Finally Started!!

Arrived from London at Bennington on 24th May to find that Rob and Andrea had settled in and Rob had serviced both XJs. Oil change to diff, new batteries and freed up the discs on both bikes.

Generally, the bike is very good. Ran nicely, good tyres. We had some running around to do before the shops closed, Rob and I needed duplicate keys for the bikes and some other minor stuff. We spent the arvo fitting the panniers which were in pretty good condition. Our hosts were Susanna and Richard and we had a great dinner which was finished with liberal amounts of wine and Sloe gin and vodka. The accomodation was superb, the property, magnificent.



Sunday morning saw R & A head off with me still working on the bike. Fortunately Richard's sheds contained the best array of gear around. Chris Smith ( SR500 Club member from Lowestoft) and Jan dropped in to assist and Chris discovered that the front wheel bearings were shot. This added to the cracked discs that we'd discovered and I knew I was in for some more work.
My plan for Monday was to head down Bristol way to get some second hand discs. It was pouring continually and with all the stuff I has crammed in all pockets and having to drag stuff out continually, I managed to loose the mobile phone.... and all my contact details. I got almost to Bristol, stayed in Cricklade where I discovered the missing phone, got up next morning and headed back to Benington to do a search..... no result. Stayed the night, again.

I chased down some discs on the net..... the guy was only about 20 miles away on the road I was planning to take, Result!

Richard helped track down some bearings and I headed off into the local area on his Honda CRM and only managed to get lost a few times. Those small lanes through the villages all look the same. Bought a new mobile in Stevenage and got back in contact with family and friends. Fitted the bearings.


Wednesday, picked up discs, and finally started my Big Ride. Had a boring ride up the A1(M) and stopped for the night at Rutford, an old market town. Stayed at the Turk's Head, ran by John, a biker who stored my bike in the garage with his Harley.
Today, Thursday 29th, I've travelled up through York and into the Yorkshire Dales. The road from Ripon to Leyburn, on the 6108 was glorious. Sweeping bends up and down through the dales. Just had a nice lunch and using the computer at the local library. Things are back on track and life is good.