Rictus

[rictus01]

Only done one ride on it so far, so a bit early to say whether the AE07 is a go or not, but did'nt have a problem on the A3 last night at shall we say SV topping speed , bit of a barge but there again I'm riding around a bit nannyish and expect it'll take a while to get over that.

Over the next couple of weeks I'll do some high mileage (300+) back to back days and see how I manage.

But so far it's looking good.

Cheers Mark.

Oh and the insurance was fun on the CB £62 TPFT with the normal legal, breakdown, unlimited mileage, ride any bike 3rd party stuff

[ethariel]

Good to see ya on the CB last night in soho

Colin

[rictus01]

Well yesterday was a big day, loaded the bike up with all the tat needed for AE07 (tent, airbed,sleeping bag, that kind of stuff) to give it the weight I'll have to manage on the trip up there (even filld the panniers with tools).

I woke early and dispite planning to kick of at 8 am, I found myself ready to go at quarter to 7, so added an extra loop to my planned 200 mile route.

Kicked of and headed down to the Oakdene,not a slow pace, but perhaps best discribed as economical riding style, got a brew there, cross country to the Chalet (Cowfold) for 9 am (124 mile so far) stopped for another brew and a bacon & egg butty, crossed paths with the guys on the Guildford "seaside" ride-out, quick hello and away; nice if sedate "B" road route across country and up to Fox's to meet the group up there (218 miles), just met jelster & Nick as they were leaving, but was in need of a sit down and removing the knee brace for half an hour, had a nice time meeting the guys from the other side (I'm sure I've met some of them before, but alas the old brain wasn't as forthcoming as normal), another brew and a couple of hours sitting around then kick off just down the road to Bigape's down in Newbury.

A warm welcome as always from the Ape's (although Nathan did proceed to put his hand on the CB's hot exhaust (he's OK, but did spend the next couple of hours with his hand in a bucket of cold water), Jo will hopefully get the plaster removed on Tuesday, I know only to well what a big thing that is, so best of luck with that .

Si's still not sure of their attendance of AE07, but I really hope they can come, everyone needs to let thier hair down, once in a while, so hope it comes together for them.

After many brews & fags, on the road again, down to Bassingstoke and over to boxhill, quick stop, then on down to Tandridge, had a pint with Ric before heading for home.

Biggest problem of the day, well the lefthand mirror rotates at three figure speeds , but that's about it. not a thing moved on the bike and it handled fine, even I managed without to much pain or discomfort, got back to mine and unloaded the bike (and here's the telling bit) managed the four trips up & down my front steps standing up .

So in summary, I can do 3 hours on the bike without removing the brace, then a ten minute brake or so (which lets face it should be a fuel stop by then).
I can manage the bike fully loaded, both for parking and riding.
I covered a total of 312 miles all in (more than enough to get me there).
And the bike handled it all really well, a safe 180 miles per tank is what I'll be planning on, not a drop of oil needed though .

This morning I'm not to bad (read no worse than normal), I'll try a quick 100 miles this afternoon, but can't see that being a problem.

So all looking good

Cheers Mark.

Great news Mark! Just shows the power of sheer bloody-mindedness Guess when I'm out and about now I'll have to keep my eyes open for a CB filling my mirrors as opposed to a triple

That's really great news, and even though said ruler of the world thinks you're insane (I agree with her, btw!), you're still an inspiration. Stubborn or not!

glad to hear that things are finally coming together again on the bike riding front!

Was at work this morning and saw the 'Rictus' titled thread flash up and clicked on it - saw the first page and thought 'oh no, not again' - took me about a page before I realised it was the old Rictus crash thread. Was just getting all emotional about having only seen him at The Chalet yesterday on the CB and then realised it was the old crash thread!

Phew!

[rictus01]

Been down the Hosp today, seems the consultant wants to try a bone graft as an anchor for a PCL replacement, means I go back in a cast again for a couple of months, but we'll see.

with that and the ACL reconstruction, I should be able to walk without the brace and a lot less pain, but may lose some of the flex I've got threw scar tissue build up, got to think it over and let him know next week, could well be a choice between pain free walking or being able to ride.


Cheers Mark.

You do what you've gotta do - but for me, pain-free walking be damned.

[Biker Biggles]

I'd seriously consider pain free walking.
As for being able to ride,there will always be a way.