Travels with my camera

[fizzwheel]

For the first time in ages. I had a ride today all by myself. Its pretty much my first ride on my own with no purpose to it since last year, I've been out on the GSXR either with Liz or I've been using it to get me places, bike meets etc.

I watched the MotoGp qualifying and then fished the GSXR out the garage and off I went, Pootled through Yeovil and then out past the AR08 campsite, the pub carpark was full of scooters, vespa's and the like, looked they were having their own AR !!

Out and away from Yeovil and off to langport through the impossible to pronouce Huish Episcopi and then onto Langport and attacked the Seven Bends, I wasnt really going for it, I was making progress but with no objective to the ride and no time I had to be back for I've got no reason to hurry just feels ace to relax and just ride. I stopped at Othery to take a pic or two..



Then through the sprawl of Bridgwater and onto the A39 to Minehead, I'm constantly reminded this is a popular road with bikers, due to the nice big Yellow signs saying "x number of deaths in x number of years" its also a Double white line fest and theres no chance to safely get by other vehicles and I dont fancy playing chicken today so I sit back and just enjoy the ride.

As I get near to Minehead I catch the railtracks of the West Somerset Railway and theres alot of people out with cameras, wandering why and feeling the need to use the Toilet I pull in a Williton and have a gander about.

Eventually this lot pull in and pull away again, everybody is clicking away and I gather from one of the station staff its quite a special pairing, but no idea why..





Back on the bike again and heading for Porlock Hill. I'd forgotten how steep this is and I can smell hot brake pads as I make my way up it. It was nice and dry and hot when I left home, typically its now starting to rain and I can smell that sweet smell that lingers about when it hasnt rained for ages and it reminds me that the roads will more than likely be slippy

Now normally this is a lovely view looking out across the bay towards wales, not today though...



Rain has eased a bit so I decide I'll plod on towards Lynton / Lynmouth, I like this bit of road its one of my favourites, but its bumpy and 60 - 70 has me out the seat. Also its covered it gravel in places after last weekends heavy rain so I'm having to be careful about my lines.

I stop on Contisbury Hill for a few more pics









Weathers on the change again and its starting to rain so I turn round and head for home.



Theres lots of bikers out today. I'm caught by one as I'm coming back up Contisbury Hill and he's riding right up my chuff and I dont feel like going any faster so I let him by, gives me a nice wave and then I'm glad I did as he rides straight through a patch of gravel and the rear of his bike goes all over the shop and then a few minutes later he narrowly avoids being ploughed into by a CBR coming in the other way, who is trying to avoid a car thats pulled out of a side road in front of him. Now if I hadnt let that chap by I'd have been right in the path of the CBR, funny how a few seconds can make a big difference isnt it and I'm reminded again why I prefer riding solo.

No more pics now, just back up the A39, head for Bridgwater and then make for Glastonbury as its getting darker and starting to rain again.

I left home at 2ish and I got back at about 8ish and I honestly cant tell you where the time went !! Really enjoyed it and I shall have to get out more.

Nothing beats the sheer pleasure of riding and I've really missed it

[Bibio]

watch it, you'll be wearing an anorak soon...

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Bibio

watch it, you'll be wearing an anorak soon...

I did look a little out of place on the platform and I got some very funny looks, and then the train arrived and they forgot about me...

[Rich]

Those are my roads, did you not hear about my toll charge for using them?? Shame it started to rain, give me a shout if you ever fancy a bimble in North Somerset/Devon again!!

Rich

contisbury hill?? aint u got a nice pic of yer yelowcurcy in that smae spot Fizz??


me like goin out for a nice ride on my own too ... but that doesnt seem to happen with mandy on the back..

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Quiff Wichard

contisbury hill?? aint u got a nice pic of yer yelowcurcy in that smae spot Fizz??

Yep & Yep



I dont think its the same layby though, I stopped in the first one and I couldnt get off my bike. THe road is quite steep there and the GSXR is taller than the SV and I got stuck on the bike so I went to the next layby down the hill as the road is less steep there.

[maviczap]

The Trains in the picture are the last of the old diesel class. The blue one isn't anything special, but the red one is a Western class diesel I think.

Used to run between Paddington & the West Country and one of my favourite class of engines, except foe the mighty Deltics. What a beautiful noise they made

Classic views and shot on the hill - so hard to take in as its such a panoramic view. Wish I lived out that way