Bit of a delayed update, and not all GSXS based, as I was busy doing stuff and needed to get all the piccys sorted. But better late than never!
So, Friday in the end I decided to stick to the chips in Clacton plan but definitely not via the quick route. I was on the school run so by the time I'd dropped them, had breaky/coffee etc and kitted up it was about 9 which is what I'd planned for to let rush hour take its course. This also meant a moody gray morning turned nice and sunny by the time I left
First task was petrol, what a faff, went into the BP near Hertford and it took nearly a full 10 mins such was the levels of faffery. Why does it take people so long! My mood nearly soured when I hit not 1 but 2 closed roads almost immediately after, just that today's not the day feeling.
Luckily, I ignored that and the poor start became a nice set of flowing roads with the occasional car dispatched with ease by the mighty Suzuki midrange, I really really like that engine. It's so effective as a roadbike motor which builds into a glorious howl at the top end usually ending with me giving a little giggle like a kid.
First stop of the day was at Poulsons for a coffee where I'd hoped to see a BSA Bantam in the flesh
Sadly no Bantam, but they did have the new Buells in. Looked fairly shiny with lots of carbon on the sporty fella but not sure I'd be splashing 24k on them myself.
Far preferred their Bike Shed bike to Erik's creations
Coffee consumed I skirted round Abberton and thought I'd hit another closed road when I came across a big tail back. Filtered to the front and it was a broken down Porsche SUV thing being put on a low loader, luckily as I got there the rachet straps were just being tightened so in a couple of minutes I was away. Stopped at the reservoir for a piccy
10 seconds after I took that picture a BMW car came hooning passed left to right on the wrong side of the road at very high speed, I got to the "What a co..." when a police car hooned passed in hot pursuit. Essex init
Colchester was the usual crap to get through but then I took the B1027 rather than the A133 to Clacton. The sun by this point definitely had his hat on and a cheeky parking spot by the pier was nabbed alongside some other bikes.
A bag of chips was devoured but sadly they were freshly cooked and hot, I prefer when the chips have sat a while personally cos I'm odd. Plus as a reminder you are in Clacton the condiments were bolted down
Grabbed some sweets for the kids, flucking price!!, and then decided to head to Frank's Motorcycles the other side of Colchester, again back up the B1027, not such a great ride as Friday afternoon traffic was building. Been meaning to pop in to Frank's for ages but kept forgetting about it. This meant another run through Colchester but it wasn't too bad and the sun was shining and I was on my bike
Frank's had a pretty damn good selection of bikes and a nice cafe to boot.
I was particularly taken with this R7 but had spent the asking price on sweets.
This was rather spiffing
As was this which for no particular reason is a bike I just have a soft spot for, I'd rather a Formula S, which apparently they also have out the back but this was nice enough
I also like these, after seeing a puss green V11 Sport years ago parked at work and just liked it.
Nice early R1, with a shitty Panigale of some sort in the way of the R7
With time ticking on I went north west through Earls Colne and hooked round through Finchingfield, before picking up the A120/A10 back to home for a nice cold beer. Perfect way to spend a Friday afternoon
Saturday dawned with a moody forecast but we decided, my Dad, elder brother and I, to go along to Kop Hill climb. Given the weather I drove to my brother's and he then drove all of us in his new to him Mustang. Bugger me there isn't much room in the back. I'm far from tall but had to semi lay down to avoid continually hitting my head on either the roof or back glass! And this still happened more than I'd like as the aftermarket suspension is bloody hard. Still it sounds and looks cool and got us parked in the 'Cherished vehicles' section of the field.
Kop Hill was a good day out as usual with all sorts of interesting cars/bikes, including some Morini piloted by a dodgy fellow named Dicky, heard his shonker didn't even make it up the hill!
Shame we didn't get much time to chat but nice meeting you
My Dad spotted a nice Ariel Arrow on the way in, his first bike, and on the way out he asked if he could have a sit on it which the owners were nice enough to oblige. It even had the same Ace bars, although it was a different colour.
59 years apart
On the left
All round a good 2 days
This certainly won't be the last ride of the year but probably the last cheeky day off ride until next year but can't complain too much as it's been a great summer this year.
Now. Do the bike service Supermofo you lazy bastid!
I just love the surge out of corners with the front wheel just hovering on the power, it's a very effective roadbike for sure. Still don't get all the IL4 haters, the right IL4s are very right indeed 