Anyways. Night before fraught with stress, getting Gladis back last minute, then going back to move the bars, frightened I'd miss the parcel delivery. Soon very glad I did not. This, Ladies and Gentlemen, is the best friend of 'bony ass' bikers everywhere...
Birthday money well spent (thanks Chalkie). I definitely appreciated having decent kit this weekend. So nice being warm and dry and comfortable. Next we need to sort out not knowing where I'm going, not being able to see, and the amount of pain my left wrist causes when it is too tense and pumped.
Friday...
Up v early. Faffed for 2 hours so still managed to be late. Would be easy if the bike could stay all packed and ready to go like it was last night, but had to remove it all again after testing in case it wasn't there in the morning. So stressed and angry at myself in the end that I even had to go back up 3 flights for my helmet. Spent the ride to the LFE services planning responses for the abuse I thought I'd get when I arrived. Maybe they sensed the wish to give up and go home as they were nice and gave me a hug and fixed the mirror instead.
Prayer and off.. in gorgeous sunshine. All the way to the 'breakfast' stop. Latest breakfast I've ever had.. starving. I think Gill was also pleased to stop for food!
Fat Ass Gladis
That was yummy.. I think I had more calories in one day than the whole rest of the week put together... the CMA is determined for me to fit in, I'll have to keep up the running so I don't acquire the prevailing body type!
Consulting the old skool GPS. One of many stops to establish where the hell we were. And one of many U turns that still frighten the life out of me, partly because I've only ever dropped my bike at low/no speed trying to turn too much and partly because we always have to do them at really ill-advised places, like near a blind hill or..
Others are not so fussed by it all...
The two most chilled out people I know..
Things got worse when we lost Ian and Andy because the Road Captain has a bad case of (and these are Ian's words) "premature departure" and we lost Les because he had a hole in his radiator. This was at the same point I was convinced there was something wrong with mine as when we stopped for a re-group and steam was pouring out of the front of Gladis. When we pulled up shortly after because of Les I looked at other bikes and they were doing a similar thing so I panicked less. Hopefully it was just hot engine and lots and lots of water getting thrown at it. Things improved when we got into Wales, but then things are always better when you have custard..
This was at West End Cafe Llandovery, a bikers cafe. I was hoping to get a Munzee there, but it was too faded. Did nearly get left behind, again, though.
The ride got really horrid after this. It was at the point where the inside and outside of both my glasses and visor were wet and misted up and I could not see a thing and I had totally lost the rest of the group that I wanted to give up. As usual though, Dad 2 turns up like a hero and says 'follow me'. Seconds later we found the group again, doing laps of the roundabout!
Eventually found World Horizons, after more U turn stress and roundabout lapping. We were met by the cheeriest happy christian, handing out hangers. Very glad to get lifts into town for the meal. No-one keen to get back on the bikes, or walk for miles in the rain. Hilarious ride in the car, wondering if the cheery christian was actually taking us to the pub, or whether she was going to take us somewhere dark and secluded to murder us all. Nearly died laughing when we started following the signs to the cemetery! Turns out she was on auto-pilot to Farmfoods, saying she always goes there. You've got to worry about a town when the most exciting place to go is Farmfoods.
Made the most of the Exec call on the relaxation of rules..
Waited soon long for our food. Ended up playing Heads Up :-) hilarious with these guys. High five moment when Gill got Bridget Jones' Diary and me and Andy both said "big pants". Colin kept just reading out the title on screen.. not sure he quite grasped the concept.
Carbo loading for the Park Run...
Krista also carbo loading, finishing off Tony's ice cream..
Car drive home was the most I have giggled in ages.. Gill was in all seriousness telling that this had been 'the most exciting day of her life'. "You want to get out more" was my deadpan reply. Luckily Gill also found it funny. We also found Bob's monk story incredibly amusing. Don't know how we got onto Spoonerisms but some relation of his had said he didn't like it when monks sit in their shells!!
Out late Fri to get the days Munzee.. very lucky there was one close by and easy to find in the dark, then up early Sat for the Parkrun. Was pretty weird going on the bike.. and having so much kit to strip off last minute as it was peeing it down and freezing. Started off in waterproof, but that got abandoned at the end of the first lap. Was a really nice route, quite hilly, through woodland. Remembered how much I love careering down hills avoiding trees and just letting legs fly. Gave up caring about time as it was so hilly, really enjoyed it and finished well. Learned the dangers of being fast on an unknown course though. At the end of lap one I had to ask "where do I go?" and the organiser then realised it wasn't obvious and gave instructions. Little bit later I came to a T junction. I must have looked like I had no idea where to go as a kind lady behind yelled 'left'.
Coffee with the friendly locals, then back to WH to hunt around for some breakfast. Everyone else had gone on the Massive Marlowe Mountain run, but Jonny and Karen were still there chillin, as only they can. Jonny did a marvellous job of somehow finding the Harley dealership in Swansea.. now my hero!
What a good idea..
Dangerous bit..
I think this would look delightful in the lounge.. HD soft furnishings, whatever next.
Maybe I should also get a matching Harley to go with Bumble?!
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