View Full Version : Rideouts Saturday & Sunday (18th & 19th)
Right then, I'm up for a ride tomorrow. Weather's not brilliant but dry - http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2653822
It'll be around South Wales. Probably doing 100+ miles of riding. If no one's got anything planned, are you for a ride?
3 Options:
Saturday
1. Thunder Road has a free test ride day tomorrow (Bridgend) - http://www.thunderroad.co.uk/news/suzuki-test-ride-day-saturday-18th-may-bridgend.aspx
2. Test Ride one of these (http://www.gtsuperbikes.com/gbu0-catshow/Kawasaki+Sports.html) Kawasakis at GT Superbikes (Talbot Green)
... And then a couple of hours ride in South Wales, perhaps towards Builth Wells (including the Ross Road).
And/Or on Sunday:
3. A long ride to Barmouth (and back) - http://www.welshbikers.co.uk/forum/welshbikers-events-days-out/rideout/
This will be a group ride with about 10 or so Bikes. About 140 miles with a few coffee stops, meet some welsh bikers from the North, and then a "swift" journey back to our respective manor's.
Haven't decided on 1 or two yet but defo out tomorrow at any rate. I'll also be doing the big ride to Barmouth on Sunday for some Fish & Chips :D
Grant66
17-05-13, 09:14 AM
Count me in :-D
Updated. Will be posting a route for tomorrow soon.
TheOnlyNemesis
17-05-13, 09:40 AM
I'm in for the saturday one.
TheOnlyNemesis
17-05-13, 09:51 AM
scratch that, i got Oxford next weekend and London the weekend after that so can't spare the petrol money. Sorry lads.
squirrel_hunter
17-05-13, 12:48 PM
What time would it be for Saturday if you wanted to test ride something, and where would the meeting point be as I have no idea where I'd be going?
Ok, so thinking Thunder Road to start. Haven't pre-booked but there's loads of bikes available to try so I figured head down and get out on something for 30min to an hour. If anyone's interested in a test ride then meeting is Thunder Road, Bridgend at 10:30am (ish) - http://goo.gl/maps/9JbxL
After that, Brecon and beyond. Here's a route I had in mind - http://goo.gl/maps/CqJGq
This takes in Bridgend (Thunder Rd) but if people don't want to meet there then Brecon is the next logical meeting point. Costa Coffee, Brecon @ 12:30? Or a meet at Terry's a bit earlier en route - http://goo.gl/maps/ks3Mb
Then from there onwards. Happy to shorten it if people prefer and suggestions for roads welcome.
squirrel_hunter
17-05-13, 02:41 PM
I'd never get to Bridgend for 10:30. Its at least 2 hours of motorway for me. Plus with my navigation skills I'd never find it or any of the later stops in Brecon.
Is this time too early? Not really fussed either way. Was more thinking of the Bristol guys and giving them loads of time to get back. But I'm more than happy with a later start. As long as I'm out tomorrow I'm happy. These plans are only suggestions anyway so if people prefer something else just chip in.
If not, I'll be doing the above but may very well start at about 11.30ish and have a lie in :) If anyone's interested just message here or text (07728834669). If not, enjoy the weekend :D
squirrel_hunter
17-05-13, 06:49 PM
Yeah 10:30 is way to early for me, even I need to sleep a little. 11:30 is do able, but as I've never been there before is there somewhere easier to meet so I can follow you in?
Sure, just meet me in Cardiff. Grant is also coming (???) so you can catch up with him on the way through Bristol. As for good meeting place. How about Tesco's here - http://goo.gl/maps/eWnXX
squirrel_hunter
17-05-13, 07:59 PM
Just had a look at its not to bad for me to find. J35, R1 over, R2 right, left under bridge. So meet you there about 11:30 unless Grant wants to hook up at Severn View?
At Tesco right? If so its M4-A48 all the way into Cardiff. You don't have to take any roundabouts, just stay on the road until you pass under the bridge and see a set of lights in front of you (from which you'll see the Tesco's clear as day ahead to your left). So hang a left at the lights at at the end of the rd is a Tesco Patrol station to fuel up/snack etc :)
squirrel_hunter
17-05-13, 08:19 PM
Na, I mean I'll meet you at Thunder Road as I'll just M4 it down and don't fancy doing Cardiff as I always get lost there. Its like the road signs are in another language.
Haha, ok. See you there. Grant knows the way.
Grant66
17-05-13, 08:48 PM
Seven view, is that the services?
What time?
squirrel_hunter
17-05-13, 09:59 PM
Severn View services. Though thinking about it that's not a good idea, wrong bridge. How about Magor Services, the first services over the bridge say 10:30ish. Will intend to leave here at about 9:30, hour to get to Magor, hour to get to Thunder Road.
Let me know if I'm stopping there to hook up with you Grant?
Grant66
17-05-13, 10:04 PM
Ok see you at the services at 10:30. I'll loiter near the petrol station.
Setting off for Thunder Rd in 30mins. See you chaps there.
Grant66
18-05-13, 07:41 PM
Great day out, eventful. Now sat in a nice hot bubble bath :-D
Haha Enjoy it mate!
SH - Hope you made it back safely. Bloody Reg Rec! Hope you enjoyed it mate, appreciate you making the long journey as its a fair old way for you to come.
I have another route in mind which takes us into the mountains in Brecon but I thought that's probably best done another time, so let us know if you guys are free and give me a shout.
Good to see you guys again. Take it steady.
squirrel_hunter
18-05-13, 11:21 PM
That was a fun little ride. Got back around 11ish, recovery was fairly swift. Garage for me tomorrow...
Is there a video from today that shows a particular little incident?
11 is not too bad I suppose but not the best ending, so again glad you it wasn't worse. Lewis texted from hospital (after going home for a Pizza - priorities!) to say defo broken. Nurse was in the process of X-wraying. He was more worried about his mum being ****ed but she was OK about it. He thinks he's out for a month or so. Not too bad considering how bad it could have been. I reckon he'll get the video up tomorrow or so.
By the way, thanks for giving him all that advice and talking him through it. Did you know he's only 17?
Hopefully see you soon for another one. And can't wait to see the results of le grand projet :)
Grant66
21-05-13, 07:38 AM
Any sign of the video?
Any sign of the video?
Spoke to Lewis yesterday and he said he'd only just reviewed the footage (been in and out of the Doctors). He said it was "pretty bad" but he'd try and upload something in the next week or so.
Here's his Youtube Channel - http://www.youtube.com/user/webmasterhelpguide
Apparently he'll need a proper cast on the ankle so no riding for him for a while :(
squirrel_hunter
21-05-13, 12:29 PM
Apparently he'll need a proper cast on the ankle so no riding for him for a while :(
You can still ride like that, nothing says you can't.
You can still ride like that, nothing says you can't.
Hahahaha! I suppose he could just rock it 'Supermoto Style' - leg out in front - or give it the old Rossie dangle and just dig in instead of the back brake :)
Grant66
21-05-13, 06:19 PM
Apparently he'll need a proper cast on the ankle so no riding for him for a while :(
He just needs a bigger boot. Does anybody use the rear brake for the first 2 years?
He just needs a bigger boot. Does anybody use the rear brake for the first 2 years?
Lol! :D
Here's a first short vid of the Ride he's uploaded. More to come ...
oDIOtsjws20
BikePike
26-05-13, 07:08 PM
Just came to put the link to that video up! Will upload the crash footage now.
I've got 2 or 3 broken bones in my foot, I've got to have an operation, either next Thursday or the Tuesday after.
That's an old channel btw.
BikePike
26-05-13, 07:51 PM
I had definitely lost my concentration, needed a good drink and break. Didn't brake till I was right in front of those directional arrows.
hTlYIpWzxCQ
Sorry Grant for knocking into your bike. I had started to use my rear brake again, especially at low speeds, I went through my last tyre in 900 miles, and although I off the line quick, many people suggested that the rear brake wore the rear out really quick, so I stopped using for a while. When I panic braked here I didn't use the rear.
Lewis!!! Welcome. Will have a look at the vid in a mo. Just wanted to say hi! Sorry to hear about the broken bones and op. I take some responsibility because I missed the turn for the cafe after Llandrindod. I went back today and know exactly where I went wrong. After coming out of Llandod, there is a roundabout that says (Left) Hereford (Straight Ahead) Builth. Should have taken the left, Cafe's right on the corner. So, apologies as I did intend to stop earlier for some food. Hope the op goes well and you're back on the bike soon.
Ronnie.
BikePike
26-05-13, 08:39 PM
Thanks, I signed up a few days ago to checkout the bikes for sale here. Ah it's ok, not really a big deal, mostly annoyed that I'm going to miss the best months for riding that I waited all winter for. Not your fault at all, so many things I could have done different to avoid it.
Yeah, it isn't the easiest to see, you come out of the corner before it fairly fast and its hidden by the petrol station.
I hope it's not too long.
squirrel_hunter
26-05-13, 09:25 PM
Good to hear from you, was wondering how the foot was. Shame its going to need an operation, hope its not going to stop your BikeSafe.
Good little video, what's the music on it? Also without sounding morbid I am interested to see the crash footage, though the word "footage" sounds a little harsh...
Edit: Just seen it come up, watching it now.
BikePike
26-05-13, 09:29 PM
Good to hear from you, was wondering how the foot was. Shame its going to need an operation, hope its not going to stop your BikeSafe.
Good little video, what's the music on it? Also without sounding morbid I am interested to see the crash footage, though the word "footage" sounds a little harsh...
Edit: Just seen it come up, watching it now.
That's strange, it was in my post above but somehow it's gone.
hTlYIpWzxCQ
or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTlYIpWzxCQ
Won't be able to do my bikesafe, but I'm phoning them next week to change to one in August.
Thanks, the song is The Distance by Cake.
BikePike
26-05-13, 09:32 PM
Oh and I've got to find the footage of that ricer with the ****ty body kit you pointed out.
squirrel_hunter
26-05-13, 09:53 PM
Links there now.
Crash Analysis: Yes its concentration and observation. I think you missed the sign for the junction and the give way warning or at least you didn't react to it as I thought you should. On the video, look in your mirror, you can see me maintaining distance to you right up until the give way sign before I drop back and disappear. That's not the corner that was me backing off ready. Once you go round the corner and see the parked bike you try to break, but you are a little to fast and there was a lot of dirt in that gutter that you were riding on, once you touched the brakes on that surface, you're going down.
So what have we learned from this? I think the first thing is that if you are tired or need food/ a break then its fine to stop. On group rides like this when we pull in if you need more time out of the saddle then that's fine let the other riders know and it will be accommodated. The other thing I think happened is you focused on Grants tyre or the gutter, always look were you want to go, not where you want to crash. And finally if you have a lot of braking to do for a drop off that isn't going to happen in time then its fine to run on, if the other bikes have pulled in but you cant make it for whatever reason then carry on, we will regroup and not leave you behind.
Finally most of this is just experience and I was pleased with the standard of ridding you showed throughout the rest of the day (excluding this and that other little bit) considering your time on a bike. Please don't take any of this as criticisms just hopefully some constructive feedback. I would be more than happy to ride with you again.
BikePike
26-05-13, 10:10 PM
Links there now.
Crash Analysis: Yes its concentration and observation. I think you missed the sign for the junction and the give way warning or at least you didn't react to it as I thought you should. On the video, look in your mirror, you can see me maintaining distance to you right up until the give way sign before I drop back and disappear. That's not the corner that was me backing off ready. Once you go round the corner and see the parked bike you try to break, but you are a little to fast and there was a lot of dirt in that gutter that you were riding on, once you touched the brakes on that surface, you're going down.
So what have we learned from this? I think the first thing is that if you are tired or need food/ a break then its fine to stop. On group rides like this when we pull in if you need more time out of the saddle then that's fine let the other riders know and it will be accommodated. The other thing I think happened is you focused on Grants tyre or the gutter, always look were you want to go, not where you want to crash. And finally if you have a lot of braking to do for a drop off that isn't going to happen in time then its fine to run on, if the other bikes have pulled in but you cant make it for whatever reason then carry on, we will regroup and not leave you behind.
Finally most of this is just experience and I was pleased with the standard of riding you showed throughout the rest of the day (excluding this and that other little bit) considering your time on a bike. Please don't take any of this as criticisms just hopefully some constructive feedback. I would be more than happy to ride with you again.
Not at all I appreciate the feedback.
I knew I needed to stop, but thought I could go a bit further before I had to, really need to start trusting my gut feeling.
Yeah, I remember thinking there was going to be another corner and only suddenly realised there was a junction ahead just when I started to brake. Yeah, I should have swerved to the right, but it happened so quick that I was braking as hard as I could, didn't look like I was going to stop before Grants tyre (Target fixation), so put a bit more force in when I locked the front.
The overtake where I almost went into a head on car still looks deceiving on the video (Will upload that here too) It looks like there isn't anything ahead in the other lane (possibly blocked by the car ahead, or dip in the road) and I couldn't out accelerate the car in front. I think he might have purposely accelerated to stop me from overtaking.
squirrel_hunter
26-05-13, 10:42 PM
The overtake where I almost went into a head on car still looks deceiving on the video (Will upload that here too) It looks like there isn't anything ahead in the other lane (possibly blocked by the car ahead, or dip in the road) and I couldn't out accelerate the car in front. I think he might have purposely accelerated to stop me from overtaking.
Not sure of that, I certainly didn't see anything like that when I was ridding with you. It is worth adding that videos can make things look faster or closer then they actually are, but yep nothing wrong with looking at that bit again and thinking over what happened. The other bit I was referring to was what we discussed at the fuel stop, and like I said on the day I did see that you took that on board in your riding later on, so no need to go in to that again in any detail.
But coming back to overtaking, remember there is nothing wrong with moving out to make the overtake, deciding its not safe and moving back in until the space opens out.
BikePike
26-05-13, 10:47 PM
Not sure of that, I certainly didn't see anything like that when I was ridding with you. It is worth adding that videos can make things look faster or closer then they actually are, but yep nothing wrong with looking at that bit again and thinking over what happened. The other bit I was referring to was what we discussed at the fuel stop, and like I said on the day I did see that you took that on board in your riding later on, so no need to go in to that again in any detail.
But coming back to overtaking, remember there is nothing wrong with moving out to make the overtake, deciding its not safe and moving back in until the space opens out.
What was that again? I can't remember what was said at a fuel stop?
What I meant to say was, the overtake looked clear, there was only a slight bend in the road, moved out to check, couldn't see anything, then went for the over take but they guy in front accelerated as well. then I had to pop back in, but it was fairly close, with my camera in 720p it's got a 170 degree lense so everything does seem much closer though.
Grant66
26-05-13, 10:54 PM
Don't think he accelerated to stop you overtaking, he just didn't slow down to let you in. Same thing with the van a little later.
No worries about the small bump on my wheel, could have been a lot worse especially if you'd kept upright.
It's good you've got the video to see what you did wrong and you can learn from it.
Hope the foot gets better quickly :-) on the plus side it probably prevented some damage to the bike (although I'd recommend not doing that in future).
Hope to see you out again soon.
squirrel_hunter
26-05-13, 11:05 PM
What was that again? I can't remember what was said at a fuel stop?
The S bends where you ran a little wide. Slow in fast out, turn in points, but good recovery. The BikeSafe will cover it better than that though.
I wish someone could have offered me similar feedback when I started! Lewis, only thing I'll add is get back on that bike ASAP and ride the tyres off of it. We''ll be out again when the foot heals up :D
BikePike
27-05-13, 07:47 AM
The S bends where you ran a little wide. Slow in fast out, turn in points, but good recovery. The BikeSafe will cover it better than that though.
Ah yes I remember, thanks. Going to practise some theory from the police riders handbook before I do my bikesafe, and try and focus on it as soon as I'm back on the bike.
BikePike
27-05-13, 07:48 AM
I wish someone could have offered me similar feedback when I started! Lewis, only thing I'll add is get back on that bike ASAP and ride the tyres off of it. We''ll be out again when the foot heals up :D
Yeah it's very helpful, I can't wait!
BikePike
29-05-13, 09:05 AM
Looks like I'm not going to need an operation, they're going to manipulate my foot under an x-ray next week to check. But I'm going to get Arthritis before I'm 40, doctor said it's possible to get it in as little as 6 weeks, I'll have an operation then.
Might not miss my bikesafe course then!
squirrel_hunter
30-05-13, 12:20 AM
I almost forgot the most important question... How's the bike? From what I remember there wasn't much damage, couple of scuffs and a broken indicator, unless anything else turned up?
BikePike
31-05-13, 06:35 AM
I almost forgot the most important question... How's the bike? From what I remember there wasn't much damage, couple of scuffs and a broken indicator, unless anything else turned up?
Haha, yeah, we'll I haven't checked the bike yet, but I think it's just the indicator scratch and dent in the exhaust.
Received a new indicator yesterday
BikePike
18-06-13, 08:05 AM
All the damage is the same as we saw before (scratched fairing, crack by leg, dented exhaust and a little paint scrape on the brake lever and bar weight.
Did my BikeSafe last weekend, it was great. Got all B's in the assessment and an A for attitude, definitely riding safer, but also slower.
Fantastic Lewis! We're out on Saturday and then Fuzzy's booked a ride for Sunday to the Forest of Dean. You in? You can show us some of those Bikesafe skills ;)
BikePike
18-06-13, 08:41 AM
Fantastic Lewis! We're out on Saturday and then Fuzzy's booked a ride for Sunday to the Forest of Dean. You in? You can show us some of those Bikesafe skills ;)
I might be in on one of them, bike is still running crap so I'm waiting on one of those tools for measuring gaps in valve shims and spark plugs, don't have a torque wrench that goes as low as 4ft/lb either so I want to get that sorted quick.
squirrel_hunter
18-06-13, 12:31 PM
4ft/lb? thats is really low. So much I wouldn't bother with a torqure wrench with. What is it for?
BikePike
18-06-13, 12:43 PM
4ft/lb? thats is really low. So much I wouldn't bother with a torqure wrench with. What is it for?
It's for the spark plug, Haynes manual days to just do it hand tight then 1/4 turn with a wrench
squirrel_hunter
18-06-13, 04:48 PM
Just do the spark plug as Haynes says, its how I do them.
Just do the spark plug as Haynes says, its how I do them.
Listen to this man Lewis. 4ft/lbs is probably harder to do with a torque wrench than by hand because its nothing. Also, I have a spark plug gap tool I'll gladly lend you if I see you on the weekend or if you want to come round and get it on Thursday.
Grant66
18-06-13, 06:33 PM
Gap tool is called feeler gauge btw.
Gap tool is called feeler gauge btw.
Exactly! :D That's what I've got.
Grant66
18-06-13, 06:52 PM
Just read that you can get an extra 1% power by indexing the plugs. :eek:
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