Things are starting to move now, it feels a bit like the rollercoaster just about to go over the top of the big, scary slope... The bike's being serviced as I speak by Pete at DS Bennett, our local one stop shop for bikes, garden machinery, hydraulics, you name it. Thanks a lot, guys. Then on Friday, it's off to Tavy Signs to have all the graphics fitted.
So now looking stunning (and the bike will look pretty good too). I'll be at Tavistock market on Saturday (3rd April) with a display board to drum up support for the trip. Pausing for a Sunday spent grappling with the satellite mapping device (Satmap), I'll be going to Westcom in Plymouth to pick up my communications equipment on Monday. Phew. Then I'll have the whole of the week to slip into full-on headless chicken mode!
Later dudes,
Coastrider.
Charity Registration No. 206002 |
Combat Stress is the leading charity specialising in the care of British Veterans who have been profoundly traumatised by harrowing experiences during their Service career. |
 |
Wednesday 30 March 2011
Monday 28 March 2011
(A Map of) The World in the Palm of my Hand
To Dorking in Surrey on Saturday, to attend the opening of Azcari, a new adventure motorcycling shop. The owner, Craig Zocher, has created a superb showroom in a Victorian building, showcasing the very finest quality motor cycles, clothing, luggage, tools and navigation gear. Craig's lent me a device called a Satmap, which is essentially all the Ordnance Survey maps you can imagine in the palm of your hand, which I will be using to find my way around the coast of Britain. Top bloke.
I took the Yamaha to try out the new Givi luggage system and to generally get myself back in the biking groove. It's easy to forget that riding a motorbike is a bit more involved, and involving, than jumping into a car and turning a key...
I had modified the slightly plank-like seat by cunningly inserting a couple of bits of sleeping mat under the original foam- result, I managed about 500 miles over the weekend without ending up walking like John Wayne!
This week's going to be busy, getting the graphics done and sorting out the communications gear, then figuring out how to use it all. Quite tricky for somebody who grew up in a world powered by pistons and cordite [and that's where I come in - Ed.]. More soon, folks...
I took the Yamaha to try out the new Givi luggage system and to generally get myself back in the biking groove. It's easy to forget that riding a motorbike is a bit more involved, and involving, than jumping into a car and turning a key...
I had modified the slightly plank-like seat by cunningly inserting a couple of bits of sleeping mat under the original foam- result, I managed about 500 miles over the weekend without ending up walking like John Wayne!
This week's going to be busy, getting the graphics done and sorting out the communications gear, then figuring out how to use it all. Quite tricky for somebody who grew up in a world powered by pistons and cordite [and that's where I come in - Ed.]. More soon, folks...
Tuesday 22 March 2011
The 'Work' In 'Paperwork'
Just as I thought starting Coast Rider from Plymouth Hoe was in the bag, the following happened...
Aargh!! I don't believe it, he said in his finest Victor Meldrew tones. Just had an email from Plymouth City Council, containing the following documents: Event application form, Risk Assessment form, Conditions of Use document, and of course the indespensible Tick Sheet. Give me strength... I also have to inform the cops (who were v. friendly and supportive, bless 'em) and take out two million quids worth of public liability insurance. Is it all worth it, I ask? I can't even turn the situation to my advantage and have a lively old bash as I'm apparently denied the manifold pleasures of music, food, alcohol (what!) or animals. What a bunch of killjoys. How the hell do we get ANYTHING done in this once proud nation?
Aargh!! I don't believe it, he said in his finest Victor Meldrew tones. Just had an email from Plymouth City Council, containing the following documents: Event application form, Risk Assessment form, Conditions of Use document, and of course the indespensible Tick Sheet. Give me strength... I also have to inform the cops (who were v. friendly and supportive, bless 'em) and take out two million quids worth of public liability insurance. Is it all worth it, I ask? I can't even turn the situation to my advantage and have a lively old bash as I'm apparently denied the manifold pleasures of music, food, alcohol (what!) or animals. What a bunch of killjoys. How the hell do we get ANYTHING done in this once proud nation?
Wise Council
Had an amusing conversation with a council employee at Plymouth Hoe today, where I'm starting the ride on Monday 11th April.
Him: "You can't ride that motor bike here."
Me: " But I want to start my round Britain ride here for Combat Stress."
Him: " In that case, not a problem. Here's the phone number of my boss, give him a bell and I'm sure it'll be fine."
Kind of refreshing to find the antidote to the jobsworth mentality. Also spoke to an old biking mate, who's going to do some heavy duty canvassing of the big trail/ adventure biking community on my behalf. And that, boys and girls, is how I see this particular gig panning out. Which is li'l ol' me chugging gently round the coastline, while people network/meet up/come and ride/offer acommodation, or whatever. I'm also up for giving the odd talk, whether it be a bike club, community, school, anything really. I'll be keen to hear what you think, as long as it's near (ish) to the coast. Happy days, I'm really looking forward to the Big Adventure!
Him: "You can't ride that motor bike here."
Me: " But I want to start my round Britain ride here for Combat Stress."
Him: " In that case, not a problem. Here's the phone number of my boss, give him a bell and I'm sure it'll be fine."
Kind of refreshing to find the antidote to the jobsworth mentality. Also spoke to an old biking mate, who's going to do some heavy duty canvassing of the big trail/ adventure biking community on my behalf. And that, boys and girls, is how I see this particular gig panning out. Which is li'l ol' me chugging gently round the coastline, while people network/meet up/come and ride/offer acommodation, or whatever. I'm also up for giving the odd talk, whether it be a bike club, community, school, anything really. I'll be keen to hear what you think, as long as it's near (ish) to the coast. Happy days, I'm really looking forward to the Big Adventure!
Wednesday 16 March 2011
Graphic Revelations
Had a busy morning, having finally fitted the panniers to the bike. They
look brill. Then I nipped into town to see the boys at Tavy Signs, who are
making the graphics for the bike and effectively turning it into a rolling
billboard advertising the trip and, more importantly, Combat Stress. It's
going to be mega, as I would say if I was ner-ner-ner-nineteen... Then over to
see Mark of Tyremarks fame, the master of all things round and black, ooerr,
who is providing me with some luvverly new rubber. He's at
www.tyremarks.co.uk if you're that way inclined. [That last bit was actually about tyres - Ed.] I have also been given
some space at Tavistock's Saturday market on April 2nd, where I will show
off the bike in all its glory. Cheers to Dwayne and Eddie at Tavistock Town
Council for that. I am lucky to live in a community of really good people,
you're all absolute stars. Bye for now.
look brill. Then I nipped into town to see the boys at Tavy Signs, who are
making the graphics for the bike and effectively turning it into a rolling
billboard advertising the trip and, more importantly, Combat Stress. It's
going to be mega, as I would say if I was ner-ner-ner-nineteen... Then over to
see Mark of Tyremarks fame, the master of all things round and black, ooerr,
who is providing me with some luvverly new rubber. He's at
www.tyremarks.co.uk if you're that way inclined. [That last bit was actually about tyres - Ed.] I have also been given
some space at Tavistock's Saturday market on April 2nd, where I will show
off the bike in all its glory. Cheers to Dwayne and Eddie at Tavistock Town
Council for that. I am lucky to live in a community of really good people,
you're all absolute stars. Bye for now.
Monday 14 March 2011
Pan, Pannier, Panniest
The new (correct) pannier frames should be here tomorrow, so
I'm back on track for the graphics. It's all a bit chicken and egg- I need
the bike as a method of publicising the trip, but it's not much use when it
looks like any other bike. Tomorrow I'm talking to Yamaha to see if they can
help, as the bike is a model they are keen to promote. Right now I'm hoping for some help with travel costs, rapidly escalating price of fuel, etc.
I'm back on track for the graphics. It's all a bit chicken and egg- I need
the bike as a method of publicising the trip, but it's not much use when it
looks like any other bike. Tomorrow I'm talking to Yamaha to see if they can
help, as the bike is a model they are keen to promote. Right now I'm hoping for some help with travel costs, rapidly escalating price of fuel, etc.
Sunday 13 March 2011
Fiasco is an Italian Word
More stuff. Staggered into the yard after a long ride on the horse, all
fired up to fit the sproncy new luggage system to the bike. My heart sank as
I looked at the fitting instructions (throw self violently on floor and
commence foaming at mouth) and I realised they were for the wrong model of
bike. Doh! So now it'll have to be sent back and more stuff sent from Italy,
hopefully not on Italian timescale, he said in a stereotypical way. Bit of a
pain, nevertheless. I think I'll try and get the graphics guys going on
Monday anyway, as time is running out faster than a politician's
promise... more madness next week folks.
fired up to fit the sproncy new luggage system to the bike. My heart sank as
I looked at the fitting instructions (throw self violently on floor and
commence foaming at mouth) and I realised they were for the wrong model of
bike. Doh! So now it'll have to be sent back and more stuff sent from Italy,
hopefully not on Italian timescale, he said in a stereotypical way. Bit of a
pain, nevertheless. I think I'll try and get the graphics guys going on
Monday anyway, as time is running out faster than a politician's
promise... more madness next week folks.
Saturday 12 March 2011
Hooray for Hometown Heroes
Great news- the hard luggage set for the bike turned up today. Now I can
crack on with getting the graphics designed . This gear is very high quality
Italian stuff made by Givi.
These guys have brought it in specially from Italy, as it's a new design and
I'm going to be one of the first to use, and no doubt abuse, it! And one of
my local chums, who is both well connected and generous, has already cranked
up £1500 for Combat Stress. Way to go! As I view the prospect of throwing
myself out on the coastline for a month or so, and thus into the great wide
open, with a bit of trepidation, days like today certainly stiffen the
resolve. And make me realise what a brilliant nation we still are, despite
the doom merchants. A pox on them all...
crack on with getting the graphics designed . This gear is very high quality
Italian stuff made by Givi.
These guys have brought it in specially from Italy, as it's a new design and
I'm going to be one of the first to use, and no doubt abuse, it! And one of
my local chums, who is both well connected and generous, has already cranked
up £1500 for Combat Stress. Way to go! As I view the prospect of throwing
myself out on the coastline for a month or so, and thus into the great wide
open, with a bit of trepidation, days like today certainly stiffen the
resolve. And make me realise what a brilliant nation we still are, despite
the doom merchants. A pox on them all...
Thursday 10 March 2011
Trial By Magazine
Stop Press- my article on the trip is now out in the latest copy of Trail Bike Magazine (TBM). Well done chaps- if you haven't seen this mag, go and buy one- very well written, amusing and informative. Am now plotting how to get on radio and the TV- not as easy as you might think, apparently. Still, all avenues have to be explored, if I'm not going to become Billy No Mates Rides Around Blighty On His Own!
Past Tents
I dug out a tent that hasn't seen the light of day since Budapest 1997, and even the moths looked old and tired. So I'll be taking it, obviously! Plans are afoot to mug the local camping shop for a decent kip mat, as I seem to have developed the happy knack of always pitching tents on the stoniest ground available. Also, will be tapping up the genial Town Clerk for a space in Tavistock Square, so I can publicise the trip locally. Onwards and upwards!
Pain in the Panniers
I'm expecting the panniers for the bike any day now, after a slightly anxious wait. Until they arrive, I can't design the graphics for the bike saying meaningful things like "give me your money, puleeze!". Or summat like that. Just had a chat with a mate who I do a bit of tree consultancy for, and after establishing that I would sign off his latest building project before I leave on the ride, gave a hundred quid to the cause. Top man, you are, Piers.
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