mcatrophy
Privileged to ride a 2018 FJR1300AS
Just a brief ride.
Because of upheavals at home, FJR has been parked up in the garage for week, far too long. This morning I had a choice between doing some redecorating or going for a ride (SWMBO was out for the morning, hence the possibility of a choice). So I found an old route I'd created to lead my son round shortly after he'd got his bike, plugged it into Tomtom, and set off.
My Christmas present from Her is a new suit, so as the temperatures were a little chilly, and there was likely to be a touch of rain, I took the opportunity to try the suit out (yes, I know it's not Christmas yet, but ...).
A quick initial diversion to get some go-go juice, and off we go.
Temperature started off at 6C (42F). Roads were damp, and I knew I'd be into muddy tracks before long, so I was keeping things gentle. Traffic was surprisingly light for a Monday. Where roads were wide enough, what little traffic could be easily "overcome" with a little twist of the wrist. Had to be wary of corners, there are some lorries laden with gravel (there are a few quarries in the vicinity, the lorries are big, and drive as quickly as they can along some very narrow and twisty roads).
Started off in some weak sunshine, very soon some low, dark clouds came closer. Sleet splattered on the windscreen, temperature down to 4C (39F), heated grips on 3 (full). Visor misted up on the inside (pin-locks aren't perfect!), had to crack it open. Found that if I lowered my (Yamaha touring) screen, misting wasn't as bad. Continued in light drizzle for most of the rest of the ride.
Stopped to admire the view, took a couple of pics (poor quality, taken with my phone):
(Click on image for larger view)
Parked on the wrong side Road just visible in the centre
Hint of bright sky behind Tomtom's view of the road
Bike waits patiently for me
Had one "moment". Overtook a car, slowed down for a corner, found mud spread right across the road in the corner. Normally I'd have spotted this earlier, but it was hidden by the car I was overtaking. Braked hard into the corner, then let the bike drift a little over the mud. I could feel it sliding, but it got round ok. (That's about the limit of my off-road capability!)
Continued onwards, heated grips down to 2 as the temperature soared to 8C (46F), finally turned them off. My new suit kept me warm and dry the whole while. The "foot visors" kept my feet warmer than I've ever known in these sorts of conditions.
Finally returned home with ...
a very dirty bike
But there must be something wrong with my new Tomtom, the highest speed limit on the roads I was on was 60, Tomtom has recorded something a little higher.
Tomtom's trip summary
The route.
Because of upheavals at home, FJR has been parked up in the garage for week, far too long. This morning I had a choice between doing some redecorating or going for a ride (SWMBO was out for the morning, hence the possibility of a choice). So I found an old route I'd created to lead my son round shortly after he'd got his bike, plugged it into Tomtom, and set off.
My Christmas present from Her is a new suit, so as the temperatures were a little chilly, and there was likely to be a touch of rain, I took the opportunity to try the suit out (yes, I know it's not Christmas yet, but ...).
A quick initial diversion to get some go-go juice, and off we go.
Temperature started off at 6C (42F). Roads were damp, and I knew I'd be into muddy tracks before long, so I was keeping things gentle. Traffic was surprisingly light for a Monday. Where roads were wide enough, what little traffic could be easily "overcome" with a little twist of the wrist. Had to be wary of corners, there are some lorries laden with gravel (there are a few quarries in the vicinity, the lorries are big, and drive as quickly as they can along some very narrow and twisty roads).
Started off in some weak sunshine, very soon some low, dark clouds came closer. Sleet splattered on the windscreen, temperature down to 4C (39F), heated grips on 3 (full). Visor misted up on the inside (pin-locks aren't perfect!), had to crack it open. Found that if I lowered my (Yamaha touring) screen, misting wasn't as bad. Continued in light drizzle for most of the rest of the ride.
Stopped to admire the view, took a couple of pics (poor quality, taken with my phone):
(Click on image for larger view)
Parked on the wrong side Road just visible in the centre
Hint of bright sky behind Tomtom's view of the road
Bike waits patiently for me
Had one "moment". Overtook a car, slowed down for a corner, found mud spread right across the road in the corner. Normally I'd have spotted this earlier, but it was hidden by the car I was overtaking. Braked hard into the corner, then let the bike drift a little over the mud. I could feel it sliding, but it got round ok. (That's about the limit of my off-road capability!)
Continued onwards, heated grips down to 2 as the temperature soared to 8C (46F), finally turned them off. My new suit kept me warm and dry the whole while. The "foot visors" kept my feet warmer than I've ever known in these sorts of conditions.
Finally returned home with ...
a very dirty bike
But there must be something wrong with my new Tomtom, the highest speed limit on the roads I was on was 60, Tomtom has recorded something a little higher.
Tomtom's trip summary
The route.
