Retirement trip - Day 3

 It was another bright morning as I headed off from Le Mans to my next destination, the very attractive coastal town of La Rochelle. I was there 32 years ago and always planned to revisit. 

The ride was very pleasant as it was very sunny and the temperature soon got up to about 30C. The sat nav is still working OK, but I had to deviate from its route to buy petrol. I knew today wasn't going to be a long ride, so I picked some interesting country roads and sort of 'free formed' it a bit. Saw lots of interesting countryside and rode through lots of very pretty villages. I stopped for a picnic lunch on a bench - orange juice, fresh bread and olives from a local shop.

This is what I love about this style of holiday, you can just stop and buy food for a picnic as you go along and sit on a bench somewhere nice and watch the world go past.

However, I had a small failure on the way to the picnic - the sole started coming off one of my boots! I'd taken an old pair of Alpinestars boots that I rarely wear as they are quite light, so nice and cool, and have a Gore-Tex lining in case it rains. I can't remember buying them but it was about 15 to 20 years ago. When I was in the shop buying the food I got a tube of superglue and will try repairing them tonight.

Whilst I was on the road I saw a lot of 1960s and 70s cars all travelling in the same direction. Mostly smaller stuff like old Renault Dauphins, so I assume there was an event on locally. I stopped at a supermarket for petrol and saw this group.

Back on the road and I got to La Rochelle. Last time I was here it was a very pretty town with lots of good old buildings, but fairly quiet. What a difference now! It was very busy, the harbour area full of bars, cafés and restaurants, and the nearby streets full of high end shops. It must be one of the most cycling friendly towns as there loads of cycle lanes, bicycle shops and hire bikes available. There were probably more people on bikes than in cars.

Some photos from around the harbour area.

Saw this choir performing in a square. Very enthusiastic 'African gospel' singing with dancing and handclapping.

Made my way to my hotel and booked in. I was moving my bike and the saddle came loose. Looking more closely and the two screws at the rear of the saddle were missing. As standard they are ordinary M6 Allen head screws, but I had replaced mine with aftermarket turned alloy ones with a knurled bit so they can be removed without tools. I've had them for about 5 years and have never had them come loose before. However, I had left the bike parked with a group of other bikes, so I wonder if someone spotted them and stole them, there are plenty of other Triumph Bonnevilles running around here. I'll never know, so I'll be off to a hardware store tomorrow to buy some 'ordinary' screws. It's unlikely I'll have to remove the saddle during the rest of the trip so it won't inconvenience me too much.

I didn't keep a note of today's mileage, but this shows the cities I rode between. This is from Google Maps and it calculated the route as taking about 3.5 hours. With all the detours, country roads and stopping for a picnic, I was on the road for about 5.5 hours. 

More tomorrow!

Retirement trip - days 1 and 2

 Day 1

Day 1 of my holiday wasn't without some problems. I set out at 9:00 this morning for the 450 mile/700km ride to the ferry at Portsmouth. This will be the longest day's ride of the trip, so it was best to get it over with at the beginning. The trip started out well on a cool but sunny morning (10C) and by mid morning it had got up to 20C. Everything went well until just past Birmingham when my sat nav screen went blank. I stopped and tried to restart it but it remained blank. I had buy a map and made my way by what was the easiest but shortest or quickest route. This added at least 50 miles/80km and 2 hours to the journey. Eventually got to Portsmouth with a couple of hours to spare, got something to eat, them made my way to the port.

This is the route I should have taken, mine was a bit longer!

You have to be at the port an hour and a half before sailing, so there is plenty of hanging around to do. Then we went through the strictest security I've ever been through (and I've been to East Germany) with all vehicles being searched. It was the first time I'd ever had the luggage on my bike opened, had a Swiss Army knife scrutinised, and had to show the prescription for my medication.

Eventually we were allowed on board and the crew tied down our bikes.

I then made my way up to my very nice cabin.

Hopefully everything gets easier after this!

Day 2

Woke up after a very pleasant Channel crossing. The Channel was very calm but I was woken up a couple of times by the noise of the engines. A quick shower then breakfast and it was time to make my way down to the car deck and collect my bike. Passing through French passport control was fairly quick, though I had my passport stamped for the first time since I was in East Germany in 1983. This is due to UK citizens being restricted to 90 days in Schengen area countries in each 6 month period. Thanks, Brexit!

It was another overcast morning of about 10C and I headed off towards my day's destination, Le Mans. Inexplicably, my sat nav seemed to have started working again - it never really switched off so I assume it completely flattened its battery overnight and reset itself. When I recharged it it seems to work correctly and continued working all day. It was asking for a software update, so I'll arrange that when I have time.

I took a route that took in as many back roads and small villages as possible and stopped at the village of Ste-Mere-Eglise, which was famous for an incident that took place in the early hours of D-Day when a US paratrooper was trapped on the church tower. Link

The town centre has a lot of things commemorating its wartime liberation with a museum, some monuments, and the faces of US troops who died there displayed on lampposts. 

I shot a bit of video but didn't use my usual camera, hence its a bit shaky and the sound a bit noisy.

I carried on and passed this interesting sign at a motocross circuit.

As I was riding along the weather was getting warmer and I saw about 27C at one point. By this time I was riding with just a t-shirt under my jacket, airvents opened, and sunglasses and coolest gloves on. It was great weather for riding in and a good sign of things to come.

I got to Le Mans and visited the famous motor racing circuit. Unfortunately, the museum, full of racing cars and bikes, was closed (it reopens next week!), but there were a couple of racing cars in glass cases outside. I had a ride round the 'road circuit', public roads used for racing, and it's frightening to think how fast the cars go on what are 'normal' public roads, albeit with runouts and raised kerbs.

My hotel was only a short distance away, that is where I'm writing this from. It's nice enough but nothing special and there is a really nice lake across the road.

Retirement trip - my bike

 Hello! I kind of abandoned my blog last year due to lack of views. I think the last post only got 8 views in a week and more than half of them were Russian bots. However, I'm going to give it another try as I'm about to go on my 'Retirement Trip', a five and a half week trip to numerous countries on my bike. 

As I travel I intend to take lots of photos and videos, so will be posting them here. Whether anyone looks at them or not is another question!

First up is a video I made about the bike I'll be going on. It's the Triumph Bonneville T100 I've had for a few years and in the video I describe some of the accessories I have fitted.

The Music Trip – Part 1

I'd previously mentioned that I'd planned a Retirement trip consisting of attending two music festivals in the South of England then going to Spain for a tour. Unfortunately, the Spain part of the trip has been delayed until May, but I went to the two music festivals. I've decided to refer to this as 'The Music Trip' and have split it into three parts.

The total trip was of around 1200 miles/1900 km and spread over 12 days. With the exception of some rain showers for the first 3 hours or so of the first day, the entire trip took place during exceptionally hot and sunny weather with some parts of the UK experiencing the hottest days since records began. The bike performed perfectly, but I had some issues with other things (more later).

Part 1

First part of the trip was going to the Wickham Festival near Southampton. This was going to be the longest travelling day of the trip, about 450 miles/725 km of almost entirely motorway riding as as boring as you can imagine.

I set off in showery rain that lasted for the first 3 hours or so before it became much hotter and the sun came out. This continued for the rest of the journey other than the last hour or so where it started to cloud a bit. There's not much you can say about travelling on the British motorway network, but at least there were few hold ups and I got to the festival site after about 8.5 hours of riding. Only problem I had was that my sat nav started acting erratically, as if I was repeatedly touching the touch screen, and I had to restart it a number of times to get it to lead me to the site.

Once on site I was led to a suitable camping spot by very helpful volunteers, pitched my tent, then had to move my bike to the 'campers carpark' as they didn't allow vehicles next to the tents for 'safety reasons'. Spoke to some other campers, a very friendly bunch, and they warned me that the Security firm employed 'could be a problem'. Although this was the day before the festival officially started, some entertainment had been put on for people arriving early, mostly solo signers and a Fleetwood Mac tribute act. There were plenty of food and drink vendors so I got something to eat then went to bed.

My tent was a lot smaller than everyone else's!

During the night I realised that I'd made a mistake when packing. As we had been experiencing unusually high temperatures, I had decided not to bring a 'proper' sleeping bag, instead only brought a liner thinking that would be enough. Unfortunately, it got quite cold at night and I had to get up and put more clothes on.

Next day and the first day of the festival. Technically, the festival didn't start until 17:00 and we couldn't access the arena area until then as there was another event on. So I spent the day wandering around the very nice nearby village of Wickham.

Not referring to me I hope!

As I'd been cold the night before, I looked to see if I could buy a sleeping bag, or even a duvet, but without success. Best I could get was a throw type blanket for covering furniture, so bought that.

Back at the festival site I was getting something from the bike when one of the volunteers approached me saying that Security had been looking for me and that I was to move my bike as it was 'causing an obstruction' as they wanted to put an access road through where I was parked. I asked if a nearby space was OK, they agreed, so I moved my bike. Ten minutes later I was passing and noticed two cars parked where my bike had been! The same volunteer was there and embarrassingly told me that as soon as I had moved, Security had ushered the two cars into the space. It appeared that the drivers were friends of Security and wanted to park nearer the entrance!

I went into the arena area, got something to eat and settled down to watch some bands. There were two main stages, plus about for secondary stages, so there was plenty to choose from and I moved about watching various bands' sets.

Unknown performer on one of the secondary stages

Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young

10cc (Graham Gouldman is only original member)

At the end of the night's entertainment it was back to my tent and although I now had a blanket and put on extra clothes, it was still a bit cold.

Up next morning, had breakfast, and went for a walk round the area as bands wouldn't be on until noon. Was at the bike later and two of the Security drove up in one of the buggies they used and very aggressively told me I'd have to move my bike (again!). Despite me saying that's where I was told to park, they told me to move it or 'they'd have my wristband' (ie I wouldn't be able to get back into the festival). There was a degree of threat in the way this was put, so I moved my bike again, this time parking between two trees in a space a car couldn't get into, and facing a ditch so there could be no reason to ask me to move again. Back at the campsite, in conversation with other campers there was a bad feeling about the place caused by the thuggish behaviour of the Security firm, totally at odds with the easy going peaceful atmosphere of the festival. It was also noted that there were a couple of cars and one bike that had remained on the campsite next to tents without any comment from Security and the consensus was that these were friends of theirs.

Anyway, it was back to the arena area and another day of watching bands.

Steve Knightly (also performed later as half of Show of Hands)

Blue Rose Code

After another cold night, I decided I would go out in the morning and buy a sleeping bag so got up early and rode to the nearby town of Farnham. I arrived just before 9 and the first shop I saw was a branch of Millets outdoor stores – no problem getting a sleeping bag then! As the shop wasn't yet open I walked along the main shopping street and spotted this old Moto Guzzi in the window of a furniture store.

At the end of the main street I saw a branch of Aldi, it was open and I bought a sleeping bag for £14.99 – I doubt Millets had anything that cheap. After a walk round town I made my way back to my bike and rode back to the festival site. At the gate there were a number of Security who aggressively and quite rudely told me that I couldn't come in. Despite showing me my wristband and explaining I was camping there, they refused to told me I wasn't getting in and would have to park in 'day parking' some distance from the site. I made my way there to find an open, ungated field next to a public road (other areas were gated) that the public had access to. Luckily I managed the lock the bike to a fence, but I wasn't very happy about the safety of my bike.

Back at the festival site and another day of watching bands in brilliant sunshine.

The Marching SKAletons

The Bar Steward Sons of Val Doonican

Dhol Foundation

Another thing at the festival were displays of Morris Dancing. I'd never seen Morris Dancing before (don't think it's done in Scotland), but it is fascinating to watch.

That night I had to unzip my new sleeping bag as I was too warm!

Up the next morning and the final day of the festival. I'd had a problem with my camera, sometimes it would lock up and not work. I tried taking the battery out to rest it but it would still fail now and again. However, the following day it worked perfectly and didn't fail again! Strange.

Another cosy night in my new sleeping bag and the following morning I got up, packed up my stuff and left for what will be reported in Part 2.

Overall, Wickham is a really good festival – lots of good bands, almost too many as sometimes you have to miss one that is playing the same time as another that you want to see. Plenty of high quality food vendors, always something to see, and a very friendly atmosphere about it. Would I go again? Only if the organisers employed more professional Security. The current company ruined the festival for me and others by their rude aggressive attitude towards customers. I am particularly annoyed at the security of my bike, as well as other bikes and cars, is compromised solely by the Security firm flexing their muscles. The 'campers' parking' we were evicted from was still half empty for the rest of the weekend, and that just left a bad taste in my mouth. There are plenty of other festivals taking place over the summer, so Wickham is one that I'm unlikely to return to.

Wickham Festival

 

House for sale

 The house of my late father, and where I grew up, in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire is for sale. 

Estate agent listing: here.

Retirement Trip - Part 2, Luggage

 

A few people have asked me what luggage I have on my bike, and how suitable it is for touring.

Way back in 2000 when I bought my MZ Skorpion Traveller, it came with a pair of Hepco & Becker 'Junior' 30 litre panniers.

I thought these a bit small so bought a pair of the 40 litre Junior panniers and for my first trip to France on the bike in 2001, I fitted an old Givi rack with home made brackets and an old unbranded glassfibre topbox.

When I returned, I bought a matching H&B Junior 40 litre topbox and welded home made brackets directly to the pannier mounts. 

Another photo of me when I was slim and had black hair! Cycling fans will know where this is!

Later, I bought the H&B pannier/rear rack frames for the bike as these mount the pannniers at a better angle and have a more secure topbox rack. 

When I sold the Skorpion, I kept the topbox and panniers, fitting an old set for the sale.

I bought my Bonneville and managed to buy a used H&B pannier/topbox frames and continued to use the old panniers and topbox. I have found them totally adequate for touring as they can easily carry any luggage I need. Over the years I've bought the inner bags which makes carrying luggage in and out of hotels easier.

Somewhere in France

For this year, as I was planning a longer than usual trip, part of which would include camping, I decided to increase my luggage carrying capacity. A H&B Junior 55 litre topbox came up at the right time at the right price, so I bought it. It looks hardly used and was about a third of the price of a new one so I couldn't resist.

Big enough for two helmets

Planning on a longer trip, I know I would have to carry spare oil for my Scottoiler chain oiler. I don't like the idea of carrying a bottle of oil that could leak in my 'normal' luggage, so searched for another solution. I had bought a pair of small leather pouches for the Honda that turned out not to be suitable, so decided to use them. These are sold by various sellers on eBay for around £12 – 20 each and listed as 'Universal Waterproof Motorcycle Bag PU Leather' or similar. There are a number of variants – some have buckles, some have clips, some have studs, some are rectangular, some a tapered bottom, etc. If you do a search you'll find something similar. Although the material might be waterproof, (at least for a while), the design means that rainwater will make its way in under the flap. Not a problem in my case, but something to bear in mind.

Typical advert on eBay

To fit I used a 25mm 'p–clip' around the crashbar and a couple of lengths of 20 x 2mm flat steel (available from B&Q). These were cut, drilled and filed, then bent into shape by holding them in a vice whilst tapping them with a hammer. The first one was made by eye with the second one copied from it. If anyone is interested, I can measure the brackets and make drawings. I designed them to sit about 25mm away from the engine cases in case the bike falls over and the bracket gets bent against the case scratching the chrome finish. I had some sticky backed neoprene strip which I also fitted to the inner surface 'just in case'. A coat of silver paint and some nuts and bolts and they are done.

The bags were attached at the top with the straps that came with them with a cable tie holding them onto the vertical strip so they don't flap about.

Although they aren't really needed, I'll be using them on my 'Music Trip' to see how they work and whether they need any modification before my 'Retirement Trip' next year. They are the correct size to carry 2 x 500ml bottle of Scottoil plus the filling tube, and should the oil leak, the bags are cheap enough to throw away after I return from the trip. The oil will go in one side and 2 x 500ml alloy water bottles in the other (always handy when riding in the heat of Southern Spain).

Bike with the current luggage

I'm not a great fan of tankbags but realise they are handy for things you have to get to quickly – ferry tickets, camera, sunglasses, etc. I bought a genuine Triumph one in a sale, but haven't used it yet. I'll write about it later.

Link:

Hepco & Becker UK