Interesting

Today I was at Carlisle airport to do a survey, the Dutch army were there training with a load of helicopters, looking at those Chinooks at rest it makes you wonder how they fly! The rotor blades look ready to break off sitting still, I wonder what they'd look like being filmed with a high speed camera and slowed down, I don't think it would instill confidence anyway. Impressive Vulcan bomber guarding the entrance also.

Bugger.

So there I was just checking over some thinks on the mk3 commando to get it ready for Fiona for the summer, just about to pop the barrels on, thought i'd just have another check of the cam when this obvious problem jumped out at me. If you look carefully there is a lip on the cam, its through the case hardening so if I hadn't noticed it would have lasted maybe another 1000 miles before it was totally shot. Thats another engine strip and build job then. A complete pain in the arse, looking on the bright side its saved me some money in the future.

Great day great run and great company.

So despite the forecast of cold weather we were blessed with a perfect day to meet up at Killin
. Four Nortons a Ducati and lucky Jim in his car after writing off his bike earlier this week. The sun was out the roads dry and the crack good. Here's hoping its the first of many this year.

Norton meeting this Sunday

Just thought I'd post the info on the Tay Valley Norton Club's first ride out / meet of 2011 on Sunday. Meeting at the Killin hotel around 12.30PM for a general blether about bikes, all invited, but of course Nortons preferred, no separate car park for non Nortons this time :-)
Be there or be square! (and talked about)

Rockingham speedway

Today i'm at rockingham speedway circuit, working of course. Nice place, there's a team testing for the british touring cars championship which is why i'm here. Nice day and warm. One of the guys spun his own ferrari earlier but I didn't manage to get a photo of him being a twat. Very warm here today and about time as well..

The Bealach

So that’s the first trip of the year to Applecross, a wonderful time had by all and hopefully the start of a great year ahead. The picture of the hills overlooking the Bealach gives an indication as to the weather!
I’ve pencilled the Norton meeting at Applecross in for the 12 -14 August, all I need to do now is organise the weather!

Glen Garry

Always worth a stop here to look at the view. On the road to applecross

What a proper bike shop looks like

Today I was near Northampton home to Mick and Angie Hemmings. I spent a very pleasant hour having a good blether with them both and Mick even made me a cup of tea. This must be one of the last proper bike shops around.

Camping again!

Another weekend, another rally, this weekend saw the postponed (from January) Bein Snowing rally taking place in Glenfarg, Perthshire. A smaller turnout than normal with around 60 turning up. The main thing was it stayed dry and Saturday afternoon was pleasant enough to enjoy the banter outside until around 6PM.
A great time had by all, photo's have been taken and will be used as evidence maybe! A measure of the good time had by all was the state of some of our fellow campers in the morning. Personally I have felt better on a Sunday morning!
Sunday brought a biting cold wind and it seemed to hamper getting the tent away, damned cold, so much so that it seemed to bring out every ache and pain. Roll on a substantial increase in temperature, badly needed now.
For those yet to be convinced about camping in the Winter it isn't that bad really, its the thought of it thats bad, honest.......
The roads are still covered in Salt but as its been dry its not affecting the bikes too much, time to get out there and enjoy yourself just make sure you wrap up well.

What you see as you travel.

I was stuck in the traffic in one of the Manchester suburbs last week and spotted this pub. I found the name amusing so thought i'd post it.

Thistle Rally

Another Thistle Rally over, the weather was very kind to us with just a spot of rain on the way down and then sunshine for the afternoon. It was cold at night though so I obviously never had enough alcohol in me to blot it out. As always great to meet up with friends and practice the art of standing about in a muddy field talking about everything and putting the world to rights.
Last week on my Blog I mentioned the suits at Belfast airport, all identical and esily identifiable well there is also motorcycling equivalents of all shapes and sizes, some trying to be so "different" they not only look the same but also act the same, pity really, motorcycling used to be full of interesting individuals but now I'm afraid sometimes I feel its a fashion for some people.
And if Bob is reading this its not a moan from a grumpy old man just an observation!!
Stuck for time at the moment (did I mention I'm back working again!!) so will post photos kindly supplied by Ali later in the week.
By the way did I mention work was greatly overated? Not only that but it spoils your day really, not enough time to do bike stuff!
Ride safe