Forum Replies Created
- Posts
Following up the successful forum ride out to Bassetts Pole a few weeks ago, the latest get together saw eight members on seven bikes discovering the delights of sunny Stratford upon Avon in Warwickshire.
The meeting up point today was the canal-side Navigation pub in the picturesque village of Wootton Wawen on the A3400 about 6 miles from Stratford itself. I rocked up first on my T Cat after a steady 25 mile ride from home on damp and skippy roads, next to roll up about 30 minutes later was GSF K1 on his Suzuki GSF600K1. He had come the best part of 90 miles from the outskirts of Peterborough. Katana then arrived on his GSX750E Katana Street-fighter which looked well considering it has been flattened by a van only a couple of days ago in a car park! Katana had come about 15 miles or so for the meet and GSF was looking odds on for the distance award when we heard the bark of a race piped R1 in the distance. Moments later Digger (Yamaha YZF R1) and Prezzo (Yamaha YZFR1/7 special) arrived from Skelmersdale up der in “Scouser” land. Well over 125 miles away. Last to arrive were Toggs (Kawasaki ZX6R complete with expensive indicator screws), and Thumper with Gixerchic on his Kawasaki ZR550 Zephyr. Gixerchic’s GSX-R600 couldn’t come out to play, because not content with being attacked by a Fiat Punto, having her engine going bang she now had a puncture in her (brand new), back tyre. This is a girl that needs a change in luck!!
We wiled away a pleasant hour here supping away at Thumper’s expense (cheers mate) and it was good to see people who had only met “virtually” before all getting on well.
Then it was off to Stratford itself with Thumper and Gixer leading and me on the T cat sweeping up at the back of our 7 bike convoy. Traffic was heavy and the ride wasn’t anything special in itself, but good to see so many forum members out together. Katana, Toggs and Prezzo were going in for the “I’ve got the noisiest pipe” competition. Difficult to say, but I think Toggs just edged it. Still hushed in comparison to his old ZZR400 pipe, now that was LOUD.
In Strafford the local council has stopped bikers parking alongside the canal basin as had been the tradition for many, many years. However in fairness they have provided a dedicated bike park nearby. We all stuck our machines in there joining the usual array of bikes you see at these meets. However standing out for me there were two Honda NC30s and a RC45, even now these bikes look the business and they sounded wonderful when they fired up.
We headed straight for the canal side area and the by now legendary baguette and ice cream barges. Katana’s wife and son joined us at this point for a while too, so that is what he keeps under his seat! (Check the forum if you want to “get” this joke!). With the sun splitting the stones, and the grassy lawns surrounding the basin bustling with bikers and American tourists (“Is Bill Shakespeare here today?”), we enjoyed chilling out and discussing where to go next. Even the lousy street entertainer didn’t seem too bad on a day like this. Perfect.
After a discussion around a map we decided to head for Moreton-on-the-Marsh. So back to the bikes and we headed off in a convoy once more. Traffic was continuing to hinder things a bit, but after we left the A3400 and turned on to the A429 thinks eased the roads got significantly better. Prezzo with 184 bhp to play with picked up the pace and Digger and Toggs promptly joined in whilst Katana, Thumper, GSF and I opted for a more gentle pace and soaked up the stunning views.
After a brief halt at Moreton to reform the convoy it was decided to head for Broadway on the A44. This time the three fly boys really got moving and when you see the quality of the roads it is easy to see why. Well surfaced and nice mixture of fast open sweepers and some tighter sections, plunging quite sharply downhill in places. All around the countryside is beautiful, how everybody pictures England should look.
GSF had a moment when overtaking a Laguna when the blind berk at the wheel pulled across on him just as he was overtaking. I was behind and it was not nice to watch. Understandably we took it steady into Broadway itself and joined the rest at a pub in the main street. Now if you have never been to Broadway do try to get there sometime as it is a beautiful village, the only downside being that it over run by tourists.
Here Digger stumped up for the drinks (Cheers), and Prezzo the very model of sophistication, took afternoon tea on the pavement outside the pub. Complete with dainty milk jug. Hard lot us bikers you know!
From here GSF, Thumper, Toggs and Gixer headed home whilst Prezzo, Digger and I followed Katana back to his house in nearby Evesham for (another), cuppa.
I rounded off my ride out with a fun blast along a tasty section of the A44 in company with Prezzo and Digger from Evesham to the M5 junction near Worcester. This stretch is punctuated by a series of islands and some inviting sweeping bends. I was really enjoying myself, when Digger signalled his fuel was running low. We rolled off and headed into Worcester for juice.
Prezzo and Digger started the long haul home from here. All in all a superb day out, cheers to everybody and special thanks to GSF, Prezzo and Digger who came big distances to join us.
Looking forward to seeing you all next time…
Donate – Or Imperial Data will have you sorted!Superb day out. Thanks one and all. How about a race meet next??
Donate – Or Imperial Data will have you sorted!the New Pope. Do you he really is a really sound bloke, he rides one of dem new BMWs that goes like F*ck!”
With that they both…
Donate – Or Imperial Data will have you sorted!Buy a Bungalow – then you can always be together. My brother in law used to keep his Thunderace in the lounge.
Donate – Or Imperial Data will have you sorted!quote:
Originally posted by DiggerBummer gix I gone and bought you a galaxy aswell.
Take it easy out there
Don’t worry, Thumper is giving her a go on the pillion of the ZR550 I think.
See u all at 11 ish.
Donate – Or Imperial Data will have you sorted!A mate of mine down in Norfolk had his ZX10 (the 1980s one) reversed over by a van. Painful. Trouble was it was HIS van and HE was driving. Very painful!!
Anyway glad the damage wasn’t too bad!
Donate – Or Imperial Data will have you sorted!quote:
Originally posted by GSF K1Hey Radar.. you comming up on the RS “Delux” ???? I’d love to see one of the old girls again!
To “ERR” is natural.. to really fowl things up needs a politician!!
Sorry, I will be on the T Cat. It hasn’t been out for ages! Used the RS last Thursday. They all have to get a share!
Donate – Or Imperial Data will have you sorted!You have got to try one – they are a hoot!! Had 5 RD’s and a KH.
Donate – Or Imperial Data will have you sorted!Thanks BC, but can only get out one day over the BH weekend. Going for an ice cream in Stratford!!
Please take a digi camera and post a few piccies and words about the show.
Spread the word of the forum too.
Donate – Or Imperial Data will have you sorted!
