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Day 3: A very late night!

A short but sweet comment to follow another fantastic evening catching up with friends of old. But whatever happened to the the British roads? Everybody grumbles, I know, but south of Northampton it was a bloody nightmare. The whole day today has taken over 6 hours of riding and for that I have made just three stops: Abingdon, Towcester & Uppingham. Thats not a reflection of the great fun I've had once I got away from the dreadful roads in the south.

I rode to Oxford expecting to make it into the dealership in Abingdon, to find that Google maps preferred to send me to HD Oxford (the Head-quarters of HD in Europe.) and lovely though that was it didn't help me find where I wanted to be. So with a paper map in hand (thanks to the staff at HD UK) I made my way the old fashioned way. (The iPhone is shit, but I'll give more later.) From Abingdon it was an hour to run to Towcester and almost right past the gates of Silverstone, so what could I do but stop and have a piccy as I made my way round...

From there it was just a short run to the Force India guys at the old Jordan plant for a chat and more pics.

Towcester was a nice little town and the guys there made me feel very welcome, gave me advice on the bike, topped up the oil and give it a quick ten minute walk round. Thanks guys.

But from there on in the rain really set in. It was like having a 100 needles stabbing at your face over and over as you rode along. Once you got used to the sensation it came and went, much as the rain that went with it, but the further north I got the more persistent the rain. Oh well...

I will say that the worse part of the journey so far has been my iPhone. The battery lasted two texts and two maps today. By the time I got to Leicester there was no battery and I couldn't call Omar, leaving him wondering, Aly worried and me pissed off. The iPhone is rubbish! Don't buy one!!! Don't even get it if its free! Yes, thats right guys it is shit!!!

Day 2: Guildford to Haverhill

What a day... What a laugh. Breakfast was good, toast and tea. Tom looked worst of all first thing in the morning, but he made up for it by the time it got to the photo-shoot.

Yes ladies... Tom is the one in the middle. Yes he has put on about a stone. Yes his mucles really are that big. No he still isn't cool as he still can't ride a bike!

It was brilliant to see everyone, even if Annie did spend have the time in the kitchen :0)

Then it was off to Slough, and like it or not I stick by the fact that the further north I go the nicer people are. When I popped into HD Slough today, even though they had no idea who I was and had no idea what I was talking about, it didn't stop them wanting to hear all about the trip giving suggestions of things I need to see and do and places to see. We talked about riding Lands End-John Of Groats, the Continent, the States and even the Alps (doing it on 125cc, Scooters, and all manner of things. I spent well over an hour with them, drank their coffee looked at their bikes and put the whole world to right before heading of in the general direction of Cambridge along the A road and avoid what Martin said was a terrible time on the M25/M11.

The ride was around 3 hours of beautiful sunshine and open road. It was just as it is meant to be, and peaceful... Fantastic. Bikes are meant to be ridden and it is very sad to say that so many of them sit and collect dust in someones garage (in a state of personal belonging), but never really see the road as they were meant to, well today I did. After the mad rush that was yesterday today was the epitome of riding. The sun, the cooling breeze, and good friends with a cold beer at the end of it.
Dinner was pretty cool to. Evy was mad running around helping me with all my kit, turning everything out and then helping daddy with the computer games!!! (Martin I'm not sure that your not a little old for the speak and spell type things by now.) Met Lucy, a good giggle and quite animated she assures me that she never meant to send the wine flying across the table in my general direction and all down the back of the laptop... we'll see.

Anyway, thanks for putting me up guys, and I'll see you soon I hope. Leicester tomorrow and onwards and upwards. Tomorrow is completely new territory, so the fun really begins.

Day 1: Portsmouth to Guildford via the world

What can I say... That's it then, we're off.

Thank you to everyone who came to the Churchillian today, it was fantastic to see you all. A special thanks to Pompey John & Clive from NF Hog both of whom joined me as I set out on the first leg. I have to admit I had a nervous moment as I pulled away, and just lept saying to myself 'Don't drop it. Don't drop it.' I survived.

Has it been a good start? Well if nothing else it has been interesting. I made it to both Lewes and Guildford today drank coffee and had a laugh with some of the guys. The ride from Portsdown Hill took closer to 2hours than it ever should have, and then from Lewes to Guildford, once again almost 2hours. In fact I arrived at Guildford HD with just 15mins to spare. Oh well these things happen and no doubt will happen once again.

Thanks to Tom and Nicky for dinner, the BBQ was great and loved the wings. All went so very well, until I tried to help and ended up with burnt fingers on the Kebabs. Still bloody hurts now.

We have had an evening of chatting, picked Alan and Annie up from the airport and even managed a few beers to settle ourselves in.

Tomorrow I push on to Slough, then its of to Kate and Martin before the big ride on Monday. Back across country to Abingdon, Towcester and Uppingham. Then on to Leicester for lunch with Rob and Omar and dinner with some good friends (alikum).

Thats it for tonight then. A day is done and the next is well and trully on its way.

The Last Hours

Just about 13 hours left before I make my way to the Churchillian on Portsdown Hill for the off. As it gets closer and closer the nerves are really kicking in. Said good night to the kids tonight... was a strange feeling, but perhaps not as strange as saying goodbye to D earlier. I know he wants to get to the pub in time tomorrow, but I'd rather he just drove safe. Still didn't stop the lump in the back of the throat and a nervous cough.
Do I say goodbye to everyone here, or not, not really sure what I'm supposed to do right now, but I'm kind of betting that tomorrow there will be a photo or two to go up.
Anyway, a glass of wine, pack the laptop away and off to bed.

See you tomorrow...

6 Days to go!

O.K. I admit, it is now kind of like watching paint dry... my nerves are on edge and I'm sleeping less than ever. Still the one thing that I have achieved tonight is to learn to play Songbird on the guitar... not hard you say. Use the shovels that I have for hands and only pick the thing up once every six weeks and see how good you are.
It seems kind of strange, but having weighed my paniers, the two luggage bags that I'm taking and strapping them all on, it still feels that I'm missing something...
Still, by this time next week I should have completed Day 1 and be well on my way to a relaxed evening, before preping an early start on the sunday. We shall see :0)

Andy

Countdown To Start

Well it's late at night and I think I've finally got everything together ready for the trip ahead.

I want to thank everyone at this point for all the support and interest that I have had thus far... not only for the donations, but more for the kind words and support that has come as people watch my paniced state unfold ;0)

I will be leaving from the Churchillian Pub on Portsdown Hill on Saturday 8th August at 1pm. So if any wants to join me for a coke and a laugh, I'll see you there as we begin the road around Britain and the countdown to my return. Although I admit it seems strange to think about the return home before I've even left.

Anyway, 10 days to go... let the countdown begin.
:0)

andy