So, where did you ride your F800 today? :)

[UKRider]

Consider this a thread not for globe-circling tours or death-defying achievements, but just reports of little throwaway day rides that we do because we like to ride F800s. 30 mile coffee runs, trips through a forest, a visit to a shop or beach for fun. Try to include a pic, location, miles, condition. If you've done something major, do a separate post.

Here's a small ride I did yesterday-- Pinner to Leatherhead in the UK, to visit a GetGeared motorcycle shop. 70 miles round trip. 50 miles up and back on the M25. Pic:



A few notes-- the ride was fun for me, because I needed cleaning supplies (SDoc100, ACF 50. visor and helmet cloths) and this was the first time I tossed the Vario panniers back on the F700 since the day I drove her home. GetGeared has good ratings as a shop, but I was a little underwhelmed by their selection, and it didn't seem like anything was on sale (like I hoped it would be). I believe the Infinity Motorcycles shop in London (Great Portland Street) is better, at least in terms of selection and some sale prices. Before spring, I'd like a pair of kevlar jeans...

One thing about the ride-- the M25 was windy going down, but the tail wind coming back made it an entirely different ride. There was still frost on some of the small, neighborhood roads to look out for. Shop guys were nice-- one asked about how I liked my Helite vest. I need recommendations for cool gear shops within decent driving distance.

Okay, that's a throwaway ride. So, where did your 800 today?

UKRider

p.s. Happy new year to everyone. Now I'm off to take my daughter out for dinner.

[Carlos Fandango]

Nice write up Jim, glad you managed to brave it, have a good New Year!

[Carlos Fandango]

Managed to get out early this morning after the bike being laid up for three weeks because of the icy roads.

65 mile round trip and met a couple of mates in Banbury for breakfast, very cold but a lovely morning and great to be back out, tried out my new Spidi Voyager 2 jacket which was brilliant, mega warm and very comfortable even with a big Forcefield back protector in, also tried my new TomTom Rider which worked seamlessly, so although only a short ride, just what I needed!

[UKRider]

Managed to get out early this morning after the bike being laid up for three weeks because of the icy roads.

65 mile round trip and met a couple of mates in Banbury for breakfast, very cold but a lovely morning and great to be back out, tried out my new Spidi Voyager 2 jacket which was brilliant, mega warm and very comfortable even with a big Forcefield back protector in, also tried my new TomTom Rider which worked seamlessly, so although only a short ride, just what I needed!

Sounds great. At least it was sunny this morning. Tom Tom has been good for the iPhone, at least when the phone isn't crashing. I'm glad you got out.

[UKRider]

Just for fun, I rolled off 225 miles today and visited Orford on the Suffolk Coast and the Heaths Area of Oustanding Beauty:









It was just about 36 degrees F when I started this morning, and I was lucky to have three chemical hand warmers going in my Bering Gizmo jacket. There were some high winds during the ride, the the low weight and low front end of the F700 with original windscreen handled them fine. The low winter sun was hard on the eyes a few times, but it was a great ride. There was a small tea house on the water front at Orford where I was happy to have a toasted bacon and brie sandwich and two Americanos to warm up. I look forward to visiting again.



UKRider

[Carlos Fandango]

Good for you Jim, what a great days adventure, I agree about the sun, on the way back around 10.30 am it was blinding.

[Bill the Cat]

Good idea Jim. Don't we usually do an F800riders "calendar" thread? Post up a pic or two of a ride (any ride) from 2014. Just has to have an F800 in it somewhere.

Here's one from a short Sierras ride and another from just a backyard coastal ride.

[Carlos Fandango]

Just planning our first overnight adventure for the year, the round trip needs to be around 200 miles, roads have to be empty and winding, company has to be exceptional, accommodation has to be comfortable, beer and food must be excellent, I'll keep you updated!!!

[UKRider]

Good idea Jim. Don't we usually do an F800riders "calendar" thread? Post up a pic or two of a ride (any ride) from 2014. Just has to have an F800 in it somewhere.

Here's one from a short Sierras ride and another from just a backyard coastal ride.

I like the pics-- great road and skies. I'm about 100 miles from coastline, but I have several to choose from. I hope to do a one day circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight, for example, which would be about 250 miles round trip.

I just realized that after 1500 miles, I still haven't rode my F700 in any temps above 50 degrees F. I wonder what it will be like...

UKRider

[UKRider]

Keep us posted-- I also need to start planning a two or three night trip. I think I might start with the Lake District, since I know some hostels there but I've only visited by train. The trick may to get the right time of year, since the traffic has been terrible on some of my visits there.

I had an interesting ride last night-- 70 miles in the dark, mostly raining or misting, in rush hour traffic with high winds. The F700 was completely planted in the crosswinds, which was great. I was concerned on the twisty country roads of exiting a corner and over a fallen tree limb. I wouldn't like that...

UKRider

[Carlos Fandango]

I'm looking at the Malverns, from Oxford the route through the Cotswolds via Stow On The Wold and Evesham is fantastic, quiet roads, great scenery, thinking of stopping overnight in Ludlow and then returning via Birmingham and the National Motorcycle Museum if we have time.

[TNT]

I cut a slot in the snow/ice to get out to the open street. Then a short ride around town to test my heated seat.

[UKRider]

I cut a slot in the snow/ice to get out to the open street. Then a short ride around town to test my heated seat.

Nice set up with the seat. I notice a Trout sticker-- do you fish? (We had some UK trout for dinner last night.)

UKRider

[UKRider]

I did another "park ride" to Waltham Abbey in Lee Valley Park yesterday.









Roundtrip was about 75 miles. Temp range was 2.5 C to 7 C. Only strange bit was that I did a second ACF 50 coat to the frame, engine, kickstands, etc., as some must have been on the discs because my brakes were spongy for the first half of the ride but back to normal by the end.

UKRider

[Will]

Only two short rides this month 83 miles and a 60 miler.
I've just been looking through some club diaries from 1990/1/2/3/4/5 when we seemed to be more active in the winter months. It must be an age thing when the has more appeal than my garage where the temperature yesterday was only a freezing 2 degrees C. Wake me up in March!

PS - Just started snowing again so it's more hibernation time. 10 years ago today I was enjoying summer in New Zealand.

[Carlos Fandango]

It was milder last winter, so I was out more

[TNT]

Nice set up with the seat. I notice a Trout sticker-- do you fish? (We had some UK trout for dinner last night.)

UKRider

yes, I just got a new four peace fly rod for the bike at Xmas time. Now I will get to ride and fish.

[UKRider]

yes, I just got a new four peace fly rod for the bike at Xmas time. Now I will get to ride and fish.

My son is a fisherman in the family, and he likes your idea. Growing up in Orgeon, I can think of relatively cool fishing spots that could be accessed by bike and then enjoyed. Someday, I'd like to take a month just for a circumnavigation of Oregon for fun, camping all the way.

Meanwhile, I need to decide between taking my bike to France or Norway for a multi-day trip this summer.

I did one of my normal 70 mile rides yesterday, starting at 7 a.m. and 0 degres C for most of the first half. The roads simply looked greasy, and I was so slow and cautious that it was somewhat dull. The bike is also covered in dirt, and my helmet and visor was covered in brown dirt by the mid-way point. I think my visor cloth was all but wrecked after cleaning the visor.

UKRider

[UKRider]

Just got back from a 150 mile ride today. I'm informally starting to visit biker cafes throughout the UK, and today I rode to the The Cabin Dairy in Burnham-on-Crouch. I particularly liked the twists and turns of the last six miles into the town. I walked the river front and then had a roast beef with horseradish on granary bread, nice coffee and bread pudding to warm up. Temp range was 7 degrees to .5 degrees C. The F700 was flawless, and it was a fun winter ride.

The food and service at the Cabin Dairy was great. The only surprise was how small and chopped up the interior was-- unless there were larger rooms I didn't see, the place was pretty small inside. The waitstaff liked to share how crowded the town is with motorcycles in the summer, and a crew showed up just as I was leaving.















So, where did you ride today?

[Carlos Fandango]

After a couple of weeks of cold foul weather I managed to get out this afternoon for a couple of hours and rode a circular route of around 80 miles, conditions were a bit damp and slippery but it was a lovely scenic route.

First stop was Faringdon



And coffee, cake and a read of the papers



Then on to Lechlade, a very pretty little market town on the Oxfordshire/Gloucestershire borders



I then rode on to Bibury which is a stunning Cotswold village and a very busy, popular tourist stop, you can see why...







Then a fast 20 mile ride along the A40 home to Oxford.

[UKRider]

After a couple of weeks of cold foul weather I managed to get out this afternoon for a couple of hours and rode a circular route of around 80 miles, conditions were a bit damp and slippery but it was a lovely scenic route.

Great report. I like your paint color, but I am jealous that your bike is cleaner than mine. Also, where is your chain?

If the weather holds, I might aim for another cafe next week. I also have some possible days off in February, so I'm pondering a first over nighter. Maybe I can find a hostel on the Isle of Wight and go stare at the boats. (We used to keep a 34 footer at Gosport.)

Thanks for adding the trip report-- it wasn't a bad weekend for riding.

UKRider

[Carlos Fandango]

Like you I'm pondering a first over nighter of the year, also thinking about taking a cheeky Friday off and riding up to the National Motorcycle Museum with a pal of mine, just need the weather to be a bit more pleasant, it was really slippery and greasy yesterday, especially on the B roads.

I can't believe there are so few posts on this excellent thread, I'd love to see what people are up to and where they are riding to, unless of course everyone has their bike tucked up under a cover in the garage on SORN!

[Will]

..................unless of course everyone has their bike tucked up under a cover in the garage on SORN!

That's about the strength of it, Salt On Roads Now !

[Seasider]

I'm just riding to work most days; not very exciting, athough riding along the Sussex coast is quite pircturesque as far as rides to work go.

[TNT]

I rode to work. I think it was the first time I was able to ride into work in January. I leave at 4am it Was 32*f , but was a good ride.

[Carlos Fandango]

I had a morning to myself so I decided to take an 80 miles circular route which I planned on my TomTom Rider, it was cold (about 5C) but still great to be out. Firstly had a stop for coffee and a bacon roll at Henley On Thames



Then a fantastic twisty route from Caversham to Goring On Thames, not too much on the road so managed to press on a bit.



Then back home to Oxford via Wallingford and Benson.

The weather was dry but very cloudy, damp and greasy, the irony was the the sun broke through just as I got home and the afternoon has been lovely here.

My trusty ST was a perfect companion, however it'll need a good clean this weekend!

[UKRider]

Great post-- your pictures make the weather look better than it likely was. Also, I know what it looks like to to have so much dirt on the bike this time of year. Lately, I've been having to clean my helmet visors four times a day-- so much dirty water, or salty water, misting up on motorways and roads.

I have a little time off next week, so I might do an Isle of Wight run.

Also, there seems to be a pile of new speed cameras on the M25 flashing like crazy. Ugh...

[Carlos Fandango]

I fancy a seaside run next time, thinking of doing Lymington, 200 miles round trip so I'll need a full day

Photos were taken off the internet as it was so dull and cloudy mine looked awful

[Timbo]

No pictures Im afraid but used the bike for work today for the first time in weeks, to Hereford and back, in all about 100 miles, never got above 4C, very glad of the Gerbing Jacket. Never passed one other bike, 2 scooters in the centre of Hereford and that was it.

[Carlos Fandango]

Lovely dry day here today, perfect for a ride out, glad you managed to get out Tim

[Timbo]

Lovely dry day here today, perfect for a ride out, glad you managed to get out Tim

Road from Abergavenny to Hereford was a bit damp with a fair bit of mud from the Tractors but not too bad, on the way home the Sun was trying to make an appearance but the Temp was dropping like a stone, lets just hope all the ACF50 I have been applying over the last couple of months does its job.

[UKRider]

No pictures Im afraid but used the bike for work today for the first time in weeks, to Hereford and back, in all about 100 miles, never got above 4C, very glad of the Gerbing Jacket. Never passed one other bike, 2 scooters in the centre of Hereford and that was it.

It is surprising how few bikes are out, even on the weekends. I just got back from 70 miles, and it was chilly but the heated Bering jacket and heated grips did the trick. I saw only a few other riders.

I'll confess to ordering two more jackets today, both with big winter mark-downs. A full leather jacket from Oxford (Atom) and a summer mesh jacket from Spada. Next, I'd like to figure out kevlar jeans and buy a pair. I also signed up for Bikesafe day on May 3rd.

I might aim for another cafe on Saturday. Last weeked I had a nice pastry and coffee stop off at the Ace Cafe on Saturday.

[GaryW]

Nice ride on A1A on the east coast of Florida. 50 miles!


Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

[Will]

I had a short ride of just 60 miles in nice mild weather. Met up with another rider and a club member for a brew and a natter. Our bikes were the only other two-wheelers on the road.

[Carlos Fandango]

Where is the photo taken Will?

[Norfolk UK]

Where is the photo taken Will?

And is that a "For Sale" sign hanging on the back !?

[Will]

Where is the photo taken Will?

Hi Carlos, the photo was taken in Settle Market Place adjacent to the traffic lights.
The bike is not advertised for sale, the sign was to let any stragglers where we were eating.

Full breakfast, 2 eggs, 2 rashers of bacon, 2 sausages, tomatoes, mushrooms, beans and fried bread for £4.50 !!

[Carlos Fandango]

What's the number plate? Looks like a couple of letter and the number 1, worth a bit more than the bike!

I have a couple of plates but never thought of putting either on my bike, you see very few motorcycles with cherished plates.

[Will]

What's the number plate? Looks like a couple of letter and the number 1, worth a bit more than the bike!

I have a couple of plates but never thought of putting either on my bike, you see very few motorcycles with cherished plates.

The plate was a late retirement present to myself in 1995, 3 letters and the 1.

[UKRider]

I just got back from a longish 245 mile trip to Margate and about. 5-10 degrees C. Worst parts were 50 miles of M25 (boring) and dozens of miles of a cold drizzle that cooled me down over the first 110 miles. I was feeling stiff by the time I reached Margate because of the temps and dampness. Comfort saddle was fine.

My destination was the Turner Contemporary art gallery on the Margate waterfront. Excellent choice. No admisson fee, great exhibits, and a fine cafe. I had the JWW Turner hash for lunch-- a duck egg on potatoes, chorizo, sausage and bacon. That Turner was a genius!

I spent a few minutes on the promenade and then headed back through some fun traffic in London. I did the Blackwall Tunnel for the first time-- I've never done a tunnel with so many turns in it.

I skipped the London Bike Show (having recently been to NEC), and I greatly preferred the long ride to Margate (even with the cold and light rain).











I still haven't decided on an overnighter for this week (or not).

UKRider

[Carlos Fandango]

Good choice of destination Jim, we used to have a childhood holidays in a caravan in Margate! It's all gentrified now with highbrow galleries and organic food! It was kiss me quick hats and amusement arcades 40 years ago, glad you had a good ride, keep the reports coming!

[UKRider]

Good choice of destination Jim, we used to have a childhood holidays in a caravan in Margate! It's all gentrified now with highbrow galleries and organic food! It was kiss me quick hats and amusement arcades 40 years ago, glad you had a good ride, keep the reports coming!

Thanks. I just booked my ferry ride from Lymington to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight for this Wednesday. 7:00 a.m. start from home, 10:00 a.m. sail to the island (40 minutes), 3:00 p.m. sail back to the mainland and ride home. Should be fun-- I haven't even thought of where to go on the island yet. We used to sail there often (and to Lymington), so I might sneak into the Folly Inn for a crewpot. Maybe I'll see Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

By the way, your call name (Carlos Fandango) was mentioned by Guy Martin in his recent show about motorcycling in India. In the segment when he was strapped to a colorful para-glider, he said something like he felt like Carlos Fandango.

[Carlos Fandango]

Here is the background to my pseudonym

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqqZ28m8uCo

[TNT]

Cool pic with Guy Martin.

[UKRider]

Here is the background to my pseudonym

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqqZ28m8uCo

Great. Now I want to take up smoking skinny cigars...

I hope you don't rike like he drives.

[Carlos Fandango]

Ironically after 25 years of not smoking my wife bought me a lovely fat Havana cigar for my 50th earlier this year, just waiting for an opportunity to light it up! I don't have an Anglia 105E though, I was more of an Escort man!

[UKRider]

Okay, getting a little more serious now.

Did a 250 mile run yesterday to do a single day tour of the Isle of Wight:



I had to start at 7 a.m. in -2 degree C temps, but it was worth it to ride the 100 miles to Lymington for the 10 a.m. ferry.



One has to love the southern coast of the island on a sunny day:



Best part of the ride? The 13 mile Military Road from the Needles down to the southern tip of the island:



In fact, I don't think I found a bad road on the island (compared to what I normally ride). I had lunch at the Folly Inn on the River Medina:





The ferry ride back was also great:


I'm posting a longer, fuller report over on ADVrider: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1044908

Still tired from the ride-- took a break from the bike today, but I'm thinking Saturday might be another good day for a ride. Pretty surprising where one can go on a single sunny day...

UKRider

[Carlos Fandango]

You lucky devil, that was an epic days adventure, I'm down in Bucklers Hard next weekend overnight with some friends to celebrate my belated 50th, lovely part of the country.

[UKRider]

You lucky devil, that was an epic days adventure, I'm down in Bucklers Hard next weekend overnight with some friends to celebrate my belated 50th, lovely part of the country.

I almost feel guilty-- the A3005 Military Road was completely empty. I could have blown my license doing 130 down that f'ing road. It was simply another level of life riding that tarmac this week.

Second part of the detailed ride report is on ADV: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1044908 I will post the last part tomorrow night.

BTW, have you ever been up to the park above The Needles? There's a cool installation there that you can walk around that was the UK Rocketry program:



http://www.redfunnel.co.uk/island-gu...sting-station/

Now, I have to decide on a ride for tomorrow (but not this ambitious...). I wonder if I've earned a breakfast at the Ace tomorrow morning...

UKRider

[UKRider]

Hmmm. This entire forum area is very quiet... Where are people riding?

Last Saturday the weather wasn't bad, so I did a 120 mile run that included a visit to Bletchley Park (http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk/) the original site of the secret decoding operations during WWII. (Recently in the film The Imitation Game.)





They even had a very large model of a WWII U-boat used in the film Enigma.



What was cool was that up to 3,000 messages a day were delivered to Bletchley Park, many by motorcycle dispatch riders. There were several bikes and displays about them:







So, riding back from Bletchley Park, it was fun to think about the dispatch riders of that time (some or many were women), who rode up to 1200 miles a week on BSAs or Nortons, in all weather conditions, delivering dispatches. Those must have been interesting times.

UKRider