Braving the January Freeze!

[Lonewolf]

Billy No Mates part 2.......

Had a refreshing ride out today, the first of the New Year although the chill factor did eventually beat me and I never reached my intended destination. I had hoped to get out to Kirby Lonsdale to track down the rare Versys owner at The Bridge but by the time I'd travelled 20 miles or so if I'd been a hamster I'd have gone into hibernation it was that cold.

So instead I headed down to Esholt near Baildon, home of the old Emmerdale set and captured a couple of photos, I even did some B & W as I know Rusty likes that type of photo, reminds him of when he was a kid and only B & W was available. 






I then headed down to Rodley canal where I just took some random shots of the location and the wildlife.





The light was great down there which really emphasized the detail in some of the shots. Some sections of the canal were still partly frozen, it would have been great to have been able to get the bike over the other side of the canal to get the barges in the background of a shot with the bike in the foreground but it's access only and knowing my luck I'd have been nicked.







I really like this next shot......






Anyway that's enough swans for now so I headed to Cartwright Hall in Lister Park, Bradford to attempt to get permission to take some photos of the bike in front of the Hall. Permission granted, here are the results.
















I was quite happy with those, might even get one or two enlarged, I'm sure the wife would love one on the lounge wall. 

[100milesaway]

Gave up after 20 miles you are supposed to be able to cross continents on those things sounds like you barely crossed Bradford .    Cold !!! I thought you had heated grips, heated seats and a fairing as big as our sideboard to keep you warm.                            I was up at the bridge waiting for ya         

[Debs]

Oh Steve. I would have thought you would have stretched its legs better than that.  Well done for going out though.

I was out all day today doing my IAM training.. Completed 2 test routes and the feedback I  received was that I am test ready but I wouldn't get a 1st. So more riding to iron out those little bits and will then do a pre test ride.

Hopefully test in the next few month 

[Lonewolf]

Geoff, I totally hear you.  It was  freezing! Didn't help that I was only wearing shorts & a t-shirt with my sandals. I'll never learn. 

[Lonewolf]

Debs I did about 65 miles in total, I was happy with that considering the temperatures. I bet they're were many who didn't even bother going out today, at least I had a wee ride. 

[100milesaway]

Geoff, I totally hear you.  It was  freezing! Didn't help that I was only wearing shorts & a t-shirt with my sandals. I'll never learn. 

Yer nowt but a mard arse!! .          T-shirt !!!   I was stood waiting for you up at the bridge, with just my speedos and a pair of flip flops on.     I actually burnt my bare chest, from the yoke and fat off the bacon dripping from the egg and bacon butty that I was scoffing. I will concede though             it was a bit parky.

[O.C.]

A "bit parky"     it was bloody Baltic  We took the dogs out for our usual walk it was bloody  freezing ....brrrrrrrr

Well done for making the effort though Steve,    

Well done Debs..keep us informed of your progress with the IAM course      

[Lonewolf]

Roger it gets better, I even nodded and waved at people riding bikes which didn't have a BMW badge on them! 

Note to self....I must get out of that habit if I am to be accepted by the new gang. 

[Charlie747]

Note to self....I must get out of that habit if I am to be accepted by the new gang. 

[davetherave]

Some very nice shots their    both bike and scenery.

I've always thought that lovely 6 cylinder engine would look fabulous in a stripped back cafe racer.

Question for Debs - Has the I.A.M changed it's format do you know ?  when I took my I.A.M test (mid 90's) it was just pass or fail, when I did RoSPA (late 90's) it was Gold, Silver, Bronze, pleased to say I achieved a Gold Pass (with plenty of help from others I might add).

[Debs]

Question for Debs - Has the I.A.M changed it's format do you know ?  when I took my I.A.M test (mid 90's) it was just pass or fail, when I did RoSPA (late 90's) it was Gold, Silver, Bronze, pleased to say I achieved a Gold Pass (with plenty of help from others I might add).

All I know is there are different levels of Pass for the IAM.

Reason why I'm doing the IAM and not the RoSPA is because once Iv'e passed it's a lifetime pass. I couldn't put myself through the RoSPA test every 3 years as that would be too much stress for me.

Once I have passed I will still go out for rides with IAM

[O.C.]

Roger it gets better, I even nodded and waved at people riding bikes which didn't have a BMW badge on them! 

Note to self....I must get out of that habit if I am to be accepted by the new gang. 

  nice one Steve....but did they wave back....so many don't these days

[Lonewolf]

Roger, yes they did indeed wave back. I wasn't familiar with the wave it was a sort of extended middle finger of the right hand.....what does that mean? 




Only joking of course, yes they did wave back or some gave a courteous nod of the head. Always good to see. 

[pross]

Roger, yes they did indeed wave back. I wasn't familiar with the wave it was a sort of extended middle finger of the right hand.....what does that mean? 




Only joking of course, yes they did wave back or some gave a courteous nod of the head. Always good to see. 

Lol.

I nodded at a motorcycle policeman the other day and he waved back with his hand hid behind the screen it was like a secret sign  but he did answer you would probably get some politically correct  report him

[Rusty]

Nice set of piccies there Steve .. and yes I do so like those black and whites  . 
Shame it was so cold but at least you were out and about. Despite the cold frost this morning the next few days are meant to warm up down here in the Souffff so my ride up to the smoke tomorrow at 5ish should be positively tropical ! Keep up the good work.