The Honda Owners Club

So.. another day another ride out!

Wasn't going to take the bike to work today as I have heaps to do and thought I would bring some home too . However... sun was out (again) and at the last minute I did what, quite frankly, I do best.. I changed me mind! On went the leggings and leathers etc... out with the bins and off to work on me little beauty. (Is this love?)

Ride to work was great - despite the tailgating monster 4 x 4 whose driver clearly couldn't get to grips with the fact that a white circle with a red rim and the numbers 30 inside actually means that is the maximum speed limit when you go through Chelveston!!!

Work over, and I was determined to try and find a lock for the bike.

Somehow (and don't ask me how, because it really is a miracle!), I found a route from work to the Triumph dealership in Wellingborough, without even touching the A45!! It was very very scenic and very busy too! Lots of lorries and vans and single lane 'give way to oncoming traffic' type bends and bridges and hidden traffic lights It was good though and I enjoyed it very much. Felt particularly good about getting a lock too! And Oh those Triumphs ARE gorgeous bikes.. and the sounds.... anyway...

The ride home was lovely, a bit of a 'moment' when a car decided to not see me as it came out of a left turning but I saw him first and managed to stop in time. I have to admit, my language was not very becoming of a lady .... he looked very shocked (now, whether that was the language or the fact that he was oblivious of my existence until a few inches from his door I dunno!). Still... he went his merry way, and I carried on too.

I wish I had me own bike... I love riding this one but think I need to go and get one of me own... I will have to be patient though and wait for after test... but then!! Woohoo!

A new kind of challenge presented itself today too - harvesting! Clouds and clouds of dust from the harvesters in the fields was blowing across and over and 'round me, well, as a hay fever sufferer it ain't great and as a rider it's not a bundle of laughs either but it was another experience.

I hadn't realised just how beautiful some of the scenery is in this neck of the woods.. some of the bends were a bit tight mind... I slowed right down for one as it was a complete sharp 90 degree right almost immediately after a very similar left...

She's locked up again now for the night and I won't get to ride again until Friday as I've got to run around after my mum in the car for a couple of days... I'll miss the bike!! Roll on Friday! Think I might have to go a bit further afield next ride out....

I'm so glad your enjoying it all. The weather is brill at the mo so make the most of it.

Can't believe it's been a week since I last droned on about my riding!!

Well... what a week! Been out LOADS! Loving it more every time I go out... been on rides on me own, and with my mates Fred and Roy, and a tootle with Dibble too and today was supposed to be going out on the bike with another mate but that's looking unlikely now as have had to give bike back for the day

It's been great though... rode to Kettering via some gorgeous little villages... and at the weekend me and the lads went all over the place - we were out for over 2 hours.. stopped at a smashing pub called the Three Horseshoes in Sywell. Apparantly it's very popular with bikers... we saw a couple but it was very very hot so am guessing many weren't out because of it.

It's not nice trying to peel off leathers from sweaty bod... yukk!! Still... well worth it for the grin factor!

Roy led and I don't think he enjoyed it that much as he took us on some major A roads and me and my little bike struggle over 50-55 so he had to wait for me all the time. He's never ridden a small bike - he did DAS about 18 months ago and then got himself a 600 Bandit. There's a couple of real stinkers of roundabouts on this stretch of the A45 - Chownmills and another one I think it's called Skewbridge or something.. not sure.. whatever... they are both really really busy ones and although I was ok, it meant he had to wait for us both as he pulled out just before a stream of cars hurtled round.

We went through some villages - Mears Ashby was one.. it is so so pretty! All thatched cottages and roses over garden arches... chocolate box pictures kind of thing.

We also touched on the A43 and the A14 before heading back via Wellingborough and a huge industrial estate so lots of roundabouts to practice there!

All in all a great ride out. Was tired after though!

Is it me- or is riding always a combination of exhileration followed by fatigue

I found myself grinning as we rode...just love it! Felt good being between two bikes too, no tail gaters and with the lead bike I felt that people at junctions were slightly more likely to be 'bike aware' as he rode past so might be more likely to look for another bike... definitely think the high viz helps too.

Anyway - I'm just loving being out on the bike and have even done a couple of practice u-turns so hoping that when I go out with instructor next that he will be pleased with my progress and will also tell me where I am going wrong and what I have to do to be up to test level again. Need to do the whole emergency stop bit and hill starts etc again too.

Had to hand the bike back this morning but fingers crossed will get it back later and will get out on her this evening too... (back before dark though!).

Am tempted to ask if I can buy her... and just keep on riding her for a while after I get my license... and next year get something bigger. I keep seeing bikes and drooling...

Who knows... next year I may even have a go at the Saddle Sore competition!! (Don't think a female has ever won it..... yet! Erica - are you going for it this year???)

Well, enough now, that's a week's worth in one hit... oh... just have to share this though.. on way home from work on the bike yesterday I was followed by a police car for miles! I kept thinking... if you can keep calm and just ride then it should be ok.... and it was! They followed me for about 4 miles... right up to where I am within 3 roads of home.. was going to offer them a cuppa!! It made me feel that if I can ride ok with them behind me then the test shouldn't be too too bad... (am trying to convince myself of this to try and calm nerves!).

Wahayy... I got the bike back mega early and got to go out on her again today! Result!!

Almost got hit by a van in a car park - he saw me (he was facing me), pulled into a space, I carried on and he then promptly reversed out again as I went past.... I saw his reversing light though and managed to get out of the way.. but it did make the old cardio-vascular stuff pick up apace!! Gaz had a word with him (not nastily) but there was no apology - he just shrugged and said he didn't see me... (odd that as I bear more than a passing resemblance to a neon blimp!!).

Am a very happy bunny though as got to ride - didn't go far but did go along the A45 and got her up to just shy of 60 and felt good, although a bit gusty at times... tackled the A14/A45 roundabout ok so was pleased about that too... got to meet up with Gaz on his Blackbird (what a lush bike that is!!) and after a short ride home and locked up the little 'un, we went out for a trip on the 'bird... oh my goodness there's some power there!!!

So, big grins again today... doncha just love days like these..?

I wish you'd warned me Jennie, I was in Northampton this morning. If I'd have known you were on the roads I would have re-arranged things

Keep it up.

Regards

Chimpy

Chimp Boy wrote:I wish you'd warned me Jennie, I was in Northampton this morning. If I'd have known you were on the roads I would have re-arranged things

cheeky sod! Anyway - you were quite safe... I haven't ventured into Northampton yet....

Another lush morning - and another opportunity to ride the bike! Yeehar! hee hee

Have to admit though - just looked out the window and it looks very windy out there now... hope it dies down a bit before I head home....

Hey Jennie!

Get your A**s down to the '10' O Clock tonight on the 'hogg'...Roy and I are coming down as its going to be a pleasant evening for a ride!!

I'll be there Chris but will probably be setting off to come home at about 8.30pm to avoid riding in the dark.

Not sure how long it will take me to get there either but at least I know the A6 is open again so that makes life a bit simpler! (If I can remember the way of course!!!)

Wohoooo!

Well, I rode to the club tonight - took the scenic route (Well - first time riding there, missed the turning, convinced myself I was still going the right way, realised I wasn't, asked directions, they were wrong too... eventually found the pub! It wouldn't be so bad except I've been going there almost every week for a year now!!) 10 mile journey - took me half an hour! And.. just HOW nerve wracking is it to pull into a car park half full of bikes knowing that their owners are all watching you!!! - and will relish taking the mickey big time if you come a cropper! ... but I did it and I didn't (come a cropper that is)... so that's another first taken care of...

and later I took care of another one! I rode home in the dark!!! Left the car park to a chorus of 'we're not watching you Jennie!'... managed to somehow pretend that they weren't...

Mega thanks to Skipper and Bros (John and Keith) who made sure I had a nice and easy ride home escorted by them both (John leading, Keith following). It was brilliant! My first bike club 'run' too I suppose you could say... and in the dark too!

I'm so glad I went on the bike tonight... felt great to be one who came on 2 wheels (kind of nice feeling). I know - waxing lyrical - I can't help it..... it's just how I am!

Was good to see you last night jennie and glad you made it back 'in the dark'!! good effort!!

Chris'TR' wrote:Was good to see you last night jennie and glad you made it back 'in the dark'!! good effort!!

It was good to see you too Chris (ah how I'd missed those insults and that laugh! )

Ta for the 'good effort' comment... kinda reminds me of school report comments but is appreciated

Was good to see / hear the 'Mighty Triumph' and see 'Frankie and Stanley' reunited and reminiscing about France...

Well, another day another chance to ride me little bike! On with the waterproofs (good job that looking glam is not top of my list eh!) and stuff wrapped in a placky bag strapped onto the back (decided that the purple handbag was too big and bulky and unstable...) and off to work I rode...

Not keen on all that yukky brown spray that lorries like to cover you with as they go past, but still... it's all practice and, as it rains almost 90% of the time in this country then I've got to learn to get used to it.

Might have to get one of Phil's Biker Tidy things for the office though... all my gear is strewn over chairs and the conference table at the moment... just hope the boss doesn't come in!!

Shellshine wrote:Wohoooo!

I rode home in the dark!!!

Well done x

Shellshine wrote:
Might have to get one of Phil's Biker Tidy things for the office though... all my gear is strewn over chairs and the conference table at the moment... just hope the boss doesn't come in!!

Got one - absolutely brilliant! Now know where all my stuff is (and Gerald's) without searching and it is so neat. A very robust construction as well - takes even our heaviest wet gear. Well done Phil!