A Brilliant Biking Weekend!!!

I rode the bike to work on Friday morning, finished at lunchtime and went straight to meet a friend for a coffee.

It had been raining pretty much all week but by Friday it had finally stopped. It wasn’t sunny but that was okay. I had a nice ride to Dunstable Downs which is the highest point in the East of England and one of the best-known viewpoints on the Chilterns ridge.

I met up with a friend where we grabbed a coffee and cake and sat on the downs looking at the views and watching the gliders taking off from the local gliding club and chatting. Perfect way to spend a couple of hours. I then went home the really, really long way.

After dinner I rode to a pub not too far away to meet up with the local group of the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (VJMC). You may remember that a few weeks ago I was asked if I would like to test ride a newly restored Yamaha 250 and I wrote a blog about it. Well the chap that owned the bike, Steve, belongs to this group and he invited me along to meet some of the other guys.

Well it was two stroke heaven for me. Amongst others, there was a Yamaha RD250 LC; a Suzuki GT550; and a Yamaha TDR which were all clearly very well looked after and cherished bikes.

The guys were very welcoming and it was interesting to hear about what they get up and the bikes they have now or have restored and they invited me to join them on their ride out the following morning. It was starting to look like this weekend was going to be a good one :-)

The following morning I met with the VJMC group at 10. The sun was shining and it was beginning to get a little warmer. The guys were not on their classic bikes this morning but on their more modern bikes such as a GPZ750; a Suzuki GS, a CBR 600 and a Suzuki Gladius. 

All together there were nine of us and we headed off, what I call ‘the long way round’ to On Yer Bike which is a Ducati, Kawasaki and Moto Guzzi dealership in Westcott, Buckinghamshire.

We rode to Wendover, then out through Great Kimble, onto Thame and then through Long Crendon and Oakley to Ludgershall and then picked up the A41 for the last blat along to Westcott. This route gives you a great mix of roads, there are twisties, long sweeping bends and fast straights so there is something for everyone.

We arrived at On Yer Bike and parked up. There were a few bikes there and for the first time since re-opening the burger van was open which was fantastic as it meant we could get a cuppa and a bacon stick. Perfect.

It is good to see places opening back up again and it is great to be able to have a look around at other bikes and chat with people. I have really missed the social side of biking, it is a big part of biking for me.

Parked in the car park was a rather gorgeous road legal Suzuki Racing outfit complete with a bag of cement tied down on the back in the ‘chair’, I assume for ballast. 

It was amazing to be able to have an up close and personal look at this fine machine and it was even better to be able to see it being ridden off.

After a while we headed off back towards Aylesbury but then turned left and went through Weedon and Aston Abbots to a pub in Aldbury for a sandwich and a coffee.

It was a brilliant day and I was really glad the VJMC asked me along for their ride out, they are a really nice friendly group of guys who are very welcoming and there was plenty of light hearted banter which was quite entertaining.

Even though I do not have a classic bike of any description, I have since joined the club and hope to be able to go on more runs with them.

So Sunday morning, the sun was shining and some mates asked if I was up for a ride out to get breakfast. Heck yes!!!! Six of set off and headed out to this little cafe we had previously found in Brackley.

There is a quick route to Brackley up the A5 but where’s the fun in that!!! We headed out of Aylesbury to Whitchurch, onto Winslow and then into Buckingham. We love this route as, a bit like yesterday’s ride, the roads give everyone something that they like – twisties, long sweeping bends and fast straights.

I was really loving the bends today and enjoying my Z900 sooo much. I have found that since I have been riding the CB1000R my riding has improved so much on the Z and I have gained so much more confidence especially where I felt I was lacking in the corners. I have no clue as to why this is.

I love riding the CB, it is very different to ride from the Z and is slightly heavier but it is easy to ride and smooth. Whatever it is that it has, it is having a good influence on my riding which is great.

The little cafe in Brackley, Jenny's, is now able to have customers eating in so we sat in their back garden in the sunshine eating our breakfast, drinking coffee and chatting. What a perfect way to spend a Sunday morning.

After several coffees we were getting restless (it must have been all that caffeine!) and we needed to get back on the bikes and get riding again. 

We headed back towards home but via another coffee stop, Whitewater Deli Cafe in Wendover, where maybe, possibly they do amazing cakes and so coffee was accompanied by a piece of cake. Well, it would be rude not too!

I can honestly say I had a great weekend, lots of biking, loads of chatting, bacon, cake and coffee. Perfect :-) :-) :-)

BK

On Yer Bike

Jenny's Cafe

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Super Sunday Ride Out

So I had planned a Sunday ride out with some mates. Woke up in the morning and it was raining. Nooooo!!! 

Luckily it stopped about 7 and by the time we met at 9 the roads had more or less dried out and most importantly the sun was shining.

Six of us set off and we decided that as cafes, restaurants etc. were now opening up, that we would head to Super Sausage Cafe at Potterspury, Nr Towcester to start with. 

We headed to Aylesbury and then picked up the A413 out through Weedon, Whitchurch and into Winslow. Surprisingly there wasn’t much traffic on the road but I suppose it was early 'ish for a Sunday morning!

We carried on out of Winslow to Buckingham and then headed on the A422 to Old Stratford and then hopped onto the A5 for the last little blat to Potterspury.

The roads out this way are a mixture of twisties and long sweeping bends with a few long straights so there’s quite a good mix of roads to keep everyone happy.

We pulled into Super Sausage and parked up. This weekend was the first weekend Super Sausage was open since lockdown and I must admit I didn’t even think we were going to get in the car park. It was lucky we were early as there was a fair few bikes already there but not as many as I thought there would be. It got very busy later on.

As well as the cafe being open, the Pit Stop in the car park was open too so we ordered some bacon baps and coffee and grabbed a table. I can honestly say it was like being at a bike show, there was a constant stream of bikes coming and going, it was great to watch.

After we finished eating we had a wonder around the bikes and had a little drool over the bikes we would like to take home with us. For me, I need a barn and a fair few pennies for all the bikes that caught my eye today, both of which I am lacking!

It is so nice to see places opening again and I really enjoyed wondering around and chatting to people, I have really missed this part of biking. It doesn’t seem to matter who you are or what you ride, other bikers are happy to chat with you.

After quite some time, we decided it was time to jump back on the bikes and find another coffee stop.

We pretty much followed the same route back as far as Whitchurch and then we turned right and headed through Oving and Pitchcott and then picked up the A41 through Waddesden and Westcott and then onto the Bicester Road through Ludgershall and Oakley back to Thame, this is another lovely flowing road with some great bends. 

The traffic had certainly got a lot busier by this time which for me, makes for some good overtaking opportunities and I was having great fun.

When we got to Thame I realised that I was down to one widget of fuel left and that one widget had been on it’s own for a while now so I was pretty much running on vapours. 

Normally I fill up before we set off in the morning but clearly I had completely forgotten this morning!

So with the tank now full, we set off again to Wendover for a much need coffee to a little cafe we found which is tucked away in a back street which does amazing cakes and coffee. It is a favourite stop for us before heading home.

A really great ride out today, thoroughly enjoyed that. I hadn’t realised just how much I had missed the social side of biking.

Hopefully I will catch up with some of you guys at a coffee stop.

BK

Super Sausage Cafe

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My new bike

So I sold the MV and was looking for something else but wasn’t quite sure what it was that I wanted.

A couple of years back I had a test ride on a Triumph Thruxton R and gelled with it straightaway and I knew it was right for me but in the end decided that they were just too expensive for me. I did look at seeing if I could get one now but they are still holding their value. One day I will get my Thruxton.

A friend of mine has a CB1000R and when I was out with him the other week we swapped bikes. Wow! I loved it. We parked up and I had a huge grin on my face. I knew then that I would be looking on the internet when I got home for one.

There were quite a few for sale but a black and red one caught my eye. I made some enquiries, asked a few questions and arranged to see it.

It was a bit of a trek for me to go and see it (a 6 hour round trip), my o/h drove me in the car, so I took my leathers with me in case I decided I wanted it as if I did I would be riding it home that day.

In the advert I could see it had red wheels and on enquiry found out that the back wheel was a vfr wheel and both wheels had been powder coated to match the red paintwork. I was a little undecided as to whether I could live with the wheels.

Well we got there and saw it parked up and I knew straightaway that I would be riding it home. The pictures in the advert did not do the bike justice, it looked far better in person. I was smitten and the wheels look fantastic.

Now when I bought the MV the o/h was not with me and I literally just liked the look of it and the sound of it when the chap started it up and bought it on that basis. Luckily there was nothing mechanically wrong so I got away it.

This time the o/h checked the bike over for me and asked a lot of questions (!) before giving me the nod that it was okay to buy. I agreed a price with the chap and sorted out the paperwork. After taxing and insuring it, off I rode.

Well, I knew within half a mile that I had made the right choice. Not only did it sound awesome but it was so easy to ride and very smooth and it kinda went well too. I was riding along and realised that I was grinning.

Luckily the chap that owned the bike before had put on a few little extras namely:

* ASV levers;

* changed the standard exhaust for a noisy Delkevic which pops and bangs nicely and had the CAT removed;

* crash bungs;

* heated grips (I have never had these on any of my bikes before so I am excited to test these out);

* the Mettzler tyres are practically new too;

* a Puig front screen;

* a small carbon rear hugger;

* a belly pan;

* a tail tidy.

I shared the riding on the way back with the o/h so he could see what he thought of it too. Unfortunately for me he absolutely loves it too and keeps muttering that it would make a good replacement for his Fazer. I think I’m going to have to tie the CB down so it doesn’t migrate over to the other side of the garage.

The following morning, the sun was shining so I went out for a ride on the CB. I must have been enjoying myself as it was mid afternoon by the time I got back.

There are a couple of things that I would like to do to the CB:

* take the pillion seat off and replace it with a cowl;

* remove the rear footpegs (I do not take pillion);

* possibly change the end can for a carbon end can as I think this would look better with the black paintwork but I do love the sound of the exhaust that is on there so I will think about that one;

* possibly some billet reservoirs for the brake and clutch as the standard plastic ones are, how can I put it, fugly!

I should think that after riding it for a while there will be other things that crop up that I will think might be nice to add/change but right now all I want to do is just get back on it and go back out.

I’ll keep you posted of the tweaks I make to the CB.

BK

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A cheeky birthday ride out ……

A few places along here are quite bumpy with an uneven road service but it is very pretty and a nice ride.

There’s a lovely little cafe in Brackley that we knew was open for takeaway (and there is a bike shop next door which makes it all the more appealing) so we decided to make our way there to start with.

A friend messaged to say it was his birthday the following day and he fancied a ride out, was I about to go with him? Heck yes, got to make the most of the great weather.

The roads were dry and it was soooo great to be out, we passed a few other bikers on the way who must have been happy to be out on their bikes to as most of them nodded back!

We set off towards Aylesbury and then picked up the A413 and headed out through Hardwick into Winslow, and carried into Whitchurch. We stuck with the A413 through Padbury and then came into Buckingham. Once you get out of the villages, the A413 is really good on the bike, nice sweeping bends and a few straight bits too.

Once we got to Buckingham we then headed left on the A422 through Bufflers Holt and Westbury into Brackley. 

We parked up in Brackley and headed to the cafe to order our bacon rolls and coffee. Perfect.

Not far from the cafe is a park so wondered there and sat on the grass in the sunshine. What a perfect way to spend a morning – riding, eating and chatting with your mates.

After a couple of coffees we checked out the bike shop. What a great selection of bikes and a great range of prices too to suit all budgets. We did spend a little while in here ooing and ahhing over what bikes we would have in the garage.

My friend is looking for an Aprilia Falco and they just happened to have one in the shop, it was in great condition, good mileage, obviously been very well looked after - perfect. Out came my friend’s wallet ready to buy it only to find the person who had left the shop before we came in had just purchased it. My friend was gutted :-(

Another ride was needed to ease the disappointment so we got back on the bikes and headed off.

We headed back the way we came but were on the lookout for a coffee stop (can never have too many of them) and we stopped in Winslow where we found a Turkish restaurant doing takeaway food including coffee. Perfect.

We were outside drinking our coffee when a couple of other bikers rode past and saw that we had coffee so turned around and came back. Unfortunately, one of the guys who was on a KTM, turned around on an elevated driveway and he lost his footing and dropped his bike!!!

Luckily only a few scratches to the bike but nothing major, I think the poor guy was more embarrassed than anything. Unfortunately we’ve all done it but that fact doesn’t make it better when you’ve just dropped your bike in front of people!

After another coffee (I know right, going to be buzzing from all that caffeine!) we headed back home.

The weather was definitely on our side and it was sooo good to be out and about making the most of it.

Great ride, great coffee, can’t wait for the next ride.

BK

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So Good to be out ........

Got up Sunday morning, looked out the window – whoo hoo, the sun was shining, bike ride here I come.

We set off for Aylesbury and then out towards Bicester and then headed towards Wootton and then onto Burford which is a pretty little town in the Cotswolds.

The roads were dry and it was soooo great to be out. We passed a few other bikers who seemed as happy as we were to be out.

Burford’s High Street sweeps downhill towards the River Windrush and there are lots of cafes, restaurants and shops (of course not open at the moment). It is definitely worth a visit even when the shops are not open as there are lots of old buildings to look at and it is a nice place to wander around.

There was, however, one cafe that was open for takeaway and so a bacon sandwich and a large coffee were soon ordered. Phew!!!

After our coffee we set off in the direction of Stow on the Wold. The road out of Burford to Stow is brilliant especially if you’re on a bike. We were on the lookout for a petrol station though as Chris, who rides a Honda Firestorm, can only get 80 miles to a tank of fuel.

We made it Stow, which at nearly 800ft, it is the highest of the Cotswold towns, located on the Roman Fosse Way and at the point where several roads meet.

We pulled into a petrol station minus Chris. We hadn’t noticed that he was not with us and so one of us rode back to find him. He was at the side of the road with fuel issues! Chris managed to get the bike going and limp it to the petrol station we had stopped at.

Honestly, I’m not kidding you, when a car bonnet goes up or a bike tank is taken off, it’s like bees to a honey pot with men. They all have to have a look to see what’s under the bonnet (um… an engine…!) or to see what’s under the tank (I’m guessing it’s pretty much like what’s under the tank of their own bike but I’ve never looked so I can’t actually tell you). Needless to say there were lots of ideas floating about!

Being an old Honda, Chris manages to keep some tools under his seat (me, all I can get under the seat of my Z is my lippy and that’s if I’m lucky).

It turned out Chris has recently lined the inside of his tank as it hadn’t been used for a long time and had gone rusty, however some of the liner appears to be loose and got sucked into, now I want to say, the carbs here but to be honest with you, some more bikers had arrived at the petrol station and I got distracted looking at the bikes, oh, and getting more coffee!

Anyway, I can tell you that Chris did manage to sort out the bike and got it going again. He filled up the tank and we set off.

We carried on out through Stow on the A346 and headed towards Chipping Norton which is a market town in Oxfordshire and then picked up the A361 which is another great road which just seemed to flow nicely all the way to Bloxham which is a lovely village on the edge of the Cotswolds.

All these towns/villages are in the Cotswolds, it is such a beautiful part of the world, well worth a ride out to if you get the chance.

We made our way back to Bicester and picked up the A41 and stopped at On Yer Bike at Westcott for a pit stop. On Yer Bike is not open at the moment but we had some water with us and it was nice to have a drink and a stretch of the legs.

A really great day out, it was so good to be out again after so long of not being able to.

BK

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