Well, it has been heck of a busy lately but the matter of the Ride !!!
In July 2009 I attempted (as you know) to ride the New CBF125cc (replacement of the old faithfull CG125cc) on an End to End to End run. But it was in the first few miles I knew I had a problem, not with me or the bike, but the back-up crew. For some reason they were going very slow and both myself and my escort (me on CBF & ‘Honeymonster’ on 600 Transalp had to stop 3 times for them to catch up and at this point we were not out of Southwest yet !!! This carried on even after ‘Honeymonster’ left me and headed towards home. I knew I was falling behind schedule very fast
As night time came the temperature dropped like a rocket falling from the sky, but alas I had been training for ten months riding in all weathers and temperatures preparing for this ride. The thought of breaking the record I set 2006 for the trip in 4 days down to 3.5 days would be great achievement.
We had the stops that I had planned (although I had lots more waiting for them to catch up). The bike was OK but not brilliant, especially in the wet (the tyres are not good in wet weather; the headlight is well, something different, on dipped beam its OK, on main beam all you see is hedges or sides of the road, but I put that in memo to HONDA UK).
The idea was to ride Lands End to Inverness in one hit, then Inverness to John O'Groats to somewhere, then from somewhere to Lands End, urm – it did not quite work out that way.
I was getting very frustrated they were OK on 2008 run round the UK run. This was a shorter run, OK less time but easier and a shorter run. We were filming until they told me that the camera was not working. Not going well !!!
I was still focused on completing the ride, but comments were coming out ‘Well we don’t have to beat the 2006 run’. Urm, that is exactly what we were trying to do !!!
I took a wrong turning on the A720 and lost the back-up crew completely, and did I know bout it later! Tensions were very high and on a safety note, I needed to cool down quickly as my thoughts were to have to total concentration on the roads.
We stopped for break north of Perth then came out the comment ‘Well if you haven’t paid for accommodation in Inverness maybe we should stop.’ WHAT !!!!
Then truth came out - my back-up driver/mechanic was not well. I asked him before the ride if all was OK and he assured me he was. But to go so far then say that, well I was ‘gutted’. The weather changes had also played part on his condition, which can not be helped. So, after a lot of thought, I had to decided what I was going to do. I wanted to carry on (I was up for it) but as the bike was sponsored by the company he worked for (were he went the bike went). So, I was knackered.
The dreaded texts went out ‘ABORTED‘ - as I can not have member of the crew not well. We start as team so we finish as team. We got B/B for the night and planned the journey home - funny thing though, he went alot faster then.
Rode to Harwick then to the Farmyard Rally had good time there and met up with ‘Trikeskull’ and lots of mates who all thought I was ‘nutter’ too (why do folk think this? ). But back-up crew went off on their own again - this was getting stupid now.
We had accommodation sort of booked near Selby as we visited the Squires Cafe & met with RBLR riders who were doing a Saddlesore ride and I had arranged an interview with Great British Bikers internet TV – and no, they were not playing ball in that either.
The ride ended when we drove to find the B/B. They were not happy with that either.
So by then enough was enough, the bike went in back of his Sprinter and I had worse journey ever squashed up in the front seat ... I was only to happy to get home !!!
But in my mind I was also think ‘I know I can do this ….. there was only one way SOLO’.
We did not raise too much for the charity either around £800.00 but never mind it all helps. All the hard work and training gone. Yes, I was totally and utterly gutted, but a few mates my partner were awaiting for the words ...
‘I’m going again, solo – and soon’
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So well I’m not letting it all go to waste. Everyone was really gutted for me too. The problem was that due to me not completing the ride I had to find new sponsors and a bike. ‘Sod it, I will take my CG125cc - Old faithfull’.
The route was no problem but I planned to go in 8 weeks and just to be totally nuts - August Bank Holiday too - lots of traffic & possibly great weather too urmmmmm.
Damerrells//John deacon Racing // J&C motorcycles // MDC carpentry all paid for the fuel.
CMS Motorcycles did full service on the CG prior to the ride.
1st class motorcycles took me out on pre-update ride with an instructor.
First & Last MCC arranged an escort out and support on ending the ride. I also had contact during the ride with my mate ‘Honeymonster’ and my partner.
Charity changed to Diabetes UK. I got a lot of support from them press release etc.
So dates were set and I was buzzing. It was decided I would ride PlymouthDerrifordHospital to John O'Groats to Lands End to PlymouthDerrifordHospital .
We even arranged Police escort for the final leg.
THIS IS THE MAD RIDE !!!!.
Setting off on 27 August 2009 I rode out with members of the First & Last MCC who rode up from Penzance especially. The weather forecast was good so I thought (LOL) I left them south of Exeter, it took 40 minutes to get there.
Then it was nice ride up to Bristol as I was doing all A/B roads. I should have ridden following the A38, but I had been given permission to ride across the cycle path on M48 road bridge then entering Chepstow - cool took 150 miles off the round trip.
I was met by Efion a mate of mine who rode to Hereford with me though the Wye Valley, a fantastic ride that was, lovely biking roads and great views - yes, I saw some LOL.
The sun was out and I was also filming some of it as I had been given camera by Oregon Scientific – cool.
The journey north was very uneventful until I got to Wigan – an RTA – and the traffic stood still for 30 minutes - but good break and I was on time so I was not bothered. Following the A49 to Preston then the A6 – a route I knew very well from past rides.
It was amazing that the Lord is looking down on me, the sky is bright, the sun is shining, until Cumbria – urrghh.
The sky was grey and it was getting windy, then just outside Kendal it opened up big time - well, we are in UK, LOL.
Looking ahead I was aiming for the Ibis at Carlisle and it was not looking good. The sky was now black, the wind was getting worse - I phoned home like ET!! Damp front coming in! I rang ‘Honeymonster’ who to told me I was in for bit of rain! LOL.
The route over to Carlisle on A6 via Penrith was bad fog/rain/shitty drizzle/hail. Yes, hail on top. But one thing, the visibility was poor and I could not see too much and cars were over taking me so how the hell they could see – lunatics.
I rode slow but safe, I lost bit of time but made Carlisle at 2000 hours to meet Manda, President of Ride Till you Rot Society, of which I am an honorary member.
Nice hot shower, nice coffee and a nice sleep.
The weather the next day was windy but dry for now! I left Manda at 0730 hours and took the A7 to Edinburgh. It was getting very windy again and the sky was very grey. Rang home and ‘Honeymonster’ who kept me updated on weather front, but still I am plodding along singing to myself, taking breaks and enjoying the ride. I did go wrong way on the A720 again looking for the A90 and ended up on M8 – whoops, soon got off that one - well, CG125cc on L plates – not good!
The ride over the bridge was one to be admired, the cars behind me stayed well back a lorry came level with me to ‘shield’ me, and yes I needed it - it was blowing a gale.
Once on A90 then A9 I knew the next stop would be John O'Groats – cool. I passed the ‘aborted’ July spot. I was being passed by lots of Harleys ‘where are they going I thought?’ The weather was getting worse the winds were very strong, and at one point I was going down hill in 2nd gear doing 30mph.
I stopped in laypby, cold, wet and feeling really down and thinking ‘am I totally nuts?’. The weather by now was the worst that I had ever ridden in (and I have ridden in some crap weather). I was thinking of turning round at Aviemore and saying ‘Sod it’. Yes, it was that bad, maybe not for bigger bike but for CG it was bad and slow and hard riding. My back was playing me up too (I am registered disabled with 3 slipped discs in my lower spine).
So, I made a call to ‘Honeymonster’ - he knew from my tone of voice that I was in trouble but something also perked me up - so I carried on .
Aviemore (HOG Rally) must call in on way home. Yes, rode straight past it .
My next problem I was facing was fuel but on filling up in Inverness then topping up here and there I was OK. By the time I got about 20 miles from John O'Groats the sky was like night time. The winds were about gale force 7 and it was raining too and cold - so much for heat-wave. LOL.
At John o'Groats ‘Honeymonster’ rang me advising that if I couldn’t get off the top in a couple hours to find somewhere to stay as there was a bad storm coming in - mmm last thing I needed running on tight funds. But I found somewhere and did some haggling and dam it was nice to have hot shower – the guy even fed me for free and lots of coffee.
I then sat with my map and made the decision to ride the last leg in one hit. Yes, that’s John O'Groats to LandsEnd. So, at 0700 hours I left the B/B, the weather was still bit damp but the wind had dropped but it was still strongish. As I went south the sun started to pop out here and there and by Inverness it was very dry and northerly down to bout force six (30 August).
I rode into Aviemore on the CG (covered in stickers) for breakfast and coffee had to park between 6 lovely paint spayed Harleys - more photos were taken of my CG (LOL).chatted to a few bikers and they all thought I was nuts, why?
I carried on riding, I was a lot happier now and was enjoying it a lot more. Don’t get me wrong even though the weather was bad it was FUN - But sunshine is better. Edinburgh came and went, Carlisle was a fantastic run some fantastic sights. Once on the A6 I knew I would be OK, but missed my turning and went 20 miles the wrong way (whoops) so turned round did 20 mile back just to get on A6.
I took stops when I needed to and ate when I was hungry and fuelled up. If I needed to sleep well, any lay-by will be OK with me - Tarmac mattress ....
South of Wigan I got lost big time and hit a diversion that went nowhere and for the life of me I could not find the A49. So, who do you ask at 2300 hours on country lane? (An indian taxi driver) yep, he told me how to get on track and he was right.
The A49 at night time is a lovely road, no traffic or not a lot, the south of Shrewsbury I lost all my lights (crap) but with some help from a very nice man in an RAC van, he got them fixed (something about water in my headlight). LOL.
I did stop at Ross-on -Wye for a 30 minute quick sleep it was catching up with me slowly. I stopped again after crossing the M48 road bridge (cycle path), this was 0600 hours on the 31 August and I had to be in Lands End by mid-day.
The wind was against me, what’s new, but no rain. I checked the oil and a quick bike check and I went for it. The A38 I know very well and had decided to take the straight route down onto A30.
By Exeter I was feeling the worse for it, but the achievement kept me going. Bikes were passing me in the opposite direction going to the Exeter bike show but all nodding or waving to say hello.
SOS call to ‘Honeymonster’ ‘I need coffee, strong, lots of sugar please’. He met me with his girlfriend with coffee 20 miles from Hayle. ‘Dam Stu, you look knackered’ was his first words to me. Yes, I felt it too. We stopped for 20 minutes then he escorted me to Cafe One at St Erth were I had breakfast, but It felt like I was still riding so ate most of it standing up!
We then rode with various members of Cornish bike clubs to Lands End. We got there on time - cool. Was presented with the trophy for the most outstanding ride 2008 for second time running!
Oh no, it was foggy! LOL
Then it was the final ride to Plymouth but this time with 30 bikers following me- cool. At Saltash we met up with Police motorcycle escort (thank you Devon & Cornwall Police - Greg Jarrett who arranged it ).
Then rode into PlymouthDerrifordHospital I needed to be there by 1800 hours to break the 2006 record and I rode in at 1800 hours on the dot. We even picked up more bikers on the way in, but none from my local MCC which upset me a bit .
I felt sorry for the First & Last and the Cornish riders as they had to ride back though the fog - I was going home to bed!
It took me 2 days to get over the ride but I was so happy and yes, I DID IT SOLO .
We have raised £1.100.00 for Diabetes UK which is not bad and I have been told that I actually did John O'Groats to Lands End in 17 hours on A/B roads on CG125cc (anyone who wants to beat that, well you are welcome).
The whole trip took 3.5 days. It was attempted on CBF 125cc few weeks ago John O'Groats to Lands End and he did it in 23.5 hours.
So sorry HONDA the CG125cc is the better bike and, yes you should carry on building it in my view.
Madrider1961 rides 2010 with Honeymonster on 2nuts2manycastles but that is to come in September 2010 in aid of Diabetes UK.
All the best and if you going for ride ……
Ride Safe, Be Seen, and Ride with Pride
Madrider1961 (Stuart Morrissey)
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