So, Monday dawned dry but distinctly iffy looking with great black clouds scudding about and the weather map looking like there was rain afoot at some stage or other. Still I was there and I was going. I headed off towards the coast from Yeovil down to Lyme via Crewkerne. Roads were good with some stunning views, to be fair the roads aren't any better than Essex/Suffolk but the elevation definitely adds to the view! The last stage of the ride into Lyme the Sat Nav took me down a goat track style road which after a few hundred meters was filled by either a prefab style house or container of some sort on the back of a lorry, luckily heading the same way as me else it'd have been very interesting! I followed this at a distance in first gear as he was taking out some whacking great branches out of the roadside trees. About a mile further on he pulled in to let me pass which I gladly did and entered Lyme itself just as the first spots of rain arrived
I went through Lyme and was going to park when I noticed that the coast road was currently neither wet or under rain clouds so decided to do that whilst it was dry rather than stop
The first section was pretty good towards West Bay and the rain clouds went north so by the time I arrived there I was in bright sunshine so decided to stop for walk about and a pee. There were a few bikes about include a couple of lads from Taunton doing the same as me. Sadly looks like the Helmet City there is now closed, I was going to have a look at some gloves. Oh well, suitably emptied/watered I decided to carry on to Weymouth.
This was where things got really good. The sun was shining, there was very little traffic and the views were frankly incredible. The road is a 50 limit presumably cos of bikes looking at the number of 'Bikers, don't be a dick' type signs but to be honest without knowing where I was going, guessing there might be speed traps, a very strong wind and more importantly the VIEWS I was happy mooching about with half an eye on what there was to see. As mentioned the wind was really strong and at some points it was blowing the bike about but nothing too bad so it was near perfect. This was about half way to Weymouth.
I dropped into Weymouth parked up and went to the Harbour for a coffee and a chill. Bugger me it was windy! Got sand in my eye locking my bike and the beach was about 500m away, I nearly lost the froth off me cappuccino
Before leaving there were some ominous looking clouds gathering and I had a decision to make. Head back the way I'd come or go north towards Sherborne. Given I'd done the coast and it was likely to rain either way I decided to go north for somewhere new. Stupidly I didn't put my waterproof boil in the bag trousers on before leaving so about 4 mins into the ride I had to stop to do so
About 5 mins later it then stopped without me really being wet! But I'll take that
I decided to go and have a look at the massive bell end on route, very impressive.
Before the final leg to Sherborne, back onto the A30 to Yeovil. About 90 miles and decided to stop for fuel to save doing it the following morning. On the way down the ride was 155 miles and the range reckoned I had 40 miles remaining which was impressive, not sure how accurate that is but typically it's been decent, so I knew if I filled with fuel Monday I'd not need fuel on the way home.
Tuesday's forecast wasn't good with lots of rain about and all heading my way but mid morning looked best. I went out for breakfast with my uncle for a last chat, it's been great catching up with him, poor sod lost my aunt last year and he's on his own a fair amount so was nice to catch up and talk about all sorts.
Back at his I packed the last of my kit and decided waterproofs were the order of the day! Other than a stop 5 miles in to sort an earplug that hadn't settled well I did the trip home in 1 go. The A30 was great again being interesting enough whilst allowing quicker progress than the average B road. The rain held off till Shaftsbury and lasted till the other side of Salisbury when I got a break till a brief heavy downpour near Heathrow. My Oxford Mondial seemed to be waterproof, as were my gloves and boots (both Goretex) but the Richa over trousers suffered the damp crutch of 'need a new pair'. I didn't notice till I was home though at least. Bit disappointing considering I've only worn them twice including yesterday but they are about 4 years old and cheap.
The bike was great considering I'd done 3hrs/155 miles straight. To be honest I should of stopped before I joined the M3 as my arse was really uncomfy by that point but what with the rain threatening I just wanted to get back so I did a bit hanging off a cheek each side alternately up the motorway and it was the right decision as it was mostly dry other than Heathrow whereas later it was like a monsoon for hours. When I got back the bike still reckoned I had over 40 miles of fuel so on longer trips at lower revs/midrange it's bloody good on petrol for a 148bhp. Even with a top box and the massive OE plate holder it's still a messy bike in the wet. The rear seat is covered in brown spray as is the swingarm etc but not any on my back so at least the top box (I'm guessing) protected against that. Only other niggle was my right pinky was tingling with vibes for a while but that was more me not stopping as it'd been fine on other journeys.
All in a great 3 days away, some good scenery and great company. Only downer was when putting my sat nav on for the ride home the mount which has always been stiff made a crack sound but slid home. When I got back the mount where the sat nav slides onto has cracked
Having a quick look online looks like you have to buy the whole mount at 50 quid, joy.
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... rod/235194
Looks like there are some refurbished ones on ebay for £5 but seems cheap and not sure how good they are. I'll investigate but might just buy a new one.
Felt really dialled in on the way home back via the A1060 which is a great road if not too busy. It's pretty much the perfect bike for me. I was a little uncomfy by the time I got home but I'd be riding for over 3hrs with a quick 20 min break.