de-wintered

I finally dewintered the bike by removing the muffs & gaucho. Then went for
a ride as the sun was dropping towards the horizon[1].

Well, that was fun. Sun on the roads all day meant the tarmac was nice &
grippy. Fairly rapid, for R-GS levels of rapid, ride along the Hereford
road (A465) then turn off just after crossing the English border. Wiggle
through the Monnow Valley until I get to Skenfrith. Initially the low sun
was a PITA as I could not see very far ahead. Then it disappeared behind a
hill for a while, until I rose up the hill from Llanvetherine. As I dropped
down into Llandewi Skirrid I was treated to a lovely sunset, as the sun
dropped behind Skirrid Mountain.

Some of you cunts say Wales is a shit place. If I was basing my judgement
on last Saturday, on the piss with the sprog in Abergavenny, then I'd
agree. For motorcycle riding, the Welsh Marches are fantastic. The longer
the aforementioned "you cunts" stay away, the better.


[1] I had planned going earlier but the battery needed a little top-up to
spin the starter so I cooked my tea before the ride. 90mins on the optimate
and it was ready.

 

What tea did you cook with an optomate?

 

spot the Northener/commoner[1]

[1] a tautology, I know.

 

Warmed the ciabatta

 

I dont want to draw too much attention to the fact you're no more
southern than me, you daft bastard

 

born in London, were you Nige?

 

brighton actually.

 

Heh, I go north to work then head back south as soon as I can.

 

why can't you talk, then?

 

ikjedjkdfnj;fk

 

The really twisty bit either side of Cross Ash has been a victim of the
winter with a really eroded surface. It was dodgy on the R-GS so would be
horrid on a sports bike. The section after that is fine, which is where the
fast, swoopy bends are to be found.

 

<snip>
You obviously like it as you use it , but does the gaucho make
a big difference?

Steve

 

Yes. It marks you out as Gay from 500 meters.

 

Yes. Means I can ride the 33 miles to/from Cardiff in chilly autumn weather
wearing nothing over my jeans to keep me warm.

Works okay in wet weather, reducing the spray from the front wheel hitting
my legs and deflecting water hitting my chest so it does not run down my
jacket into the seat. As a consequence, my winter cordura trousers stay
fairly dry so they are not cold & damp to put on in the afternoon.

If you have a boxer twin the gaucho traps in the warm air from the
cylinders which helps to keep you warm.

<proud>

 

a factor that otherwise requires him to remove his helmet.

 

So really no more than a nice R100RS/RT or K1100LT

Well, it might improve the chances of getting chatted up at traffic lights

 

Where from?

 

Yes, but who apart from the old & decrepit or clinically insane would want
to own one of those...

 

*ba-doom-tish*