Gentlemen...
Tigerking and I were discussing the prospect of group rides in '23 and picked up on some ideas that have been floating about amongst the tigers generally.
There has been some discussion about a trip to the Pico de Europa (see specific thread) and some general banter about getting over to Eastern Europe. There is also a small bunch of us heading up to the ABR festival.
So a couple of questions?
Would you be interested in the above trips? Are there any you would like to organise for the group?
And lastly...
As the forum doesn't get the traffic it once did, we have been organising trips recent via WhatsApp. Obviously this is a more immediate and dependable method of communication but it has the side effect of potentially excluding people from the process if they aren't in the group. Therefore, if you would like to be in the WhatsApp group, can you let me or Tigerking, Mat-Tiger1 or London Phil know.
I'm taking partial retirement next year so should have a little more time to go out & play. Won't be taking any foreign trips on the bike, but the odd weekend away in the UK might be possible. Thought about the SBR festival a couple of times so this might be possible if I can get time off & can pack Mrs L off to her sisters for a weekend.
I would like a trip to Scotland to say hi to Niall at some point too. Long weekend, or week trip?
I think quite a few of us would think it would be nice to meet you Lee. Be great if you could make the ABR.
Phil, yes! We need to do it.
:icon_eek: I'm moving back to Singapore :icon_lol:
Just been looking at my calendar for next year. the ABR festival coincides with the Bikers4Macmillan Sunset to Sunrise tour, which next year is overnight on 23rd June.
That means I have a weekend pass anyway.
The downside is which event to do, they'll cost similar ££'s but one event means staying in a tent (which I don't own) and the other a hotel room in Anglesey.
Bugger...
Seems like a good dilemma to have Lee! Nice to have a choice fo fun things to do!
I think ABR might just win here, found myself pricing up tickets & looking at free standing tents today :icon_eek:
Quote from: Lee337 on October 26, 2022, 11:01:57 PMI think ABR might just win here, found myself pricing up tickets & looking at free standing tents today :icon_eek:
Apparently, they have the best toilets and shower facilities too...
Looks like I'll be checking out the toilet & shower facilities at ABR Festival next year, ticket ordered now need to find a tent. :icon_eek:
Awesome!
Re ABR, do we create a wagons in a circle type approach, for a group space?, or is it all organised by the site?
Quote from: London_Phil on October 30, 2022, 08:18:11 PMRe ABR, do we create a wagons in a circle type approach, for a group space?, or is it all organised by the site?
Yeehah. From a circle before the cherokees get ya.
Quote from: Nick Calne on November 06, 2022, 01:38:17 AMYeehah. From a circle before the cherokees get ya.
You mean there are Jeeps too?
Quote from: London_Phil on November 06, 2022, 10:39:13 AMYou mean there are Jeeps too?
You might get some people on Indians...
Less than two weeks to go, trial packing done but I think I need to tweek things a little. Looking forward to making good use of my weekend pass.
The downside is I'm finding it difficult to get my leg over. :bug_eye
Never thought I'd hear myself saying that - maybe it's an age thing :^_^
I assume you stand on the peg to get on?, it was a revelation for me, after years of worrying about the Steamer side stand collapsing..
No issues on the 800, and so much easier.
PS
One thing you may want to consider is a side stand pad of some kind.
Even a cheap one can stop you from keeling over in the grass..
Yep got one of those with a bit of string attached so I can pick it up again.
I've used the peg once or twice but not sure with it fully loaded.
Quote from: Lee337 on June 10, 2023, 01:52:01 PMYep got one of those with a bit of string attached so I can pick it up again.
I've used the peg once or twice but not sure with it fully loaded.
I remember arriving at a rally in the wet, and not being able to get off the bike as the sidestand started sinking immediately, and someone had to shove a flattened beer can under it.
After that, I fitted a permanent one..just saying.
I often carried a simple piece of wood in the top case. Granted, that does not immediately help you on a soggy patch of grass, but there often is a possibility to park the bike on a harder patch to grab it.
You can really stand on the peg even in loaded condition. They are quite strong, so as long as you are not stuck in the mud you will be fine. That is what I did with mine. (Though I did not pack quite as much as I see on yours.)
It's no good if you can't get off the bike to put it down, without the thing sinking first, hence the permanent fitted foot thing..
Lower it to the ground with said piece of string, move it into position with foot. Seems to work ok. Used this method at the recent MCN festival in Peterborough on grass & a couple of tests on the drive to make sure I could do it. I've even attached a ring to the end of the string to put over the clutch lever.
Not completely foolproof but it should do.
Quote from: London_Phil on June 20, 2023, 04:04:55 PMIt's no good if you can't get off the bike to put it down, without the thing sinking first, hence the permanent fitted foot thing..
Agreed. I once did try one that was permanently fitted, but it also hit the frame, so I went back to my budget piece of wood. ;)
In many cases you are able to park up on a road before entering a festival area or camp site. That usually gave me ample time to grab the piece of wood.
Quote from: Lee337 on June 20, 2023, 06:36:41 PMLower it to the ground with said piece of string, move it into position with foot. Seems to work ok. Used this method at the recent MCN festival in Peterborough on grass & a couple of tests on the drive to make sure I could do it. I've even attached a ring to the end of the string to put over the clutch lever.
Not completely foolproof but it should do.
Underestimate a fool at your peril!!
I'm a little surprised at the reluctance for the big foot on here?!!
Mine doesn't foul the frame, chain or anything else, and I'm really entertained by the idea that you will be dangling bits of thing on string, that you would then move the bike over.
Or maybe wait whilst I just pop my sidestand down, and come and help you..lol..
Hahahaha, you ought to Phil, because we will probably need it. :mut
Not sure if it is reluctance or just being plain cheap. ;) I did buy something (which was not a brand Bigfoot thing) but that just didn't fit properly. And so I went back to the piece of wood that has stuck by me from my first Transalp, through the Steamer, the 1150GS, the Tiger 800 and even the 1200GS. In the last case I probably should have raided the Touratech catalog for something, but I didn't. And you are right. The best stand support is the one that is always on there so you don't have to think about it.
Quote from: ghulst on June 20, 2023, 03:23:16 PMI often carried a simple piece of wood in the top case.
Essentially you made a clog for your bike. How very Dutch! :occasion14
Did enjoy watching Lee play Gofish with his magic disk....
Quote from: Nick Calne on June 26, 2023, 10:30:47 PMEssentially you made a clog for your bike. How very Dutch! :occasion14
I try to stay culturally relevant... :rfl
Quote from: London_Phil on June 26, 2023, 10:43:30 PMDid enjoy watching Lee play Gofish with his magic disk....
Worked though :rock-1:
Quote from: Lee337 on June 26, 2023, 11:50:50 PMWorked though :rock-1:
For a given value of worked, lol...
We need a GIF of that Lee. ;)