Laverda-Jota

Local ride last Saturday (13th Sept) .... down thru Herefordshire then wound up back into Shropshire via Clee Hill and up to Bridgnorth via Quatt. On the way I stopped at the world famous Slater-Laverda garage near Bromyard for a chat. I was educated in the History of the Jota ... the famous model developed here in Herefordshire by the Slater Bothers. I met one of the Brothers (not sure which one) who explained how he was preparing for a Danish enthusiast who will be buying up a big stock of spares. At the time in the 70's the Jota 750 was the fastest production motorcycle. A historical place to visit, if you are passing, I urge you to drop in ..great to see  - someone who enjoys his job is a rare thing these days it seems ! Find out more about Slater Laverda here.

Also, interesting to see in the show-room had a classic Swiss made 'Universal' horizontal Boxer twin, we always associate these engines with BMW but if seems they were quite a common engine layout at one time. Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo though.

Elan Valley in my new Jacket

On Saturday I went out looking for a new Textile jacket. My trusty old Hein Gericke 'Journeyman' is starting to show it's age, the Velcro is failing, the arms near elbows leak in the rain, (I guess the waterproof shelltex membrane has cracked), not bad though - 8 years of riding, including trips on the continent. I would go with another hein Gericke, but last year they went into Administration in the UK, shame .. I really liked their Tuareg Jacket.

I've been researching textiles for a while now. Been out trying a few on over the months - tried the RST Explorer, RST Paragon and the Richa Toureg at both Kidderminster Motorcycle Mart and Streetbike in Halesowen. The top-end Klim gear is out of my price range, so the RST, Richa etc were both reasonably priced jackets. However, I can't get over the quality of the BMW Rallye Jacket Andy was wearing in Scotland. The Cordura and finish of his suit were superb, so Helen suggested we head off to Clarkes BMW in Rednal - the ticket price was £150.00 more than the others, but recent reviews in ABR suggested it was worth the price (if you ride a BMW that is, it has BMW roundels on the sleeves). Anyway, they had my size and immediately the fit, quality, comfort seemed far superior. I really like the piped collar as I find the tough textile around the neck always chafed my neck doing all of those life-savers on a long trip - none of the others have a piping on the collar, and I like the idea of the removable liner too, the panels that clip down for ventilation, and the real  winner for me - the vent zips that run the length of each sleeve, this has to be great for touring Europe in a hot summer - even the sleeves detach if you are feeling brave ! Finally I do like the colour - kind of matches my GS, and got to be a bit cooler in the sun too. Anyway, thanks to Helen, she managed way over 10% knocked off the ticket price (now for the matching trousers .. hmmm have to save my pennies).

So,  Sunday (3rd August) decided to make an early start and head off to Knighton on the Welsh border to try out the new Jacket. really comfortable on the bike, I kept the waterproof liner in but used the sleeve zips later in the day as it got warmer. Definitely a good purchase. I was enjoying the ride so much, I headed down to Crossgates Cafe nr Rhayder, then onto the Elan Valley via the mountain road. Back home thru' Herefordhsire (Hay on Wye, Leominster) and Tenbury Wells. 200 miles in total. Here's some pics:

Look at that Vista !

My new Rallye Jacket !!

Claerwen Reservoir Dam

HUBB 2014

Just thought I should report on my first HUBB visit. After a wonderful time riding around Scotland with Andy, we headed for the HUBB event (Horizons Unlimited Bulletin Board) at Castle Donington - weekend starting 19th June.

The HUBB is a gathering of Overland Adventurers - catering for Adventure Bikers, Cyclists and other Overlanders who keep up-to-date with each other, and share information via an on-line forum set up originally by Grant and Sue Johnson see: 'Horizons Unlimited'. The weather was great, camping was a bit noisy - right next to East Mids airport but that didn't put off us hard core adventurers!!

I met my daughter Hayley there too - she arrived via train to meet me,  and bought along  her tent and kit she used for Explorer Scout trip to Canada last year. Hayley is mad about this kind of round the world adventuring, and I somehow see her getting her own bike one day and heading off into the distance like a lot of these young people do these days. I could really see her eyes light up during the New Zealand presentation !

We both enjoyed the talk and slide-show of the chap who rode his Honda C90 step thru' from Malaysia back to the UK - hilarious - watching him get up to base camp Everest without a Jacket,  but the highlight for me was meeting Ted Simon - the godfather of adventure travel - he was doing the RTW stuff before Charley and Ewan, and I thoroughly enjoyed his books - Jupiters Travels (RTW on a Meriden Triumph in thge 70's) and Dreaming of Jupiter  (his repeat journey on a R80 GS in the late nineties early noughties). See here for Ted's website.

We spent some time with the GS Club, Mike the bike, Ronco, Trogan who made us very welcome - thanks guys. All in a all very informative and fun event. Definitely would go again another year.

Here's some pics:

Me and Ted Simon !!

Hayley next to Sam Manicom's bike 'Libby'.

This bike has seen all continents !!

 I've just finished his second book Under Asian Skies, and bought a copy of Distant Suns from Birgit his girlfriend - who features in UAS and DS. She signed the copy for me.

The Landy Types

GS Club Stand

Andy chilling out after that Scottish trip

Slow Bike Race

Aghhh

It's Doughnut Time !!

Away we go!

Getting ready for my Scotland trip with the GS Club. We're booked to end the trip at the HUBB, Overlanders event at Castle Donnington see here:

HUBB UK 2014

Aye, Scotland it is then ...

So, this year due to other commitments I wasn't doing a bike trip. However, I just canny stay away, so I've teamed up with my mate Bluemooner over at the GS Club UK, and all being well we are going to have a crack at the Highlands if the weather holds up. Never been to Scotland - so watch this space. Hope to do some wild camping too .. that means camp anywhere you like ;-)

See the Tab at the top or go here, we should be off in June:

Go Pro

I got one of these Go-Pro thingies, present from the Mrs while in SW Florida at Christmas. Great fun, here's my first effort on You Tube: