Featured What you been doing with your TRIUMPH today??

Yes, @Pegscraper, we do get some rain in Tucson. I think our average annual rainfall is about 13 inches. Tucson is about 400 miles from Lake Mead/Hoover Dam on the route that we ride so, yes, I'd say that it's probably about 350 as the crow flies. We have heard lots about humans remains showing up due to the ultra-low water levels in the lake. And based on Vegas' association in years past with organized crime, I don't that's the last of the remains to be found. Yes, sadly AND alarmingly, the lake is the lowest it has ever been. Water concerns and issues are ongoing here in the desert.

 

This morning I FINALLY washed the wheels on my Speed Triple! And boy did they need it. I didn't even snap a "Before" photo as it was far too embarrassing! I manage to keep my bikes pretty clean in-between washes.. This time of the year I have to time washing of bikes and my car so I have to get out very early so there's shade from the roof overhang. If I try to wash a bike or my car in the direct sun--especially the it's 90+ºF--I wind up with water spots everywhere because the water dries nearly immediately with the heat and super low humidity. Anyway, I've been meaning to do a thorough wash job of these wheels for a long time now. And it felt really good to finally get it done!

 

Today we make an off-day here in Istres/France on our tour. The TIGERs are waiting for their next assignment to the French Alps.

 

I always clean my wheels as with a pad of kitchen roll with WD40 on it. Not only deals with dust but also tar spots and leaves a nice shiny finish.

 

I clean off any chain fling-off with WD40/AC90 or similar, then finish with Mr Sheen which leaves a nice shiny"dry" finish which helps prevent dirt and brake dust sticking.

 

Experimented with the camera and light painted it...

 

@Mrs Visor, no, unfortunately no real progress with forming a women's riding group. I'd still like to do it but it may need to form a bit "organically". There is a Women's Night at the smaller of the two Harley dealerships on Friday the 24th and I've invited all the women I know who are still actively riding--whatever make and model they're on. So I'm hopeful there may be some interest in some of the women who show up to get a monthly ride going. We shall see.

I do remember @Helmut Visor sharing that you two had lived in Belize when he and I were discussing scuba diving. I've been there several times and it's so beautiful. And all the people I met were super nice. How long did you live there?? I miss the ocean.

 

Beautiful image, @andyc1!

 

Finished adapting the Ventura luggage brackets originally bought for my Ducati to fit my Street Triple R.

 

Swapped out headlights for Motodemic Evo S on the ‘22 Speed Twin. Such an improvement!

 

I lived there for about 2.5 years; I was out there and first met Helmut when he came out there the year after me - we were both out there together for 18 months (he was there for a year after I left so he also lived there for 2.5 years). I miss being able to just finish work and go diving all weekend when it was a weekend we weren't on duty on a lovely island, that's for sure!!!

 

That's SO cool, @Mrs Visor! How awesome to meet your future hubby while living on Caribbean island. And it would be heavenly to just be able to go diving whenever...more like how we can ride our motorcycles. Did you learn to dive there or were you a diver before you lived there? Knowing you're a scuba diver now, I think it would be great to meet each other even more!

 

@Sandi T I could already dive beforehand, but got to do a LOT out there; we lived on the mainland, but a hop across to an island was an easy trip. Mexico was a drive away too so we went diving in some cenotes and over to Cozumel. I don't dive in the UK, I like warm waters and beautiful fish and reefs!

One day our paths may cross; we are restricted in travel at present as the person who used to look after our dog now only takes small dogs as she has hurt her back. When we lose the one we have (not that I like to think about that AT ALL) we'll not have another for a good while at least so we can have the ability to do lots of spontaneous stuff and travel like we used to.

 

Wee run this morning

 

So cool that you got to dive in those places, @Mrs Visor. Mr. Sandi and I love diving in Cozumel and I had the opportunity to dive in some cenotes, too. But that was before Mr. Sandi and I were together so he hasn't done that (yet).

I understand about the dog and travel circumstances. I had a dog/house sitter for twelve years who became part of the family and knew nearly every one of my six boxers over the years. A few years ago she moved to Washington state to be back near family. We patched together sitters for the next year or so and then Covid hit so we weren't doing much traveling anyway save for a rare motorcycle overnighter. Now we have lucked into two good sitters--both older women who are retired and love animals. So we're grateful for that. In fact, Mr. Sandi and I and two riding buddies are heading out Sunday morning for an eight day trip and one of those women is sitting for us. I'm still not completely confident and comfortable but that's on me and not her. She's taken care of Ellie and of our house a couple of times already and all has gone well.

Ok, I'll stop derailing this thread now!!

 

Love that sky and the big view, too, Dougie! The bikes are pretty nice, as well.

 

This morning took a short ride out to Spetchley Park Gardens for a Wheels on Wednesday event:

https://www.wheelsonwednesday.co.uk/ with all monies being raised for charities

There were loads of interesting vechicles, the gallery will be loaded later, but here is a photo of the Cup alongside my neighbours Aprilla Touno

 

I ran over a squirrel mid corner, which was interesting and not something I want to repeat. I was going a wee bit too fast as well as I've been watching the IoM races.

 

Day one of three off work today so @Helmut Visor and I had a nice ride to Tintern Abbey where we had an ice cream and a coffee at the Anchor Inn, onwards to the Myndd Ddu Tea Rooms via a lovely road for some food and then home. Lovely few hours out although I was hoping the current "heatwave" would have some sun and heat.... .

 

Every time we go down to South Wales or beyond, we call into Tintern Abbey cafe for a stop an a brew.