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Picos, Pyrenees and Alps Trip (Trip account starts page 3)

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Matt B
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PostPosted: 15:20 - 15 Apr 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

chickenstrip wrote:
Got to sort out my insurance and Euro breakdown cover yet, but haven't decided who to go with. I'd prefer to have it all in one package I think. Currently with MCE, but a lot of bad press for them around here lately, and I'd like someone I could trust.


Have a look at the Nationwide FlexPlus current account. For £10 a month you get UK and European breakdown (any vehicle you own or are in), worldwide travel insurance, commission free cash withdrawals abroad and a few other bits.
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 17:14 - 15 Apr 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Matt B wrote:


Have a look at the Nationwide FlexPlus current account. For £10 a month you get UK and European breakdown (any vehicle you own or are in), worldwide travel insurance, commission free cash withdrawals abroad and a few other bits.


I saw your post about this in another recent thread Matt, and have been considering it, except that I already have a Post Office Travel Money card with a couple of grand on it that gives me the commission free bit, and I would prefer to keep insurance and breakdown with one company if possible, purely for convenience. I might look at Carole Nash, see what they can offer.
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Matt B
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PostPosted: 10:44 - 17 Apr 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

chickenstrip wrote:
Post Office Travel Money card with a couple of grand on it


One of the reasons I went for it was that UKash got sold and changed all their terms, but also the pre authorisation issue with the travel money cards in fuels stations. Once you have a the FlexPlus current account you can get the Select Credit card with commission free purchases abroad. Basically everything you need for touring with one bank and one number to call.

I found Carole Nash to be hideously expensive for my bikes in comparison.
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Howling Terror
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PostPosted: 20:57 - 31 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pass the popcorn
Have you puked on the ferry and who did you blame it on?
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Tracer1234
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PostPosted: 22:18 - 31 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looking forward to the updates and pictures. Thumbs Up Karma
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 22:52 - 31 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Howling Terror wrote:
Pass the popcorn
Have you puked on the ferry and who did you blame it on?


No, had no problems, but had a mother of a hangover this morning. Greasy full English and much coffee sorted that out Smile

The trip down to Portsmouth from Carlisle went smoothly enough, made the ferry with plenty of time to spare. Discovered that the reason folks say they get the beers down in the evening on the boat is that there ain't a whole lot else to do, and the evening "entertainment" in the bar was mediocre if I'm being generous. Got nattering to a few folks, which made it quite pleasant though.

Had great weather all the way across, spent lots of time taking in the sea air on deck. Got to my first hotel easily enough (Torrelavega - not a fantastic town, but only one night here before heading to the interesting places).

A few photos, nothing bike related yet. Leaving Portsmouth on the Brittany Ferries Pont Aven:

https://i.postimg.cc/C5wt2Hw1/DSCN8739.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/63jKdpsT/DSCN8736.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/brYFzxdB/DSCN8727.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/9X1nLnn5/DSCN8737.jpg

Couple of shots on the approach to Santander:

https://i.postimg.cc/bNs33Nnk/DSCN8752.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/hvPgH7nS/DSCN8760.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/mDTGHFtQ/DSCN8766.jpg

Coastal route before turning south for Riano and the Picos tomorrow Smile
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Last edited by chickenstrip on 22:38 - 30 Sep 2019; edited 2 times in total
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Howling Terror
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PostPosted: 23:21 - 31 May 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great...your adventure begins. Cool

Rest well...keep your chain lubed and if a civilian car starts flashing at you to pull over whilst pointing at your bike, only pull over in a service station. /dad-talk
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 19:39 - 01 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

So, after getting a bit lost trying to get away from Torrelavega for the coast road, got onto my route eventually. I thought the coastal route might be a bit more scenic than the main road that everyone seems to use to head west. Unfortunately, it was socked in with a sea mist, so no views to be had Sad The road itself made up for it somewhat though; some fun was had Smile

At a place called Unquera, after stopping for coffee and a snack, it was time to head inland for the Picos, and within about 2 miles, the sky suddenly cleared, and the temperature started to rise. The beginning of the fantastic scenery came almost immediately then, heading through a deep gorge with high cliffs and peaks on both sides.

https://i.postimg.cc/ZKm4k2Tf/DSCN8792.jpg

I managed to arrange to meet with Enduro Numpty at Potes, but to give him time to get back from a cable car trip, I explored a little mountain road that climbed up high to a dead end at a tiny hamlet first:

https://i.postimg.cc/bNrLvNNd/DSCN8812.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/cL8mQ93S/DSCN8816.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/65hwBcqB/DSCN8799.jpg

And then back to Potes, where I spotted Enduro's silver FJR outside their hotel. His wife had opted to stay behind while we rode on to Riano, stopping at various view points to take snaps and have a natter. Cracking road, fantastic scenery:

https://i.postimg.cc/SKSnyjkv/DSCN8827.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/rpfKzcpF/DSCN8835.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/x1Sgnr84/DSCN8842.jpg

There were a few hairpins like this one, but mostly it was just a nicely flowing road, with a few sections where you could really start to open it up; would be great if you were familiar with it:

https://i.postimg.cc/bYsmRH43/DSCN8837.jpg

Sigh, mountains Very Happy :

https://i.postimg.cc/QNw0YK3s/DSCN8840.jpg

Eeeeuuurrraaargh...hang on a sec., who's nicked the bog roll?! :

https://i.postimg.cc/25kwL44d/DSCN8844.jpg

Arriving at Riano:

https://i.postimg.cc/50jSnbK6/DSCN8847.jpg

...where we said our farewells, as Enduro headed back to Potes; my hotel for the next 4 nights is here in Riano. It was great to meet up with another BCFer in such a fantastic place as the Picos de Europa!

https://i.postimg.cc/wxCQQKXj/DSCN8855.jpg

The hotel I'm in, and the view from my room window:

https://i.postimg.cc/3JQ2DXhy/DSCN8859.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/Nf8m8KGd/DSCN8860.jpg

Had a short wander around the town after getting installed, and was wondering why the whole town looked virtually brand new; the old town is at the bottom of the reservoir, and a very recent thing too:

https://i.postimg.cc/qqV6yTPf/DSCN8879.jpg

/day 2 Mr. Green
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Last edited by chickenstrip on 23:07 - 30 Sep 2019; edited 5 times in total
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Tracer1234
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PostPosted: 00:21 - 02 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Glad you had a good first day and the weather cleared up! Nice little update, Keep up the good work!

Have a good day tomorrow!
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Enduro Numpty
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PostPosted: 07:36 - 02 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

It was great to meet up with Chickenstrip and I'm glad that he's taken the time to put some great photos up. The road from Potes to Riano is indeed spectacular and after having done it a few times now over the last 4 days the descent from the San Glorio pass to Potes is firmly in my top 10 roads. The surface is superb and the turns are fantastic. It was nice to ride it solo and even on a big lump like the FJR it felt great. Leaving Picos de Europa for Jaca and the Pyrenees after breakfast today. A superb part of Spain that I will certainly come back to.
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 07:41 - 02 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Warnings of possibly severe thunderstorms with heavy downpours today and tomorrow, Picos and Pyrenees, weather front moving through Sad

Sunny here in Riano town at the moment, but that beautiful vista is socked in. Hmmm, riding in the mountains in severe thunderstorms - might get frazzled!
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Tracer1234
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PostPosted: 14:20 - 02 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

chickenstrip wrote:
Warnings of possibly severe thunderstorms with heavy downpours today and tomorrow, Picos and Pyrenees, weather front moving through Sad

Sunny here in Riano town at the moment, but that beautiful vista is socked in. Hmmm, riding in the mountains in severe thunderstorms - might get frazzled!


Agh gutting, sorry to hear. lets hope the weather man, as per usal, has got it wrong!
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Enduro Numpty
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PostPosted: 15:55 - 02 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

We left Potes this morning in fairly damp conditions. It was more heavy mist than rain. We had about 300 miles to our stop in Jaca and given the forecast, putting the sat nav in charge seemed like the sensible thing. We set it to avoid toll roads and there were a couple of "interesting" diversions, the most interesting of which was up a tight and twisty road (N240A) inhabited by nose to tail freight who also seemed to be avoiding the tolls. After we crested the hill the road opened up, the lorries seemed to just disappear and before long it was blazing sunshine and 30c all the way to Jaca. Sat nav took us down a dirt track for some strange reason. We eventually found our accommodation which was sold as a short walk from Jaca. Bullshit - 10 minute drive. The advertised bar and restaurant was also shut! Not remotely happy - stuck in the middle of fucking nowhere and can't even get a glass of coke Thumbs Down
Only one night here and into the Pyrenees proper tomorrow. At least we know what awaits us in Vielha having stayed there last year. Hope the weather holds Rolling Eyes
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 17:21 - 02 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

The clouds actually quickly cleared the "Riano View". After morning coffee, I went to pack the tank bag for the day, and by the time I'd done that, there were only shreds, rapidly disappearing:

https://i.postimg.cc/XvX0cyWF/DSCN8888.jpg

On leaving the town for the day's ride, had to catch the reflections:

https://i.postimg.cc/XqKM7fKM/DSCN8890.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/9QQ3CqrS/DSCN8892.jpg

Headed north to do a loop, more brilliant roads (empty of traffic), and more mountain scenery (get used to it if you're following this thread Laughing ):

https://i.postimg.cc/R0227sX5/DSCN8896.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/zXq6FRSB/DSCN8900.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/Hs3KZsBt/DSCN8904.jpg

Took a smaller road after a short distance, the outward part of my loop. Discovered, yes, Spain does have some appalling road surfaces going on, once you get away from the main routes. Scenery was still compensating thus far though:

https://i.postimg.cc/nhPWxS8j/DSCN8915.jpg

But after a while, the clouds moved in; as Enduro says, not rain, more a damp mist, but the views were done with for a while, until heading back down on the return part of the loop. Then the cloud became more ragged:

https://i.postimg.cc/85VtkqZ5/DSCN8959.jpg

and the views began to open up again:

https://i.postimg.cc/wx20H4Lq/DSCN8967.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/xTF5Nk6B/DSCN8970.jpg

Interesting vertical banding in some of the cliffs:

https://i.postimg.cc/YCG36pV0/DSCN8988.jpg

One last shot looking back the way I'd come, before reentering a sunny Riano again:

https://i.postimg.cc/90k909cp/DSCN8989.jpg

One part of the the outward route I'd chosen was stuffed full of tight bends on a narrow, pretty much single track road with some of the worst pot holes I've seen anywhere, gravel-strewn - bloody hard work, and am now knackered.

Sorry to hear about your hotel disaster Enduro, but at least it was only one night. Hope your next one is better. I always check the location on the map when I'm booking, so fingers crossed I won't have that problem
Praying
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Last edited by chickenstrip on 00:13 - 01 Oct 2019; edited 7 times in total
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Scythe
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PostPosted: 18:55 - 02 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Glad to see you're enjoying it, looks like you're on the same roads I did (how cool is that bear!)
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Enduro Numpty
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PostPosted: 21:04 - 02 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some more brilliant photos Chickenstrip Cool

Tomorrow brings the N260, forecast not good though 100% chance of rain Confused
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 21:27 - 02 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Scythe wrote:
Glad to see you're enjoying it, looks like you're on the same roads I did (how cool is that bear!)


That photo you PM'd me of Riano before coming here didn't spoil the effect on seeing it for myself for the first time! A definite "wow!" moment, even though I already had an idea of how breathtaking it was beforehand.

Did have a 'gert 'eller' of a thunderstorm this evening, still occasional rumbles now, but thankfully I was done for the day. Rain forecast for tomorrow...we'll see.

Enduro Numpty wrote:
Some more brilliant photos Chickenstrip


Thanks, but you'd be hard put to produce bad ones around here!
Looking forward to that 260 myself, but here till Monday morning, then 2 nights in Pamplona, so a day off the bike in the city. Hopefully the weather will have settled a bit again by the end of that. I can hack a bit of rain, as long as it doesn't get to the proportions we had in France and Belgium last year!
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Howling Terror
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PostPosted: 21:28 - 02 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cool
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Tracer1234
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PostPosted: 21:32 - 02 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry to hear about the Rain Enduro.

Great work with the photos Chicken, looks like some stunning views to enjoy, shame about some of the roads! Many other bikes out and about, or near where your staying? whats the parking like at your hotel?

Hope the weather stays nice for you tomorrow Thumbs Up
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 21:42 - 02 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tracer1234 wrote:
Sorry to hear about the Rain Enduro.

Great work with the photos Chicken, looks like some stunning views to enjoy, shame about some of the roads! Many other bikes out and about, or near where your staying? whats the parking like at your hotel?

Hope the weather stays nice for you tomorrow Thumbs Up


I deliberately chose a mix of roads today, so I wasn't really surprised to find some rough ones in this mountainous region. You could just keep to complete stunners if you wanted to, but I chose my route in the hope of getting more great scenery - just a shame the clouds dropped down on that bit, as there were hints that it might have been as spectacular as the rest. I was going to take one little road up to a lake high in the hills, but decided it wouldn't be worth it in the clag.

Both hotels I've been in so far have had their own underground garage, no extra charge. Here in Riano, I doubt you'd have to worry if parked on the street, but at Torrelavega, I was glad of it, as I just chose a cheap backstreet hotel there, just to overnight after the ferry crossing.

Yes, quite a few bikes around, but not as many as you might think for such a place. This whole region seems fairly quiet on the whole at the moment; maybe it'll get busier further into the holiday season.
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Dave70
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PostPosted: 23:48 - 02 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some stunning views you've captured there. Thumbs Up

I am not in the slightest bit jealous. Folded arms
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 23:53 - 02 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dave70 wrote:
Some stunning views you've captured there. Thumbs Up

I am not in the slightest bit jealous. Folded arms



See, there are levels of jealousy. I'm jealous of theDonUK's South America trip. But this is the best I'm ever likely to achieve.
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waffles
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PostPosted: 13:30 - 03 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Stunning pictures, chickenstrip Thumbs Up
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chickenstrip
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PostPosted: 17:02 - 03 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Not such a great day today. Very cloudy when I set off, and straight away hit a light, drizzly shower which pretty much set the scene on things for the day.

https://i.postimg.cc/Nf46RKpQ/DSCN9001.jpg

Did a loop in the morning, out to another reservoir set amongst the mountains. When I got there, there was a bloody freezing wind blowing.

What I should have been looking at:

https://i.postimg.cc/5yJzCJzH/DSCN9004.jpg

And what I actually saw:

https://i.postimg.cc/gjKZy7yg/DSCN9006.jpg

Rolling Eyes

Hey, look, a peak that isn't lost in cloud! :

https://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b550/nicknicklxs/DSCN9015_zps90ftqzf7.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/Gp0m2QGt/DSCN9013.jpg

Finished that loop by lunchtime, and went back to the hotel for food (Riano veal burger Drooling), and to put some warmer layers on, then off out again. Loose plan was just a ride to Potes and back, with the weather looking a little better, but still not great. Took a detour up to a pass and on to some little village at the end of the road, but the cloud was dropping down again. Bit of an odd one, this road. Fairly rough mountain road surface until just after the top of the pass (about 1600m), then suddenly there's this section, about 6-8 miles long, of baby smooth, perfect tarmac, so you go from being careful to full on hooning, and back again as the surface deteriorates again about 2 miles from that village. Then back up the hill to repeat:

https://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b550/nicknicklxs/DSCN9023_zpsfmg9qgot.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/htvdxpX0/DSCN9024.jpg

Fag break at the top of the pass on the way back, three vultures circling lazily on non-existent thermals. Best I could do with my camera - this is on full zoom, and the light was crap:

https://i.postimg.cc/52D6z1dx/DSCN9027.jpg

Says it all really:

https://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b550/nicknicklxs/DSCN9036_zpsckc404cx.jpg

Any geologists in the house? What're we looking at here then? The dark layers I think are slate. Riverbed depositions?

https://i.postimg.cc/ZKCK4R0w/DSCN9039.jpg

Cloud started to drop down further and was getting chilly, so headed back to towards the main road again:

https://i.postimg.cc/sDNXFy2p/DSCN9040.jpg

So then I tried to carry on towards Potes, but once again, top of the first pass and visibility was appalling, light rain and mist, had to have the visor up, down to about 20mph at one point:

https://i.postimg.cc/HxdW0kSC/DSCN9047.jpg

So I finally gave up, and went back to the hotel. And as soon as I get within about 4 miles of Riano, blue sky appears! Mad

https://i.postimg.cc/nrLH5wbR/DSCN9048.jpg

So Riano appears to have it's own little micro-climate going on, but as soon as you head anywhere into the surrounding mountains, it all just gets cold, wet and miserable again. But I will head out somewhere again tomorrow, unless it's really pissing down, give it another shot.

And wouldn't you know it, lovely and sunny outside now, but I'm too bloody knackered for more today! Evil or Very Mad
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!


Last edited by chickenstrip on 00:48 - 01 Oct 2019; edited 2 times in total
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Tracer1234
World Chat Champion



Joined: 13 Sep 2014
Karma :

PostPosted: 20:01 - 03 Jun 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Agh, gutted for you. Well done for persevering and trying to make the best of it. despite the clouds, some of them views are still pretty stunning!

Fingers crossed for the weather to be better tomorrow, what is the forecast?
Karma
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Riding: Yamaha MT-09 Tracer Occasionally Riding: 08 Suzuki SV650, Potato: 2011 Yamaha YBR Custom.
Used to ride: 2015 Yamaha MT-09 Tracer (smidsy) 09 Triumph Street Triple (P/X'd) 08 Yamaha YBR (Sold)
CBT 04/14. A: Mod 1 & 2 13/04/15
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