Annual Leave...

[Steve H]

Took advantage of a day off from work today and decided to go for a spin. It really was an off the cuff ride, not particularly planned. What I mean is that I knew I was gonna get out on the bike today, I just didn’t know where I was going or how far I might get.

After leaving Gloucester I went out to Cirencester via some country roads, then I thought, why don’t I push on and get up to Swindon. After that I though lets see how far the tank’ll take me. I managed a few miles on the M4 before making a flying sprint down the Newbury By Pass to Petersfield where I lost my bottle I decided to utilise the first Petrol Station I could find – had a bottle of water and looked at my map.

I saw the A272 continue to snake its’ way across the page and decided to have a crack at it. The sign ’70 Deaths in 2 Years’ told me that it could be a twisty road and I was right, it really was fantastic, Meandering its’ way through quaint country villages where the smell of real ale was only just drowned out by the smell of Money!

As Haywards Heath came into view I decided to head for the coast and arrived at Brighton after 3 1/4 hours of probably some of the best riding I’ve ever experienced. Quick, Challenging (in parts), Warm, Sunny and best of all very little traffic.

One Fab Ice-Lolly later (and a present of a stick of rock for the wife!) I was back in the saddle for the return journey. I did attempt to sit on the beach in my leathers but was nearly harpooned by a Roy Scheider lookalike shouting Shark! Shark! so I thought I’d retire to the bike

On my return I noticed that the bike and my kit has more flies around them than Linus' blanket from Charlie Brown – it’s gonna take some cleaning to get it all off. I might actually take the leathers to a specialist to clean and see how they come up depending on the cost

The Boring Bits…

New Arai Schwantz replica Helmet worked well with earplugs.
Alpinestars two piece leathers (well worn in!) were all day comfy (although bloody warm at anything under 50mph!).
Alpinestars SMX Plus Boots (again well worn in!) were as per usual comfy all day.
TT6 was planted, quick and loved the outing. I had only one slight left wrist ache and that can be remedied by changing my clutch lever setting hopefully.
First try with the Camelbak - worked well although the water did get a bit warm after a while.
336 miles covered in a total of 6 ½ hours with 2 stops for fuel (this figure doesn't include the Brighton stop).

A good day that only us bikers can really ever experience

SteveH

Map of the trip - unfortunately Multimap can't get Gloucester AND Brighton in the same view so like all good reporters I ignored Gloucester...
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Mellow Yellow
The BCF Top TEN - 2010, 2009, 2008, The Original.

[m99dws]

I have notied though, if the wife does not get some sort of gift, then the day is wasted.

[gavking]

If you wrap the plastic bag inside the camelbak with foil, it'll stay cold all day
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XJR400R, Ohlins Shocks, Brembo brakes all round, Full Digital dash, Cockpit fairing, twin lamp headlight. Lookin' Good!

[EuropeanNC30R...]

We did the A272 a few weeks ago on the South-East rideout in piss-wet conditions. Pretty good fun, I need to go back there when it's dry