xXBADGERXx scrubs his new tyres in

So , I am in Buckley Tyres yesterday and I get a set of Avon Storms fitted , I ride home very carefully as I get used to the new hoops . They show great promise . The bike is locked away and an evening of Xbox ensues , new Star Wars game .

I get up early today as I was going to do some Overtime at work and as I`m brushing my choppers , I get a phone call , why does this always happen when you have a mouth full of Colgate and are frothing like a dog that`s eaten a bottle of washing up liquid ? . It`s my mate , Damage , and he mutters something blearily about "going for a ride to mid Wales as Gus has new tyres that need scrubbing in" , I mention that I too have just installed fresh , round , black hoops of goodness that will need caressing and hustling to remove their furry bits . A plan is formulated and we say our tatty-byes for the moment . I have an hour to kill and look in the mirror to see a massive avalanche of froth all down my freshly adorned T shirt ....... Mmmmmmmmmminty .

So , I get to Damage`s house and spot a Thundercat there , so that means John is here ....... more for the jaunt . His son is also there and is going pillion on the back of Damage`s bike , the poor poor lad . We all head off for Betwys-Y-Coed to collect Gus who is stuffing himself with cakes and coffee , I didn`t put that hour to good use earlier by eating or having a brew ... damnit !!!! . We find Gus , lips all powdery from a freshly harrassed confection of some sort and I give him a sideways glance of pure , seething Hatred ............ the Bast . Nah I like him really but I was so hungry I could have eaten a dead Donkey`s bum right there .

We all set off from Betwys and head along the A5 at a nice bimble . The trees are Green and in rude health here and I spot one of those agricultural arms that are on the back of tractors for cutting hedgerows in a field , as I blatt past there is a waft of cut grass in the air and I inhale sharply and take a good nosefull ........ the Sun is out and already I am in a good comfort Zone . The throttles are wound on and we get a wriggle on , the sound of my SV booms down the Valley and pops and backfires when I slow down , the Raw essence of owning an SV is happening today and I can feel it .

Eventually the indicators go on and I follow the guys down a twisty road that heads towards Lake Bala , it`s a slightly slower road than before and I notice now that the Black Visor is getting pinged very hard by some unlucky aerial assault bugs , one bounces off and it spirals to the floor like a downed Spitfire ..... tough luck there buddy . We eventually emerge onto a faster road and head towards Blaenau Ffestiniog , we find a garage forecourt to stop and discuss plans . As we are talking about where to go the owner comes out and says "Are you guys getting petrol then or what ?" , Damage replies that he is ok for now and turns to see if any of us require any ..... before a word escapes his lips the owner then says "well F-Off then and get off my forecourt" . My eyebrow raises and I think to myself "This character here needs to be taught a lesson" , I wait `til he crosses the forecourt back to the safety of the shop and I say out loud "Oh go on then I`ll have a top up" , he looks back in hope and turns around to walk back to our little gang to fill my bike up . I then say out loud "Actually my bike only takes Petrol from polite owners , you just talked yourself outta that category" . We roar away laughing to ourselves and in the mirror he flips me the bird . I don`t even dignify a response and smile mischieveously to myself inside my helmet .

We get hustling and eventually end up in Portmeirion , I desperately wanted to stop there to see the Italian style village that featured in the TV series "The Prisoner" , but everyone roars past the turnoff and heads into the town . We hang a right and head towards Eric`s Cafe for one of the best Coffees I have ever had the privelage to have bought for me , it is highly recommended .


We suit up again and by now I am feeling good about the tyres and confidance levels are satisfactory . We get a serious move on and enjoy the day even more . As we roam the valleys I am getting the smell of death in my nostrils ......... Fear not fellow Orgers , `tis not the smell of Man nor Beast , but the smell of the Forest facing the inevitable Autumn that seems so far away . I inhale more and smell the decay of leaves and also the air has a hint of Fruit in it , I make a mental note to keep an eye out for any Orchards as I`m fond of a bit of Illegal Scrumping , especially as I am still ravenous .

Before long we have done a loop and Gus has to head down South to meet his brother , he waves goodbye and his VFR plummets away from us , we take a turning back for Bala and do a loop of the lake at full tilt . The Avons are superb and before long I am hammering down the straights , rolling off a bit of throttle and lining up the corners and carving them smoothly , I have NEVER ridden an SV like this before and it felt so right . A quick stop at Bala and we have a giggle and a bit of banter . I get the phone out again to take a picture and John does a cheesy pose
See , told ya . Also notice the Green tint to Damages boots (sat on the rock with his back to you) , that`s what happens when you ride through a MASSIVE pile of Pooh . The final nail in the coffin comes when Damage says "Oh look , Boobies" . My head is turning like an Owl and I can`t see any , he informs me they are behind me . I spin around only to be greeted by the saggiest pair I have ever seen in my life , she was almost kicking them they were that bad . "That`s it" , I thought , "I`m outta here" . We all suit up and head for home . The trip home is spotted by various superbikes in full chat and I am amused by the fact that we , brothers/sisters one and all , are all experiencing a good day , it did have the air of it being the last good weekend of the year (Then again this lot haven`t been on SVorg rideouts around here ) . Eventually we start getting into the thick of the traffic and we despatch cars with a goodly twist of the throttle and an eye on the horizon , the Avons are egging me on to greater and more planted lean angles and I start to oblige them .... "Come on xXBADGERXx , abuse us some more , we like it like that" , STOP IT your gonna make me gain my first ever points , naughty Hoops , naughty but I like you .

Eventually we get near Betwys and I spot the Copper Chopper in the air and alert the lads to the spy in the sky . We tone it down a bit and ride smoothly and in a line behind the traffic . It follows us all the way to Llanrwst where it gets bored of us and goes off to refuel or make videos for ITV or something . We have a final Blatt past the cars and head our seperate ways at the Black Cat roundabout . I gun her home for the final run and smile to myself , damn , these Avons are good , addictively good . The Sv is put away and I admire the fact that my chicken strips are smaller than they were on the Dunlops , not a great amount but they show promise . I give the SV a treat when I get home by replaceing Oil/Air filters and a fresh glug of the Golden stuff , it has been a good day my friends ............ a damn good day .

another xxbadgerxx epic well thought out and planned in advance.either u are fast on the keyboard or have alot of time on ur hands.lol
I think we need a seperate section just for your fantastic tales.

That was , but a mere , 20 minutes work to write , upload pics and edit to taste Glad you enjoyed it Gid (also I edited a bit of extra text under the second Photo , something about Damage`s boots

I've got a mate called Gus (Paul) who lives in Penmanmawr. He's sales manager at the Suzuki dealer in Bangor. Say hello from me next time you're in there.

Different Gus , your on about the Gus that works in Road and Trail ? John and his son (in the pictures) are from Penmaenmawr , small world isn`t it ?

No, the Gus I know works at Bill Smiths in Bangor. We've been best mates for nearly 30 years. He's the guy who saved my life the night I had my heart attack.

Oh I still think Bill Smith`s is Road and Trail , I think R and T went down the pan years ago . I know 3 or 4 Gus`s and possibly know your mate , I shall pop in there when I am over that way and pass on your "Hello"

Originally Posted by xXBADGERXx

Oh I still think Bill Smith`s is Road and Trail , I think R and T went down the pan years ago .

Nope, Road & Trial are still going, at Four Crosses nor far from Menai Bridge. Still, I'd rather pay Bill Smith's over-priced figures than go to R&T personally.

Show`s when I last went there then doesn`t it LOL

wow!! How poetic. Well done you go get yourself a pint.. or two or three