Not long to go now - think Bike !
 

AR isnt far away, its great to see such a big attendance list and everybody getting excited, but if I can be serious for a wee minute or two.

This weekend coming is the last weekend you'll have to check your bike over. So whilst your packing your camping gear and sorting out your stuff, spare a minute to give your bike a check over.

That little niggle that you have, might develop into a big niggle, Chain, sprockets, tyre pressures, oil and water, cast your eye over them are they OK ? All the bolts nice and tight, nothing there thats going to let you down whilst you are away.

Now nobody is for one minute if you have a problem you'll be abandoned at the side of the road with no help, I'm confident you wont be, but its always nice to be self sufficent, so if you are coming along way think about what you might need in order to be able to come home again, so maybe some spare levers or a fixer peg. Cable ties and gaffer tape also come in handy for temporary repairs. Puncture repair kit or some slime can also be handy in a sticky situation. Some parts of where we are going are remote and having been round the route or parts of it in bad weather, you'd not want to be stuck in some places with no means of getting moving again for very long. Because you might have a long wait for the "very nice man" with the recovery truck.

A couple of spare bungee's for luggage may also come in handy, if your Oxford Luggage leaks as much as mine does, stuffing your clothes in side a bin bag is certainly a good idea to.

If you've got Breakdown recovery make sure you know the phone number of the recovery company.

I realise this may come across as teaching a few to suck eggs, its not my intention, just a prompt or a nudge to give your bike a check over before you leave will help ensure you have a trouble free and enjoyable weekend.

Dont get me wrong. I've not been on an AR yet where people have had problems of the mechnical sign, but I have seen it happen on other rideouts. I work on the assumption that if I am prepared for a breakdown more than likely I wont have one. A bit of preparation and some TLC now might save you a whole heap of hassle on the day itself.

See you at the AR

Re: Not long to go now - think Bike !
 

+1 to all above.

This is an important thing to remember people....don't let a simple thing like checking your bike jeopardise the enjoyment of your weekend :-)

Re: Not long to go now - think Bike !
 

Agreed,
Sometimes people end up trying to get their bikes ready at the last possible minute for the AR or a trackday (I've been more than guilty in the past), and things can get missed. (Loose axel bolts, suspension bolts, sprockets etc have all occuured in the past, though rarely at the AR!)

Top up your oil and bring some spare if your bike uses a little (My SV does). You may not do this many miles normally but the London visitors for instance will rack up the best part of 650+ miles in that weekend, many people will do more, if your tyres, brake pads, chain or fluids are borderline, think about the milage and make sure you'll have plenty in reserve.

Remember on the Rideout itself, the Tail-end-Charlie is there to make sure the marker system works and that the lead rider can be informed of problems. They are not expected to be a mechanic and even covering "basic tools" for the variety of bikes we have show up would need a lot of gear. Make sure you're carrying what you need and you're happy with the bike before you set off.

Really looking forward to this!
Jambo

Re: Not long to go now - think Bike !
 

Thanks for that Jambo, very good points!

Re: Not long to go now - think Bike !
 

No worries Fizz.. I have ALL my tools packed already

Re: Not long to go now - think Bike !
 

better to have it and not need it than need it and.... where's my tool kit gone?

Re: Not long to go now - think Bike !
 

yep sorted on the oil front Jambo, Lol.

Re: Not long to go now - think Bike !
 

Cheers for the reminder Fizz, I shall apply liberal TLC to our steeds this weekend.

Re: Not long to go now - think Bike !
 

You ARE a tool! :D

Re: Not long to go now - think Bike !
 

well said fizz xxxxxxxx can't wait for a cuddle !