Mark's big Bike Ride blog: June 2016

Wednesday 29 June 2016

Scotland - Applecross and Ullapool

Myself and Lindsay just back from a great weekend in Scotland. Up to the West coast to Applecross, Ullapool and back down via Braemar. Thanks Andy !!

See the Blog from the tab above for photos etc.

Wednesday 1 June 2016

2016 BMW Motorrad UK GS Challenge

Last weekend (Spring Bank Holiday) I took part in this years UK GS Challenge as a team member alongside Andy, Mike and Ron (members of the GSClubUK). The was held in and around the Brecons, using BMW's own off-road skills school at the off-road venue - Walters Arena in South Wales.

What a great experience. The event is managed like a small rally stage, where we are given a start time (09:33) and a list of challenges in the form of a 3 page road book of navigation instructions. The idea was to complete all of the challenges by following the route precisely to way-points and stopping at various locations on the way. There were various challenges ranging from packing bike luggage in under 3 minutes, fault diagnosis on a bike to avoid injury, orienteering exercises and at the off-road centre a range of bike riding challenges using their range of GS's e.g. F700, F800 and R1200 LC boxers all kitted with Enduro tyres a trials session, road book, Le Mans style start on gravel with sudden stop. So much fun, and come Saturday evening at 6PM we were still banging away at it riding some of South Wales amazing roads - real green lane stuff less than a cars width.

Superb weekend, definitely up for another one. Quite fancy the Off-Road Skills two day training sessions now. That's another one for the bucket list !!

Met Andy at Ironbridge on his brand new GSA. A hearty breakfast in a nice cafe over the road and on to a route down to Wales via some of the twisties in Shropshire.