The Last word (AE07)

I have no intention of being wet this weekend, I've got good enough waterproof gear to keep me dry on the bike (and this has been tested to extremes - 70mph in full spray where visibility was reduced drasitcally - bone dry under the very outer layer).

Not even my gloves leak (though the outer layer does hold a bit of water so they get heavy/fat fingers).

Gore-tex, marvellous invention.

[Viney]

Originally Posted by Baph

All this talk of things with four wheels is sincerely disturbing

Been round the block too many time to know what i like and dont like. A wet muddy field is the former, and as said, not really going for the ride.

Ping, Option 2. You know you wanna. Plus i know a good Valeter for the car afterwards

[Viney]

Originally Posted by Baph

I have no intention of being wet this weekend, I've got good enough waterproof gear to keep me dry on the bike (and this has been tested to extremes - 70mph in full spray where visibility was reduced drasitcally - bone dry under the very outer layer).

Not even my gloves leak (though the outer layer does hold a bit of water so they get heavy/fat fingers).

Gore-tex, marvellous invention.

*Packs bucket for dawn raid on Baphs inner tent*

Originally Posted by Ping

Hm...
I'm now of two minds.

a) Bail. Stay at home where it's warm and dry, have warm and dry booze and Eve online weekend... did I mention warm and dry (there's also comfortable)?

b) Turn up. In the car. Bring 12 man tent, 2 4-man rooms (sleeps 2 comfortably, 4 very good friends tightly ) free for bikers who don't need to carry a tent but would also have to wait for my arrival and stuff. I don't have a gazebo but I've got a couple of chairs... Could easily get caught up in traffic and it'll most CERTAINLY make my luvly clean new car filthy inside and out...

Argh... decisions...

How about we get Hovis and Grinch to wash your car as part of this date thing they are doin

Originally Posted by stewie

How about we get Hovis and Grinch to wash your car in bikini's as part of this date thing they are doin

Hmmm...

[yorkie_chris]

Lol! now this IS getting scary!

[Skip]

Originally Posted by Viney

Yup. Dont see anything worng in that. When you break the weekend down. Its 300 motorway miles up there, 300 motorway miles home (In the rain) 120ish mile rideout on possibly wet roads. We can still come with you lot you know. Be more fun in a Lupo GTi i reckon, also we can follow you all round with spares etc if needed.

The main reason for me, and verna is the social side of things. Meeting you friendly lot, and putting names to faces and you dont need a bike for that. Alos my rear tyre is borderline if it would make the milage, and there is no way im putting a new tyre on to leave most of it on the M6!!

It also helps out with some of the logisitcs of getting equipment up there as a couple of key members are not able to make it.

So, ok, its a car, but its quick and fun, and warm, and dry....ok, i'll stop, we are soft, but we're still camping

Thats all the excuses i can think of.

Thats fair enough I guess - its the first AR for me, so its all a novelty - camping by motorcycle, huge rideout etc...

Don't get me wrong, I'd prefer to go on the bike - would if we were set to have a clear weekend - but I've had my fair share (7 years, 4-5 times a year) of wet, muddy camping (slogging through mud, fighting in mud, falling in mud, etc) and strangely enough, I've gone off it.

Danielsan, hai! muddy boots on muddy boots off muddy boots on muddy boots off



Viney - deep inside I know you're right. My head's too full of 'what ifs'. Things like 'What if the weather screws up the roads and i'm stuck for hours parked up on the M1?' I won't have any armoured bike kit on so it'll really hurt when I beat myself up for not taking the bike or staying at home.

[fizzwheel]

I had simialr thoughts to what you lot are going through now before the North / South, weather had been rubbish, and the forecast was equally so.

I wasnt camping so I didnt have that to contend with but we did have a 350 mile ride there and then 350 miles back again.

We went, we got wet, in fact we had an ace time, riding in the wet on roads we didnt know and that from the looks of the AE route are more technical than the roads you guys are doing this weekend, actually made the weekend for me.

The weather will only spoil your weekend if you let it, If that means taking the car and staying dry then so be it, nobody is going to think any less of you.

Remember its not just about the ride, its about socialising and like Viney says you dont need a bike to do that. Also its going to be a gentle bimble rather than a fast paced hoon.

Wise words Fizz.

Funny thing is though, I seem to be somewhat of a seesaw on this... Just before I read your post I changed my mind about the car and thought "stop being such a moany wuss! Take the bike, it'll be an adventure!"

Anyone else doing this or is it just me?