Distinguished Gentlemans Ride 2016 - Bournemouth

The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride is an international charity event for classic and vintage styled motorcycles that raises awareness and funds for the Movember Foundation men's health programs.

On Sunday 25th September more that 50,000 dapper riders in over 500 cities across 90 countries united for the world's largest motorcycling charity event, it was an absolutely epic day out!

The two charities involved was Prostrate Cancer and Male Suicide Prevention. Both of which are close to my heart.

I have had a 2cm lump removed from my bowel, thankfully I am ok, but you never know when the cruel hand of fate will lay his finger upon you!

I have over the years been in some very dark places. So know from first hand experience how the darkness can consume you. Your mind plays tricks and no solace can be found or comfort taken from being told that eventually things will work out. All you want is an end to things.

On a lighter note though, this day was all about raising awareness and what better way to do that than to don your fancy clothes and make as much noise as you can on your pride and joy. 

In my case it was the Ural Dalesman 750cc sidecar outfit. Accompanied by my gorgeous wife Kiera or "Monkey" or "Ballast" as she is often referred to whilst in the sidecar!!

Here we are going around the bends at Sopley at a comfortable speed, as neither myself of Kiera are hanging on!

It was an early start for us both, the start point was at Poole Quay and we were given instructions to be there by 0900hrs.

As I like to build in a hefty margin of error to allow for all eventualities, we arrived at 0750hrs! 

This did however allow us plenty of time to park up, admire the other bikes and more importantly devour a massive fry up in the local pub and consume a gallon of coffee!

Kiera looking splendid and refreshed after breakfast, it was a rather chilly ride to Poole at that time of the morning. Thankfully the weather for the day was looking good.

There was a briefing by James (the ride organiser) telling us of all the do's and dont's and once that was over 200 plus motorbikes started their engines - a cacophony of the sweetest burble of engines you will ever hear! 

The route was in a number of stages, the first stage took us out along Poole Quay, through Poole Park and out to Sandbanks where we looped around and came back again.

This was my first experience of riding in a large group and it was an amazing experience. People were waving at us and looking in amazement as all these bikes went by with all the riders dressed to the nines.

Of all the fabulous bikes that were on parade these two made me smile the most!

Everyone had dressed up for the occasion,  plenty of tweed, tailored suits, riding outfits and military uniforms. It was a spectacle!

We headed for Bournemouth and hugging the coast, and went past the pier and turned right and headed up the hill for Southbourne. We were heading for Boscombe Pier. Here we rode along the front all the way back to Bournemouth Pier and parked up where the old IMAX cinema used to be.

 This is where my ears first started to ring! The noise from 200 plus motorbikes was deafening! 

We stayed here for a good 45 minutes, chatting away and looking at all the motorbikes, a very friendly crowd with everyone in high spirits.

Once we had driven away from here, which I must say was the highlight for me as there were hundreds of people watching us. Everyone was revving engines, beeping horns and cheering. An amazing experience.

From here we rode back along the seafront to Boscombe Pier, up the hill and along out through Southbourne to Hengisbury Head. Turning in land and down over Tuckton Bridge and into the outskirts of Christchurch. Past the train station and turning left out along the Fairmile and out to Hurn where we stopped at the pub for refreshment and another regroup.

More chatting, laughing and admiring of each others motorcycles took place as we enjoyed a drink in the sun.

Turning out of the pub we headed for Sopley where we looped around the village and retraced our steps where the first photo was taken at the beginning of this blog.

We then basically retraced our steps all the way back to Southbourne and yet another pub where we parked up and relaxed for a few hours. Live music, a raffle (where I won a poker game prize) and food was all laid on for us.

A brilliant end to the day.

We both agreed that it was one of the best days we have ever had. The atmosphere was amazing, we both had massive grins on our faces and to top it all I managed to raise £150.00 for the charities involved.

A fantastic day out. We will be definitely signing up for next years event, this is one not to be missed!

The journey continues...............

West Country Mini Adventure On The Ural 750cc Dalesman

Three days off and I thought it about time I took the Ural out on a camping trip.

I'd been flat out at work so had not had any time to prepare for the trip other than book a camp site.

I decided early on that I did not want to travel more than a couple of hours away from from home, so this helped narrow down where I would go.

In the end I went for Somerset and based myself just outside of Cheddar Gorge.

The campsite was called Petruth Paddocks, a large site with a laid back atmosphere. More about this later!

For this trip I'm using the Vango Banshee 200 tent, tried and tested. I could of gone for the bigger tent as space/weight is not so much of an issue for solo travel now I'm on the Ural, but if the wind got up the larger tent would be a bugger to put up or take down on my own.

After what seemed an age of packing and loading I finally got away at 1045 and headed for Somerset Levels.

First stop was Wingreen Hill which has spectacular views towards my beloved Shaston, quick brew from my flask of coffee and I was off again. 

I couldn't resist a drive up Shaston High Street with the Ural. At the top of the town by the Ship Inn there are road works at present and a clearly marked one way system in place. Here I met a girl driving towards me! I got through but the van behind me was having none of it. Stupid girl!

Through Gillingham, and on out through Castle Carey and towards Glastonbury. I tried to park in the High Street but couldn't find a spot so went to the nearest car park, but with a few undesirables wandering around I gave up. Shame as I was looking forward to a wander around the town.

With all my gear on the bike I suspect the temptation may of been just a bit too much for a few light fingered hippy's!

I did stop at Tesco's to buy lunch and a couple of things I'd forgotten such as olive oil and pepper.

From here it was only a short ride to my campsite just outside of the village of Cheddar.

I found the site easy enough, and checked in with no problems. It was several large fields separated by hedges.

I had reserved a pitch with electric, but arriving early on I had a choice of where I wanted to go. Well, to be honest I was limited by the length of my hook-up cable. 15 metres does not get you that far.

There were only two hook-up points, both either side of a hedge. I chose to take the pitch the furthest away from the loo's I didn't fancy every one walking through my pitch to get to them. However this was the wrong choice in the end!

 It was Friday night and slowly the camp site began to fill, all though there was masses and masses of space.

It did not take me long to set up and a brew brewing! The tent takes just minutes to pitch.

On the way over I had spotted a place called "The Cider Barn" so once I had squared everything away, I rode back to see if I could get some proper cider!

I ended up with 4 pints of Riche's Cider at 6%. Easy drinking but gave me wicked cider burn.

I wasn't sure if I should drink it or run the Ural on it!

I headed back towards the campsite, but as it was still fairly early decided to take a ride up the Gorge. Not many folk about so had a clean run up and down. I then headed back to the site to chill.

The site was filling up slowly, but no way overcrowded and I spent a couple of hours or so just watching the others set up. One young couple clearly had never camped before and were really struggling erecting their tent with a lot of arm waving and stamping of feet.

Later that evening I cooked ribeye steak, I sauteed potatoes and heated some peas. On the steak I had a mustard and cracked pepper home made rub. It was amazing.

I sent Kiera a picture of myself and said I looked like a hobo with my beard being a bit wild after riding all day with an open face helmet.

Looking like this the couple to my left brought me over a couple of beers, which I gratefully received and then 10 minutes later the young couple to my right brought me over some incinerated chicken which I politely declined. He looked a bit crest fallen when I explained what I had only just cooked!

Made me chuckle!

Watching the sunset is a great way to relax.

I made a hot chocolate and I was in my maggot by 2130hrs, falling asleep more or less straight away.

The downside to this was waking at just after midnight needing a wee!

Then again at 0430hrs! However, there was a full moon and with the mist across the field it was worth waking up to see.

0830hrs and I was up, the sun shining and a brew on.

I had managed to forget my towel, using a tea towel to dry my ample self off would of been a bit of a challenge so my first task was to call  into the supermarket. I'd seen a sign saying new superstore yesterday so this would be my first port of call.

How wrong can one be!  Superstore my arse! I've been in bigger corner shops! All I could find was napkins or kitchen roll. And so the hunt begins.

Looking on the map I decided to head for the coast and a place called Brean, it looked like it would have beaches and with that fine views. But first a few detours.

I set my GoPro camera up and went up and down the Gorge filming as I went. I mounted the camera on the nose of the side car so the view you see is the same as if you are sat in the chair.

Filled up with fuel and went to find Cheddar Reservoir, it took a bit of finding! I didn't stop as I couldn't find anywhere to park. 

Seeing the sign for Axbridge I pulled off the main road and into the town. Axbridge dates back to the medieval times and has a quaint square at the heart of the village. A couple of pubs/hotels a coffee shop and a corner shop and that's your lot. But worth a visit.

Onwards now to Brean! Well, what can I say?!

A Chav's paradise! Not what I was expecting at all - I went right to the very end of the road, hoping it would get better, but once again I was stumped for parking!

They would not let me onto the beach to park, the one time that riding a motorbike has gone against me.

Tacky is the only way to accurately describe Brean. Such a shame as I was expecting to find peace and tranquillity for a couple of hours.

It was full of static holiday homes, theme parks, amusement arcades and pubs catering for the egg and chip brigade.

For the life of me I really do not see the attraction for such a place, yet it was heaving with folk!

Heading back towards Burnham on Sea I realised I was going past the area where I had bought "Lucille" my Honda C90.

I turned around and went in search of the house. I had bought it from an old boy who was mad on motorbikes. His house was full of trophies he had won years ago. He was heavily involved in the scrambling scene.

I wasn't sure if he still lived here or even alive! I found the house, knocked on the door and he answered! We had a good chat and he was clearly pleased that I had turned up and that his C90 was still in safe hands. It also made me feel extremely good.

Sadly though he has be diagnosed with Parkinsons.

Into Burnham and along the sea front which had a much better look to it. The town itself was a little run down, but the views across the water were good. I say water, sand really as the tide was out!

Here I got chatting to an old boy who was also a keen motorcyclist, he was intrigued by the Ural.

I do enjoy chatting to these old boys about the bike and their old bikes, it's like a fire is lit in their eyes as soon as they start remembering their bikes and what they used to get up to.

It was here in Burnham I finally found a towel!

Heading back towards Cheddar via Wedmore I was starving, so decided to go to Cheddar Gorge once more and buy some Cheddar Cheese and eat it in the Gorge! Had to be done really! Along with some lush chutney, crusty bread, ham, salami and tomatoes still on the vine I feasted as I watched the countless bikers, boy racers and cyclists go up and down the Gorge

One thing did wind me up, and this was watching the cyclists. It's obviously a steep climb in places and they have to go slow as it's hard work cycling up the hill, so why not stay in single file instead of 3 or 6 abreast making cars coming down the hill swerve to avoid you!?

let alone the cars, coaches and motorbikes struggling to overtake you. Rant over.

I went back to the campsite and to my surprise find a VW camper parked right next to my tent!. The pitches are clearly marked so either the couple thought they could intimidate me and I would not say a word, or they were half wits.

One thing for sure is that they were not expecting a big fat hairy biker to turn up. I growled as I pulled up and I have never seen a pair pack and scoot off as quickly as they did.

Opposite me a party of chav's had set up. Music blaring, loads of shouting and the language was terrible.

I swear, in fact I swear a lot. I'm ex forces where the "F" word was used as a term of endearment, but one thing I do is kerb it in front of kids. I must say their kids were better behaved than they were. 

After 2300hrs the wardens had to come and tell them to turn off the music, which they complained about, but still carried on singing and shouting till the early hours.

Then at 0730 they were up and the music was back on again! 

No consideration for others what so ever, sad really.

As I was awake, brew on, and started to pack up my gear. It didn't take long. Yet again I packed too much clothes. I never wore half of it, in fact apart from clean underwear I stayed in the same gear!

I didn't really have a plan for heading home, but I did want to see Wells Cathedral.

As I dropped down the hill, which is a very long hill, I was greeted with an amazing view across the valley towards Glastonbury. You can just make out Glastonbury Tor if you look closely enough.

Wells Cathedral is amazing, I could of spent ages looking at all the stone carvings, there are just so many to look at. I did not go into town, I will save that for another day when Kiera is with me.

From here I headed through the lanes and picked up a sign for King Alfred's tower, a folly built as a grand and final gesture by the same man who built Stour Head gardens and it's many folly's. An imposing tower, which to be honest gives me the creeps!

I didn't hang around here at all. Not sure what it is about the place, just sense a bad feeling about the place.

Just outside of Shaftesbury is a set of hairpin bends called Zig Zag hill. I wanted to capture this hill with my GoPro. Set it up, hit record, and went up and down the hill. It wasn't till later that I discovered for some strange reason that it had not recorded!

Always another day!

And then I was home. 232 miles completed, not a massive amount of miles by my standards, but I really did enjoy my time on the Ural. Such a fun bike to ride.

The journey continues...........

Ural Motorcycle Sidecar - Collection Day June 2016

A train ride up to Wisbech to collect my Ural from David Angel at F2 Motorcycles!

The feeling of excitement and apprehension is almost too much to handle.

I've read everything there is to read on how to ride one of these contraptions, but to be honest I really have no idea how I am going to get on.

From what I can make out you either love it or hate it! Fingers crossed!

No problems with the trains or connections and arrived after a short journey in a taxi to find the Ural all ready to go.

I must say, David is an absolute star, taking his time to talk me through everything, a proper hand over.

With the paper work completed, I had a quick lesson up and down the track, but to be honest, nothing prepares you for what it is really like to ride a Ural for the first time on the open road!

To give you an idea, forget completely everything you know about riding a motorcycle!

Then you have to remember that the bike pulls to the left or to the right depending on whether you are accelerating or slowing down.

Then there is the camber of the road that pulls you either left or right, then a bend which you have to physically steer through then you begin to have an idea of what it is actually like.

It is also sluggish, if your looking for speed out of the big 750cc boxer engine then forget it, you have just bought the wrong bike!

I left David's and at my 2nd corner put myself in to the path of oncoming traffic!

For the first 20 odd miles I wondered how I could of been so stupid as to think that buying a Ural sidecar was a good idea!

But by the time I was home (200 miles later) I could not stop grinning, and I haven't since!

It is a head turning, mental beast to ride, being so much fun that even when it is chucking it down with rain you still want to ride it!

Kiera, loves being in it and I feel much better with her in the chair than sat behind me on the Varadero. The only thing she is not keen on is the official names for someone in the side car. Being referred to as either "ballast" or the "monkey" is not to her liking at all!

The off we had before our honeymoon departure really messed me up I'm afraid. This is the perfect set up for us!

We even go to Tesco in it!

The journey continues..............................

Ural Motorcycle - Dalesman 750cc May 2016

Whilst away on my last trip I went to take a look at a Ural Motorcycle and Sidecar.

To say I fell in love with the thought is an understatement!

So after a lot of searching, research and thought as to the practicalities of owning such a beast I have now got the blessing of my lovely wife to buy one!

Not wanting to waste any time at all all, please welcome to the stable the Ural Dalesman 750cc.

I collect it in a couple of weeks time!

I rode up to F2 Motorcycles at Wisbech and talked with David Angel the owner who was selling the bike, we agreed on a price plus a few extra's that I wanted fitting, such as leg shields, jerry can and a screen.

I also had a new spare tyre fitted and the rear seat removed and a luggage rack fittted instead.

The journey up was on the Varadero and it was wet, windy and to be honest a tad uncomfortable. 

But very happy with the bike and cannot wait to ride her home!

An Adventure - But Nothing Went To Plan! May 2016

Sometimes you just got to go with the flow!

I had a few days off, and I had decided to do something daft and attempt a monumental riding trip by doing all four points.

Lands End, St Davids, Lowestoft and John O'Groats.

Well, that was the plan, but it quickly transpired that this was not going to happen!

I set off bright and early with the bike all ready packed the night before.

I soon made it past Honiton and stopped for a much needed brew. It was a bit damp and a little chilly and my arse felt numb all ready!

Heading on down through Devon I arrived at Lands End where I blagged my way in for free and got my picture taken!

It was misty and I had my waterproof on to keep warm! From here I was now heading for St David's in Wales, I reckon I could get past Bodmin Moor and possibly to Exeter.

In the end I made it to Springfield Holiday Park. after a 335 mile day.



A great spot for just pulling in for the night if all you want is a pitch, great showers and loo's and during the summer there is even a pool!

The Vango Banshee 200 tent still like new and works a treat.

Next morning I wasn't away with the lark as planned, opting for a leisurely start. To be on target I needed to be away by 0500hrs. This was just not going to happen!

I was still away sharpish though and had a brew at Sedgemoor services on the M5.

Crossing over the River Severn I had made it into Wales.

It was then a long blast along the M4 and then continuing on straight out to the Welsh Coast.

I stopped at the services at the end of the M4 for a stretch of the legs, the sun was blazing down, completely different from the day before and I took on a load of water to keep myself hydrated.

Onto Haverfordwest, where I pulled into Tesco to buy some fresh food for dinner that night. I also bought a cool little camping chair!

It was still roasting hot, I booked into a campsite at Newgale and set off heading directly up the coast.

As I came down the hill and into Broad Haven I noticed the bike handling a little different, but I kept going, as I started to climb the hill I could feel the back end moving around.

Yep, I had a rear puncture! There was no way I was able to stop on the steep narrow hill so went very slowly till I found a place to pull over.

And this was as far as I got!

I could not see anything in the tyre like a nail or screw, but with the bike being very difficult to move with a flat decided to call out the AA to sort it out.

After an hour they turned up and we discovered that it would not hold air, and that there was a rather large problem with the tyre!

The tyre had split! Now the tyre was not that old or had very many miles on the clock, infact less than 2000 miles so why this would happen is still a mystery!

Maybe the heat? maybe the weight? Like I said a mystery.

One thing was for sure, I was not going anywhere else today!

Loaded up, and after numerous phone calls we managed to get the bike to a dealers at Clunderwen called Lamo's who had a tyre in stock that would fit and this would be done the next morning.

This left me with a dilemma, where to sleep tonight! I decided to check into a hotel in the same village as the dealer, as the nearest camp site was too far away and would involve taxis. I could walk from the hotel to the garage.

We left the bike round the back of the garage, hoping it would be still there in the morning and the AA man dropped me and my kit at the hotel.

I later found out that the guys from the garage went back later that evening and wheeled it into the garage - top lads!

I checked into the hotel called the Nantyffin Motel, which I have to say is the sort of place where the saying "any port in a storm" will do. It did just that, but only just!

After checking in, I was shown my room which was through via the dining room which happened to be hosting a dinner for the local bowls club that night.

I'm really not sure what they thought of a big hairy biker in full gear with panniers walking through their presentation evening!

By the time I had got everything to my room I was drenched with sweat. Before dinner I'll have a shower and freshen up.

Only to find the bloody water was freezing! No hot water at all. As you can imagine with my plans shot to pieces this was the final straw! 

I managed to get a shower, a very quick one, and went to the desk and managed to get a reduction on my room, and a free pint. I ended up with two free pints. I think the look on my face gave the impression I was not in the mood to be messed around!

Gammon, egg, chips and peas, which was good and needed. I later sat at the bar and enjoyed my second pint, where the barman kindly informed me "Sir, I believe you have a pea in your beard"!

Next morning at 1000hrs I called the garage to find out if the bike was done. It was and I walked up to the garage. Leaving all my gear to be collected from the Motel later.

With the tyre off you could clearly see the split!

I'm just glad that it did not decide to let go when I was sat at 70mph on the motorway! Could of been a whole different story!

I settled up and thanked the lads at the garage for helping me out so much, they were great.

Back at the Motel I Ioaded up and headed off once more.

Last night I had thought long and hard at what I was doing on this trip and why I was doing it.

I was really not enjoying the motorway riding, you get to see nothing and to be honest I found it a chore and boring.

The trip as it originally started out was no longer going to be a high speed endurance test.

This type of riding is definitely not for me. I prefer to bimble along on back roads taking my time and stopping often.

I had also decided that to even try to carry on with the original plan was foolish.

So this is where I decided to head up the coast and spend the night at Caernarfon at a camp site I have stayed at before - Riverside Camp Site.

On my way I stopped at Aberaeron for a brew and a stretch of the legs, the weather was wonderful, and following the coast road had some great views out to sea.

This was more like it, nice roads with fantastic views, I was back in my element and loving every second.

I pulled into Riverside camping and asked if they had any pitches left. I wasn't that hopeful as when I rode down through Llanberis pass it was mobbed, I have never seen it so busy!

Expecting them to say no we are full, they said yes, plenty of room and I managed to pitch in the exact same spot I was in the last time I was here!

Not only that but as I was walking back to my bike the owner came over and said Hi, back again, I remember you from last time! Brilliant!

 I had a relaxing evening, cooked my tea, read and showered and went to bed with the gurgle of the river in the back ground.

Next day I packed up after having a brew and a good breakfast.

Heading south, riding through some great roads with no real plan other than to get to Brecon tonight and stop at a little site that I stopped at last time I was over in Wales.

But first down through the Elan Valley, there are some amazing views as you ride through this area.

I rode to the campsite that I knew, and found the warden who was happy for me to stay. For the life of me I cannot remember the name of the site as there are 3 all within spitting distance of each other, so I cannot work it out even looking on line!

It was a nice surprise to find these at the bottom of my pannier! I'd forgotten all about them!

Right next to the campsite is a river.

This was my final night. The next morning I packed up and rode home, but I did stop off and take a look at a Ural Motorcycle and Sidecar set up, which I quite like the look of and would suit my style of travel.

Arriving home I had covered 1097 miles, the best days were after the puncture.

I have now decided that I will no longer chase big miles, but be happy to bimble along with no destination in mind.

The journey continues.....................................