Motorbiking
"Biker" for me usually means motorbiking, though I also have a couple of mountain-bikes... see Trail Bike
My current motorbikes are a Honda CBR600RR ABS 2017 and a Kawasaki Ninja Z250SL.
Previously I have owned: Kawasaki ZX4-RR (Ninja anniversary edition), Honda CRF300 Rally, Honda CBR600RR 2005, Honda CBR600FW, Honda VF750F, Yamaha FJ600, Suzuki GSX750EX, Yamaha FJ750, Yamaha XJ900, Kawasaki Z750 and I passed my riding test on my Kawasaki KH250.
See also my Motorbiking web links
I enjoyed a fantastic clear run up the south side road of Mont Ventoux (1910 m.), that used to be the route for the Ventoux Hill Climb race. Some particularly interesting curves remain that are still unique challenges but the famous tight turn at St. Estève has been straightened. The pits at the foot of the course in Bédoin have been built over and the petrol station pumps at the start have gone, but not the concrete island on which they stood. My clear run was great fun , of course being respectful to the villages and the cyclists.
Stylish bikes outside and with a substantial number of GBMCC London members (on and off bikes) adding to the crowding inside this popular South London pub, the friendly combination makes our monthly club night as enjoyable as ever.
For his autumn retro look in Cumbria, John is wearing a classic style trials jacket in waxed leather with leather hide jeans. Modern versions include flexible protections to CE standards. Performance boots and gloves for safety and ease of adjustability. Morf and fleece layer in lightweight synthetics. High protection ear plugs. Crash helmet with external shade, handy for incoming low angle winter sunshine.
No sponsorship involved, I’ve bought everything at retail prices for my own use.
The single-track road up the valley of Mardale runs up past the dam and continues along the side of Haweswater; the road ends at the foot of Gatescarth Pass. This is an aggressively wild and desolate place. Twice I was blown over whilst at a standstill on the bike with my foot down but I couldn’t hold the bike against unexpectedly strong gusts.
Minor scratches on either side of the bike now and I have a couple of strained muscles from my attempts lifting it up before help arrived. But maybe worth it for the extreme natural beauty and the fun crossing the fords and floods. There’s a Traffic Regulation Order for the rest of the track up to Gatescarth Pass (572 m.) so a permit is needed to continue past the gate. Anyhow, this was no day to attempt the pass on my bike on my own so I turned back to the lush growth lower in the valley. Plenty of leaves, mud and washout on all the roads, which the CRF300 rides just fine.
More photos: Haweswater and the road to Gatescarth Pass (572 m.) - Lake District National Park
The filling stations near me in Marseille having run dry as the refineries are continuing to be blockaded by an industrial action, my last ride of tis stay was limited by range anxiety to the fuel remaining in the bike’s tank, including enough to get me home. So just a local ride to the Route des Crêtes on beautiful Cap Canaille above Cassis. The road’s a challenge but the views are so fantastic that it’s a ride to enjoy the place whether in a group in hired cabriolets or on two wheels or the hikers I spoke with who are down from the Jura.
Then time to ride back to Marseille, lock up my RR, finish packing and set off for Marseille-Provence airport at Marignane for take-off as the sun was setting.
More photos: Range anxiety on the Route des Crêtes - Parc National des Calanques
Subcategories
Alps Biker 2016
I'm riding light for a week on the mountain roads of the Alps. No laptop, although I do have my SLR camera but photos will have to wait till I'm back in Marseille..
I left Marseille for a long ride north via the Col de la Croix Haute (1179 m.) to Saint-Gervais under Mont Blanc. A bit of rain towards the end of the day which cleaned the Provence dust off my white leathers and boots but didn't soak me through.
