2013 Third Quarter Round-Up

Remember my very optimistic January blog “2013 Bring it on!”

Well not everything went to plan

Touring Derbyshire, Raymondo Style! CANCELLED! 

Hardwick Hall - Derbyshire

16^th January  - will see me in Bonds Main for the 11^th year with flowers in hand. “I Love & miss you so much Mum.”  DONE!

Miss You Mum X X X 

17^th January - Lefty, LBK & one other TBC will be in Blackburn Empire Theatre at the Foggy & Whit, "Giving it Gas Show."  I for one cannot wait!  DONE!

Great Night Out with the Lads

19^th January – It’s the Third Annual IBA UK January RTE to be held at John & Sonia’s. I've not put my name down but Ben & I will undoubtedly be drawn to the excitement, involuntarily.  DONE!

IBA UK January RTE

27^th January – The  Manc Riders, also, Third Annual RTE will take place at the Moorcock Inn near Littleborough. Something I’m proud to say I have arranged each year since joining the Manc Riders. (Sadly I’m unable to put up a link to the site as we are suffering administration difficulties at the moment but normal service will be resumed imminently).  DONE!

Manc Riders January RTE

February, March and April at the minute are all FREE! Shock horror. Still with the onset of May it all starts to get really interesting.  

Ben with his bike 'Trinity'

At Manchester Bike Show

March - I think France Hates Me! Done!

10^th April  -   Jeannie & I are going to see Mrs Browns Boys at Manchester Arena. DONE!

24^th – 26^th  May -  The IBA UK Britt Butt Rally takes place. As highest placed “Rookey” last year I’m giving it a miss this year but I do believe entries are still being take just take a look at 2013 Britt ButtRally

30^th May – 4^th June  - Horizon’s Unlimited Travellers Meeting (HUBBUK) being held at the all new location near Donington at the Donington Farmhouse Hotel.  I’m booked in again for the whole 4 days but it looks as if the family Walton holiday could wreak havoc!  Only time will tell.  DONE! (Well sort of!)

Ben looking far too comfortable on that Combination!

7^th June – It’s off to Manchester to see Eddie Izzard with Jeannie. Now that will be a blast as Eddie is simply amazing “In my mind, in my mind." DONE!

21^st – 23^rd June –See’s Ben and I participating in the RBLR1000 (Royal British Legion Riders 1000 miles ride). Having ridden it twice, worked on it once this year I will be riding the 1000 miles in under 24 hours with Ben my 11 year old son as pillion. If successful, Ben will become the “Youngest EVER Pillion” to have completed the ride undercutting the current record by an amazing 5 years (to the best of my knowledge but I’m sure Paddy will let me know if I’m miss quoting here, won’t you Paddy!?)

Ben & I would like to raise £500 towards for our chosen charity and would really appreciate it if you would drop by and make a donation please. “Well if you can’t plug your own fundraising on your own Blog where on earth can you?” DONE! & we managed to raise £650 for the Royal British Legion 

RBLR1000 Done!

5^th – 14^th July – It’s adventure time! Bruce and I are off to NordKapp or North Cape as it’s said in English. Taking a leisurely crossing from Hull over to Rotterdam on Friday night we will then head up through the Netherlands, passing through the north of Germany into Denmark. Heading further north we will pass through Sweden and follow the Atlantic Coast Road up the West coast of Norway all the way into the Arctic circle to NordKapp.  “On the return trip I would like to call into Finland Bruce.”  All of which will enable me to add a further 3 flags to my panniers, “You see there’s method in my madness” LOL.  CANCELLED! 

August is a free month, as it stands that is,  thus enabling me to ensure Mr T is full serviced and set up for a rather interesting end to September.

27^th – 29^th September – Roland & I will be taking part in the IBA Germany European Road Runner Rally,  a 36 hour touring event set across the whole of Germany & Austria. Roland competed in the event last year and so I will be looking to him for guidance and inspiration.  DONE!

IBA Germany European Road Runner Rally - Done!

30^th September – 5^th October – Ron & Ray Ride Again! We’re off down towards Greece (Flag Collecting Again) taking in some of the most stunningly beautiful Eastern European countries as we feel happy to visit. These will, I’m hoping, include Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, on the way south. Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia and Slovania heading back home. Followed by a quick dash for the  Channel Tunnel through Austria, Germany and France. Thus adding another 13 more flags to my panniers. “Now do you see why I went for such small flags?” CANCELLED!

October RTTW 2013 - DONE!

So as you can see I’ve been able to get out and about a little but no where near as much as I’d hoped. The two Big Adventures where both cancelled leaving me donw in the dumps for a while. Still I did manage an interesting trip to Spain back in February that was not planned for plus I bought Tango’d a Yamaha XT660X and did it up. 

Tango'd my Yamaha XT660X

As you can see it's been an interesting year to say the very least but as it stands there is nothing on the horizon, bike wise that is. 

I’m having a good clear out of gear which is just cluttering up the garage. I’ve also started getting the 'New Wheels' itch! Having owned Mr T 2 & half years now and put 37,800 miles on the clock it just coming up to that time again.

To be honest I’m delighted with the Super Tenere XT1200Z in every possible way. Having the 31 Litre Petrol Tank built was a stroke of genius and just changed this all-round average bike into something of a star performer. The Ohlins Rear Suspension and the Akrapovic Slip-On just brought the rest of Mr T to life.

So what bikes have I looked at? Top billing still goes to the Honda CBR1000RR I just adore that bike but and its a big but the Honda Goldwing GL1800 is something else however a new one is totally out of my realm of purchasing power at £24,499+

Strangely enough the new KTM 1190 Adventure as landed square in my sights. Fast, sexy, smooth and fully loaded with loads of toys, it’s right up there with the ‘Blade’.

As Ben has only done one ride with me this year and Jeannie none! I’m really struggling to justify a tourer. As ever my head says ‘Wing’, my heart ‘Blade’ and the nutter in me is screaming ‘KTM’.

Still Look's Good 

After all those miles

For now though it’s me & Mr T all the way, unless someone offers me a good price for him then who know’s what will happen!

So till the next time, ‘Ride well and Stay safe’ my friends.

RTTW 2013

Every year I sit here wondering what to write. Every year my eyes fill with tears as I look at the photo’s I’ve taken, photo’s my close friends have taken and skim through the countless YouTube Video’s that flood the site for weeks after the event.

"Lest We Forget"

Riding to meet my mates from the Manc Riders at our designated RV point, the BP garage on the A556, Bucklow Hill everything felt strange.

Sadly Lilie Rose had been ill all week which meant Jeannie was not with me. Ben was on a sleep-over so I was alone. My new Garmin 350LM decided not to work, little did I realise I’d accidentally deleted all the maps from the device the previous night and to hack me off even further, my iPhone decided not to play my music.

For the first time in 5 years I decided to take the M60 South circular past Stockport. Don’t ask me why because I really have no idea. As it turned out it was the right thing to do. My normal route across the M60, M62 towards Liverpool then dropping down onto the M6 was closed due to an accident. 

Arriving at the BP Garage I was met by a sole rider on a scooter! 

“Hi, are you one of the Manc Riders?” I was asked

“I am that” I replied with pride.

It wasn’t long before the rest of the motley crew started to arrive.

The Manc Riders

We all had a right good old catch up as I’ve been all over the place lately and missed a far few “gatherings” which usually involve “Compo’s Chippy”.

After a good half hour we all mounted up and rode the short distance to the official RTTW 2013 RV point.

RTTW 2013 here we come

Bez had kindly posted up the itinerary for this year event which read:-

Order of Events - RTTW 2013

10.30 - 1.30 Royal Veterinary Corp Dog Display Team

10.30 - 10.45 Mark Pidgeon - Folk Music on Heroes Square

10.45 - 10.55 Pipers mobile

Pause in proceedings for daily 11am service

11.10 - 11.20 City of Derby ATC Rifle Drill Parade below the Armed Forces Memorial

11.30 - 11.50 Military Wives performance below the Armed Forces Memorial

12.00 - 12.15 Pipers with Dedicated Music below the Armed Forces Memorial

Main Flag bearers start arriving at 12.20

12.45 - 1.00 Mark Pidgeon - Folk Music on Heroes Square

1.15 - 1.25 City of Derby ATC Rifle Drill Parade below the Armed Forces Memorial 

1.30 - 1.45 Military Wives performance below the Armed Forces Memorial

1.50 - 1.55 You are not Fallen solo by Emma Munro-Wilson

1.55 - 2.00 Pipers 

2.00 - 2.05 Red Devils Parachute Display Team

2.10 Welcome from Founder - Martin Dickinson

2.12 Short address by Major General Lamont Kirkland - Patron RTTW

2.15 Short address by Air Commodore Simon Richardson - Senior RAF representative to RTTW

2.18 Short address by Sarah Montgomery - MD National Memorial Arboretum

2.20 Service conducted by Mike Brotherton

2.30 Last post followed by a minute’s silence

2.34 Reveille

2.35 Wreath laying led Dave Smith (piper) followed by Martin Dickinson and Major General Kirkland

Knutsford Services was unusually quite but the word soon spread of the accident just one junction North. 

Knutsford RV for RTTW 2013

After a coffee and a trip to the loo it was almost time to head South to the National Memorial Arboretum to attend the 6th RTTW and my 5th attendance.

I had to smile in the services when the guy in front of me asked were the loo was. I pointed him in the right direction and he replied.

“You been to the RTTW before?”

“Yes a few times”

“I’ve been up all night, my misses thinks I’m mad, I couldn't sleep all night, I’m that exited”

The ride down was a little fraught this year, possible compounded by the fact the drivers had been stuck in the road block for so long. Still it was a nice feeling being surrounded by 100’s of other  like minded bikers. 

Just clearing the M6 Toll was fun!

How BIG is that Grin Lefty?

On our arrival at the National Memorial Arboretum we were professionally guided to our parking area, somewhat off the beaten track due to the fields around being full to capacity.

A little off the beaten track

There's always ONE!

A Sea of Bikes

The Army Wives were in full flow and sounding amazing.

It only took a few minutes for the Manc Riders to take up residence in our regular spot under the “Mercian Regimental Flag”. A place we have occupied for the last three years.

A Time to Remember

The rest of the day is something of a blur. The words spoken were thoughtful and full of respect. All of us having our own personal thoughts and feelings. There was a huge Flag Flying Bikers ride by, a spectacle I will never forget.

"Respect"

The City of Derby ATC Rifle Drill Parade put on a display of synchronized marching to some totally wild pop tunes which was both a welcome break from the solemnity of the occasion and simply fantastic to see. So young and yet so 100% dedicated. They were outstanding. As were the Red Devils Parachute Display Team.

Spitfire Flypast

The Red Devils were Outstanding

The order of service ran a smooth as clockwork.

After yet another hilarious joke followed by a truly thought provoking trip back to World War 2 by Mike Brotherton, dressed as ever in his patch covered ‘Parker’, our thoughts were drawn back to just why we were in attendance.

We stood in total silence. 

“For the Fallen”

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old,

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them”

"We will remember them”

All too soon the day was drawn to a close.Heading back to the bike I found the issue with my iPhone not playing music, the volume was on zero! Sadly the Garmin remained resolutely blank. (That was until I re-installed the maps the following night).

We were all going to have a ride out to a nice pub for dinner but as we set off I felt that pang of loneliness and as the guys filled up with petrol I bid my farewell. With one of the lads in tow, I headed towards Stock -on-Trent and onwards up the M6 heading home to Jeannie, Lilie Rose and Ben.

It’s always hard to describe how I feel about the RTTW but I’ve got to be honest and say the overwhelming feeling this year was one of sadness. Listening to the shear number of losses our forces have taken in Afghanistan  and the preceding conflicts is just heart breaking. Not having Jeannie there to share this wonderful show of respect for our beloved Armed Forces with me made it all the harder to deal with. Still I was surrounded by true friends who in their own way know just how we all feel.

Sunday was dedicated to bringing Mr T back to his former glory which I’m pleased to say was achieved all be it with a little help form my friends. Cheers Steve, your an absolute gentleman.

Looking Good Oggy, Looking Good!

On a more personal note - My rides this year have all been subdued for one reason or another. Maybe I need to take a close look at what it is I’m really looking for when I ride off into the sunset as one thing is for sure. Riding with friends can be one of the most rewarding and pleasurable times of your life & sometimes not!

IBA Germany European Road Runner Motorcycle Rally 2013

Thursday 26th September

Rochdale - Koblenz 

590 Miles (949 KM)

Koblenz from our kind hosts balcony

Thank you Thomas

Friday 27th 

Koblenz - Bamberg via Heilbronn 

266 Miles (427 KM)

Neckarsulm Motorcycle Museum

Saturday 28th / Sunday 29th

IBA Germany European Road Runner Rally 2013

968 Miles (1559KM)

Placed 16th from 52 Starters

Monday 30th

Bamberg - London

647 Miles (1041 KM)

via Rüdesheim on the Rhein

Taking the ferry across to Boppard 

 And on to Cochem on the Moselle

Back to London 

Tuesday 1st October

London to Rochdale via Norfolk

330 Miles (531KM)

Vincent Memorial Plaque

Norfolk Motorcycle Museum

2801 Miles (4507 KM)

IBA Germany 

European Road Runner Motorcycle Rally 2013

DONE!

Who’s a lucky boy then?

Hearing Ron’s personal ringtone on my iPhone always brings a smile to my face.

“Yo, yo, Big Lad, how’s tricks?”

“It’s all good, busy as ever but what’s new?”

“So whats to do?”

“I’m thinking of swapping the ‘Pan’ ”

“Oh right, so what are you thinking of getting”

“A Super Tenere!”

Now to say I was ‘gob-smacked’ would be an understatement. Had I just heard right ‘Ron wants a Super Tenere’.

“Nice one. So how can I help?”

“Do you think your mate* can do me a decent deal on the ‘Pan’?

“I’m sure he’ll be able to sort something out for you”.

And so the conversation progressed. 

(*My ‘mate’ on this occasion referred to Keith of Keith Dixon Motorcycles in Accrington. Regular readers of the Blog will be fully aware of Keith as he is the dealer I bought Mr T from and who serviced both the FJR1300 and Mr T.)

I switched into ‘Bike salesman’ mode for a few minutes and took down all the details I knew Keith would need in order to get the ball rolling. Make, model, year, colour,  any extras, well you get the drift. A quick call the following morning to Lee, as Keith was out on an MOT run, and I passed all the info over  along with Ron’s mobile number. That was last Saturday morning.

With Ron planning on buying a Yamaha Super Tenere XT1200Z I started to get a little exited at the prospect of us taking part in the Iron Butt Association (IBA) Germany, European Road Runner Rally followed by our onward tour of Eastern Europe. When I didn’t hear anything  back from Ron Saturday or Sunday my mind started to run away with itself “I wonder if it’s a non starter?” I remember asking Jeannie out of the blue, much to her bemusement.

“What are you talking about?”

“Ron. I wonder if Keith or Lee have been in touch or if it’s all gone pear-shaped!”

“I’ve no idea”.

I need not have worried, as mid Monday morning the familiar tones of “Father Away by Evanescence” screamed out, loud and clear from my iPhone.

“Yo Yo, Big Lad. Go on then, what’s the script?” 

“Lee rang me Saturday morning, he needed to know about the tax and a few other things”

“Oh right, AND!”

“It’s all good”

“Come-On then, so have you got one or what?”

“Yes”

“What a spanker (brand new) or what?”

“Na, the new one was a bit rich for me, I’ve got an ex-demo with just under a couple of K on the clock”

“F*****g Brilliant, I’m well chuffed for you Big Lad”

“It get’s better! It’s a ‘World Crosser’ ”

The rest of the conversation is un Blog-able. Needless to say I was almost as ecstatic as Ron, just now quite. I could sense he was absolutely over the moon about his new stead. Who wouldn’t be, being the owner of a new Yamaha XT1200Z ‘World Crosser’ in Gun Metal Grey. Brilliant!

Ron was due to collect the ‘World Crosser’ that Friday and so we organised an overnight stop at ours on Thursday night. The week dragged but at last Ron was pulling onto the drive and into the garage on the Honda Pan European ST1300. It was a really nice clean bike with a mere 11,000 miles on the clock but it’s replacement was going to be something very special indeed.

As it was Thursday evening there was nothing for it and after a good catch up chat over dinner we headed to our local to take part in the pub quiz. Not that Ron and I were any use at all to Jeannie and the ‘Old’s’. We just sat and talked bikes all night.

Bright and breezy the following morning we were all up and about at 0700 hours, sorting Lilie Rose and Ben out for School. Pobsey had a nice 10 minutes with Uncle Ron sat side by side in the living room waiting for the school bus to arrive. Jeannie and I were surprised when, on her return from school to find Ron no longer with us she became a little distressed. It took us a good half hour to explain he’d gone home to Jo in London.

Anyway the ride over to Keith's was a simple affair, straight through Rochdale, up and over Owd Betts and straight through Accrington at the other end of the dual carriageway that just about connects the two. We were met by Keith who apologised as Lee had left to take up a new job with Knox-Body Amour so could not be there to complete the deal. I left Ron and Keith to sort out the finer details and had a mug of coffee with Diane and the new lad upstairs in the parts & clothing department.

One very happy 'World Crosser' Owner

I came back down just in time to see Keith rolling the mighty ‘World Crosser” around the front of the shop. It looked out of this world. I was just glad I’d ridden Tango’d over as it would have made Mr T look rather worn and dated. Dripping with carbon and looking ready to take on the world it is one very sexy beast.

The Yamaha XT1200Z 'World Crosser" Awesome!

Sadly after a steady ride back over the tops it was time for Ron to head back down the A1 to London. Still I did manage to take a couple of photo’s of his new ‘World Crosser” before he departed.

Ron that bike looks 'Made to measure' for you

So with Ron on his way I sat down in front of the Mac and looked at the route around Europe I’d  planned which was no longer going to be possible. The good news was, we are still able to take part in the German IBA Road Runner Rally, the bad news is, Ron has to be back in the UK on Wednesday the 2nd October due to work 

commitments.

Not to get too down about the situation I took another look and decided to start and get organised a little more. One thing sprang to mind away. If we were only going to be away for 6 nights, 3 of which would be hotel based I could not see the point in dragging a load of camping equipment around with me. So camping was off the agenda, agreed, agreed!

Next were to stay Thursday night. After looking into riding down after Lilie Rose and Ben had gone to school the earliest tunnel crossing we could make would be the 16:20 from Folkestone. This puts us in Calais at 17:55 hours. Looking at BaseCamp brought it home that if we headed over into Germany it would be both late and dark before we could make any head way.

Then I spotted the “Biker Loft” in Groenedjksraat in Belgium. Ron was non to happy about only riding an hour up the road before getting our heads down but after a quick exchange of texts we agreed it would be a good idea.

So that was Thursday, in Belgium, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the rally start in Germany which just left Monday and Tuesday to sort out.

Plotting the location of the ‘Biker Loft’ in BaseCamp I realised to my surprise it was already in my Garmin 660. It turned out its has a Motorbike Museum there which is one of the locations on Grim Riders Museums Ride which I started earlier in the year.

Now the grey matter went into full flow. There are a total of 5 museums on Grim Riders Motorcycle Museums & Legends Ride in Europe. The ‘Biker Loft’ in Belgium, Dijon in France, Neckarslum in Germany, Augustusburg in Germany and finally Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic. 

Correctly plotted in BaseCamp and hey presto you have yourself a cracking ride without too many dramas. So that’s exactly what I did but that left me a little short on what to do Tuesday. 

Now thinking back I remember reading in the original email from Grim that an extra point can be had for visiting an unlisted museum or legend. With this in mind and looking at our location the first thing that sprung to mind was the KTM Head Office in Austria but that did not really do it for me so  I carried on.

Then out of the blue I remembered reading an amazing book about an Austrian guy who rode from Vienna to India following Alexander the Great on Xenophon’s legendary “Road of the Army of Ten Thousand’ on a Puch Motorcycle with his friend Herbert Tichy as pillion.

The book ‘India: The Shimmering Dream'. It’s author non other than the famous Dr. Max Reisch (1912 - 1985). What makes this book so amazing is the fact the ride began on 27th July 1933. A little more investigation on my behalf and I discovered that the Max Reisch Collection closed in 2008 but Peter Reisch has relocated the entire exhibition to the South Tirol in a small Italian village called Bolzano.

Not being one to shy away from a challenge I contacted Peter Reisch to see if it would be possible for Ron and I to visit the exhibition. 

Good morning,

I write to enquire if it would be possible for my friend and I to visit the Max Reisch Collection on Monday the 30th of September or Tuesday the 1st of October. 

I read 'India the Shimmering Dream' almost a year ago and found it simply amazing in comparison to numerous other 'Overland Motorcycle' books which I have read. After doing a little research on the internet I discovered your website, hence this email.

My friend and I are both avid motorcycle riders having covered well over 100,000 miles in the last 4 years all around Europe.  We will be competing in the German Iron Butt Road Runner Rally the preceding weekend. The rally is a 24 hour long endurance photographic rally taking place throughout Germany but starting and finishing in Bamberg.

We will also be visiting a further 5 Motorcycle museums throughout Belgium, France, German, and the Czech Republic raising money for theWarwickshire Air Ambulance in the process.

We would be absolutely delighted if you could accommodate us and look forward to your reply with batted breath.

Kind regards

Ray F Walton

Peter’s reply came that very same afternoon:

Hi Ray and your friends!

Welcome in Bozen/Bolzano (is the italian Name of Bozen)

With pleasure I'll open the door of the Max Reisch-Exhibition for you.

Which day/hour do you prefer? Please give me your reply and:

Safe riding!

Peter

We are absolutely delight that Peter has graciously allowed us to visit the Max Reisch Exhibition on Tuesday morning. Following a brief search, our Monday evening will be spent in a very nice hotel in Bolzano in the South Tyrol in Italy.

I cannot wait to see this amazing machine

(Photo courtesy of Peter H. Reich)

Tuesday will be a busy day starting at the Max Reisch Exhibition, which I hope will be accepted by Grim as our extra point, followed by a very interesting ride over toward Dijon to photograph the Beaune Motorcycle Museum before riding through the night back to Calais some 850 miles away from Bolzano.

What will make the return trip somewhat spectacular is the fact the Stelvio Pass just happens to be en route to Dijon! 

Fingers crossed this will be open for business!

Throw in a 24 hour photographic motorcycle rally organised by IBA Germany and you have yourself one fantastic weeks riding in Europe.

This should keep us busy for a while!

Now how’s that for a plan?

“Ride well and stay safe my friends”