IOMSPC

I was starting to panic that I hadn't received the final invoice for the
TT crossing so I rang the Steam Racket. I was greeted by an apology for
the delay, which apparently is due to re-scheduling services. Perhaps
the incident not long ago did have some knock on effect. Anyway, I am
assured (their words) that they will make every effort to give me my
original booked crossings.

I hope so. May is certainly going to be all action. French Run, followed
closely by Wiscombe hillclimb (possibly featuring Champ's hill climb
debut?). Then off to France to get the Tart serviced ready for the VCF
AGM and another Charade track day. The track day is on the Monday of TT
practice week, so I have to get back from Clermont Ferrand in time to
get ready to sail for Pahnd Island on the Wednesday. What I could really
do with is a co-driver for the return Skoda plus trailer (I don't do
long distance bike epics any more right) slog back to home. Any
volunteers?
--

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

 

<perks>

But I have a regular job now, so unfortunately not.

 

Well in theory it is a three bike trailer. I did once get three Morinis
on it when someone binned their bike at a Cadwell track day badly enough
to need hospitalisation. I also managed to get a Laverda 1200 on to it
alongside the Nordwest when someone dropped one at Cadwell and destroyed
their alternator. That was only as far as Lincoln though.

I must actually experiment to see if it can safely accommodate the Tart
and Nordie for two bike hill climb duties, and with a view to
transporting a mount for Champ's rumoured attack on a hill.

If you mean the Beemer, I can foresee possible problems with all up
weight. IIRC there is a plate on the trailer which gives a figure, but
the realisation that the indespension units are nearly 30 years old
needs to be factored in. My home welded strengthening rails to carry the
Guzzi outfit (heavy and biased to one side) also limit the distance
between the bolt on bike carrying runners (industrial alloy guttering
sections). A boxer might not sit comfortable alongside the Tart. Though
she is most comely in my eyes the exhaust system in particular is a bit
wide in the beam.

I will have a trial loading when I can and report back. If the Voxan and
Gilera won't safely fit on then anything bigger is certainly not wise
for a 600+ miles trip.



--

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

 

The track day is on 28th May, so I will be heading back to Calais that
evening just in time to be ready to sail to the Island on Wednesday
30th.

I usually try to get some time in at the chateau during late May when
the trout are at their liveliest, so would probably be going over as
early as the 19th so as to fit in the service, do a bit of fishing, then
off down to just south of Aurillac for the VCF AGM on Friday-Sunday
before doing the track day.

TBF, if I use the shuttle and keep on the move it shouldn't really take
me until beyond Tuesday lunch time to get back. Just not relishing the
single handed drive after a knackering, possibly very hot track day.

I've done the Limoges to home journey several times in one go, with just
me driving, but that has been with a morning start. My best strategy is
probably to spend a night at the chateau on Monday and get an afternoon
crossing on Tuesday. With luck the Tart won't need more than a wash and
brush up, oil/chain check, and luggage loading.




--

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

 

Have you heard of marine insurance?

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Champ

Well, color(tm) me cynical, but I thought the delay was probably caused
by a boardroom disagreement between the directors over the ticket price
for 2007:

D1: "Nah, not even *we'd* get away with that!"
D2; "Sure we will, we've got them over a barrel."
D3: "**** 'em, they'll pay anyway."
D4: "Oooh, I dunno..."
<repeat to fade>

--
Wicked Uncle Nigel - Podium Placed Ducati Race Engineer as featured in
Performance Bikes and Fast Bikes

WS* GHPOTHUF#24 APOSTLE#14 DLC#1 COFF#20 BOTAFOT#150 HYPO#0(KoTL) IbW#41
SBS#39 OMF#6 Enfield 500 Curry House Racer "The Basmati Rice Burner",
Honda GL1000K2 (Falling apart) Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager "Oh, Oh, It's so big"
Suzuki TS250 "The Africa Single" Yamaha Vmax Honda ST1100 wiv trailer

 

A very believable scenario, but if one is to believe their web site:

"There has been a lot of speculation about the cost of travelling to the
TT being greatly increased as it is the centenary year, however our
standard fare increases have been restricted to RPI (Retail Price Index
inflation) less 0.5%, the maximum return fares due for travel to this
years event are reproduced below:
Motorbike + 1 £176
+ fuel surcharge £5 =£181
Motorbike + 2 £246
+ fuel surcharge £10 =£256"


--

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

 

A link? Will this one do?
http://groups.google.com/group/uk.rec.motorcycles/msg/e4108451ab71794b

 

I can imagine it now.

"Was the immobiliser on? Was it in a secure garage or port? In
merseyside you say? <fx: scribbling> Impaired visibility? <sucks
teeth>I'm sorry sir, we're not paying out on that."

 

"...we moored up and got the dockmaster, but the thing was gone when we
went back to show him. We think someone turned up in a tanker and
half-inched it."

 

.... I saw the face of a sad old cargo ship as it bounced off the
windscreen.

 

Oh, I say. Jolly well played.

<fxolite applause>