Last weekend saw the first significant trip out on the K13 this year. Frightening how 4 months zipped by with the K13 stood in the shed while the K12 knocked off another nearly 3000 miles. Anyway summer is here so time for a switch over.
Last Friday was a trip to Shropshire. I was cruising and taking breaks in the sunshine. Although another milestone popped up, that's 18000 excuse the poor picture
Always liked the sound of Broadwoodwidger, (see the signpost), always reminds me of Edward Woodward.
There's a decent corner off the A30 onto the M5 where you can get well leaned over at a half decent speed that I look forward after the 80 miles of brain death on the A30. Gave it the beans, and nearly ran up the backside of 2 of Satan's Slaves filtering in standing traffic. They were using the rev open pipes very loudly technique of filtering, but it wasn't working plus one of them had the biggest set of ape hangars I've seen since 1970 something which clashed with every mirror possible. I soon got past them and all the accident rubberneckers until I had lunch at Bridgewater. I then found they'd shut the M5 so after 8 miles filtering through standing traffic and wandering pedestrians, and a diversion through Weston Super Mare I rejoined the M5. After a couple of miles I found an adventure bike about 6ft from my nearside indicator where he remained at speeds through three figures and beyond except when my roll on left him behind. Eventually he turned off at Evesham, pulling alongside (it was a Varadero) giving me a cheery wave with his ungloved hand. Apparently the Varadero is well rated for this kind of mile gobbling, not a bike I have ever really looked at. Could be a cut price bargain. Could have done with him riding a bit further away mind.
Next day was up to Linlithgow and temporary renewing my membership of the M6 Club. Wasn't that bad really and once North of Preston was a fairly easy run. I stopped at Tebay fancying a bit of a brunch fry up. Soon came out after finding it was absolutely packed, had a revolting sausage roll and carried on up to Moffat. I refuelled at Carlisle where I did a literal double take at the credit card machine as I thought the cashier had rung up the wrong pump. £1.929 per litre aargh, but worse was to come. The only upside on the fuel front was that I managed to cash in £9 of Shell rewards over the weekend. I digress. Turning off at Moffat I renewed my love of the A701 to Edinburgh. I travelled this road over a thousand times when I lived in Moffat and worked near Edinburgh. Bliss. It finally rained for the last 20 miles to Linlithgow, not bad over 2 days riding.
Not feeling spectacular after my first pub crawl for 3 years, the Linlithgow Ale Trail, even though I got a tshirt, I had a slow start the following morning. Popped up to Kinross, managed a brunch fry up at Loch Leven Lodges that I can recommend. I know the owners and can recommend the lodges too if you fancy a stay up there (insert idea about Wrinklies Run here). Gave a friend a pillion ride around the loch as she has only ridden small scooters (albeit in Vietnam and Portugal so , erm, challenging) and the like and wanted a go on a big bike, then cruised over to Giffnock in Glasgow for a couple of days of food drink cigars port more food more drink.
Could have done with a fresh dry day to head South but it was 7C and raining when I emerged, and didn't improve much. Heated grips on nearly all day as I splashed down the A74M M6 to Penrith before I zigged over the A66 M1 to North Yorkshire to pick up the K12 mudguard from Bill, and zagged back to Shropshire. Scotch Corner set an all time record petrol price record at £2.02 per litre. Shortly before getting to my Dads in Shropshire the next mileage milestone came up
Its been a while since I knocked off over a thousand miles in less than a week.
On the last day I wandered down the A49 via Brian's Tea Room with its freshly decorated interior and newly landscaped garden. Spent longer chatting than I planned so rather than a big Bristol detour resigned myself to the M50 M5 etc. The M50 is open empty and quite quick. Spotted a set of headlights approaching fast behind me and slowed to 79mph, to be passed by a white Volvo saloon just as we reached the M5. He made a complete arse of the exit onto the M5 nearly sideswiping me as he made a less than last second swerve to take the slip road I was already committed to. Annoyed I disappeared up the slip road rattling the rev limiter and quick shifter. 30 secs later there's a whole load of blue light behind me and he's approaching very fast. I pulled over expecting the worst but he just rocketed past up L3, blue lights flickering from inside the windscreen front and rear and disappeared. SAS? Embarrassed trainee police driver? Answers on a post card. They weren't waiting for me when I got home anyway...The last 150 miles was a bit of a grind as by coincidence the wind was against me, you can always tell you're going to get a stiff neck by looking at the windmills.
1400miles the trip, 48mpg and 58mph averages.
