Are we free?

 That used to be a catchphrase on a well known UK television comedy program and lately I have been wondering "Are we free" certainly not free to say what we want, the socialist government have put paid to free speech in just months in office, mind you the left of the right were slowly taking away the freedom of speech anyway. Any comments on your concerns will have you labeled with a whole range of titles you wouldn't be proud to have pinned on you. The state sponsored Stasi will question you if you put anything "they" don't like on Social media and have arrested recently some well known people for saying it as it is. Its very sad that the UK have sunk into this quagmire of filth so quickly and with nary a quiver of protest.

As motorcyclists we are at risk from non elected think tanks who would like to see us off the road or onto electric bikes as a minimum whilst the obscene spectacle of overweight Lycra warriors who pay not a cent for road tax or insurance continue to use our roads as a personal race track. Because of the Green lobby we pay more for energy in the UK whilst India and China keep churning out coal powered   polluting power stations daily.

Anyhoo, the good news is that at the moment we can do what we want (almost) and so I did manage a couple of days out on the bikes last week, Thursday a day out on the Airhead and Sunday a wee run on the 650 BMW's, its a great thing for clearing your mind. Thursday I stopped in to see an former colleague and friend who has just signed up for a 2 year lease of a new Norton Commando at a price that is scarcely believable. A brand new bike for £100 deposit and then £68 a month, hand it back after 2 years or buy it for £12K and that on what should be a £17k motorbike. I'm not sure what the scam is here, just like the abundance of Turkish barbers springing up in various town who never seem to have customers, anyway, rent a cheap bike and get a cheap haircut it seems like a no brainer, nobody can lose.......can they?

Loch Earn, cold but sunny

Glen Ogle

Glen Ogle (again)

And with a filter (Maybe I should get a filter for my brain?)

Sma Glen

Icy layby

Out of my depth

At last, motorcycling in 2025

 Although this winter has been mild there has been a lot of ice and a while of subzero temperatures. This last week however saw a minimum of 4 degrees and very dry so I got out to take advantage of the conditions. I must say the relief of getting back out on the bikes were needed for both of us, I've said it before not riding the bike for any prolonged period of time starts to get me down, I am not a fan of winter for that reason but the tangible benefit of clearing your mind whist motorcycling is for us anyway an essential part of life. 

Doctors should advise this to patients who are a bit run down, "When was the last time you were out on your motorbike?" "Not been out for weeks" " well go home, get your bike out and do at least 100 miles, you will feel better" " Oh and remember to take your vitamins as well"

I was out on the R100 earlier in the week and then the 650's Saturday and Sunday , even the roads weren't too mucky, brilliant.

Oh and I got a chance to try out my new drone , it has a "Follow me" option, it was like riding with a parrot behind you, quite funny, not so when I tried to get it to follow me into Perth, it decided to go its own way and crashed in the undergrowth in a nearby field, what fun.

Keep on keeping on my friends

Brilliant for January

Sunny

Not so sunny but no complaints

watching the river flow by

Action shot 

No action shot

Stopped for a cuppa, we were almost home but wanted to prolong the day