Sorry about the delay in starting the Off Road ride report...
After losing the mouthpiece of my camelbak during the run I must have got a bit dehydrated and developed a massive headache on the way home. As soon as I took the helmet off, I puked into our back garden and went straight to bed...
However, before that I had an absolutely brilliant time with a bunch of lovely tossers on Salisbury Plain and at the Hog Raost!
Usually I am always late for any event that involves Clive - but this time I even arrived early enough to watch Loz getting dressed for the occasion...
... and to learn a new technique how to lube a chain
Chieftain Bakerman briefing us on the risks and side effects of riding off road... (didn't quite understand the insurance bit though - I wouldn't dream of making somebody else liable for any damage caused by my own stupidity or lack of ability... )
Then we happily followed Paul Sturgess on his Husaberg to the Plain
First casualty of the day: Romeo, who wanted to avoid the deep puddles on the proper track. Penalty for chickening out - one broken spotlight...
Gave us time to admire the scenery...
Second incident of the day - MiGsel's electrics went on strike
Some bike porn for your entertainment during the break...
Barry was the next one to turn over
Just for the record: how relatively clean the bikes still looked at that point...
Left or straight ahead? Decisions, decisions...
Looking good for the paparazzi...
Ooops - not quite...
Great stunt from Mutley
But he as well needed a little help from his friends
I learnt a lot about resuscitating drowned bikes yesterday...
What a glorious day after three weeks of rain
The German village - looks amazingly genuine (although our roads are all paved... )
Approaching the next puddle...
Some people just never learn...
Lesson 27 - how to get the bike running again after contact with water...
On a nice day like this we didn't mind another little break...
Parking Italian style...
Yes, Romeo, I am talking to you!
Paul was getting concerned about his schedule and the remaining tracks he wanted to show us...
So off we went for some more mud slinging and water sports
Don't remember a bike with a golden paint job in the group...
Although our bikes looked all strangely similar by lunchtime...
Can you still spot yours?
Errm, I don't think you will get very far here by pushing the bike, Barry...
Rush hour on Salisbury Plain
Look nice, boys!
Still two missing - Paul rushes to the rescue
Soon after we were all reunited
Motörhead (still wearing his gore-tex liner at that point... )
Stonehenge - from the other side of the fence
Are we getting tired, guys?
There are still a few nice lanes to come
This looks promising indeed...
But no - the next stop was the - errr, bike wash...
The lengths some people go to clean their GS...
I personally think a GS should look like this...
Then it was back to the Hog Raost site, where Bakerman took great care of everybody's well-being...
People were getting ready for dinner...
... and the Lucky 7's girls had arrived in the meantime!!! Soooo well done, Marion, Lynne, Gill, Georgia, Sharri, Maria, Kate and all escort riders!!! What a fantastic achievement!!!
Archaeo welcomed by her loving husband Jason
Sharribee with dad Madmikey and daughter Caitleen
Sorry, strangely enough I didn't take any pictures of the other ladies - must have been too overwhelmed by relief, respect, joy to see them all in one piece and happy... Can't wait for your report of the challenge!
It was really great to meet so many nice tossers and tossesses, talk to old friends, make new ones, and to see such a splendidly organised event - top job, Steve (and your support team)!
I might even come for the whole weekend next year - maybe they invent a vegetarian hog in the meantime...
Thank you again, Paul, for the cracking day out on the Plain and everybody else for their company and all the fun we had!
Ela
After losing the mouthpiece of my camelbak during the run I must have got a bit dehydrated and developed a massive headache on the way home. As soon as I took the helmet off, I puked into our back garden and went straight to bed...
However, before that I had an absolutely brilliant time with a bunch of lovely tossers on Salisbury Plain and at the Hog Raost!
Usually I am always late for any event that involves Clive - but this time I even arrived early enough to watch Loz getting dressed for the occasion...
... and to learn a new technique how to lube a chain
Chieftain Bakerman briefing us on the risks and side effects of riding off road... (didn't quite understand the insurance bit though - I wouldn't dream of making somebody else liable for any damage caused by my own stupidity or lack of ability... )
Then we happily followed Paul Sturgess on his Husaberg to the Plain
First casualty of the day: Romeo, who wanted to avoid the deep puddles on the proper track. Penalty for chickening out - one broken spotlight...
Gave us time to admire the scenery...
Second incident of the day - MiGsel's electrics went on strike
Some bike porn for your entertainment during the break...
Barry was the next one to turn over
Just for the record: how relatively clean the bikes still looked at that point...
Left or straight ahead? Decisions, decisions...
Looking good for the paparazzi...
Ooops - not quite...
Great stunt from Mutley
But he as well needed a little help from his friends
I learnt a lot about resuscitating drowned bikes yesterday...
What a glorious day after three weeks of rain
The German village - looks amazingly genuine (although our roads are all paved... )
Approaching the next puddle...
Some people just never learn...
Lesson 27 - how to get the bike running again after contact with water...
On a nice day like this we didn't mind another little break...
Parking Italian style...
Yes, Romeo, I am talking to you!
Paul was getting concerned about his schedule and the remaining tracks he wanted to show us...
So off we went for some more mud slinging and water sports
Don't remember a bike with a golden paint job in the group...
Although our bikes looked all strangely similar by lunchtime...
Can you still spot yours?
Errm, I don't think you will get very far here by pushing the bike, Barry...
Rush hour on Salisbury Plain
Look nice, boys!
Still two missing - Paul rushes to the rescue
Soon after we were all reunited
Motörhead (still wearing his gore-tex liner at that point... )
Stonehenge - from the other side of the fence
Are we getting tired, guys?
There are still a few nice lanes to come
This looks promising indeed...
But no - the next stop was the - errr, bike wash...
The lengths some people go to clean their GS...
I personally think a GS should look like this...
Then it was back to the Hog Raost site, where Bakerman took great care of everybody's well-being...
People were getting ready for dinner...
... and the Lucky 7's girls had arrived in the meantime!!! Soooo well done, Marion, Lynne, Gill, Georgia, Sharri, Maria, Kate and all escort riders!!! What a fantastic achievement!!!
Archaeo welcomed by her loving husband Jason
Sharribee with dad Madmikey and daughter Caitleen
Sorry, strangely enough I didn't take any pictures of the other ladies - must have been too overwhelmed by relief, respect, joy to see them all in one piece and happy... Can't wait for your report of the challenge!
It was really great to meet so many nice tossers and tossesses, talk to old friends, make new ones, and to see such a splendidly organised event - top job, Steve (and your support team)!
I might even come for the whole weekend next year - maybe they invent a vegetarian hog in the meantime...
Thank you again, Paul, for the cracking day out on the Plain and everybody else for their company and all the fun we had!
Ela