Drenched to the Bone

Well the weeks slip away. Travelling to South Hook on a daily basis despite the weather is ok. The Vulcan has travelled through more water than the one in Thunderball these last few weeks.
The Pembrokeshire county show diverted me to the A477 off the A40 for 3 days. An ok road providing there is no other traffic on it as parts have very little place to pass – the ninja behind me found a space but I wasn’t pushing the vn’ s luck that far.
Generally, the drivers in West Wales are a lot more considerate than going East. When they see you looking to pass they indicate and pull over to let you pass.
However, there have been the exceptions :
A poxy KA that manoeuvred to the inside lane to pass me (I was at 80 plus) with traffic ahead would have then cut me up when pulling back out –as he came alongside I mouth my disapproval and added a little more fuel into the twin.
A Focus at Cross Hands almost shunted me as I slowed for the roundabout – If someone is going to get that close to my arse I prefer them to wear a condom.
Rain – Haven’t known so much. Looking at the wheel arches of the vehicles I pass I thought I saw surfers riding the tunnel of water. But generally on the open road it has taken no more that 7 % of the speed – a lot less than the 4 plus wheelers.
Aqua planning is their danger as a wheel loses grip and the car swings off the highway as happened to some poor sod just prior to Carmarthen. The VN thunders on.
Rain so bad had to spend the day in work with boots and socks off – bare foot in safety shoes not nice - drenched to the bone.
Happier times - passing and being passed by a blonde in a BMW she lets me pass again – must be the 85 cu incher throbbing between the legs – although I regret to advise that is in truth a 1475 cc metric cruiser. On that topic the VN still handles less well in right handers, must be the weight hanging on the right – the exhausts of course - it ‘s not me or I’d be in films. It’s a real bummer on the Briton Ferry Bridge with the winds of late – don’t know what is best – slow down out of the buffeting or power on beyond it – the speedo runs around one o’clock - you guessed power on.
Things to avoid:
Missing the 100 yd warning for a junction and stopping at 50 in approx 50 yds – arse end does not point in the same direction as the front end – disappointingly the film didn’t reflect the cheek clenching experience.


Overtaking – always make sure you have changed over to reserve on the fuel if you plan on overtaking when the tank is reaching the limit of its normal range – especially when you are looking at 4 wheels coming in the opposite lane.


I have begun to judge my journey’s time by the people you pass and where:
Around Gorseinon an unknown bike (we pass on opposite carriageways at around 80 a piece and have yet to clock what it is) but the rider looks like Kroenen (in mask) from Hellboy .
On time at Penblewin Roundabout and a new vw beetle with the herbie paint job coming in the opposite direction – any sooner and I am late.

Thursday the 28th August saw the VN clock up 50,000 miles - 45k of them mine.
New Brakes fitted to the rear are so sodden just not holding.
Dry cold crisp day
Hold up 80-0=90 to Carmarthen – at cross hands 2 fiat vans pass at 90 ish but pass them on the roundabout at Cross Hands. Smoothly up the box and the VN powers on – they pass me as approach Carmarthen but I pass on the roundabout as they peel off to Llanelli.
The roundabout at St Clears is a joy to sweep around and the vn lies low in the sweeping right hand turn. Hold up a good rate to Haverford west chasing down an Audi at 90 most of the way.
Run home at Carmarthen – tailed by a VW and a Ford on the roundabout and power through and on .They become smaller in the mirrors – eat my carbon foot print.

Tuesday 09/09 Wet really wet. Can only hold 65 -70 until I clear Bont Abrahm. Up to 80 plus thereafter – hold of f the BMW sport to Carmarthen.
Weather eases to just heavy rain. Used to seeing the winding misty snake at my rear – so long as that’s the only snake at my rear !
Reach Haverfordwest to see the result of a 4 wheeled BMW in the front of a bus. It’s a straight road and don’t know how he could miss a bus – but then he didn’t.
Well the VN is now at 51585 miles – due another oil change and will need new tyres in 2 weeks. (that is around 12 k on the back). Have also ordered some Highway Hawk baffles for the Vance and Hines (that day is due soon and I can’t be arsed to fit the stocks.). (arrived today).
PS Just bought a lottery ticket – my luck as I check the numbers tonight (discovering I have the winning ticket) the particle accelerator will whip it out of my hand and hurtle it off to Switzerland – closely followed by everything else.

Drenched to the bone – Times they are a-changing – Bob Dylan.

_________________
If you can see the tops of the mountain's it's going to rain.
If you can't - it's raining.
All Characters and events here are allegedly fictitious...Any resemblance with either dead or living is purely co-incidental
And don't ride faster than your Guardian Angel can fly

You're giving SV some challenge in the story telling.



We insist you tell us the story behind this.....

_________________
1st motorcycle 2004 Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic.

leave you far behind

Hi Blues,

Well, I hadn't checked my range and i was out at around 108 miles.

Time to pass - car in the distance coming my way. Jerk back my right hand and the throb between my legs increases. Suddenly, the throbbing starts to spit. My hand is down to flick the c o c k over. The throbbing spurts back into life and I withdraw from my precarious position.

With less inuendo - found myself in the outside lane and the engine starts to die. Looking forward my hand reaches for the fuel c o c k (or tap) and turns (flicks) it over to reserve. Engine starts to pick up and am able to pass the car and return from the oncoming lane (withdraws) to my own lane just prior to the oncoming car passing.

Today pass a BMW 320 as I approach Cross Hands roundabout. I pick the left lane and navigate the roundabout. As I leave the I look and the BMW "your on my tail" in the outside lane .... look at the gap ........ look at "your position"...... open up. The VN lurches into life. I roar away and "leave you far behind". With the Vance and Hines the VN is throatier than a pornstar.

After 9 miles the BMW finally catches up with me.

Good day.

Ade

Leave you far behind - Lunatic Calm.

_________________
If you can see the tops of the mountain's it's going to rain.
If you can't - it's raining.
All Characters and events here are allegedly fictitious...Any resemblance with either dead or living is purely co-incidental
And don't ride faster than your Guardian Angel can fly

Into the sweet morning fog

Friday..

Weather seems ok leave earlier than normal. I’m not going to pass the usual suspects today. Approaching Yr Hendy exit and the river is shrouded in mist. Motor on. Clear Cross Hands and on the haul to Carmarthen. Rising toward Llanddradog turn off, I ride into the sweet morning fog. Visibility is down to around 2 – 300 yds. Power on at 1 o’clock on the speedo. Behing a Vauxhall gaining on a Honda (can’t make out model). Vauxhall brakes, and have to switch to left lane to slow down – adrenalin – is it good for the ticker? Must leave more space.

Pass the Honda on the approach to Carmarthen. Fog remains on the journey through St Clears, prior to the Pembroke border car and a lorry ahead visibility is 100 yds , can't believe actually thought about it- didnt't. Fog clears as I rise out of it at Llanddewi Felfre, then I pass. Beautiful view over the valley to my right which is shrouded in fog. Clear from Robeston Wathen.

Homeward, drop into Busters in Swansea, pick up oil, filter and washers for the weekend. Look at a VN2000 in the showroom – damn it’s big and ugly with its front headlamp cowl.

This weekend with a handful of miles short of 52,000 I change the oil and drill the vance and hines to accept baffles for the MOT. Initally wedge them in with lead and start up – shoot them both straight back out. Bolt them in today and the note has changed – whether it’s enough time will tell. Remove them and they sit above the computer screen where I am sitting.

Signing off as I wait for next week’s 900 mile jaunt.

28th August putting the brakes to the test.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zvRnG-EMTqI


Ade

Into the sweet morning fog – The Morning Fog – Hounds of Love – Kate Bush

_________________
If you can see the tops of the mountain's it's going to rain.
If you can't - it's raining.
All Characters and events here are allegedly fictitious...Any resemblance with either dead or living is purely co-incidental
And don't ride faster than your Guardian Angel can fly

Feels like flying

Tuesday
First run since the oil change and the box is as smooth as a Hollywood waxing.
Following a freelander from joining M4. Reaching Cross Hands chase an Audi TT and pass after roundabout. Well, he’s not interested in the VN. 3 miles outside Carmarthen finally pass Freelander.
Onto the road toward St Clears and the Audi screams on my inside and pulls off at exit on left, I then spot an Audi A4 convertable on my arse (the screaming TT wasn’t for my benefit). Hold of A4 for 5 miles and then hes’ past (HE in a silver Audi with a Red soft top – mm very nice- not). Freelander passes me just prior to the roundabout at St Clears. I ‘m in pursuit and take him before Blackbridge roundabout from this point I stay ahead until he pulls off at Llanddewi Felffre.
Not too much else going on.

Wednesday and temperature is dropping.

Mini short cuts ahead of me and I am behind him at a roundabout .Power on – clutch giving a little but leave him behind.
After I leave the M4 at Bont Abrahm, and climb upwards toward Cross Hands a JCB crosses the dual ahead of me – floods of memory from ’80 when similar incident at Stormy Down left me pulling into the gap on the dual, hitting the kerb at speed and landing in the central reservation at around 50. Managed to stay in the saddle and bring the 550 F1 to a stop alongside the crash barriers. Not so this time as a little more space and pass around his rear.

Weather has been turning out nice – cold but nice.
Fri
Rising up toward Johnston from Merlins Bridge approach the brow of hill on the dual and the Speedo reads - the big hand on the 8 and the little hand is on the petrol pump. As I clear the brow the suspension stretches to max on the rise and it - feels like flying.

New tyres on Sunday – front and rear. Budgie (mechanic) advises check the brakes out as they have been disturbed.

Monday
Homeward at Johnston travelling a little close have to brake heavy as the car in front stops. Hold the VN on a straight line – black line on road. – funny how rubber smells of cack. Budgie – brakes are fine…..

Will keep up the later part of the week later. Booked in for MOT on 28th.

Ade

Feels like flying – like a prayer – Madonna.

_________________
If you can see the tops of the mountain's it's going to rain.
If you can't - it's raining.
All Characters and events here are allegedly fictitious...Any resemblance with either dead or living is purely co-incidental
And don't ride faster than your Guardian Angel can fly

What is cack?

_________________
1st motorcycle 2004 Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic.

poo.. the smelly stuff..

_________________
If you can see the tops of the mountain's it's going to rain.
If you can't - it's raining.
All Characters and events here are allegedly fictitious...Any resemblance with either dead or living is purely co-incidental
And don't ride faster than your Guardian Angel can fly

OH....

_________________
1st motorcycle 2004 Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic.

Gee...I seem to learn things every day.

_________________

Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Galen, hows things.
I see you haven't posted for a few months, everything OK?
I spoke to Wobble today, he's pretty out of touch with everyone. ( no change there then )
PJ

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I'm not a complete idiot, but I'm working on it
There are three types of people in the world, those who can count and those who can't