bippo

Hey Jimmy. I have the Oxford Stormex cover for my bike. When I had my YBR I had a cheaper Oxford cover (that had a lot of silver on it, so maybe the same one you talk of?). Anyway I don't have that anymore as it was showing its age and had ripped). So bought the Stormex one a year ago. My bike lives outside and it's still holding up a year later. The black has faded in the sun, but material is still in tact and it doesn't let water through. Note that I always put a couple of bungees around it also to stop it catching sail in the wind or snagging something on my bike. I think that helps make it last longer. Should get another year it of it no worries. Then I may consider replacing.

Yeah it's a busy house hold now - but Huskies in themselves are hard work, so having a further addition isn't too much bother. It certainly has its benefits having a puppy with an older dog in the house. Someone to learn from!

That's just great Tommy. Happy birthday Chunk! We now have another dog in the family to keep our cheeky Husky happy. A 13 week Doberman / GSD. She's a cracker and already can't imagine the house without now.

He's moved over to the Triumph darkside...

Great job Tommy! Regarding the seat - the white looks a little too "Pimp Daddy" for my liking. Also worried about how clean it'll remain. Just think - black leather rubbing on them, or new Kevlar jeans getting caught in a downpour... And now you have a light blue seat. Rather embarrassingly happened to me on a ride home from London last year.... Glorious sun turned into flash flooding. By the time I got to my parents my thighs and undies (classy...) had been stained blue...! I won't share pictures on here... Ha ha! Anyway, I digress... I prefer the black, but having said that I could see a custom seat finish featuring white with something like blue piping to help break up the block of colour.

They are great Jimmy - may have to purchase a few more for the office, great artwork.

That sounds good Paul - and great piccies of Castleton area too. If the weather is solid everyone will really enjoy the ride.

Funny Jimmy - my mum bought me that exact same poster for my office.

Sounds great Cynic - remembering my adventures on my 125, I'd say a trip like this is just perfect! Much more engaging than a bigger CC bike. Anyway, without knowing the detailed route you plan, if weather permits and you find yourself on the A6 to Buxton - I'd head onto Chapel en le Frith, then off towards Castleton where you can take in the delights of Winnats Pass, but also as a pit-stop, the badly eroded A625 which can be viewed from the top or bottom. You can then head to Hope Valley and Bamford for Ladybower. There is a little turn-off to a place called Thornhill which takes you to the same place but is a slower, narrow road than the main A6187 to A6013. As mentioned earlier, time and weather permitting, take a detour at Ladybower down the dead-end road to Howden and Derwent reservoir. There will basically be a brown sign for the Upper Derwent Visitors Centre off Snake Pass (a right turn, heading towards Glossop over the Ashopton Viaduct). Good for photos and to check out the whole Dambusters history. Just shout if you want anymore ideas.

Huh, small world, meatloaf. My boss lives in neighbouring Crookham Village, and when I'm down at our office in Camberley I often swing by and meet him in a local pub for a "meeting". Ha ha. Anyway, didn't realise you were over that way when the weather is nice I ride down, so would be good to swing by and say hello at some point!

Yeah over that way. It was a long jaunt, just home now - but I love the adventure! Wish I had gone on my bike - but the mutt came with me.

Well I did it... Loch Sunart. Camped near a place called Salen. Weather was cracking! Only rained when I was driving. Hope you had a good time down south.

Hmm... I'm contemplating a trek up this weekend to wild camp with the dog. Was originally going to do it on the bike, but saw the weather wasn't going to be great. At least I have more chance of staying dry in the car... Not sure how much fun it's going to be through... May just stay in bed...!

Captf - that's called Winnats Pass. Great deal of history to that area of the Peak, really enjoy heading over there. Woodhead is an early morning / late ride to avoid traffic. It is a fun road - when no one is blocking you. Ultimately it's a cheap cut through for freight between East and West. Lorries driving up the M1 for somewhere like Manchester aren't going to carry on up to the M62 and back down. Dangerous in winter though - I've been caught numerous times up there in strong winds, fog, floods and black ice when on the bike. Because it's one of the few roads the Council try to keep open.

I can imagine! My dad is enjoying his retired life away from lorries - that guy takes the scenic route to everywhere now... Before that he was always thinking about major roads to get from A to B. Ladybower is a great place to stop for a photoshoot on a sunny day. On a weekday you can ride all the way past Upper Derwent Reservoir and Howden. It's a dead end road, but is pleasant and well worth it for the photos. I head there often in the car to walk the dog.

If the weather is good and you're up for a leisurely ride then I can suggest some roads. Woodhead is nice, but it is full of speeding cars, show off bikers and slow caravans / lorries due to the climbs and bends. There are other roads which are quieter, allowing you to just focus on enjoying yourself. Just shout if you want some ideas closer to the time.

Buy a copy of the Highway Code - it is your friend. All theory test questions are contained in this book. Predominantly car and bike theory tests are the same, however there are some sets of different questions, such as luggage on the bike etc.

Yeah pretty bad traffic, and worse the further South you get - London and where my parents live is pretty shoddy. I think the traffic up here is a breeze in comparison - even though Glossop can be a bottle neck at times. Must admit though, we have been seriously looking to move up to bonny Scotland. And Drewps - know what you mean. We used to walk to and from school. 3 miles each way. Doubt many do that... Sad...

Oh man Blackie... Sorry you lost your gear. Hope the damage wasn't excessive.

Lost, Kev...?!

That is amazing. I tip my hat to her. On one of my camping jaunts this year (with the dog, so in the car) I saw an old lady nipping down the A6 in the opposite direction. She was on a moped (no L plates) with an open face helmet, a good old "kagool" - not sure how to spell that! And the worlds largest grin on her face. At a guess she was into her early 70's. Perhaps late 60's... Gave me the biggest grin ever. As a lady myself, she is an inspiration. Ok, so I don't want a moped - but I have visions of a sidecar on my bike when I'm too old for the weight. Why not, eh?! As long as my reactions are still sharp enough...

Take it easy out there - looks like you had fun, but some risky overtakes which could easily backfire. For example, at the very end you over take a Mini which starts to move over the line to overtake some parked cars.

Looking forward to seeing its transformation from last years Squires meet up, Drewps. :-)

Wouldn't catch that much air with me in the riders seat...! Ha ha!

Great stuff - enjoy it!