Over the last eight years I have become friends with Nick Sanders (MBE ooh I say) and his wife Dr Caroline since meeting them in the Pyrenees. They have an “Expedition Centre '' in Machynlleth Wales and I take groups of bikers up there once or twice a year for long weekends and each and every time it’s been a winner. They are excellent hosts and know what bikers want (roads, beds, beer and great food). Festivals aren’t my thing and when I’m leading events I don’t tend to drink as I’m the grown-up but at the end of last summer Nick persuaded me to bring a group to his Mini Mach festival and I made a decision then that if I went, I would be there for the party, not the bikes.
The Mach Festival - Time to let my hair down - I’ve lost my voice
This wasn’t an official ride for the club I run events for - I met a bunch at Beaconsfield Services to lead them up the fun way. I told them that what happened a Mach stayed at Mach, that I wasn’t going to do an event report, that we were going to use the buddy system and while I may be leading, I have rather a f**** it attitude at the moment so look after each other, good luck. We had a blast up, along the A4 to pick up more in Newbury, over the M48 bridge, up to Abergavenny, over Gospel Pass, Crossgate, Newtown, Mach. I unpacked and started drinking. There were 17 in my group and others thought that we were hired entertainment. There was no internet or phone signal (bliss). We stayed up until 3 -4am drinking, dancing, talking, we slept and started again after bacon sandwiches. I lost my voice and sounded like Bonnie Tyler for next few weeks. I had a truly wonderful time, as did all. We limped home and on the way I noticed an oil leak.
I took the bike back to Triumph the day after, still with remnants of slate dust and sheep shit but with clear evidence of burnt oil on the cat and gear changer. I was further insulted when they lent me a Speedmaster. It was the alternator gasket, £180 and the following morning, when the bike was cold, they started it up and I got a call to say “we’ve heard the noise”. I’ve put a summary of their email on here somewhere, but they basically condemned my engine and told me not to ride the bike until they had inspected the cams. I took the Speed Master back and booked my bike in for the 27th July. I had no bike.
Mach by Trinity 765, on Flickr
Speed Master by Trinity 765, on FlickrKenstock
Ken is a motorcycle instructor, blood runner, a ride leader for our club, but most importantly, he is the social events organiser and has his own little festival each year. As I was going in the car, I took my tent with all the comfy bedding I could fit in my boot to sleep in the garden (covid rules). Ken was also coming to my next event, an exclusive weekend at the Expedition Centre and he offered to lend me his GSF600 (his work bike) and he could lead on his VFR. We made the plans quickly before we got too drunk for organising. No bike but another amazing and fun weekend.
Kenstock by Trinity 765, on Flickr
Kenstick by Trinity 765, on FlickrThe NS Exclusive Weekend
I drove up to Ken’s in SW London, loaded my stuff onto his bike and we set off to Beaconsfield for an official ride up to Mach. By the time I got to Beaconsfeild I’d got used to the bike and had fallen in love with it, as I do most bikes. By the time I’d got to the end of the Crossgates/Newtown road I’d screwed his tyres and cooked his brakes. He told me his bike had never been ridden like that - shame on him. The next day NS took us out and a friend had an off on his MV Dragstar 800 (in the gold colour scheme) - perhaps the prettiest bike on the planet and certainly in our group. He was airlifted off a bit confused, someone local to the accident stored his bike in their garage (minor scratches, throttle stuck on). That night, in a freinds car we drove to pick him up from hospital, 2 hours each way. He was in good enough spirits, 3 broken ribs and a broken collar bone - woozy on meds and looking forward to getting back to the party. I took the next day off (more out of sympathy for Ken’s bike) and hung out at the ranch (more drinking). Caroline took me for a jaunt around the area, giving me all the local gossip and we stopped by her Mum’s for afternoon tea.
Tart by Trinity 765, on Flickr
Honda by Trinity 765, on Flickr
ADV by Trinity 765, on FlickrPillion Benefits
Last weekend a good friend took me out on his new (800 miles on the clock) Africa Twin 1100. Great bike - shit stock tyres. It was very wet and I got to try out my new two piece, transparent rain suit by Acerbis. It worked 100% at keeping me dry however, when the sun came out I had effectively turned myself into a greenhouse. It was incredibly hot! Plus I look like I'm wearing a 5p Co op carrier bag. Pillions also get to have a drink at pub stops and being slightly tipsy on the back of a bike is one of my favourite things.
Africa Twin by Trinity 765, on FlickrNow
Triumph lent me a Street Twin while they replaced the cams and cam basket on my Street Triple. I love both the Speed and the Street Twin - they are unassuming to look at, have discrete tech but they are both bikes that once I get on, I don't want to stop riding - instant fun. I may buy one one day. Today I’m dropping it off and picking up my bike. At last.
Twin love by Trinity 765, on Flickr
