A picture a day... biker banter (Vol 6)
Discussion
Birky_41 said:
Peak District for me on the weekend. First time and its definitely got some lovely scenery and roads - albeit some being quite bumpy!
I'm super jealous of you Birky! I was going to start a whole thread about this, but how do you find/make the time for all your biking escapades? Due to mainly family commitments I'm lucky to steal away a 3-4 hours every weekend when it's not raining (which are few). However, this means going out at 6am on those mornings and doing round trips in SE just so I don't feel I'm neglecting my duties. This adds up to fairly paltry annual mileages.
What's the trick? Not having kids? Working flexible hours?
ujio said:
I'm super jealous of you Birky! I was going to start a whole thread about this, but how do you find/make the time for all your biking escapades?
Due to mainly family commitments I'm lucky to steal away a 3-4 hours every weekend when it's not raining (which are few). However, this means going out at 6am on those mornings and doing round trips in SE just so I don't feel I'm neglecting my duties. This adds up to fairly paltry annual mileages.
What's the trick? Not having kids? Working flexible hours?
Agreed, it's always tough to make plans, with work, kids, dogs, other commitments. I find early mornings are always good to get away for a few hours.Due to mainly family commitments I'm lucky to steal away a 3-4 hours every weekend when it's not raining (which are few). However, this means going out at 6am on those mornings and doing round trips in SE just so I don't feel I'm neglecting my duties. This adds up to fairly paltry annual mileages.
What's the trick? Not having kids? Working flexible hours?
Plus I always do an annual trip somewhere, as it's so good to get away on the bike, especially to some amazing roads. It's a great mental health reset, and really helps you gel with a bike. I can't wait for this year's trip in August.
Bob_Defly said:
Agreed, it's always tough to make plans, with work, kids, dogs, other commitments. I find early mornings are always good to get away for a few hours.
Plus I always do an annual trip somewhere, as it's so good to get away on the bike, especially to some amazing roads. It's a great mental health reset, and really helps you gel with a bike. I can't wait for this year's trip in August.
Thoroughly concur mate on the mental reset and quality saddle time… you will have an epic time!Plus I always do an annual trip somewhere, as it's so good to get away on the bike, especially to some amazing roads. It's a great mental health reset, and really helps you gel with a bike. I can't wait for this year's trip in August.
That is precisely what I did a few months ago! Flew down to Alicante and for 3-4 days had my fill of the BEST twisties and finest weather on an MT09. Planning to do this at least annually so I don’t moan when back in Blighty.
Pic on the beach there.
ujio said:
I'm super jealous of you Birky! I was going to start a whole thread about this, but how do you find/make the time for all your biking escapades?
Due to mainly family commitments I'm lucky to steal away a 3-4 hours every weekend when it's not raining (which are few). However, this means going out at 6am on those mornings and doing round trips in SE just so I don't feel I'm neglecting my duties. This adds up to fairly paltry annual mileages.
What's the trick? Not having kids? Working flexible hours?
Work / Life balance and its tricky. After 17+ years in the motor trade with the last 6 as a Brand Director I knocked it all on the head to work with family. Less money but gives less stress and freedom. I have two kids and a grandkid! I also have a very supporting wife of 17 years who has stood by me with all my racing and bikingDue to mainly family commitments I'm lucky to steal away a 3-4 hours every weekend when it's not raining (which are few). However, this means going out at 6am on those mornings and doing round trips in SE just so I don't feel I'm neglecting my duties. This adds up to fairly paltry annual mileages.
What's the trick? Not having kids? Working flexible hours?
For all the biking I do I try to ensure the same time with the family making them laugh and enjoying life for what it is
ujio said:
Thoroughly concur mate on the mental reset and quality saddle time… you will have an epic time!
That is precisely what I did a few months ago! Flew down to Alicante and for 3-4 days had my fill of the BEST twisties and finest weather on an MT09. Planning to do this at least annually so I don’t moan when back in Blighty.
Pic on the beach there.
Do you hire all the kit or take your own with you?That is precisely what I did a few months ago! Flew down to Alicante and for 3-4 days had my fill of the BEST twisties and finest weather on an MT09. Planning to do this at least annually so I don’t moan when back in Blighty.
Pic on the beach there.
SamG40 said:
ujio said:
Thoroughly concur mate on the mental reset and quality saddle time… you will have an epic time!
That is precisely what I did a few months ago! Flew down to Alicante and for 3-4 days had my fill of the BEST twisties and finest weather on an MT09. Planning to do this at least annually so I don’t moan when back in Blighty.
Pic on the beach there.
Do you hire all the kit or take your own with you?That is precisely what I did a few months ago! Flew down to Alicante and for 3-4 days had my fill of the BEST twisties and finest weather on an MT09. Planning to do this at least annually so I don’t moan when back in Blighty.
Pic on the beach there.
Krikkit said:
I'm going to Tenerife in September for exactly the same kind of therapy - I'll take my own kit, but the place I hired from includes any kit hire you want, and seems good value at €102/day including insurance waiver etc for a nearly-new Monster 821.
That isn't bad at all, IMO. Well worth consideration for the future.... Thanks 
SamG40 said:
Do you hire all the kit or take your own with you?
Like the previous poster I had the option to use the kit provided (for free), but just went on the plane wearing my textile jacket, armoured jeans and short boots. I just carried my lid on the plane. I just preferred to use my own kit.This is where I went... https://www.bikingabroad.com/. They organised the riding, the bike and kit. You literally just pay for the trip and they take care of EVERYTHING (at a reasonable cost) no add-ons. I will probably go again for a long weekend before the year is out. The quality of riding I did in those few days far surpassed anything I've done in the UK in years.
I highly recommend you check them out... abolutely worth it.
ujio said:
Like the previous poster I had the option to use the kit provided (for free), but just went on the plane wearing my textile jacket, armoured jeans and short boots. I just carried my lid on the plane. I just preferred to use my own kit.
This is where I went... https://www.bikingabroad.com/. They organised the riding, the bike and kit. You literally just pay for the trip and they take care of EVERYTHING (at a reasonable cost) no add-ons. I will probably go again for a long weekend before the year is out. The quality of riding I did in those few days far surpassed anything I've done in the UK in years.
I highly recommend you check them out... abolutely worth it.
Thanks both, not something I've done yet but keen to at some point.This is where I went... https://www.bikingabroad.com/. They organised the riding, the bike and kit. You literally just pay for the trip and they take care of EVERYTHING (at a reasonable cost) no add-ons. I will probably go again for a long weekend before the year is out. The quality of riding I did in those few days far surpassed anything I've done in the UK in years.
I highly recommend you check them out... abolutely worth it.
SamG40 said:
ujio said:
Like the previous poster I had the option to use the kit provided (for free), but just went on the plane wearing my textile jacket, armoured jeans and short boots. I just carried my lid on the plane. I just preferred to use my own kit.
This is where I went... https://www.bikingabroad.com/. They organised the riding, the bike and kit. You literally just pay for the trip and they take care of EVERYTHING (at a reasonable cost) no add-ons. I will probably go again for a long weekend before the year is out. The quality of riding I did in those few days far surpassed anything I've done in the UK in years.
I highly recommend you check them out... abolutely worth it.
Thanks both, not something I've done yet but keen to at some point.This is where I went... https://www.bikingabroad.com/. They organised the riding, the bike and kit. You literally just pay for the trip and they take care of EVERYTHING (at a reasonable cost) no add-ons. I will probably go again for a long weekend before the year is out. The quality of riding I did in those few days far surpassed anything I've done in the UK in years.
I highly recommend you check them out... abolutely worth it.
Paul-d0z1r said:
Chris Dabbs, a mate from my teens, sometimes a fellow courier, occasionally a demo or stunt rider for Which Bike magazine, always an amusing and genuine guy. Rest in peace.
Chris, I and then editor Colin Schiller's girlfriend for April 1983 Which Bike centrefold.
Thanks for posting this, Chris was a friend from my school days. Unfortunately he ended up in a wheelchair after an accident, however this did not slow him down, he worked at MCN for some 36 years giving out advice on many motorbike related issues.Chris, I and then editor Colin Schiller's girlfriend for April 1983 Which Bike centrefold.
RIP Chris.
nakedninja said:
tvrolet said:
Looks like Villefranche, on the road between Perpignan and Andorra. Very nice little walled town, if so. Love the bike too, nice numberplate.
I’ll give you this one next
Caddyshack said:
Only just noticed the road sign...very good.
I am tempted to try one of these bikes.
Haha yes do itI am tempted to try one of these bikes.
I made the thing into a video which just makes me just that little bit more pathetic. Maybe it makes a few laugh https://youtube.com/shorts/RCszNHzh4PY?si=AVlnA5sk...
Birky_41 said:
Caddyshack said:
Only just noticed the road sign...very good.
I am tempted to try one of these bikes.
Haha yes do itI am tempted to try one of these bikes.
I made the thing into a video which just makes me just that little bit more pathetic. Maybe it makes a few laugh https://youtube.com/shorts/RCszNHzh4PY?si=AVlnA5sk...
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