Featured What you been doing with your TRIUMPH today??

I absolutely agree Andy. But that is what makes it so rewarding. You’re in the moment so much. Nothing else matters …

 

Thanks for sharing all the terrific photos from Bike Night, @Mrs Visor! What a great collection and variety of bikes. I have to admit I'm a bit surprised by how many Harleys there seemed to be there. Looks like it was a very fun event. I'm glad that motorcycles events are starting up again!

 

Harleys and all makes of cruiser seem to be really gaining popularity here at the moment @Sandi T amongst all sorts of riders. I wonder if all the younger riders getting them were influenced by Sons of Anarchy as I have seen a few people say that is why they decided to get a licence so it wouldn't surprise me if that was a pretty common reason.

 

That's really interesting, @Mrs Visor. I guess anything that encourages younger folks to become new riders is a welcome thing so as to keep motorcycling alive. Sons of Anarchy really influenced (or perhaps was influenced by??) a niche motorcycle style here in the U.S. commonly known as West Coast Club Style. Just Google that and you'll see tons of photos which will immediately bring to mind the bikes portrayed in Sons of Anarchy. It is interesting that you've observed cruisers becoming more popular in the UK. For awhile here in the U.S. they seemed somewhat on a downhill slide. It would be interesting to see some stats on all this.

 

It would be interesting to see stats. I have found some, but they're not really specific enough. I have to admit I don't think our roads are best - suited to the larger cruisers, or definitely not the part of the country we live in as the roads can be pretty narrow and twisty; I always think of them in American movies on long straight roads stretching into the distance (in other words, my biased preconceptions). When I was growing up almost everyone was on sports bikes or off - road bikes apart from MCCs so that probably influences me too.

 

Took the day off on Thursday. Installed a hugger mudguard to the wife's Tiger 900 GT Pro, then headed out for a ride around the rolling Hampshire countryside on the Speedy RS
Then booked it in for the 12k service (going to be an ouch moment)

 

Waiting for the guys to turn up. I’m always bloody early!

 

I usually am too!!! Looks like you're in for a good day though.

 

Been riding at every opportunity, I've had the call from the neurosurgeons admission secretary to say my operation is scheduled for the 29th of April, after that I can't drive or ride my bike for two months. I was supposed to be having 2 rods and 4 screws to fuse some vertebrae but they've decided that to avoid me having further operations in a few years I'm having 2 titanium rods and 6 screws plus bone grafts to fuse 3 vertebrae. It's a real pisser that this is happening during spring/summer but I should be back riding by late June if all goes well. He's the top guy in Wales so I'm happy to be getting this done. The bummer though is that's also the day we're exchanging contracts on our new (150 year old) house, so poor Mrs W will have a lot to deal with.

 

As a rule, I ovoid riding weekends and bank holidays because of all the extra traffic on the roads, especially the packs of cyclists, joggers and horses on the quiet roads I like. But the weather was just too perfect to not go out for a few hours relaxed riding, and that new clutch cable won't bed itself in

 

What a terrific photo, @brown mouse! Very idyllic.

 

It is interesting that American movies do seem to promote that dream of "cruising down the highway". In reality, there are lots of very twisty, hilly back roads in the U.S. and we see lots of cruisers on those roads (including our own). Our riding group always opts to take those types of routes when we travel and tour and always avoid freeways and interstates--which tend to be those long straight roads. That said, there are some long straight roads that are spectacular. This one, as an example. This was back on my very first long motorcycle trip and is Monument Valley in southeastern Utah. That's my (long gone) Harley "Switchback" in the foreground.

 

Aye, my favourites were in Colorado and Wyoming, fantastic.

 

Yep, I've driven that road - very awe-inspiring. Fond memories...

 

I hope all goes smoothly with your surgery and ensuing recovery and healing, @PatW. A couple of years ago I was off my bikes for 7 months due to a bicycle crash, broken bones, and surgery. I missed is terribly but time did go by and eventually I was back out again. So I can commiserate with you. Just try hard to be patient--though I know that is WAY easier said than done!

 

Yes @Sandi T I'm not blessed with an abundance of patience.

 

I'm not either, Pat, but I sure learned some. Perhaps this is your "opportunity" to do the same? I will tell you that I really appreciate the simple act of being able to go out and ride my bike now more than ever!

 

I've been laid up unable to ride for months on a few occasions down the years, it doesn't get any easier especially this time of year but Mrs W will batter me if I don't follow Drs orders.

 

Snap, I’m always early as well.

I’ll wish you a speedy recovery mate.

 

Thanks, appreciate it.