tomorrow and I will go collect it.

Besides, it was my best rideout experience so far and I thoroughly enjoyed it and after my rant a month ago about Moped's being crap and slow, they still are, but these experiences can be had on any bike.

Regards
Jon (SS)
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[Git]

I know Porlock hill, my gran lived pretty close, dt50's don't like that hill

Sounds like you had fun

[TheShaggyDA]

Great post - I love Porlock Hill Haven't been there for a while, last time was in my XR2i and much fun was had

Don'tcha just love it when someone fills up for you? Kinda takes you back in time for a wee spell.
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Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[mchaggis]

Dagnabit, the closer I come to getting the pot off, the more withdrawal symptoms I get. Sounds like it was fun, except for the end.

[Lee_367]

Bargain, free go on a toll road.
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?It?s mercy, compassion, and forgiveness I lack?not rationality.?

[JonB]

It was only a saving of £1.50 though mind you.
____________________
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[synaptyx]

Great post Jon, goes to show you don't need to blatt it off at 100+ to have a good time on your bike.
Firmly in the I'll ride it the way that feels good to me camp.

[synaptyx]

[JonB]

If I'm going to be honest wizzing through woodland roads into tight hairpins and smooth chicanes I would pay more for the experience, besides I couldn't really have a pint whilst riding could I.
____________________
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[Steve H]

Great post SS. It's fantastic to hear about other peoples rides/experiences.

Funny that 'Where's my Karma' related posts get in excess of 400-500 views and a bike related topic gets just over 100.

Maybe this post deserves to stay near the top of the charts as opposed to being lost beneath the Karma Chasers as it's infinitely more interesting.



SteveH
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Mellow Yellow
The BCF Top TEN - 2010, 2009, 2008, The Original.

[JonB]

It's alright Steve, all people have to do is read it, I don't care if I don't get a reply in essence all I wanted to do was tell people about the fantastic day I had!

Side Note...I haven't got my bike yet it is being assessed apparantly a cable might of snapped so they are going to strip the bike down.
____________________
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[Stu_666]

Hey that's a nice story for once. That kinda reminds me of when my old man said he was feeling really down once, so he got on his bike, rode to the middle of nowhere and the sight of nice sunny fields stretching for miles around cheered him up.

Bet your glad you kept the moped now as I remember your previous post where you were getting a wee bit pissed off with it.

[JonB]

Well I am not as annoyed with the moped as I used to be, but I still want to do the whole of Exmoor and Dartmoor on a bigger bike, but hey it cheered me up a lot yesterday and I really enjoyed it.
____________________
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[NickD]

Don't worry about it. Today a moped, tomorrow the world.
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I was only doing what it said on my licence officer....
Tear along the dotted line!

[aqualung1]

great story SS reminbds us all whats its about
hope you get bike back ok tommorrow

carry on having fun
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"still no idea where poohsticks bridge is"
www.bosunsbikes.com