A Random Ride Pics Thread.... Post 'em up!

[GSXKING]

Some fabulous historic relics 🙏🙏 thanks for sharing 😁😁😁

[GSXKING]

Bunya Mountains today 🏍️🏍️

[GSXKING]

The pier @ Urangan 🧐🧐

[Batkwaka]

Taken a few years ago now, the K1600 has since been traded on a newer model, the GSX1400 was sold to some fortunate soul and the ZX10R has had a Turbocharger attached.

[Rynglieder]

29/12/2022 Lake Vyrnwy (c. 170 miles)

It looked like there was going to be one useable day between Christmas and the New Year and I was minded to take advantage even in the bleak midwinter. A message from my mate Mike who was also in the mood to shake off the blues sealed the deal.

Usual thing, he proposed a rough idea of a ride and then as it was my side of the midlands I tinkered with it to include some roads that I knew he would enjoy – it works the other way if we head to the south or east midlands, I'm happy to bow to his superior knowledge of that patch.

The intention had been to use the GSX but as it was not looking quite as dry as the BBC had promised me I decided to hide behind the GTR fairing and bask in the heat from the grips. Having rolled of my drive at about 10:00 with his Multistrada behind me, we took the "Rabbit Run" toward Telford and dropped into the Severn Gorge at Coalport, ran along to Ironbridge and parked up for the café overlooking the bridge. Whereas I'm usually happy with a couple of cups of coffee on a day out Mike likes to be fed, so this is always factored into a joint ride.

A bit of "B Road" work brought us to the outskirts of Shrewsbury and we then had to tolerate the rather dull dual carriageway that orbits it, but it passed by quickly enough and we were back into some enjoyable riding through Knockin and into the land of the Celts.

Whilst we never got properly rained on the roads were constantly wet which encouraged a bit more caution in our riding but we eventually pitched up at Vyrnwy where I stopped long enough for a cigarette. (Mutual tolerance, I hang around during the double breakfast sandwich and he politely waits whilst I feed my own habit).

It was then time to tackle the mountain pass across to Dinas Mawddwy. As soon as we broke away from the road around the lake shore I stated to wonder if we were doing the right thing – the road is steep, narrow and there are virtually no passing places. Add to this a ridge of winter mud and debris up the middle of the road surface and a good deal of concentration is required with speeds down to a crawl at times. Once we had got above the tree line of the mountain the road surface became a lot cleaner and we could at least see a little further ahead for oncoming traffic.
There were still rivers running across the road here and there plus the obvious sheep infestation to deal with but eventually we were descending through the valley farms and into Dinas Mawddwy village we could park up for a quick break.

The return journey took us on the A458 where we could get along at a decent pace - I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed this road and have now placed it on the list for a run out to the coast when spring arrives. Another stop took place in Welshpool where Costa Coffee had a bit more of my money and suitably refreshed we pushed on back home. It was the A458 all the way for me, Mike broke away at Shrewsbury to pick up the M54 and M6 and get him home without getting involved in the evening rush hour around Birmingham.

It was a lot more miles than I usually do at this time of the year but thoroughly enjoyable none the less. No photos this time as there was not a particular "destination", but here's a couple of screen grabs from the Innovv...

[Rynglieder]

13/01/2023 Normanton Church (c.200  miles)

I'd long wanted to visit Normanton Church on Rutland Water and once again waited for a suitable day. It turned up at short notice and I messaged Mike on the off-chance, although he had less than 24 hours notice he was up for it and proposed a small adjustment to the route I intended.

Although I had ducked out of using the GSX on the last ride it was really due a run and with little prospect of rain I was happy to give it a go. A bright day was forecast and although not too cold for January it was very blustery and there was a definite wind chill – inner gloves and an extra layer under the jacket was needed.

And so I headed out on 40 miles of motorway to our rendezvous at Costa Coffee, Leamington Spa. That run on the M42 is an absolute pain at 09:00 in the morning, the low sun strobes through the trees and as the motorway bends sits right on the horizon causing traffic to slow almost to a stop as those with dirty windscreens find they can't see where they are going – I always leave plenty of stopping room and try not to get involved with the Competitive Commuting.

At least, once we had tanked up with coffee and drawn some fuel from the adjacent forecourt we had a decent ride to look forward to. Mike had picked a nice selection of A and B roads through the Northamptonshire and Leicestershire countryside. There was the odd attractive village to slow down for but the only bit of congestion was through Market Harborough. There seemed very little traffic on the open road and what we did come across could be cleared quickly and safely and I quite enjoyed the challenge of hanging on to the tail pipe of the Multistrada.

Eventually we reached the car park at the Normanton visitor centre and parked up the bikes, there was then a half mile walk along the shore of Rutland Water to the church. At the point it was decided to flood the valley for this huge reservoir it was planned that the church should be demolished but local objections lead to a different solution; the crypt was infilled with stone and a new floor put in so that the upper half of the church could be saved as the water level rose. The effect in the end is that the remaining building appears to float on the lake – all very photogenic.

The strong wind across the reservoir was really whipping the water up into waves, it was almost like walking along the coast but very cold and we retreated to the café for a welcome hot drink and a late lunch.

The return home was by the same roads as far as Crick where I broke away to pick up the M1, M6 and M5. It was an absolute grind around the top of Birmingham but it is the price I pay for enjoying the roads of the east midlands. I got home at around 17:00, just before it was completely dark and warmed up with a hot bath, the bike will have to wait another day or so for its wash.

[Notty]

In the UK we have a fast food outlet called Greggs- they do sausage rolls, pasties , donuts etc. BUT if you get there before 11.00am you can get a coffee and a bacon Bap for £2.50 - so its a must on a Sunday - ok there is a branch 500 yards from my house but you have to have a ride first, but today no rain but wet roads 120 mile round trip - had to be done

[black14]

Did a week long trip down to Tassie couple of weeks ago - what an awesome place to ride a bike!

There were 20 or so of us on all types of bikes from MT07 to XJR 1200 to ZH2 and H2SX to RC45!

The roads are in pretty good condition and the scenery is spectacular.

Perhaps my favourite stretches were from Westerway up to the Gordon Dam and back, and from Bicheno up the cost to St Helens, Derby and on to Scottsdale, but the entire trip was excellent.

If you haven't been and get the chance, go - an incredible experience that I'll be repeating next year.

[black14]

More pics

[Irish in Oz]

@black14
Got that T shirt, 2 weeks about 6 years ago, I hope to make it back there. Did Stig go with yous.

[black14]

No mate, Stig on a different run couple of weeks earlier.
But Stig, Boof and I off to the Grampians on the 14s this weekend coming. 

[Irish in Oz]

Enjoy, say hello to them for me.

[grog]

Great pics Black. Amazing roads, ridden lots of them. Lake Leake road maybe the best.

[black14]

Enjoy, say hello to them for me

Will do Jeff. 

[black14]

Another great ride over the weekend - Boof, Stig (both say g'day Jeff!) and I decided on a change of scenery (from the usual high country runs) and headed out west.

Healesville, Broadford, Lancefield, Upper Coliban Reservoir, Daylesford, Maryborough, Landsborough to Stawell on Saturday on a hot and windy day. Some fun roads and some long straight stretches through wheat country.

Back via Wartook, Halls Gap, Dunkeld, Skipton, Mt Egerton, Maddingley, Gisborne, Wallan, Whittlesea and Arthurs Creek to Yarra Glen. Tight and twisty through the hills (and a bit chilly!) with some more straightforward roads south of Ballarat, then fun stuff again through Werribee Gorge Park and through Christmas Hills.

About 1000 kms all up.

Great to see some different roads and country and sink a few beers with some good mates!