Blue skies and dry roads freshly cleaned by the heavy rain and winds we had a couple of days ago. Time to put on the thermals and heated socks and head out for an hour or fives riding. (Forecast top temperature was a rather chilly 7°C)
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Looked like today was to be the best one of the week, so time to add a few miles to Big Red. Cracking ride into the very low sun and through the shitty lanes across to Shobdon for a fried breakfast. One of the best ever, runny egg yolk, crispy hash brown and two excellent, if small sausages. Passed through a running in level and now revving the engine to 5,000, making overtakes rapid and fun. A lot of cleaning when we got home…
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I have found 5.000 rpm is sufficient most of the time. Plenty of grunt in mid range. Getting over that it REALLY hauls arse! 
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Shobdon does a good breakfast, next time if you venture a bit further down then try Bringsty cafe 
We use Bringsty for afternoon tea in the Summer, Shobdon is good for staring out of the window and counting Pipers and Bells…
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Now that is a good looking breakfast.
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Whilst washing up after breakfast I saw the blue skies outside so checked the forecast and saw there was three hours of 9°C sunshine before showers arrived. Decided it was worth risking showers to get some riding in so hurried to get into my gear and head off. When I got to bike I was sad to see some rust on the wheels and white crusty bits on the engine casing. I guess on my last ride I was in error thinking that the heavy rain had cleared the salt. 
For the first hour I headed west, away from the low sun, and was riding along rather damp country lanes. They we wet enough that other traffic produced enough muddy spray to require a couple of stops to clean my visor so my view wasn’t spoilt.
Normally I find it difficult to come up with an interesting photo on ‘boring’ rural roads, but upon seeing a couple of cyclists stopped in a field entrance who were gazing across the fields, I thought there was a half decent photo to be had from the rolling hills and trees clinging onto remains of autumn colour. However, upon pulling over I found that in my haste to head out I had forgotten my phone, shame.
After an hour heading west I turned back south-east, heading into the sun now. As it was nearing noon, the sun was just high enough that a tilt of the head down was enough to hide the sun behind my helmet, but the glare still made it more difficult navigating greasy roads.
I arrived at the Triumph Factory at midday and had some coffee and cake. I was half hoping that they would have the new Speedmaster on show, but the cafe just had 4 new Tiger models.
It was still sunny when I set off on the direct main road route home. I was tempted to extend the ride but decided it was best to get home whilst there was still light and decent weather, my now extra filthy (and probably salty) bike would need a good clean before putting away. I nearly succeeded in completing this task before the weather changed but found myself trying to blow the bike dry in the rain. I persevered to get the tap water off the bike, but then left bike to get a good clean rain washing whilst I cooked a late lunch. After finally drying bike and putting it away it was beer o’clock. 
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I did not forget my phone, but did forget to take a photo… Took the tiger out for 4 hours or so, riding to my buddy’s place in the rural East - He had his local meet in his yard (he’s also the MOF), so it was nice seeing all the familiar faces once more. Had a couple of coffees and 1 Jägermeister, then rode home using secundairy roads all the way, taking in the pretty countryside they have in the East. Almost balmy at 10C…
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Today is meant to be the last of the decent weather for a while but having had a ride 5 days ago I was in two minds whether it was worth getting the bike dirty again. My mind got made up for me though, by the shouting workmen next door with their power tools and radio.
I escaped for a few hours into the countryside, and then after I got back and rinsed bike down, I tried to outcompete them on the noise front with my bike dryer
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Get that completely. The work and the noisy tools are fine but the bloody worker’s radio! Special work ones that have crash bars (probably so they don’t break when you throw them over the fence).
The last time we had builders in, I asked them to either leave the radio at home or for them to stay at home. Seemed to work out ok.
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Day started with blue skies and 10°C temperature so decided on an impromptu trip to the Peak District. Did 45 minutes on motorway to start, to make the going easier and quicker (not enough daylight this time of year).
It came across all cloudy when I headed across the moors.
I then felt cheated when I had an hour riding under clouds, with sun similarly hidden to the south, whilst the north showed blue skies. Still, last hour was mostly sunny. 
Roads were sometimes wet from earlier showers but I stayed dry, and with temperature in low teens it was a pleasant ride 
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I got the tiger out today, first ride in over a month. Had a run around Cheshire mainly on the main roads, which were mostly dry.
Didn’t stop until I got to my local on the way home for a pint, hence no photos.
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Good to have the right priorities.
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Threw a bucket of shoite at it?
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Oh my, your bike is filthy. I must have been lucky today cause mine went back in garage more less as it came out.
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Guess I was too cryptic. That muck is from yesterday’s ride, today I washed it off.
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Took the speed triple for a spin, then filled up with unleaded for hibernation. (It might come out yet, if weather permits)
Then it was the mrs. Trident’s turn, as insurance on that is suspended until March as of Monday.
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can I ask you what bars you have on your speed master
You know the rules!!!
No photo, didn’t happen!!!
Now go BACK out and get yourself at least another pint!
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