On the Somme Again

On the Somme Again - Part 2

Well. As I approached the toll at Setques I was hoping the tag would work.

Once in the chute the green arrow turns to 30kph. And then about ten yards short the barrier went up and off I went.

Phew.

Stopped at Aire de Rely. Much has changed since Vimy in April. The building work is completed now.

The self service restaurant has completely gone and instead there is a sandwich bar affair.

Coffee is still good and welcome. And there is free WiFi. Fuel is mind bogglingly expensive.

The decision to wear the FT jacket might come back to haunt me. Queuing for the Shuttle had me sweating and the odor is er... Not very pleasant. Might have to buy some Febreze..

I have opened the front and rear vents to see if the wind can blow away the whiff!!!

Comments

Have to say disappointed with the finish on my 15 Roadster. Not really an all weather rider nowadays. Wheels are corroded and look like shit and the chrome bits and bobs all surface rusted. Have always washed down after a salty road outing. The TEX I had before had its recall problems but the finish far more robust. Never had these problems so soon even on a modern Suzuki! It doesn't seem like the wheels are coated, just bare metal by th level of corrosion. The surface rust blights the suspension caps and even the chrome cover for the rear brake master cylinder looks more like rust with some chrome. At least the engine finish looks good.

Ring of Red 2015

Decided to go to Thurrock and join there. Arrived about 1230 after a petrol stop on the way. Pepe does about 180 to the tank before I start to get nervous. So as it clipped up 115 on the odometer I decided to fill up to ensure I had enough to get to the start and join the ride. It is easily 60 miles home from here. Doing the maths convinced me to tank up. Even in misty drizzly weather sitting in a large column of bikes is hot business, once the fan kicks in. We were on the road and the M25 just before the allotted hour. Well done to the marshals in the absence of the local police service. The photographer, former SOC member and Kent Centre Sec, Roger Wood, for the run from Thurrock stood atop the van belonging to one of the charities we were supporting. I had cable tied one of the Ride of Remembrance car-flags to the sissy bar but sadly I didn't get enough wind to fly whilst stopped.

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