Pre Ride Diary UK Mainland
UK Mainland Team. Russ’ pre ride Diary
August 4th 2010
What an afternoon. I had trouble setting my rear suspension to accomodate all the gear I am taking. Some very good friends of mine, Mick and Josh, talked me into going around to Josh’s garage “Classic Runners” in Croydon. After a lot of choice words, penetrating fluid, heat and brute force we managed to move the suspension around to another setting. So all is well and good. Cheers for all you helps chaps.
August 1st 2010
I was meant to go over to Chris’ to have some photos taken for the Observer. Unfortunatly my bike wouldn’t start so I had to take it to bits and then found out my kill switch was in the off position. Silly mistake to make and I should have looked at that first.
Anyway. Chris kindly sent me a couple of photos of his bike also with some stickers on..
July 30th 2010
One week to go and we got another photo shoot for a paper. The Observer on Sunday. About time I put the decals on. Photo shoot on Sunday then home and pack so I can have a rest before the off next Saturday. I can’t believe its finally here. All that planning and wow. 5 working days to go… Yippeeeeee
July 25th 2010
Two weeks to go and I know I need another power point on the bike. A nice sunny Sunday so to hell with it. I’ll fit one…..
July 21st 2010
Unfortunatly Joe has had to pull out of the Irish leg of the trip due to unforseen circumstances. Mike is now going to be taking his son Jonno with him.
June 27th 2010
A lovely sunny Sunday with 30c heat. A phone call the day before and Chris and I decided to go for a plod. Started from Cheam through to Boxhill, Effingham, Polesden Lacey, Horsley into Guildford then back home again. Lovely ride and it’s making me want these forty days to go soooo quickly. Just hope the ten days we’re away go slow…..
June 18th 2010
Chris came over for the first time on the Pan today. Went for a small ride as I’m nearly out of fuel and awaiting payday. Was a real great feeling to be finally out on the bikes. Roll on August 7th……
June 16th 2010
Finally the DVLA have sent Chris his letter along with road tax and his registration number. He is now able to ride his Pan at last…… Well, once the new battery turns up that is!
June 6th 2010
A nice day out. So I thought I’d better check to make sure my tent was still all ok for the trip. No rips or mildew etc. etc.
June 4th 2010
Got news from the world of “the continuing saga” of Chris’ bike….. Insured and MOT passed…….
Chris will be off to Borehamwood next week to the DVLA office to get a letter with his number plate on and also some road tax.
May 29th 2010
Just got back from a successful morning with Chris. Brakes re-bleed. All the plastics panels are back on. Next step is to get the bike insured, MOT’d, Registered and then Taxed………. 69 days to go.
May 26th 2010
72 Days to go. Can’t wait anymore. Want to get going. Arghhhhhhhhh..
May 22nd 2010
Popped over to Chris’ this mormimg. I was on the M25 by 6.00am. It was a lovely morning, a little bit misty but it was great to think that this time in eleven weeks I’d be doing this for real…. All the way up to Northumberland instead of Harrow….
Anyway, we had a go at the brakes, got the rear rack sorted and some wind deflectors. Chris also managed to get the exhaust in a better position and also change the screen so the sat nav fits.
May 9th 2010
All sorted and moving freely.
May 8th 2010
Well Panels off and what can I say but I think I’ve found the offending bit…..
It’s the Choke Lever. The one on the left bank of carbs moves when the choke cable is pulled on. The one on the right bank of carbs doesn’t move at all…… Fingers crossed thats the problem.
May 7th 2010
My bike now has to be looked at as its gone from doing 250 – 300 miles per tank all the way down to 170 – 180…… Not good.
April 1st 2010
Chris has finally parted the two chunks of metal and now has something resembling a motorbike. Rear susspension has been changed and so have the front forks as well as two new tyres. Still a fair bit of work to do on the bike but he is getting there.
March 4th 2010
Then there were Four….
Mike has a buddy to join him on his leg of the run. His mate Joe.
March 1st 2010
We have gone from two to three. Mike has joined us. He will be riding around North and South Ireland. He’ll also be raising money for Cancer Research UK as well as The Marie Keating foundation and his own charity World of Owls. Glad to have you aboard Mike.
December 5th 2009
Chris’ new (to him) machine. Another Honda Pan European ST1100… With a side car!!!!!
His next job is to part them.
October 31st 2009
My new (to me) machine. A Honda Pan European ST1100. Went to Dorset to buy it and rode it back. 200 odd miles and I could have carried on…… VERY comfy indeed.
October 3rd 2009
Chris and I have just returned from a ride out to the New Forest. We’ve both made our minds up that the Africa Twins seats are not comfortable enough to get us around the UK as we couldn’t even make it 60 miles on them!!!!!!
April 16th 2009
Just returned from a trip of the Labs at Cancer Research UK in Sutton, Surrey. It was very interesting indeed and I didn’t understand a thing. These scientists are bloody clever people. They took us around four labs
Forgot to take photos inside but took a couple outside.
April 9th 2009
Just looking through Motorcycle Sport and Leasure Magazine only to find Chris made it in there……
February 2nd 2009
Graham from Black Eagle has sent me the “proofs” for our T-shirts. Well please with the designs just dont know which ones to choose….
September 3rd 2008
An idea is born. After a few pints with Chris chatting about a “boys” holiday on bikes we’ve decided to have a holiday. At the same time try and raise some money for Cancer Research UK. “Ride Around Britain” is born..
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