Featured What you been doing with your TRIUMPH today??

So did I Sandi, I didn't know it until I drove through it again today. I've been through Flash before but years ago and can't recall seeing the sign. 1518 feet doesn't sound that high to me. I'm sure there must be higher "settlements" in Scotland but I guess it depends on what constitutes a "Village".


Edit.......Hmmmmmm?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wanlockhead

 

It was the only colour I could get but it's grown on me. I think I still prefer my old matt Khaki/Silver bike, just, but I'm very happy with the new one.

 

I was also intrigued to see the altitude, so googled a town in NZ Southern Alpine ranges for comparison and was surprised again.
Every days a school day @Pegscraper @Sandi T

National Park Village, it is the highest urban township in New Zealand, at (825 m) 2706 ft.

 

Yep, every day surely is a school day, @Dartplayer. I Googled to find out what the U.S. city with the highest altitude is. It's Leadville, Colorado at 10,152 feet! We rode right through there on our way home from Sturgis in August of 2019.

 

Mr. Sandi and I have had a holiday tradition for Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving for a number of years now. We ride the motorcycles to breakfast at either Waffle House or Denny's and leave our server a v-e-r-y large tip. We've both been servers before and know what a tough job it is and also what it's like work on major holidays. Well, Covid put the kibosh on our tradition for the past couple of years but now we're "back in the saddle".

Today after going to the 6:00am the Easter Sunday sunrise service at our church, we came home and walked Ellie, the Boxer. Then we hopped on our motorcycles--the Speed Triple for me today!--and rode to Waffle House. The weather was glorious; it was 70ºF when we set out and about 80ºF when we got home from the little rideout we did after our Waffle House feast.


I took one of the Easter bunnies we've collected over the years for a little pillion ride of sorts. I think he looks pretty happy! Probably because he's been cooped up in a dark closet since last Easter.




There are over 2,100 Waffle House locations in the U.S. The state with the most is Georgia at 439. Arizona has 15 and Tucson has four of those 15.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waffle_House



The Waffle House that Mr. Sandi and I go to has something special that the others in Tucson do not. They have Mr. Greeter, a really sweet guy named Freddie who takes his job very seriously. He greets patrons at the door, helps get them seated in an orderly fashion and in turn, and is just generally an all-around positive and helpful person. He has been working at this location for a number of years now and when he's not at the Waffle House, he's a greeter at a Walmart on the south side of Tucson. You won't get the full-wattage impact of his magnificent smile in these photos from today because he's still masking up. But believe me, he lights up a room!




Freddie directed us to a coveted seat at the breakfast bar. I love sitting here because you can watch the line cooks work like a well-oiled machine. And, believe me, there's a lot of oil! Anyway, it really is like an assembly line. Each person has a specific task to put out the food. One person does just bacon, ham, sausage. Another does the eggs. Yet another does toast and biscuits. And one person is in charge of all the waffles. Meanwhile the servers are like worker bees taking and delivering orders and keeping the coffee topped off and the customers happy. It's a blast to watch! Here's Mr. Sandi studying the menu with about half of the line cooks visible in the background.


We both had the All-Star Special, mine with country ham and Mr. Sandi's with bacon.




As we finished up our breakfast, we struck up a conversation with Bianca, a server we recognized and that we'd talked with many times before. We asked her how many years she had been working at this Waffle House and she told us she'd been there eight years....but that today was actually her last day. Mr. Sandi asked Bianca what her plans were and she replied that she would be going to work for a company called CalPortland driving a cement mixer truck! She proudly told us that she'd be the only female driver for CalPortland though they have two female drivers in a town south of Tucson called Rio Rico. We wished her luck and said we'd look for her whenever we saw a CalPortland truck.

My breakfast was outstanding! And large. But I finished every morsel.


After breakfast we took advantage of the gorgeous weather and rode over Gates Pass and through Saguaro National Park West. The whole loop on the day was about 55 miles. It was a beautiful ride that capped off a beautiful morning--sunrise Easter service, a walk with Ellie, a delicious breakfast at a funky and fun place, and a great motorcycle ride with my beloved hubby on my Speed Triple. I am truly blessed and truly grateful.

 

So bike season started yesterday for me.
I’ve had a busy winter with a build project ( new timber framed garage and conservatory) so yesterday was the first time out properly on the Speed Triple. The plan was to go to The Super Sausage Cafe en route to Silverstone for the British Superbike round.
The day dawned bright and very still. Up early in eager anticipation. Didn’t sleep that well as I was so looking forward to getting out on the bike…
I now have to do the car and bike shuffle to get the bike out.
As I’ve built the garage and conservatory on our old driveway I now have to take the car out of the garage and then move a few bits of furniture in the conservatory, open the doors into the garage , set up the bike ramp that allows me to get down into the garage and wiggle the bike out backwards through the conservatory and garage. Park the bike, move the car back in etc etc. It’s a bit of a faff but but it’s worth it….
Once all that was done I was off.
Out onto the A41 and then along the A413, Aylesbury to Buckingham road . This is the best road locally. It’s about 20 miles of great fast curves, elevation changes and lovely views across the Vale of Aylesbury. As I left home at around 08.00 there was little Sunday traffic so I could get a bit of a move on, although I was mindful of scrubbing in my new Road 5 Michelin tyres….
As I approached one of the little villages along the 413 I caught up with a Honda Fireblade rider. He was riding really nicely. Quick on the open roads and steady through the speed limits. I just tucked in behind him and we rode in tandem along the 413. Just two bikers having respect for other road users but enjoying their Sunday. . As we pulled off the 413 he took all the turns I was going to take and I followed him the next 20 odd miles as he was heading to the Sausage as well.
As we got into the car park I pulled in and parked alongside him. Fist bumps and smiles all round….What great start to my Sunday.
The Super Sausage was not too busy. Scrambled eggs on toast for brekkies. Cup of coffee and off to Silverstone with a buddy I’d met at the Cafe.
Only about 10 miles from the cafe to the circuit.
Parked up in the sea of bikes and a days racing was ahead of us.
It was just great to see so many fans back at the circuit. Probably not as busy as previous years but, a great days racing was enjoyed.
Then back on the Speed triple to do the route in reverse. A bit more traffic on the rerun leg but a lovely ride home. Woke up this morning with a real feeling of satisfaction.
What a great day….

 

Thank you @Sandi T and @Oldskool for the great write-ups. Really enjoyed them as I had family commitments and a garden that needed some attention, so didn’t get on the bike yesterday.

 

I was looking at the pictures of your Scrambler and thinking how fantastic it looks in those colours.

 

@Helmut Visor and I had a nice ride into Wales today, me obviously on the Striple and him on the Tuono. We went first to Abergavenny for a coffee and were going to go on to Crossgates but were getting rained on and it looked pretty miserable over that way so we revised our plans and went to Bronllys where the plan was to stop for some lunch at the Honey Cafe. Stop we did, but they had just had a big group come in and there was going to be a long wait so we got back on our bikes, went through Hereford and on to Dom's Bike Stop for a bite to eat and another coffee which we enjoyed in the rain and then on again home. Ride number 13 for me on the Striple (I am sad enough to document these things for myself..... ).

The Bike Safe course has made a big difference to my confidence and riding, it was exactly the right thing for me to have done at this stage in my biking "career" I think - having a professional assess me really has allowed me to believe in what I can do, if that makes any sense at all to anyone but me.

No photos I am afraid though today.....

 

Sounds like a good day out, getting more confidence. The mrs. and I were out for the 4rth time together yesterday (nothing sad about keeping track.. ). Just trundling along, letting her get used to the bike. Racking up the miles before going to France next month.

 

@Helmut Visor doesn't believe in trundling .

Hope Mrs V is loving it as much as I am - I am certain she will be!!

 

Nor do I, really. But there's no point in overasking when the ability and confidence are not there yet... she was going to sign up for an agility course but all were fully booked. We find watching the footage of my rear and front camera's helpful to point things out.

 

That does sound pretty useful, good idea!

 

She does love it - getting more brave every time we get out. She's just one that needs time to get confident, so no point in rushing things.

 

None, we do this to enjoy it after all!!

 

Well done, I hope you're happy with your choice. I like the look of the older ones, but hey, to each their own!

 

Congratulations @Dawsy . Very exciting!

 

Congratulations! Lovely bike of course!
It’s brilliant fun and don’t forget about sports mode as it makes a big difference!

 

Well done Dawsy… Good luck with the new bike. I love mine .. I think the new one has got a fair bit more go than the old one. But it retains the midrange grunt. Perfect combination I reckon. Enjoy it ..

 

Interestingly, I had to get out the handbook to refresh my memory about what mode I had mine in and yes, it is in Sport mode. I tried them all but ended up in this mode. I’m not one to fiddle about with these and once I’ve found a set up I just leave it all there.