Some good news today: My foot's healing up OK and I should be back on the road after Christmas.
Nothing for it but to get as much Xmas Spirit inside me as possible, then!
December 17, 2003
December 02, 2003
Footsore and freezing...
Well, I'm still waiting for my swollen foot to get its act together. Driving the car into The Smoke every day is starting to wear really thin and I can't wait to get back onto two wheels.
In the meantime, I'm catching up on my karma having the dual joys of physiotherapy and ice packs. Still, mustn't grumble. At worst, this is just an inconvenience and everything should be back to normal in a few weeks.
Must remember to nip out and top up the battery soon, though. I have a bad feeling about the alarm draining all the charge...
In the meantime, I'm catching up on my karma having the dual joys of physiotherapy and ice packs. Still, mustn't grumble. At worst, this is just an inconvenience and everything should be back to normal in a few weeks.
Must remember to nip out and top up the battery soon, though. I have a bad feeling about the alarm draining all the charge...
November 24, 2003
Catch the wave...
There is a much safer, but less obvious, way of waving your thanks to other motorists that is used in France but not in the UK: Leg Waving.
When, for example, (as a car driver) I pull in to let a bike go past, UK bikers often raise a hand in thanks. This leaves them one hand short on the controls and, should anything happen in that short time, (a big pothole or sudden manoeuvre from another vehicle) the bikers response time is much longer as you need to get both hands back on the controls before you can do a great deal.
On the continent, bikers have come up with a great alternative. The simply straighten out the leg on the side which we UK peeps would normally wave. This means you still have full control of the bike, delaying only the ability to change gear or apply the rear brake. Much less of an issue than a hand off the bars, in my opinion.
When, for example, (as a car driver) I pull in to let a bike go past, UK bikers often raise a hand in thanks. This leaves them one hand short on the controls and, should anything happen in that short time, (a big pothole or sudden manoeuvre from another vehicle) the bikers response time is much longer as you need to get both hands back on the controls before you can do a great deal.
On the continent, bikers have come up with a great alternative. The simply straighten out the leg on the side which we UK peeps would normally wave. This means you still have full control of the bike, delaying only the ability to change gear or apply the rear brake. Much less of an issue than a hand off the bars, in my opinion.
November 22, 2003
Watching you...
Well, as I've been laid up, I have had the opportunity to be a watcher. This has meant being able to observe bikers (and their bikes) from the passenger seat of the car on a journey through both England and France of around 900 miles. Lucky me.
Some interesting differences became apparent between the types of bikes on the road in the two countries.
Although you seem to see about the same number of bikes on the road in the two countries, the UK seems to have a much more even spread of size and type than France. On a typical day in the UK, you'll see everything from mopeds and scooters through trailies and racers to cruisers and tourers. In France, the divide seems to be much more apparent between big and small bikes. You see a lot of mopeds, very few mid-size bikes and a lot of cruisers and tourers. You very rarely see the likes of a Bandit or Diversion 600 or a big trailie over there.
Even more interesting (to me, anyway) is that the larger bikes seem to be almost exclusively Harleys and Gold Wings. And for all my looking, and in spite of the active Pan European internet community in France, mine is still the only new style Pan I've seen there.
Some interesting differences became apparent between the types of bikes on the road in the two countries.
Although you seem to see about the same number of bikes on the road in the two countries, the UK seems to have a much more even spread of size and type than France. On a typical day in the UK, you'll see everything from mopeds and scooters through trailies and racers to cruisers and tourers. In France, the divide seems to be much more apparent between big and small bikes. You see a lot of mopeds, very few mid-size bikes and a lot of cruisers and tourers. You very rarely see the likes of a Bandit or Diversion 600 or a big trailie over there.
Even more interesting (to me, anyway) is that the larger bikes seem to be almost exclusively Harleys and Gold Wings. And for all my looking, and in spite of the active Pan European internet community in France, mine is still the only new style Pan I've seen there.
November 16, 2003
Off the road for a few days
Sprained my foot at work on Friday so I can't even get my boots on at the moment. Well, I can get one of them on, if you know what I mean.
A few quiet days with my feet up are in order, I guess.
A few quiet days with my feet up are in order, I guess.
November 13, 2003
Pan-less European
Over the last couple of months, I've taken to riding the Pan without panniers. Particularly on the way to/from work where I can get away with just the top box.
Handling is significantly improved at high speeds with any hint of a wobble above 110 mph disappearing completely. Even with the screen at full height. The downside, I guess, would be that had the lovely chap who drove into me done so when the panniers weren't fitted, the exhaust would have taken the brunt of the damage. Not a nice thought.
I still put the panniers on whenever I go away for the weekend or whiz off to the airport as I can carry what I need for the weekend, a bike cover for leaving the Pan in uncovered car parks and still have room to cargo net a suitcase on the pillion seat if necessary.
Handling is significantly improved at high speeds with any hint of a wobble above 110 mph disappearing completely. Even with the screen at full height. The downside, I guess, would be that had the lovely chap who drove into me done so when the panniers weren't fitted, the exhaust would have taken the brunt of the damage. Not a nice thought.
I still put the panniers on whenever I go away for the weekend or whiz off to the airport as I can carry what I need for the weekend, a bike cover for leaving the Pan in uncovered car parks and still have room to cargo net a suitcase on the pillion seat if necessary.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
