Martin Barrett

I have been looking at Geocaching (GPS based treasure hunt) over the last few months and this weekend took the plunge and went and visited my first cache. Chose a nice easy one to find as I don't have a GPS receiver, just doing it the old fashioned way. I took a travel bug from the cache, the idea is to move it on to another cache and log its progress. This one was a toy aeroplane (Highway To The Danger Zone)and it's owner had set the task of taking photos of it with real fighter planes . So today I set off on the Guzzi and my first stop was RAF Henlow [2] where they have a Hawker Siddeley Hunter as Gate Guard. I then went to RAF Barkway[3], which is just a radio mast, but there wasn't any good photo opportunities to have an " RAF station but no aeroplanes picture" So continued on towards Duxford, but shortly after leaving Barkway on entering Great Chishall [4] there was this nice post windmill, can no longer turn in to the wind though. Next point of call was a Geocache [6] that overlooks the airfield of the Imperial War Museum Duxford so we had to have a flypast. This was a micro cache - a 35mm film case - I found it and signed the log within but obviously far too small to leave HTTDZ there, so went to a normal sized cache off a bridle way to the north of the airfield Left the bike in the village[8] and walked the kilometer to where the cache was hidden. I left him there hopefully someone will pick him up and either catch the next flying day (Sun 20th) or move him on eastwards lots of USAF bases or northwards RAF. I came away with another type of trackable items this one a "coin" with an evolution theme. I then headed home. Only 80 miles and out for 3 hours.

Nice trip report. Innervation not bodge with the reservoir lid - still had the rubber diaphragm under it anyway a for the glove - I do that sort of thing all the time How are the fork seals - obviously held up enough. Will the need a change? Slightly perplexed that you didn't add the Mexico map to your GPS. Lovely picture with all the roses

KB's Scura is noticeably higher than my out of the box Lemans. I don't think it's because I've exceeded the Young's modulus of the spring (can you do this in compression?)

Looks good. But with my over enthusiastic LEO head on Do you not need to have a reflector fitted? Perhaps one of those thin strips just under the plate and you're home free

We were think of using Velcro to mount it on the central console in the cars, that would transfer across to the tank bag also - but in the mean time I have

Last week my youngest son was in Great Ormond Street Hospital for an operation. We normally go down on the train - 30 minutes fast train with either one or no stops, then 20 minute walk at far end. Our expected one night stay very rapidly went to a minimum of two and likely to be three. Then we had quandaries of the suitability of bringing him back home on the train without throwing in Sunday service in to the equation. I had stayed the first night with him and was going to do the third, so it would be down to my wife to drive down to collect us. She wasn't looking forward to doing this so suggested Sat Nav - had experienced in a hire car and was quite taken. So before heading back to swap back over I picked up a TomTom, I didn't go for the rider as couldn't get the car mount with the speaker in, and I don't think she'd have been impressed with having to wear the ear piece I thought I could always place it in the map case top of my tank bag, and double wrap it in a plastic bag if was wet. So took it for it's first go on the bike yesterday. The only problem I had was it kept sliding about and rotating around through 90 degrees, despite using a bungee cord across the top of the bag to try and limit its movement. But other than that was useful. In the bag it's out of site and not a distraction unless you want to look at it. So next time I'll use some elastic bands and chop sticks* to make a frame to locate it within the map pocket. If that works I'll then rig it for power. It's either than or splash out for a waterproof one. My double tank bag would seem to obstruct most mounting positions. definitely Dr Gills. Kilosojn's off the mirror mounts could be viable. I don't think the far side of the clocks on the fairing would be viable. So I'm firmly a Sat Nav fan now *Now have a cardboard prototype

Second needs some mesh or something to stop limbs flailing out between the cage rails

I’ve now made a start on this years rally. Some of the Essex guys over on the Moto Guzzi Club GB Forum were toying with the idea of a get together at Great Bentley. On Wednesday evenings all the local bikes congregate on the village green there, the village boasts having the largest green in the country. This fell on one of my days off, and a plan was formed to go along but pick up the Essex landmark on the way. Unfortunately I wouldn’t be able to do an East Anglia tour as was on child minding duties during the day. Released from my chores just after 4pm, first stop for some fuel and then eastwards. I elected to go the direct route through small country lanes before joining up with the A120 trunk road. No traffic on the lanes and as soon as hit the A120 heavy traffic. There is a notorious set of traffic lights on this stretch and there was the expected tail back. I was able to utilise the gap in the oncoming traffic to shoot down the outside and get back into a gap that had developed as the queue moved forward and make it through the lights in one go. I left Bishops Stortford towards Chelmsford, through picturesque villages. This is a route I used to take when I was 18 on my Yamaha RD200DX going to college. Lots of new houses, I probably could afford a garage. The Morgan dealer was still there, he had a new building but I couldn’t see any cars there though did see one on the road a little while later. As I reached Chelmsford I saw a black Griso going the other way, I did wave but got no response. Having gone out through the Chelmsford I found a convenient place to stop and turned the Sat Nav on. This was my first time of using it on the bike and had wanted to preserve battery life and just see how useful it was. Continued using the Sat Nav to check my decisions. Shortly arrived at my landmark. Parked the bike up in the area set aside for parking and took the short walk down to the old Chapel. Very flat area and a view across the estuary and out to sea across the cockle bank. There were notices of a public inquiry in to the placing of 10 121m tall wind turbines, in the village there had been several signs saying “ Battle against 400ft monsters” Spent about 40 minutes there. It was now fast approaching 7 and I’d have to get my skates on. I allowed the Sat Nav to take me to Great Bentley I’d managed to get my initial eta of 8;29 down to an actual arrival time of 8;01, without going too silly. I did go past a DB7 but he obviously wasn’t trying. As I ran in along the A120 dual carriageway there were loads of bikes coming the other way. As I came in to the village I could see a Police Traffic car and I began to wonder if they’d been turning everyone away. But looked to the left and saw a sea of bikes on the green. I made my around and found the Guzzis. Ricky (Redguzziv10) was there with his new Breva, By the time I said my hellos the number of bikes had thinned out considerably and the light was falling so I didn’t get my camera out. I watched the last drift away and by 9 it was dark and only a handful of bikes left. So I headed for home. My fuel light came on at 140miles (normal usage 118-126) and I took it to 154 before I filled up at Stansted Airport – 15.77 litres which works out at 44mpg (imp) (6.4 l/100km for our European friends) rather than the usual mid 30’s so was pleased with that. So 180 miles, out for nearly 6 hours which includes 2 hours of stops. 60 miles to the landmark – 50 miles from there to great Bentley which was only 12 miles away as the goose flies over the estuary, and 70 mile return leg Good first ride of the season, the occasional pop so might need to put my second new inlet rubber on or it could be the balance pipe seals again. Sorry about the lack of pictures, should be able to get a couple from Great Bentley Larry's pictures

Southern Softy Shandy Drinker - my eldest is a Man U fan, Over the last year we've taken him to see 3 matches - Portsmouth in the semi final of FA Cup, the European XI and the pre season against Seville. Also had to take him (and me - I'd rather spend my ticket money on a tank of fuel - but it was a good father/son bonding experience) to see Grimsby when visiting his Grandparents. We've a perfectly good ( ) local team - Stevenage Borough (4 leagues lower) - Playing at Wembley in the FA Trophy final he's only gone to see them a few time - why can't he put his efforts there - he could see them every home game and still save me a fortune (travel costs to Manchester) and neither Debs or I would have to go ( Debs saw the European XI match other wise we just hang around the shopping centres) Just to think at 12 he was playing rugby (union) and it all went horribly wrong from there. But I suppose you can only support them in their choices.

Bags look good on the bike. Of course you'd never admit to having the burger that went with the shake

- I know - I'd do both legs in one day. Don't forget as you go further north the "A" roads get smaller A896 around the north west Those ones above are still two lanes but not dual carriageway. I like the A83 good road tracking along mountain sides, gives opportunity to look across the valley, track the oncoming cars up the hill look for the gaps to plan your overtakes. Advantage of starting first couple of days on these roads is that become acclimatised to riding on the left. Though point taken about his spinnaker like riding position, even on the A896 with the good view it's easy to do 80mph/120kph Day one I'd think I'd head west along Hadrian's wall then pick up A7 , off at Langholm on to B709 through Eskdalemuir ( tea stop at Tibetan monastery there) continue up to rejoin the A7 at either Selkirk or Heriot(which is just outside Edinburgh) By the time I've finished with him he'll have shoulders and neck like Arnie

Not my home patch - but depending on how long you wanted to take A696 out of Newcastle past Otterburn to join A68 then A6088 to Hawick and then A7 up to Edinburgh Journey time of about 3 hours. If you want to make it longer head out through Kelso - Coldstream lots of minor roads quite entertaining but head back inland before pushing north. Avoid the A1 as it tracks west. or go west along the line of Hadrians Wall take the B6318 where you can rather than the A69. Cut across to join the A7. If still have time leave the A7 and loop up through Eskdalemuir. When you leave Edinburgh Stirling (fuel) - A811 west then A82 to Tarbet, then A83 Lochgilphead (Fuel) then A816 Oban - A828 & A82 Fort William (Fuel on north side of town) then A82 Inverness and to the Inn 300 miles- 8 hours on the "Autoroute" planner

I think from that shirt and your riding pumps. We've already defined "out" (dam reverts to homophobic stereotype) I wouldn't cast nasturtiums as they're edible

How long are you out there for? The limitations of 6 months for road traffic offences doesn't count if you flee the country so a summons can't be served.

Looks good

Unlucky But glad you're not too badly hurt. Sounds like the bike will fix okay. A long time ago I low sided my Yamaha XJ550 in to the kerb, where it stood up smacked the armco and somersaulted and the slid down the road on the other side. Had to replace everything above the rocker box gasket. When back together it still steered straighter than a friends. You've a good chance your frame still being true.

Jaap, was that the one from the left or right. It was your left that popped off mid ride at the German V11 Treffen. I wonder how much the splitting was due to overtightening ( he might have small ladies hands but has a good grip )? My left one popped of a couple of years ago and at the end of last summer kept coming adrift and splitting. I'd wrapped with insulating tape whilst waiting for the replacement. I think my right is going the same way, but I have the spare ready. I think I'd probably ended up over tightening.

I'm quite tempted, Saw the "Exit Stage Left" tour (1981?) and have the Rush in Rio DvD

I'm so sad this is me but 80's & 90's. I've hardly read at all over the last few years. I always used to have a book on the go and a cup of coffee, but no more. Occasionally I'll hit on something on line having been inspired by something. e.g. Yesterday playing Rush clips on u-tube and having played Xanadu - went off and found Coleridge's Kubla Khan this leads on to the Rime of the Ancient Mariner a quick comparison to the Flying Dutchman and ended up with Beowulf I never read Vonnegut, but struggled through JD Salinger's Catcher in the Rye at school and have sworn to go back and give it another go, perhaps I'll pick up a copy tomorrow, and continuing the Rush inspiration a copy of Neil Peart's Ghost Rider I know it's not the same but at least it's a book.

or I try again a couple of years later "You don't have to say anything unless you wish to do so, but anything you do say may be used against you"

The wife had one built in a hire car she had last month, her father was suitably impressed and now has one. I've not driven with one only been a passenger. I can see the advantages. And have seen the disadvantages, drive the sat nav (lane discipline) and not what they can see the road is actually doing. Becomes dependant on it and no map memory of their own so can't MDR (mental dead reckoning) that it's do the right thing (horror stories of people going 100 of miles wrong) Can be distracting particularly when in shiny new toy mode. The advantages can be outstanding, particularly in unfamiliar built up areas. Used as an aid in moving map mode excelent I'm too much of a tight wad and so will still feign disaproval and preference for scrappy multimap printouts stuffed in to the top of the tank bag. Tip, stick a post it on the screen - "side stand up" looks good - come back in a couple of months and report how useful you found it. Will need to some long trips to make the most of it - looking forward to the ride reports ( on here and not just stn)

Good to see you back on the Tenni, after a five month layoff?

Humph - mine is growing old gracefully rather like myself. I voted for option 3, though tend to follow option 1. I never got around to doing my rocker covers or bevel box this winter, there's always next year.

At what intervals do you change your Redline? Mines been in for 15K miles should I be changing it - Obviously most of the gumph relates to cars where it's one fill for life.

The Erin has been down graded from a full Rally to "Bob's get together" 8-10 June. There will be a gathering centred around Credons , but no camping (Yes I know you didn't camp) There was a fair bit in the Grumblemonger. Due to this (and other stuff) I'm not going, can't make Scotland (unless I get thrown out of court) so concentrating my efforts on getting to Jaap's in September - hope to see you there