My feet are finally on the desk, have kicked back and am necking a tinnie (drinking a lager don't you know).
All is now done. Have just booked the last accommodation at a place called Gualala to the North of San Francisco on Highway 1. I drove South some years ago and remember had to do a fair few miles to get to the scenic bits. So my compass is now set firmly to go North. Gualala is approx 120 miles ride away and it is a twisty coastal road all of the way. A nice leisurely run that also allows for detours and stops on Saturday the 27th (outbound) and Sunday 28th October (return).
Also food! They may not have Yorkshire puddings but this seems to be the place to eat and drink, see http://www.bonesroadhouse.com and being that I am not a vegetarian and am a bit on the large side I think I may be tempted to have a small bite to eat here or even have a go at the not too challenging [I reckon] Bone Daddy Challenge! Don't you just love BEEF!
Anyway my feet are up, both heels firmly on the desk and I'm now satiated with the feeling of a job well done. Just the minor things to sort over the coming 7 weeks so no late panic, like map data for sat nav, a laptop (so that I can record and post the journey on this blog as I go - I need one anyway). Apple anyone? Maybe a new biking jacket and, well, all else I can sort when I get there.
The next 51 days will not pass quickly enough!
Bone Daddy Baby!
Speak soon
Thursday, 30 August 2012
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
Almost Done
Is a Frikadello anything like a Yorkshire Pudding?
An unusual question but now that the Harley is defo confirmed booked and the additional night at Claudia's similarly booked then all I need to do is decide on one more night - where to stay on the 27th October. Shall I go North up Highway 1 or South? Which way? For sure I've had harder decisions in life! Almost done and the heel of my right foot is now alighted on the desk.
Frik.. er Yorksh.. er Both Baby!
Speak soon
An unusual question but now that the Harley is defo confirmed booked and the additional night at Claudia's similarly booked then all I need to do is decide on one more night - where to stay on the 27th October. Shall I go North up Highway 1 or South? Which way? For sure I've had harder decisions in life! Almost done and the heel of my right foot is now alighted on the desk.
Frik.. er Yorksh.. er Both Baby!
Speak soon
Monday, 27 August 2012
Splish Spash
Did I say rain or shine I ride my bike?
Found some video on the DRIFT HD recorder of the run up to the rain around Blubberhouses and the state of the roads after the downpour. It was a heavy one and the camera was tucked away for the duration. Not quite 40 days and nights but 40 minutes of heavy rain for sure left me very wet and cold, see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYToxf2EUiE
The roads as you can see were pretty awash and quite dangerous for a 2 wheeled thingy without stabilisers nor traction control. So I was a good bit slower and kept more distance from the Volvo ahead until through the worst of it [which is a good rule of thumb any time there is a Volvo near by 'cos if any vehicle is going to clobber a motorcyclist it will be one of them there Swedish Exocets...]
This would have been good practice for the ride on New Zealand South Island West coast 2 years or so ago. Rain then did it? Well, you do ride along a coast road parallel to a rain forest and there is a clue in there somewhere methinks...
By the way I HAVE renamed my YouTube channel "TellyTubby" after I said I would not. Well no-one else has it and it did make me smile when the thought first landed on the left side of my brain...
I also have now booked the train to Heathrow Airport from where my SFNZ jaunt starts - is there much else to do?
Ride Safe
Speak soon
Found some video on the DRIFT HD recorder of the run up to the rain around Blubberhouses and the state of the roads after the downpour. It was a heavy one and the camera was tucked away for the duration. Not quite 40 days and nights but 40 minutes of heavy rain for sure left me very wet and cold, see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYToxf2EUiE
The roads as you can see were pretty awash and quite dangerous for a 2 wheeled thingy without stabilisers nor traction control. So I was a good bit slower and kept more distance from the Volvo ahead until through the worst of it [which is a good rule of thumb any time there is a Volvo near by 'cos if any vehicle is going to clobber a motorcyclist it will be one of them there Swedish Exocets...]
This would have been good practice for the ride on New Zealand South Island West coast 2 years or so ago. Rain then did it? Well, you do ride along a coast road parallel to a rain forest and there is a clue in there somewhere methinks...
By the way I HAVE renamed my YouTube channel "TellyTubby" after I said I would not. Well no-one else has it and it did make me smile when the thought first landed on the left side of my brain...
I also have now booked the train to Heathrow Airport from where my SFNZ jaunt starts - is there much else to do?
Ride Safe
Speak soon
Beware white fluffy things...
Come rain or shine, hot or cold I will ride my bike.
The weather forecast for yesterday [Sunday] was rather promising so after the chores I plugged Morecambe Bay as a destination into the sat nav and set off approx. 1pm. I followed my nose towards Harrogate then the A59 across the dales, in effect running one of my favourite bike runs in reverse to give a new angle on an old friend. To the west of Blubberhouses the sky looked ominous and the grey shroud in the distance meant rain for sure. Three times I thought of bailing out and turning back but no, I was now out for the day and remember, come rain or shine, hot or cold....
Just before Skipton the Heavens opened. I was only wearing a summer jacket and whilst it did have a waterproof liner, I was not really dressed for an extended downpour. Anyway around Ingleton 30 minutes or so later the rain stopped and the cloud was breaking up in the West. So I'm now wet and cold and had no intention of reversing my tracks to go back though that lot, so onwards with the hope of some Sun and warmth and a drier run back home in the evening.
Twas a gloriously sunny afternoon in Morecambe which I spent on the sea front with a cup of tea and a bit of dead fly pie. And it was even better coming back through the dales on the Ingleton to Hawes to Ripon run, another favourite in reverse. Good news was the wet weather had fully cleared to the East so only had occasional [and very] wet spots in the road to worry about. Otherwise a fabulous run home, see: http://youtu.be/fFifnkoOjzY
Why is Yorkshire called God's Own County? I think the video will help that debate along. For sure I love rides in and around the West coast of Scotland and Southern Germany, Austria, the Alps, etc., where the weather can be a tad warmer and roads a lot more twisty. But for a days ride from York then this is the place to go.
Just take care with the white fluffy things, OK?
Yorkshire Puddings Baby!
Speak soon
The weather forecast for yesterday [Sunday] was rather promising so after the chores I plugged Morecambe Bay as a destination into the sat nav and set off approx. 1pm. I followed my nose towards Harrogate then the A59 across the dales, in effect running one of my favourite bike runs in reverse to give a new angle on an old friend. To the west of Blubberhouses the sky looked ominous and the grey shroud in the distance meant rain for sure. Three times I thought of bailing out and turning back but no, I was now out for the day and remember, come rain or shine, hot or cold....
Just before Skipton the Heavens opened. I was only wearing a summer jacket and whilst it did have a waterproof liner, I was not really dressed for an extended downpour. Anyway around Ingleton 30 minutes or so later the rain stopped and the cloud was breaking up in the West. So I'm now wet and cold and had no intention of reversing my tracks to go back though that lot, so onwards with the hope of some Sun and warmth and a drier run back home in the evening.
Twas a gloriously sunny afternoon in Morecambe which I spent on the sea front with a cup of tea and a bit of dead fly pie. And it was even better coming back through the dales on the Ingleton to Hawes to Ripon run, another favourite in reverse. Good news was the wet weather had fully cleared to the East so only had occasional [and very] wet spots in the road to worry about. Otherwise a fabulous run home, see: http://youtu.be/fFifnkoOjzY
Why is Yorkshire called God's Own County? I think the video will help that debate along. For sure I love rides in and around the West coast of Scotland and Southern Germany, Austria, the Alps, etc., where the weather can be a tad warmer and roads a lot more twisty. But for a days ride from York then this is the place to go.
Just take care with the white fluffy things, OK?
Yorkshire Puddings Baby!
Speak soon
Saturday, 25 August 2012
Harley Davidson Round 2
I could not wait any longer. I had to get confirmation that the Hog was in fact booked and so dropped a wee enquiry to the states. And no it was not. For an international company I was surprised to find out that the Eagle Rider web site some times fails to make a booking even though to the requester all looks good. So time to fall back to paper booking and is all in hand now.
Anyway, whilst planning the trip I have been revisiting and updating some of the short movies of bike trips in the past. I intend to [finally] get the Black Forest 2008 run finished soon. I keep playing with the content and not just quite happy with it. But for 4 years! Get yer finger out man! Bit like my house really, a project with no end date. I have updated another couple of YouTube entries - and ha no - I'm not going to have a channel named TellyTubby even though that is closer to the truth than you may know.
So here is another one - this time a test of a VIO HD helmet cam just before I sent it back due to intermittent video quality issues, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCxjDMStY0Y But this gives an idea of my style of riding. My bike is a BMW K1200S and is approaching 70k miles on the clock. Which for a transverse 4 is quite phenomenal (no NOT awesome as it is not yet quite on a par with an act of God). Picture below.
It wants for nowt and gets all it desires and is possibly a substitute in lieu of an 80%er, see my first post. It is a Bank Holiday weekend and the weather looks good for tomorrow. So a small jaunt to the west coast is on the cards - Maryport for example - which will put another 200 plus miles on the bike (and me...)
It's starting to feel like the quiet before the storm, before my holiday, before the fulfilment of a dream. Wet or dry. Hot or Cold. Whatever, I can hardly wait!
Speak soon
Anyway, whilst planning the trip I have been revisiting and updating some of the short movies of bike trips in the past. I intend to [finally] get the Black Forest 2008 run finished soon. I keep playing with the content and not just quite happy with it. But for 4 years! Get yer finger out man! Bit like my house really, a project with no end date. I have updated another couple of YouTube entries - and ha no - I'm not going to have a channel named TellyTubby even though that is closer to the truth than you may know.
So here is another one - this time a test of a VIO HD helmet cam just before I sent it back due to intermittent video quality issues, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCxjDMStY0Y But this gives an idea of my style of riding. My bike is a BMW K1200S and is approaching 70k miles on the clock. Which for a transverse 4 is quite phenomenal (no NOT awesome as it is not yet quite on a par with an act of God). Picture below.
It's starting to feel like the quiet before the storm, before my holiday, before the fulfilment of a dream. Wet or dry. Hot or Cold. Whatever, I can hardly wait!
Speak soon
Friday, 24 August 2012
Apathy
What is it with some people and places. Made some bookings on line, had email conversations on line and when politely asked to reply to confirm all is done, well nothing comes back. A little courtesy is all that I'm looking for. My feet are half way up in the air and not yet quite on the desk. So I'm not yet relaxed and won't be until the final confirmations come in. Should I wait or chase? Would people think I'm an impatient so and so?
Apathy, that is what it is - life is just too good for some people and the need for action, to reply is not felt. Come to think of it I am like that too. Family will say that I am late replying to text messages, work may complain with latency with emails and voice messages. I know, I forget because I am busy, maybe that is it. So I only have myself to blame for being impatient with others as they may be busy too.
Anyway not quite got my feet up and not feeling satisfied yet in a sorted kinda way. But half way is where they are at. Doing wonders for my abs this is (I have a barrel rather than a six pack) whilst under tension. I'm waiting for the ahhhh sound when the final confirmations come in and my feet alight on the desktop.
Anyway here is another link to my last visit to New Zealand in 2008. http://youtu.be/mtB5ELMO-dw Twas a great holiday, even when wet. Love the place. Shame I'm too old now to migrate (yeah us Whales migrate rather than emigrate when we move from shore to shore...)
Speak soon
Apathy, that is what it is - life is just too good for some people and the need for action, to reply is not felt. Come to think of it I am like that too. Family will say that I am late replying to text messages, work may complain with latency with emails and voice messages. I know, I forget because I am busy, maybe that is it. So I only have myself to blame for being impatient with others as they may be busy too.
Anyway not quite got my feet up and not feeling satisfied yet in a sorted kinda way. But half way is where they are at. Doing wonders for my abs this is (I have a barrel rather than a six pack) whilst under tension. I'm waiting for the ahhhh sound when the final confirmations come in and my feet alight on the desktop.
Anyway here is another link to my last visit to New Zealand in 2008. http://youtu.be/mtB5ELMO-dw Twas a great holiday, even when wet. Love the place. Shame I'm too old now to migrate (yeah us Whales migrate rather than emigrate when we move from shore to shore...)
Speak soon
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Harley Davidson
Harley Davidson is a name synonymous with the good old US of A. It's a Hog, it has a heart and big presence. Has lots of chrome, has the classic 'potato potato' sound, weighs almost as much as the rider (me), does not go around corners but for the sheer pleasure if it, to ride one in and around San Francisco, well one has to doesn't one? Leather Jacket is now calling and soon time to let the goatee grow big and hairy and get some stick on tattoo's!
So the bike is booked, a Dyna Low Rider see: http://www.eaglerider.com/rentals/harley-davidson-dyna-low-rider.aspx?referral=sanfrancisco. Only took this one because it is not quite as big a lump of iron as a Fat Boy (rode one of those some years back and, ooh after 100 miles or so I could not wait to get off cos riding with feet up / forward and with ape hangers = lots of weight on ones rear end..) and maybe not as old man'ish as some of the other street and tour models. Just waiting for the confirmation email (and had to look carefully more than once whilst booking as there is no option to cancel / amend after pushing the button!). I am now a happy and rather pleased piglet. God knows what i would have, could have done without tinternet.
Just the final accommodation on the California coast to book and all is in the bag.
Almost time to put my feet up.
Speak soon
So the bike is booked, a Dyna Low Rider see: http://www.eaglerider.com/rentals/harley-davidson-dyna-low-rider.aspx?referral=sanfrancisco. Only took this one because it is not quite as big a lump of iron as a Fat Boy (rode one of those some years back and, ooh after 100 miles or so I could not wait to get off cos riding with feet up / forward and with ape hangers = lots of weight on ones rear end..) and maybe not as old man'ish as some of the other street and tour models. Just waiting for the confirmation email (and had to look carefully more than once whilst booking as there is no option to cancel / amend after pushing the button!). I am now a happy and rather pleased piglet. God knows what i would have, could have done without tinternet.
Just the final accommodation on the California coast to book and all is in the bag.
Almost time to put my feet up.
Speak soon
Monday, 20 August 2012
New Zealand Sorted...
So all is now sorted for New Zealand - 10 lots of accommodation booked and an outline route planned. Will keep off most to the main roads - just need to be careful with fuel stops as places outside of main towns close early and do not open on a weekend. And there is plenty of space in which to get lost ...
This is what the route kinda looks like:
The section in the south from Wanganui in the west to Napier in the east runs along the Gentle Annie, a recently tarmac'd stretch of road and recommended for bikes, see: http://youtu.be/Pv2zFCYg3vU And for those of you that want a more leisurely pace and with a bit of scenery too then there is always truck speed instead of bike speed, see: http://youtu.be/AhbPt1-MCn8
Finally just got confirmation in from California that I can leave my bags at the digs so I CAN now book the Harley D and I CAN now book accommodation on the west coast. Highway 1 here I come :-)
I think I will just ride it forever!
Frikadelloes Baby!
Speak soon
This is what the route kinda looks like:
The section in the south from Wanganui in the west to Napier in the east runs along the Gentle Annie, a recently tarmac'd stretch of road and recommended for bikes, see: http://youtu.be/Pv2zFCYg3vU And for those of you that want a more leisurely pace and with a bit of scenery too then there is always truck speed instead of bike speed, see: http://youtu.be/AhbPt1-MCn8
Finally just got confirmation in from California that I can leave my bags at the digs so I CAN now book the Harley D and I CAN now book accommodation on the west coast. Highway 1 here I come :-)
I think I will just ride it forever!
Frikadelloes Baby!
Speak soon
Sunday, 19 August 2012
In the Beginning...
For many years I have dreamt of retiring to a Yacht.
And, I do enjoy travel. Whether it is the time spent on the front of a motorbike touring in and around Europe or travelling to America, India and Europe with my job. Back in 1990 or so I did my longest jaunt overseas: to California doing all of the usual touristy thingies (Las Vegas, Sequoia, Yosemity, San Francisco...), then on to Hawaii (Diamond Head anyone?) and to Australia (Sydney with drunk, blood spattered guest in the hotel reception asking for his room key). Finally the long cramped long boring long tiring long haul back home again...
For the last 11 years I have been a keen motorcyclist with tons of European and UK miles under my belt (http://youtu.be/oelQL-MJ45E). And finally, last year, I started to learn how to sail on a 42 ft Bavaria (Vision 40) on the river Humber (now, that was the best drinking holiday I have ever been on - thanks Nigel! http://www.yorviksailing.com and http://youtu.be/r2vTFgEHuXI).
So here I am, approaching my Fiftieth birthday having for some time worked to bring all of this together into my dream holiday.
And it is getting close. Sadly I can afford to be selfish because however hard (or not) I have tried to not stay single then this has happened. Always figured that there is a need for balance in a relationship , 80-90% good, maybe 10-20% bad with opportunity to make up and grow together. But was always the other way for me, 80-90% bad, you get my drift. But hey, no need to cry over that as for sure staying at home with work and chores and more work and more chores will not result in new opportunities being presented and a fulfilled life.
So here is the plan. Fly, Sail, Ride and Ride again in 2 places I always promised myself to go back to.
Whaddyathink? Life could be so much better in many ways but this is my life and for sure I can today, right now, be selfish over what to do. I do not have a crystal ball so lets see what is around the next corner and hopefully by the end of August the final bits of the trip will be done and dusted so time then to put my feet up until the day...
And I will continue to dream of retiring to a Yacht [http://youtu.be/Mtn3g7AuH80] with, I hope, a motorcycle on the back! As yer man says on the link above... Frikadelloes Baby!
Speak soon...
And, I do enjoy travel. Whether it is the time spent on the front of a motorbike touring in and around Europe or travelling to America, India and Europe with my job. Back in 1990 or so I did my longest jaunt overseas: to California doing all of the usual touristy thingies (Las Vegas, Sequoia, Yosemity, San Francisco...), then on to Hawaii (Diamond Head anyone?) and to Australia (Sydney with drunk, blood spattered guest in the hotel reception asking for his room key). Finally the long cramped long boring long tiring long haul back home again...
For the last 11 years I have been a keen motorcyclist with tons of European and UK miles under my belt (http://youtu.be/oelQL-MJ45E). And finally, last year, I started to learn how to sail on a 42 ft Bavaria (Vision 40) on the river Humber (now, that was the best drinking holiday I have ever been on - thanks Nigel! http://www.yorviksailing.com and http://youtu.be/r2vTFgEHuXI).
So here I am, approaching my Fiftieth birthday having for some time worked to bring all of this together into my dream holiday.
And it is getting close. Sadly I can afford to be selfish because however hard (or not) I have tried to not stay single then this has happened. Always figured that there is a need for balance in a relationship , 80-90% good, maybe 10-20% bad with opportunity to make up and grow together. But was always the other way for me, 80-90% bad, you get my drift. But hey, no need to cry over that as for sure staying at home with work and chores and more work and more chores will not result in new opportunities being presented and a fulfilled life.
So here is the plan. Fly, Sail, Ride and Ride again in 2 places I always promised myself to go back to.
- Leave on the 21st October into San Francisco for 5 days sailing in the Bay [ocscsailing.com/]
- Do the California Harley thing to do the daily commute from the digs [https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/40302] to OCSC Sailing then a weekend cruising on the California coast
- Then out again to Auckland to tour North Island on a bike (Yamaha Tenere 1200) [www.aucklandmotorbikehire.com].
- And back home, work for a further 4 years and 345 days to my early retirement (God willing)
Whaddyathink? Life could be so much better in many ways but this is my life and for sure I can today, right now, be selfish over what to do. I do not have a crystal ball so lets see what is around the next corner and hopefully by the end of August the final bits of the trip will be done and dusted so time then to put my feet up until the day...
And I will continue to dream of retiring to a Yacht [http://youtu.be/Mtn3g7AuH80] with, I hope, a motorcycle on the back! As yer man says on the link above... Frikadelloes Baby!
Speak soon...
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