On Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 4:23:23 AM UTC-5, Champ wrote:
> On Mon, 22 Nov 2021 10:55:25 +0100, Ace <A...@ch.com> wrote:
>
> >On Sun, 21 Nov 2021 19:01:46 +0000, Salad Dodger
> ><salad....@idnet.com> wrote:
> >
> >>To calm the rider's wife (at home) don't open the conversation with
> >>the news that "he's in a neck brace".
>
> >Hah. Apparently my wife was informed by phone call, something like "We
> >have your husband, he's going to live."
> >
> >Brutal.
> Yes. Can see how that was tough to hear :-)

Now imagine it in a cold, sinister Germanic accent.

On 23/11/2021 12:54, Ben Blaney wrote:
> On Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 5:00:30 AM UTC-5, YTC#1 wrote:
>
>> Which raises the question, what is wrong with doing it on the bike you
>> have?[1]
>>
>> Isn't the answer to the question "What is the best bike for [insert own
>> need]?", usually "The one you have".
>>
>> [1] Sorry, lost track of what you have.
>
> It's a valid point. The only functioning bike I have is the ex-TOG, ex-Ace 1976 Honda CB400f. Probably not ideal for a 3,200 mile ride., treat yourself

Ah, granted :-)

>
> The other bike I own is the ex-Champ, ex-DrWill, ex-sweller 750 Turbo that is in my dad's garage in Essex, awaiting a restoration by the guy who did my Honda. At this point it hasn't moved under its own power in a decade.
>

Ah, ok.

Tell you what, treat yourself to a new bike :-)

I can recommend the XJR1300 for trans USA riding. I fully enjoyed the
15k miles I did over there on it.

And the Pegaso :-)

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

On 23/11/2021 10:35, sweller wrote:
> Ben Blaney wrote:
>
>> but I am currently spending a lot of time thinking about getting a
>> touring bike to ride coast-to-coast on.
>
> Post 2016 Triumph Tiger 800

Never had one, but have them on the radar for a future steed.

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

On 23/11/2021 12:45, Mark Olson wrote:
>
> I've forwarded Ian's post to my lovely wife who has a (not entirely
> irrational) fear of monkeys.
>
> I try to send one monkey-related item per day, entitled "YDM".

You're *such* a thoughtful husband, aren't you?

--
Eddie eddie@deguello.org

On 23 Nov 2021 10:35:55 GMT, "sweller" <sweller@mztech.fsnet.co.uk>
wrote:

>Ben Blaney wrote:
>
>> but I am currently spending a lot of time thinking about getting a
>> touring bike to ride coast-to-coast on.
>
>Post 2016 Triumph Tiger 800
>
>I know it's the usual recommend what you own but it's the best touring
>bike I've ever had. I've done some touring here and there and it's a
>very civilised machine, great engine, high spec suspension, it's good
>on fuel and can carry a ton of stuff.

Chains rubbish though.
--
Mark Roberts

Ben Blaney <benblaney@gmail.com> wrote in
news:4ab52ad2-6b29-4ee1-a4fc-480b6cf26cb0n@googlegroups.com:

> Sometime soon I
> really would like to do a long ride, alone; perhaps that would
> recalibrate my brain.

I quite like the conviviality of a trip away with friends, especially the
group of elder UKRMers who are mostly quite civilised. Not much riding to
gether but good company in the evenings.

There is something special about a solo trip where you just go with the
flow. Pick a destination and stay there for 3 nights so you do not have to
ride every day. Enjoy a bit of the local culture and give ageing joints a
rest (although 2 days walking around Porto hurts more than riding what with
the 40C heat and hills).

On Tuesday, 23 November 2021 at 16:58:47 UTC, Mark Roberts wrote:
> On 23 Nov 2021 10:35:55 GMT, "sweller" <swe...@mztech.fsnet.co.uk>
> wrote:

> >I know it's the usual recommend what you own but it's the best touring
> >bike I've ever had. I've done some touring here and there and it's a
> >very civilised machine, great engine, high spec suspension, it's good
> >on fuel and can carry a ton of stuff.
> Chains rubbish though.

Harsh. Chain problems can happen to anyone.

On 11/23/2021 1:21 AM, Champ wrote:
> On Mon, 22 Nov 2021 12:49:18 +0100, Ace <Ace@ch.com> wrote:
>
>>> The IMC course [1] says - if they are breathing ok, leave their helmet
>>> on, as there's nothing to be gained, and serious potential downside,
>>> to poor removal. BUT, if they are not breathing, they've got a minute
>>> or two at best, so get the helmet off
>
>> Trouble is, if they're unconscious you're not able to assess their
>> airway and breathing, so the current advice, and indeed what I've been
>> taught in the last decades, seems to make more sense.
>>
>> I suspect that your IMC course paraphrasing should have read "if they
>> are conscious and breathing...".
>
> Ah yes, I could well be misremembering. Which is the problem with
> infrequent training - we need to renew every 3 years
>
Every 3 years? I got my training as a boy scout, then in high school,
then in the army. I think my last training was in the late 60's.

--
The erstwhile Thomas
FJR1300, R1200GS, ST1100 (in memoriam)

On 11/23/2021 5:00 AM, Ben Blaney wrote:
>
>
> I'm not giving up biking, no way. And I fully expect for it to be a much greater part of my life when the kids are older. Sometime soon I really would like to do a long ride, alone; perhaps that would recalibrate my brain.
>
I've traveled a lot, and I think the American west has some of the most
amazing landscapes on the planet. From the Colorado Rockies to the Big
Sur coastline, toss in the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and numerous other
national parks, and it can be a great ride. Plus, there are a lot of
great roads - Hiway 1 in CA, Utah 12, 89A in Arizona, 550 in Colorado...

The problem is, you'll want to share the experience with your family.

--
The erstwhile Thomas
FJR1300, R1200GS, ST1100 (in memoriam)

On Tue, 23 Nov 2021 10:05:14 -0800 (PST), Stephen Packer
<stephen.packer@gmail.com> wrote:

>On Tuesday, 23 November 2021 at 16:58:47 UTC, Mark Roberts wrote:
>> On 23 Nov 2021 10:35:55 GMT, "sweller" <swe...@mztech.fsnet.co.uk>
>> wrote:
>
>> >I know it's the usual recommend what you own but it's the best touring
>> >bike I've ever had. I've done some touring here and there and it's a
>> >very civilised machine, great engine, high spec suspension, it's good
>> >on fuel and can carry a ton of stuff.
>> Chains rubbish though.
>
>Harsh. Chain problems can happen to anyone.

Don't start me on about tyres...

--
Mark Roberts

Turby <xsurf@xmail.com> wrote in news:snjdsk$pfj$1@dont-email.me:

> On 11/23/2021 5:00 AM, Ben Blaney wrote:
>>
>>
>> I'm not giving up biking, no way. And I fully expect for it to be a
>> much greater part of my life when the kids are older. Sometime soon
>> I really would like to do a long ride, alone; perhaps that would
>> recalibrate my brain.
>>
> I've traveled a lot, and I think the American west has some of the
> most amazing landscapes on the planet. From the Colorado Rockies to
> the Big Sur coastline, toss in the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and
> numerous other national parks, and it can be a great ride. Plus, there
> are a lot of great roads - Hiway 1 in CA, Utah 12, 89A in Arizona, 550
> in Colorado...
>

that's the big problem riding east to west, which bits do you ride through
in your 3500 miles?

I'd want to stop in places for several days and ride out to see places like
you mention. Take several months rather than a week. Then I consider all of
the places still to see in Europe and doubt I'll get back to the USA.

> The problem is, you'll want to share the experience with your family.
>

He can do his own travelling. I tick off wine regions and mountain ranges.
He ticks off football/soccer stadia and Game of Thrones locations[1]

[1] although some will meet my criteria but I would steer clear if full of
millenials like my son wanting to take selfies

On 23/11/2021 13:05, Ben Blaney wrote:
> On Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 4:23:23 AM UTC-5, Champ wrote:
>> On Mon, 22 Nov 2021 10:55:25 +0100, Ace <A...@ch.com> wrote:
>>
>>> On Sun, 21 Nov 2021 19:01:46 +0000, Salad Dodger
>>> <salad....@idnet.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> To calm the rider's wife (at home) don't open the conversation with
>>>> the news that "he's in a neck brace".
>>
>>> Hah. Apparently my wife was informed by phone call, something like "We
>>> have your husband, he's going to live."
>>>
>>> Brutal.
>> Yes. Can see how that was tough to hear :-)
>
> Now imagine it in a cold, sinister Germanic accent.

"For you, Tommy, ze ride is over"

Mike Fleming <mike@tauzero.co.uk> wrote:

> I'd quite fancy a Rocket 3 but at 300kg+ wet weight, I'd need a servant
> to get it in and out of the garage, and possibly to lift it off the
> sidestand too.

I test rode one, back to back with a Diavel. Utterly mental, both
of them. Seemed as if they really only needed a single gear-
acceleration in top was surprising.

--
FJR1300A, GL1000, KLR650A6F, EX250J9A, DR200SE, Vespa Ciao

Ben Blaney <benblaney@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 5:00:30 AM UTC-5, YTC#1 wrote:
>
>> Which raises the question, what is wrong with doing it on the bike you
>> have?[1]
>>
>> Isn't the answer to the question "What is the best bike for [insert own
>> need]?", usually "The one you have".
>>
>> [1] Sorry, lost track of what you have.
>
> It's a valid point. The only functioning bike I have is the ex-TOG,
> ex-Ace 1976 Honda CB400f. Probably not ideal for a 3,200 mile ride.

Back around 20 years ago, while in Yellowstone we saw a whole
collection of classic cars that were participating in a round the
world rally. One of them was a genuine honest to god Aston Martin
DB5 in silver/gray, identical to the Bond car. I peeked inside and
it was absolutely filthy with McDonalds and Burger King wrappers,
french fries, drink cups, etc.

Very obviously out there and being used as the makers intended.

> The other bike I own is the ex-Champ, ex-DrWill, ex-sweller 750
> Turbo that is in my dad's garage in Essex, awaiting a restoration by
> the guy who did my Honda. At this point it hasn't moved under its
> own power in a decade.

Get on it, man.

I think you should buy an FJR on a lark. Used ones in really decent
shape and low miles (10 - 20k) used to be available for more or less
pocket change, around $5k even in today's market, I would think. Sleazy
knows a fellow who has a 1st gen with over 400k miles on it. Mine's
got about 80k miles and runs like brand new.

<googles>

Fuck me. Prices have gone up a bit.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/mcy/d/minneapolis-2014-yamaha-fjr1300/7406354821.html

--
FJR1300A, GL1000, KLR650A6F, EX250J9A, DR200SE, Vespa Ciao

Ben Blaney <benblaney@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 7:45:04 AM UTC-5, Mark Olson wrote:
>> wessie <willn...@tesco.net> wrote:
>> > Boots <ne...@millhouse-communications.co.uk> wrote in
>> > news:55ju6i-...@bilbo.eternal-september.org:
>> >
>> >> On 23/11/2021 00:28 wessie penned these words:
>> >>> Get a bike you want to ride and don't care if it gets manky or worn
>> >>> out rather than building a museum to rival Jay Leno.
>> >>
>> >> This ^^ I was quite cross when a bloody monkey bit a hole in the added
>> >> comfort seat. Should have left the original on for day2day.
>> >>
>> >
>> > #344 in an infinite series of things you do not expect to read on a UK
>> > board
>> I've forwarded Ian's post to my lovely wife who has a (not entirely
>> irrational) fear of monkeys.
>>
>> I try to send one monkey-related item per day, entitled "YDM".
>
> Did you ever listen to the Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant
> podcast from about 2006? There was a feature called "Monkey News".
> Very funny. Think that podcast has been animated and put on youtube,
> but I think it's funnier audio-only. I had them downloaded somewhere,
> but I don't know where they are since itunes split into music and
> podcasts and whatever else.

Can't say I've had the pleasure, but thanks for the heads up.

<subscribes P to "Monkey News" podcast>

--
FJR1300A, GL1000, KLR650A6F, EX250J9A, DR200SE, Vespa Ciao

Eddie <eddie@deguello.org> wrote:
> On 23/11/2021 12:45, Mark Olson wrote:
>>
>> I've forwarded Ian's post to my lovely wife who has a (not entirely
>> irrational) fear of monkeys.
>>
>> I try to send one monkey-related item per day, entitled "YDM".
>
> You're *such* a thoughtful husband, aren't you?

You're not wrong!

--
FJR1300A, GL1000, KLR650A6F, EX250J9A, DR200SE, Vespa Ciao

wessie <willnotwork@tesco.net> wrote:
> Turby <xsurf@xmail.com> wrote in news:snjdsk$pfj$1@dont-email.me:
>
>> On 11/23/2021 5:00 AM, Ben Blaney wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> I'm not giving up biking, no way. And I fully expect for it to be a
>>> much greater part of my life when the kids are older. Sometime soon
>>> I really would like to do a long ride, alone; perhaps that would
>>> recalibrate my brain.
>>>
>> I've traveled a lot, and I think the American west has some of the
>> most amazing landscapes on the planet. From the Colorado Rockies to
>> the Big Sur coastline, toss in the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and
>> numerous other national parks, and it can be a great ride. Plus, there
>> are a lot of great roads - Hiway 1 in CA, Utah 12, 89A in Arizona, 550
>> in Colorado...

I love riding the Million Dollar Highway.

> that's the big problem riding east to west, which bits do you ride through
> in your 3500 miles?

There's really no point in doing an east to west ride across the USA,
in my opinion. Pick a region, ride to it from wherever you live or
fly into, and ride to that area. Then do a loop. There's a shitload
of nothing in the middle of the USA that is just plain boring for the
most part. I have to ride about 600 miles to the west before getting
to the Black Hills in South Dakota, or about the same distance to the
Ozarks. About double that to get to the great riding in Tennesee's
Smoky Mountains. Luckily there are great roads in western Wisconsin
and SE Minnesota that are only about 150-200 miles from me, so that's
where we go for a riding weekend most times. Sometimes to the Upper
Penninsula of Michigan.

As Turby says, the American West is really the place to be riding.
But that's just my opinion, FWIW.

> I'd want to stop in places for several days and ride out to see places like
> you mention. Take several months rather than a week. Then I consider all of
> the places still to see in Europe and doubt I'll get back to the USA.

I agree with that approach. Staying put and doing local rides with
plenty of time to socialize after with a group is a formula that has
worked well for me and my group of riding buddies (who sadly haven't
been doing much in the last 7-10 years).

--
FJR1300A, GL1000, KLR650A6F, EX250J9A, DR200SE, Vespa Ciao

On 23/11/2021 21:01 Mike Fleming penned these words:
> On 23/11/2021 07:50, Boots wrote:
>>>
>> I try to remember to back into spaces as it's a damn sight easier with the BMW
>> powering out than paddling uphill. Not helped by much of the bike parking being
>> designed around small scooters/step-thru. Saw another line of dominoes when I
>> went to the national park last week, fortunately I parked opposite way to
>> everyone else and near to the attendant so mine didn't have a lie down this time.
>
> I park with the front uphill if there's any slope - I've seen a bike
> roll forwards off the sidestand and don't want to emulate that.
>
> I'd quite fancy a Rocket 3 but at 300kg+ wet weight, I'd need a servant
> to get it in and out of the garage, and possibly to lift it off the
> sidestand too.

I ended up ordering and my US based BiL carrying in his luggage for my KL BiL a
reverse for his Harley. Way cheaper in the US.

--
Ian

"Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of
the last priest"

On 23/11/2021 20:18 wessie penned these words:
> Boots <news@millhouse-communications.co.uk> wrote in
> news:55ju6i-ket.ln1@bilbo.eternal-september.org:
>
>> On 23/11/2021 00:28 wessie penned these words:
>>> Get a bike you want to ride and don't care if it gets manky or worn
>>> out rather than building a museum to rival Jay Leno.
>>
>> This ^^ I was quite cross when a bloody monkey bit a hole in the added
>> comfort seat. Should have left the original on for day2day.
>>
>
> #344 in an infinite series of things you do not expect to read on a UK
> board
>
They have a habit of looking over parked bikes as some of the locals have
unwisely bought a take out for after their hike and leave it on the bike. Must
be newbies, schoolboy error. They also chewed through the mobile holder but that
was simply replaced.

--
Ian

"Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of
the last priest"

Ben Blaney wrote:
> The only functioning bike I have is the ex-TOG, ex-Ace 1976 Honda CB400f. Probably not ideal for a 3,200 mile ride.

Pfft. Take your son, maintain the old Honda as you go, meditate on said
maintenance and reconcile your previous mental breakdown. Easy.

Mark Roberts wrote:

> > I know it's the usual recommend what you own but it's the best
> > touring bike I've ever had. I've done some touring here and there
> > and it's a very civilised machine, great engine, high spec
> > suspension, it's good on fuel and can carry a ton of stuff.
>
> Chains rubbish though.

That's a good point - OE chain and sprocket only managed 15k, with a
Scottoiler from day one.

The current C&S (DiD X ring - that was fitted in Bulgaria) has now done
24k and looks ok for more.

--
Simon

On 24/11/2021 09:09, Sqirrel99 wrote:
> Ben Blaney wrote:
>> The only functioning bike I have is the ex-TOG, ex-Ace 1976 Honda
>> CB400f.  Probably not ideal for a 3,200 mile ride.
>
> Pfft. Take your son, maintain the old Honda as you go, meditate on said
> maintenance and reconcile your previous mental breakdown. Easy.

Heh.

--
Eddie eddie@deguello.org

On Tue, 23 Nov 2021 10:27:10 -0800, Turby <xsurf@xmail.com> wrote:

>On 11/23/2021 1:21 AM, Champ wrote:

>> Ah yes, I could well be misremembering. Which is the problem with
>> infrequent training - we need to renew every 3 years
>>
>Every 3 years?

Fairly standard interval in any first aid certification, be it for
industrial, mountain safety or motorsports.

>I got my training as a boy scout, then in high school,
>then in the army. I think my last training was in the late 60's.

Then it's fair to say that you have no training, although I bet you
can remember how to tie bandages.

Some of the stuff we were taught even in the late '70s has since been
proven to be harmful and not even slightly effective, like the thump
on the chest to try to 'restart' the heart. A lot of CPR stuff has
changed, notably how many breaths/compressions, but the old rhythms
could still be effective and not harmful.

Tourniquets were another thing ISTR were still taught when I first did
trining, but were replaced by direct pressure only when seen to be
potentially more harm than good in most cases.

--
Ace
http://www.chaletbeauroc.com/

On Wed, 24 Nov 2021 09:09:27 +0000, Sqirrel99
<secret.sqirrel99@gmail.com> wrote:

>Ben Blaney wrote:
>> The only functioning bike I have is the ex-TOG, ex-Ace 1976 Honda CB400f. Probably not ideal for a 3,200 mile ride.
>
>Pfft. Take your son, maintain the old Honda as you go,

You've not seen Blaney wielding a spanner, have you?

For that matter, neither has anyone else.

Otherwise I'd be with you on the bike front at least. And TBH, givem
its complete overhaul a while back, as long as it's been kept going
since it shouldn't really need anything much for a cross-US trip,
apart from occasional chain adjustment and lubrication... oh, right,
yes, that does rule it out in this case.

I do wonder whether I might have continued riding had I not sold the
Honda to him. Probably not, as I still rode like a cunt even on that
bike, and recognising that fact was what persuaded me to stop or die.

--
Ace
http://www.chaletbeauroc.com/

On Wed, 24 Nov 2021 09:09:27 +0000, Sqirrel99
<secret.sqirrel99@gmail.com> wrote:

>Ben Blaney wrote:
>> The only functioning bike I have is the ex-TOG, ex-Ace 1976 Honda CB400f. Probably not ideal for a 3,200 mile ride.

>Pfft. Take your son, maintain the old Honda as you go, meditate on said
>maintenance and reconcile your previous mental breakdown. Easy.

<applause>

Robert, is that you?
--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old