Posted: 22 April 2009 at 1:54pm | IP Logged

So it all started when I loaded the bike on Thursday evening and sorted all my kit. As I didn’t plan to stop much there was no point in taking spare clothes. I loaded the tail pack with puncture kit, basic 1^st aid kit, gaffa tape, basic tools, small cartons of drink and some pots of dried fruit and nuts. Zumo Sat Nav and  Spot tracker where both fitted.

Friday I managed to leave work earlier at around 2pm in Bristol so was on my way from Nailsea by 2.45. It was forecast rain around Dover so I wore a thermal base layer, nylon windcheater top, heated waistcoat, ski socks, boots, leathers and one piece wet suit. I also wore textile gloves so I could keep my leather gloves dry. So it was off to Leigh Delamere services where I was to meet Taff for the ride to Dover. As we got closer to London the rain was getting worse. The biggest problem was not seeing where to go because at 70mph visors stay perfectly clear (better than a car screen) but other drivers slowing our pace. I can’t remember how many miles we filtered though I do remember the BMW that changed lane suddenly which was solved with a slight counter steer and twist of the right wrist. Latest check in was 6.30 and it was looking like we would miss that.

Got to Dover and luckily I know exactly what to do to get through quick so guided Taff through the process. On getting to the loading lane we were about to stop when we were waved straight on the boat. Bikes strapped down, movement censors switched off we headed straight to the Restaurant for our last slap up meal for a couple of days. The boat wasn’t very busy though there were bus loads of school kids who were avoiding the restaurant so we decided to stay there. James who was going to meet us on the boat managed to miss it.

Taff at last spotted the lights of Calais

So it was off to the hotel (After a bit of wasted time trying to find James) to check in and get our odometers checked and start witness forms completed by Roger. Then off for an early night at 1030pm. 215 miles today. Before dropping off I arranged all my kits so I wouldn’t have to think too much in the morning just start one end and put it on. I slept solid until the alarm went at 315am dressing as I grabbed a drink carton and handful of nuts and fruit. Out into the foyer Roger was there, he had not slept as by time he had checked everyone in others were starting to leave!!! Roger asked me to gets some pics with the flag if I had time.

Taff was going to follow me for a bit but I expected we would soon drift apart as fuel stops would vary and its always best to go to the maximum to minimise stopped time. Luckily the garage I had found on the sat nav was open though they insisted on cash which we both had. Checking the receipt was important to make sure it was correctly timed and dated as that would be our start time. Mileage was written on the back and it was put away securely in a small plastic box. Then it was straight out onto the Autoroute (Only 1600 miles to go in the next 24hrs) My intention was to get a BB2500k Gold.

It was raining but as the traffic was light we made good progress. 1^st of many toll booths and ticket collected and zipped in pocket . At the 1^st fuel stop we just filled and went. Its time like this I wish I had bought a flip front helmet to graze and drink when filling up.

It was around this time my oil light came on. It seemed a bit soon as I had checked it before leaving home. Next garage no bike oil so we had to make an unscheduled stop to get some at the next garage. Should have brought some with me , sustained high speed always uses more. By the third stop we had passed Rhiems and were just north of Lyon. It was around 9.30am and about 470 miles covered. We had made good time and were ahead of my schedule so as the rain had stopped we took longer at this stop, I took of my wet suit and helmet to eat and drink. I also took the opportunity to try and recruit new Iron Butters!!!!

Taff and bikes

Taff was getting close to his turn round point and as we stood there a trike and two bikes went by. It was Sonia, John and John jnr who left around 1am  doing the same SS1600 k ride as Taff. We agreed that when we caught them Taff would tag along with for the rest of his ride. It didn’t take long to catch them and waving to them all I continued south. In Lyon I missed a turn and ended up going the long way around the periphique, still that’s life. The river was on my right with tree lined hills each side. I was beginning to think this was going well when I felt a movement in the back wheel. Pulling over I expected to find a puncture but quickly realised it was the rear wheel bearing. I could hear it clicking and wondered if it would damage the wheel as I slowly rode to the next junction on the hard shoulder. Following signs to Zone Industrial I hoped to find someway to fix it. At a car garage a nice man and Pink Floyd Fan from Senegal offered to show me the way to a bike garage once his new tyres had been fitted. This is his son.

I took the opportunity to eat and drink. He then lead me to a bike shop with his warning lights on it wasn’t far but the noise from the back wheel was getting worse. It didn’t sound at all good. At custom Tuning Cycles ( WWW.ctc38.com ) Michel said it would be hard to get a bearing it could take until Monday.

When I said I was due in Monte Carlo late afternoon and on the ferry at Calais next morning he took off on his Buell to the local Yamaha dealers. I knew France closes completely at lunch time and was starting to feel I’d still be here then. On his return Michel said he would have to ring the Yamaha place in Lyon after 2pm and went for lunch. I took the opportunity to look around the shop and take some pics. It was Harley heaven.

Hailwood Rep Ducati

An old Triumph

Michel’s custom chopper

I sat on a step outside in the sun so not too bad. Txt the wife and let Roger know the score

At 2.30pm Michel said there were bearings in Lyon around 20 miles away and his wife would go and get them. Anyway due to bad traffic it was gone 3.30pm before she can back with bay in her push chair. They only took an hour to fit. I took the opportunity to buy some more oil and poured the rest of the 1^st bottle in the bike. Total cost 180 euros.Then at 5.15 it was off again. I was wondering how good a mechanic Jean-Lou was as I accelerated up to the speed limit on the Autoroute. I was beginning to forget how many times I had refuelled or paid tolls but made good progress to Avignon. Turning East I could see lightning in the distance so put my suit back on at the next stop. As the road headed up hill the rain and the wind got worse thought the lightning was spectacular. Rain was creeping up my left arm so I put the heated grips on to ensure I stayed warm. Then around 10pm I passed Monte Carlo, as I had planned to go to Menton to ensure I had enough Km in the bag. The road was going from tunnel to viaduct with brilliant views of the coast. Turning off at Menton the road was now dry and the switch back road was a joy after the miles of Autoroute. I headed for the garage in Menton I had on the sat nav and it wasn’t there but luckily just down the road I saw a cash point and drew out 20 euro to get a dated timed receipt which had the mileage written on the back and it was duly stashed safely in the plastic box. I had covered over 1300km on the sat nav so was confident that I had gone far enough . I followed the coast road into Monte Carlo  

 I then went up the F1 course through the hairpin to Casino Square. If I had been on track for a Gold award ie less than 24 hrs I wouldn’t have bothered but I now had 36hrs for the ride to achieve a BB2500g. It was around 11pm

I stopped in a garage to get a sticker for the screen and to drink and graze. Those nuts and dried fruit tasted good. I also topped up the engine oil again.Then it was back to the Autoroute up the longest tunnel you could imagine. The exhaust note made me smile as it reverberated.

It the weather was the same rain and lightning for the next couple of hours as far as Avignon. I was feeling fine and the sat Nav said I would be back in Calais around 1030am. Not bad I thought 6 ½ hours outside the 24hrs after a 7 hrs stop. The rain wore me down, I was getting cold and starting to fade fast so I stopped at the next garage for hot chocolate and a 15 minute cat nap in a chair in the closed restaurant. I warmed up and the aches seemed to go as I was sitting in a different position. So off it was gain. After another hour I realise that the cat nap had not been enough (I had been going for 24 hrs) as when the road was empty I was wandering across lanes. I imagined cars coming down my side of the road. It was time to stop. I get back in time I had until 3.50pm and the sat nav was predicting 10.45 so I filled with fuel and sat against the outside wall of the garage went to sleep without any problem. I had no idea how long I slept but it did the trick. I reckon it was  a couple of hours as the sat nav was now predicting a 12.30 arrival time in Calais. I was someplace south of Lyon. As I was getting ready a young couple pointed at my exhaust. The bracket was broken. Good job I had fitted a carbon exhaust and had some cable ties

I was now making good progress the sun was rising and I was pretty cold. I couldn’t put on my heated vest with the wet suit on as I couldn’t get the cable out. I decided to stop and take my suit off so I could plug in the heated vest. I know Roger likes arty pics so I took this for him

It seemed a long way to go still and my knees were aching. I reckon I had twisted my right knee acknowledging drivers by waggling my right leg French style. Not easy at 80 mph on an autoroute. I tried toes on pegs heels on pegs. Running on the spot etc anything to move around. I started to sort out short range targets and working out when I would be somewhere. Then it seemed I was there. Took this pic on the outskirts of Calais as it had a Calais and Ibis Hotel sign together

Back to the same garage only 32 hours after we had left to refuel and get dated timed end receipt. Then off to the hotel to see everyone. But they had all gone.

I found Roger’s many messages on my phone. Needing an end witness, I had luckily brought an end witness form and Hue at the reception signed and stamped it for me. He had even saved the money and odd bits I had left in the room when I left.

As I was late for the ferry only 4 hours I ended up paying for it again 60 euros!!!! But I did get on the 2pm ferry.

I was straight into the restaurant for fish and chips and cheesecake. I then found one of those soft seats in the corridor laying down I went out like a light until I heard the bing bong “go back to your cars”

The ride up the M20 M25 M4 seemed slow having spent so long at 80 mph in France slowing down to 70 mph made it seem to drag. My knees were suffering so I stopped at Reading to refuel and walk around. I got home at 6.30. I had left home 51 hours before and covered around 2000 miles.

Would I do it again. Yes to ride into the early morning sunrise, To see that spectacular lightning on the south coast, To meet like minded people, To meet helpful people and realise there is a lot of good in the world.

So what did you do last weekend. I went to Monte Carlo and bought a sticker for my bike.

Posted: 22 April 2009 at 11:14pm | IP Logged

Spot on Phil

Great report. Shows the effort you made to overcome adversity. Many would have binned it when the bike packed in

Really glad you managed to bag a ride out of the weekend making it 9 out of 9, outstanding achievment by all concerned. Makes me think it was worthwhile me putting it on when its this succesful

Posted: 23 April 2009 at 12:55am | IP Logged

Well Done Matey, Reading the report I felt like I'd rode it with you  or half of it anyway..........

Congratulations on an intresting ride

Posted: 23 April 2009 at 11:04am | IP Logged

Dave...  well done on your ride. I take it you had no time for pics

Boss there was no way I was going to cut it short when I had a pass out for the weekend. I'm getting new front wheel bearings tomorrow.

Taff you followed me for nearly 700 miles all in. I trust you didnt get too bored following an old man

Dan thanks. I'm sure you will succeed when you repeat your ride as you know what it entails now. Good Luck

Posted: 24 April 2009 at 12:47am | IP Logged

Great report Phil.

Spooky another Weson who likes Pink Floyd! There seems to be a trend starting with Roger and his T-Shirt as well

Posted: 24 April 2009 at 1:03am | IP Logged

and camera, you forgot the camera