They have been lucky with the weather so far in that it has been dry, but at one point they did think it was going to rain.  The Honda CBF 125 is performing well.  They are currently Nr Gloucester (at 20.22 hours) as I write this diary on their behalf and they are on schedule.

The team seem to be in good spirits.  I think Ian is on the search to film some more 'hairy cows', he means Highland cows actually.  This stems back to the last ride in 2008 when they went round the UK in an anti-clockwise direction.   I have just realised that Stuart must have the most filmed 'rear' in the UK.

Unfortunately it is unlikely that we will be able to post any photos on the diary until after the ride, however I aim to set up a photo album as soon as possible.  Filming of the ride is not going to happen due to the poor conditions that they are getting from filming.  Madrider is going to try and take as many photos as he can; but riding a bike this will have to be done when they stop somewhere.

Day 2 - Friday 19 June 2009

Just got in the door from work last night and I get a panic phone call to cancel the accommodation at Dingwall.  The weather is getting worse by the minute and high winds and crosswinds are terrible.  Madrider has asked where is this heatwave the weathermen said we were going to have, it is not in the UK that is for sure.   Madrider has said that Dougie is having major problems with his neck complaint, and although Madrider's back is twitching a bit this is not enough for him to stop me.  He has to think 'safety first' so he has come to the decision to stop north of Perth.  As a consequence they are chopping off approximately 250 miles off of their trip, but they will be riding the rest of the journey homeward bound.

Even with the best of planning things go wrong, but that is life, and even though they had to abort this ride, Stuart will be re-running it at the end of August 2009.

Massive thanks to Dougie and Ian from Stuart's support vehicle and to all at GT Motorcycles.

No one could have predicted the atrocious weather that they were to encounter, which went from the summer (that was promised) to winter in just a few short hours.

Many who have injuries themselves will understand how rapid climate change can cripple them, and they were no exception to this rule of nature.  Concern grew with Dougie's neck and Stuart's back and I am astounded by how far tey got, but this shows how determined they were.

But Stuart had to think 'safety first' and the decision was made to sensibly abort.

Hi to 'Honeymonster' who rode out of Cornwall with Stuart (much appreciated).

Mind you, there was not just one thing that went slightly wrong.   Their patience was tested by certain road changes, delays and the video camera not working.  The tyres on the bike did not react well in the wet, and they all felt low.

Mind you they made it t the Farmyard Rally and met up with Trikeskull and the Hull crew and they spent some time with them. Stuart also met Ian Mutch from MAG, then rode to the Squires Cafe to do an interview with the Great British Bikers.  By the next port of call it was obvious that they could not go on and so they had to head for hoe, arriving at 0530 hours in the morning back in Plymouth.

All is not lost though, and because I am so gutted at not finishing this (and I know the support crew are as well) I am doing it again at the end of August solo, which is a big undertaking without the support vehicle,