Road riding for pleasure - what pleasure?

[D.S.]

I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that riding a bike on UK roads purley for pleasure is over for me.
Considering that:
1. I only ride for pleasure and as a hobby;
2. I'm fortunate enough to be able to ride whenever I want at weekends in a warm dry climate;
3. I don't rely on bikes for a social life.

I just don't enjoy:
1. The constant attention we get from the old bill
2. The congestion
3. The appaling road conditions & lack of road maintenance
4. The lack of interesting roads (relatively)
5. The lack of anywhere decent to go

So, does anyone else share my glumness or have I taken a page out of Victor Meldrew's book? :dunno:

 

[Fat Bert]

Oi Snack Pot

Understand where you're coming from but try some different roads away from the south?

Fancy the Cat and Fiddle?

If you come up - I'll buy you dinner [serious] !!

Whilst in West Wales last week I saw ONE Gatso

Nuff said?

 

[gypsy]

Whilst in West Wales last week I saw ONE Gatso





And ran into 23 others

 

[roXXo]

The UK is a quite big you know DS.

There really are some fantastic biking roads. Just explore a bit more.
I am sure that you'll find things are not so bad.

:beer:

 

[stan the man]

Whilst in West Wales last week I saw ONE Gatso

Nuff said?

don't go into swansea then bert :} but yeh......out of town,and the roads are gatso and relatively plod free,especially the great biking roads(A483,A487 to name a few)so DS, if you fancy it...you know where we are :yo:

 

[frenchuk]

I'll reply with something I posted a while ago

I love biking. I love long distance touring, I love enjoying the sometime breathtaking scenery which I wouldn't even spot if I was in a car, I love physically feeling the scenery with my body, I love feeling the wind, I love commuting at city speed in London, I love thrashing and leaning in the twisties within my own humble limits while pushing them when safe, I love long motorway journeys, I love riding in the sun, in the rain, even a hurricane once (although I shat myself senseless), I love watching skillful people doing stuff I can't do, I love help people with stuff I learnt, I love riding with other bikers, I love riding alone, I love gearing up prior to travelling, I love arriving feeling physically tired but happy, I love the community feeling because it's still there despite what some bitter people say, I love the support I received when I needed it, I love giving support when I can, I love biking despite the fact I can die from it - and almost died from it few times, and will continue to enjoy it until I physically can't anymore or die from it. I love biking.

 

[stan the man]

very well put pee air....says it all mate :yo: :yo:

 

[frenchuk]

I'm confused. Do you like biking or not man?

Biking? fuck that for a game of soldiers - or for DGC (Dirty Gay Chorizo), fuck that for a game WITH soldiers.

 

[bitontheside]

Pierre :bow: :bow:

 

[D.S.]

Good for you Pierre - I'm pleased for you.

So, I've got to ride for miles on poorly maintained, heavily policed & heavily congested roads just to get to some decent roads? Not to mention the ever detoriating quality of driving in the UK!
Kinda defeats the objective doesn't it? :dunno:
I can probably jump on a plane and reach biking nirvana in the same time or be 200 miles into France by the time I can get to Derby Bert :} .

 

[Duck n Dive]

Good for you Pierre - I'm pleased for you.

So, I've got to ride for miles on poorly maintained, heavily policed & heavily congested roads just to get to some decent roads? Not to mention the ever detoriating quality of driving in the UK!
Kinda defeats the objective doesn't it? :dunno:
I can probably jump on a plane and reach biking nirvana in the same time or be 200 miles into France by the time I can get to Derby Bert :} .

Youv'e got S.A.D. M8. sit in front of a bright light and repeat "it's July, it's July". Then look out the window at the rain and you'll know you're right.

 

[RHINO]

Oi 'DIRTY' are you not trying to sell me a bike then

Your supposed to praising the country and saying how smooth and free the roads are.
I used to think like Pierre (until i saw his gloves) thank fook i changed.

 

[frenchuk]

I used to think like Pierre (until i saw his gloves) thank fook i changed.

O? you split sack fat bastard you ride an eye abuser and you take the piss out of my gloves? Pot and kettle spring to mind!:f
Joe I agree with you 100%, France and Spain offer great roads - France is more and more heavily policed though so do be careful!

 

[Rods]

i understand where ds is coming from. i also have to ride for about 1 1/2 hours now to find roads that are any good that i don't know like the back of my hand. next summer i hope to do more trips abroad (hopefully 3 to europe, and at least on to scotland and wales). i think the uk does have good roads, but sometimes they're either difficult to find, or they no longer provide the excitement they once did :dunno:

 

[roXXo]

Whatever butters your muffin.

I have just as much enjoyment on my XR250 blatting through winter shit, green laning, exploring back roads, the coast, anywhere, any weather.

Motorcycling is a way of life.
Enjoy

1. Roxxo, urban commando saddo
2. The desolate Lincolnshire coast
3. my off road day in derbyshire with OTT

 

[AlexBlack]

I hear you ...

I agree totally... I've had the bird four months now and I've done....1000 miles!!!
When I got my first bike I did that in a couple of weeks!

If it's not the weather that stops me, then I can't be arsed because of traffic/police/crap roads.. So I end up not riding at all...

But :agree with roxxo!! I'm seriously considering getting an offroader... any weather, any time, no traffic, not really any plod. Just a shame that the rambler bastards are taking all the green lanes..

What's the solution???

While we're at it, has anyone done any/many track days on the bird and what's it like? cos i figure that's got to be the nicest place to ride even if it does make your arse pucker a bit!!

 

[Cyclops]

I agree totally... I've had the bird four months now and I've done....1000 miles!!!
When I got my first bike I did that in a couple of weeks!

If it's not the weather that stops me, then I can't be arsed because of traffic/police/crap roads.. So I end up not riding at all...

But :agree with roxxo!! I'm seriously considering getting an offroader... any weather, any time, no traffic, not really any plod. Just a shame that the rambler bastards are taking all the green lanes..
What's the solution???

While we're at it, has anyone done any/many track days on the bird and what's it like? cos i figure that's got to be the nicest place to ride even if it does make your arse pucker a bit!!

Yeah cheeky Bastids wanting to walk down green lane !!!!!!!!




What ever next they will want to walk on the pavements

 

[frenchuk]

While we're at it, has anyone done any/many track days on the bird and what's it like? cos i figure that's got to be the nicest place to ride even if it does make your arse pucker a bit!!

Please please don't get them started, all the track gods are going to be here in a minute to bore the pants out of you! Riding on track is all about fun and toys but real riding in real conditions is on the road, full stop! w;;v

 

[Wolfie]

Please please don't get them started, all the track gods are going to be here in a minute to bore the pants out of you! Riding on track is all about fun and toys but real riding in real conditions is on the road, full stop! w;;v

Amen :bow: :bow:

just dont keep sitting/laying down on them :beer: :beer:

 

[RHINO]

Please please don't get them started, all the track gods are going to be here in a minute to bore the pants out of you! Riding on track is all about fun and toys but real riding in real conditions is on the road, full stop! w;;v

I'll go with that 'Pierre' i love road riding, all aspects, most conditions. The sheer thrill of it all, the skill in keeping rubber side down and the freedom to be your own boss and go anywhere you like.......Although i cannot get out as much as i'd like, i still enjoy riding the wheels off it when i do get out.

If my 'EyeAbuser' is a much fun as the 'XX' has been then Johnny will be a happy bunny.