Random rides

[Rynglieder]

13/01/2023 Normanton Church (c.200  miles)

I'd long wanted to visit Normanton Church on Rutland Water and once again waited for a suitable day. It turned up at short notice and I messaged Mike on the off-chance, although he had less than 24 hours notice he was up for it and proposed a small adjustment to the route I intended.

Although I had ducked out of using the GSX on the last ride it was really due a run and with little prospect of rain I was happy to give it a go. A bright day was forecast and although not too cold for January it was very blustery and there was a definite wind chill – inner gloves and an extra layer under the jacket was needed.

And so I headed out on 40 miles of motorway to our rendezvous at Costa Coffee, Leamington Spa. That run on the M42 is an absolute pain at 09:00 in the morning, the low sun strobes through the trees and as the motorway bends sits right on the horizon causing traffic to slow almost to a stop as those with dirty windscreens find they can't see where they are going – I always leave plenty of stopping room and try not to get involved with the Competitive Commuting.

At least, once we had tanked up with coffee and drawn some fuel from the adjacent forecourt we had a decent ride to look forward to. Mike had picked a nice selection of A and B roads through the Northamptonshire and Leicestershire countryside. There was the odd attractive village to slow down for but the only bit of congestion was through Market Harborough. There seemed very little traffic on the open road and what we did come across could be cleared quickly and safely and I quite enjoyed the challenge of hanging on to the tail pipe of the Multistrada.

Eventually we reached the car park at the Normanton visitor centre and parked up the bikes, there was then a half mile walk along the shore of Rutland Water to the church. At the point it was decided to flood the valley for this huge reservoir it was planned that the church should be demolished but local objections lead to a different solution; the crypt was infilled with stone and a new floor put in so that the upper half of the church could be saved as the water level rose. The effect in the end is that the remaining building appears to float on the lake – all very photogenic.

The strong wind across the reservoir was really whipping the water up into waves, it was almost like walking along the coast but very cold and we retreated to the café for a welcome hot drink and a late lunch.

The return home was by the same roads as far as Crick where I broke away to pick up the M1, M6 and M5. It was an absolute grind around the top of Birmingham but it is the price I pay for enjoying the roads of the east midlands. I got home at around 17:00, just before it was completely dark and warmed up with a hot bath, the bike will have to wait another day or so for its wash.

[Ianonortheast]

Give me a shout if you fancy a ride out to the Peak District, I live just outside of Burton on Trent so near to some decent roads

[Rynglieder]

Give me a shout if you fancy a ride out to the Peak District, I live just outside of Burton on Trent so near to some decent roads

Thanks, I enjoy the Peaks once I have got through the West Midlands and will certainly be up that way soon.

[Rynglieder]

10/02/2023 Upton House & the Cotswolds (c. 120 miles)

There looked to be one more run left out of the GTR's rear tyre and with a relatively fair day for February forecast I thought I'd have a Cotswold run.

The outward run was via Stratford upon Avon and brought me to the National Trust property at Upton House, not too far from Banbury. Being out of season the house was not open and there was not a great deal to see in the gardens but at least I got to have a walk and a coffee to warm myself up.

Not wanting to go straight back I set about a loop that allowed me a brief pause above Bliss Tweed Mill near Chipping Norton. I'd passed this many times before but never had the chance to get the camera out. The mill sits in the bottom of a valley; in such a location drainage was always going to be an issue, however as you will see from the picture the architect had the foresight to fit a giant sink plunger to the roof.

Back home via Evesham – not a bad ride for the winter.

[O.C.]

      


Very good.....Victorian engineering kills at their best    

[Rynglieder]

14/02/2023 Elvaston Castle & Country Park (c. 137 miles)

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It was Valentine's Day so I thought I would give my wife the gift of having the house to herself.

The GSX was drawn out of the garage rather later than it should have been for a day out but it was a cold start to the day and I was hoping it would be warming up a little as the morning drew on.  Since its recent chain and sprocket replacement it has been beautifully smooth to ride again and I was even prepared to start off with a bit of motorway so that I could head north for a change.

Leaving the M42 near Tamworth I was at least able to get a few miles in on "proper" roads through north Staffordshire and South Derbyshire.

Once the bike was parked up I forked out for a pay and display car park ticket – usual problem, where are you supposed to put it? I tucked it under the fuel filler tab and took a photo of it in case anyone nicked it – it's never happened yet but you never know...

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I had a pleasant walk around the country park which is centred around a "castle" which is really more of a manor house, but the light was fading fast and there were too many long shadows for many decent photos.

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The penalty for my late start was a return home entirely on dual carriageway and motorway plus getting tangled up with all the commuters around Birmingham, but no regrets – it's always a pleasure to get out on a bike.

[Rynglieder]

23/02/2023 Long Mynd (c. 70 miles)

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It was about time to set the Z1000 on the local scenery – naturally because it is a literal pain in the ar$e to ride something short was in order.

Although not far from home it had been some years since I had visited Carding Mill Valley  so I had a blast out taking in the views along Wenlock Edge. Carding Mill Valley was too busy for my liking but I parked up alongside the stream and hunted down a coffee from the National trust Café before going back into Church Stretton and commencing the ascent of the Long Mynd.

In a matter of minutes I parked up the bike again to spend some time taking in the views of the Shropshire Hills and back down into the valley I had jut left. The last time I was up here was on the GTR, just after I had purchased it and joined the owners forum; I had the pleasure of the company of "Brizzlebob" and "Icefever" during a ride that had been organized by "Snowy". It had been an enjoyable day so it's a pity there have not been many opportunities to get GTRs together since.

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The road across the top of the Long Mynd is known as the Bur Way and after passing the fields used by the glider club there is a very steep descent with a precipitous unfenced drop to the right. Being a single track road one goes cautiously in case an unexpected car pounces from behind a hedge. The Z1000 was a much more agile bike for this sort of road than the GTR and I was soon at the Western edge of the road picking my way though muddy lanes back toward Church Stretton.

The ride home was pretty much as I had travelled out, but with a quick stop in Much Wenlock for another coffee...

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Although the Z1000 never goes far from home it is always a pleasure and allows a little more spirted riding, the smaller bike is much more suited to my own build.

[O.C.]

Great pictures and excellent narration as usual...thanks for sharing with us        

[Rynglieder]

02/03/2023 Shropshire Hills (c. 90 miles)


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A bit of a déjà vu ride really. Mike got in touch and suggested a ride out and having fresh and fond memories of my recent blast on the Z1000 I suggested to him that he may fancy a variation of the same ride.

As it was a sort run I decided to make use of the Z1000 again, whilst the heated grips on the GTR would have been welcome the big tourer's tyre was on its last few microns of rubber and was scheduled for a new Angel GT the following day.

We met up at my home and flicked through the A Roads via Bridgenorth and Wenlock Edge though to Church Stretton. My usual diet of coffee and cigarettes had to be adjusted to accommodate my companion so we left the bikes in a car park in the middle of town and settled down in a café we had spotted the night before using Google Street view – the internet is a wonderful thing.

Suitably refreshed I was pursued by the Multistrada over the Long Mynd and then picked our way through Craven Arms, skirted Ludlow and then (as I so often seem to do) ended up on Clee Hill summit to take in the views under the sunshine.

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We went our separate ways beyond Bewdley, it hadn't been too much of a ride – we are still in the season of cold, short days but I know there is better to come and these little rides help keep the mind and body ready.

[O.C.]

Brilliant, and great pics (again)    

[Rynglieder]

Brilliant, and great pics (again)    

Thanks. Just trying to keep a bit of traffic on the forum.

Are you out and about on the bike now?

Pete.

[O.C.]

Yes Pete I am,  although it depends on both the weather and my mobility on the day

You will see from my profile that I now have a Kawasaki Versys 650 which is a lighter and more manageable bike for me ...I must say it is also a surprisingly capable bike


Cheers Rog