Sam1199's Story - "just Popping Out On My Bike" - Something We'd All Love To Do!

Back in the Real World.

Spent all day Saturday building wardrobes with my son in his new flat. Worked till 11.30pm so I could get out on the bike on Sunday. IKEA sliding doors....nooooo!

As a result Sunday went to Newlands, not as early as I'd have liked. Met Vince, then The Chalet then Loomies.

I have to say we both found it very frustrating. The roads seemed so busy, so small and downright rough and poor quality after being away from this tiny overcrowded island.

Loomies had a Suzuki day which didn't do it for me. I just couldn't open the garage door and look at one of them and feel anything. Except blue. They just don't excite me, I could hardly look.

The ride back was much better after most of the deaf, dumb, blind and plain stupid had got home from the garden centres.

I'm going to have to head a long way north to try and get some space. The south of England is so overcrowded it's just not an enjoyable ride as I spend most of my time trying to anticipate what Mr. or Mrs. Lobotomy might do. It's a constant source of surprise and bemusement. Conversations at stopping points with other motorcyclists confirm that drivers and sanity seem to be heading in opposite directions.

Mind you I did see one over enthusiastic biker pop a massive wheelie down a busy Streatham High Road on Saturday.

Just writing that makes me feel like I'm coming over all Victor Meldrew but when the Surrey Bikesafe leader tells you he's worried because they've had THREE biker fatalities in their county already this year it makes you think.

No wonder the Mrs. asked me if I'd made a Will the other day.

'Strange' I thought at the time, 'she doesn't have a carving knife in her hand'.

 

This is a cool shot. Pani looks amazing as always. I'm seriously considering getting some Tricolour style graphics made up for my track fairings

 

Cheers Royal, your pics at Cadwell looked like you were really having fun.
I just love the Tricolore scheme. I loved it instantly when I saw it, I fought it for a while but in the end I had to give in and get one. Nothing else would do. When it gets that bad you have to have one. I'm so glad I did.

This is Bazzer looking cool on the same outing.

 

We took the fantastic road up from Estapona to Ronda one day. Twisty takes on a new meaning.

The grip on that road is immense, you can feel the lateral G forcing the tyres into the Tarmac, especially if you open it up all the way through the bend. Half way up there's a cafe where you have to stop and watch the world go by.

We saw these road legal carts. They look like fun, must give them a try next time.



In fact that road was so good we did it 3 times. Next time I'm near there I'll do it again as well.

 

Bazzer in Pole position. It was a great view. Or should I say 'Mirador'.

 

Malaga to Uk double quick.

Bazzer and I decided to do the return from southern Spain as quickly as we could.
Far better to cruise around in the southern sunshine for as long as we could and zip back to the Uk fast. The weather back home wasn't good and northern Spain wasn't much better apparently.

I didn't write it up because it was an uneventful mile munching exercise. As we came over the Picos mountains it was snowing so we knew we'd made the right decision.
Besides, I'd only just done the journey from Malaga to Santander a couple of weeks before on my ST4 with bro number 5.

Thought I'd post up a few more pics from both trips.


The flares in the paintwork were accidental. Still a nice shot though.


Hot air balloons over Segovia first thing in the morning.
Grown men!

 

And a piece of art.

 

Great shots and admiring writes ups, if only there was a time that time allowed me to come!!!
Sam you get wonderful opportunities, keep taking them, tomorrow something may change and I hope not for you,
Keep um coming, you've got me hooked

 

Love the flairs on that shot! That part of the world looks stunning. We've been scheming to move out to Barcelona lately.

 

The thought of moving to Spain and touring tracks is most appealing!

 

Do it. I've spent a lot of time working there and had a few great weekends there too.
If I wanted to move to a city that would be my first choice, even above Cape Town.
Great city and I can recommend some great Tapas bars n restaurants.

 

Here's one from the stopping point on what I call 'The Guadalupe loop'. 100 km of the finest empty bend after bend road you could ever wish for. Pure joy.


I seem to have spent most of my professional and private life behind the camera. I'll see if anyone else has any pics.

One things for sure...I'm not buying a selfie stick!

 

I've been thinking about this for a few days, on and off. Yes, you're right I have had some good opportunities lately. I guess the trick is to recognise them and to take them.

My New Years resolution was to make more time to enjoy myself. Last year was a roller coaster.

I've long since thought that 'I only regret the things I haven't done'.

Which is a paraphrase of Mark Twain's fantastic quote:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Isn't that great?

My elder brother opened up a whole new opportunity when he bought a house in Southern Spain.
I looked at it differently and realised for example that: This weekend we could fly out with my sister in law for less than the price of a meal out in London, per head. Once here it's cheaper than existing in London.
What's not to like?

I've had a stinker of a cold all weekend but I'm going to raid my brothers bike shed today and enjoy it before getting back to some serious graft tomorrow.

I never expected to have the response to this blog that I've had. It's funny how I stumbled into it. In truth it was after reading Royalwithcream's holiday report, which I found interesting and entertaining.

If readers are enjoying being on my pillion then that's great. There's always more.

I'd love to do one of the round the world legs for Ducati on the Multisrada Enduro. Now that really would be an interesting ride and a fun and entertaining thing to write about. We'll see, 7 people will get lucky. If I'm not one of them I'm going to go to America again and I hear New Zealand is great riding too. Maybe not this year but soon.

So, Andy, keep getting yourself better. Sit on that lovely bike in the garage every now and again and as soon as you're well enough, do a ride with me. I'd like that.

Your post really made me think, thanks.

 

Sam,
The first thing I read when I came out of recovery room was this,
My wife is reading it too and she's also had a terrible time,
Keep riding and if your in the SW then give us a shout, there's always time for a coffee,
Cheers
Andy

 

Do you know the name of your leathers Sam in that picture?

 

Sorry, just seen this. Got my leathers made to measure by Scott Leathers.

Went to a show and tried on some of their ready made leather jeans.
Jim, the fella who runs it said,
"They're absolutely perfect for you apart from the fact that they don't fit".
"You know what, you're right".
"What you need is made to measure".
"Oh yeah, and how much is that going to cost?"
"Only an extra 40 quid". (For the jeans).
"What seriously?"

You've got very long limbs, nothing's going to fit you".

So I had Jim measure me,(worth it). I went for the jacket as well. Basically the jacket is a copy of the Ducati one but the jeans I designed. Only mistake I made was that in photos the elasticacted section makes me look like I'm wearing my underpants on the outside. In real life it looks ok.

I have never been so delighted with a piece of kit in my life. It was a perfect fit apart from a bit tight on the neck. So I sent it back and they altered it no charge no problem.

A leather suit, exactly to my design, fits me perfectly, all lettering perfect etc...all for less than an off the peg Dianese suit.

I am one very happy customer. Other people have had different experiences but my experience, I can't recommend it highly enough.

 

Thanks Sam, was just about to pull the plug on some new Dainese ones, may try them now instead.