Wow I would love to steam up that set of curves.
Parts of the Isle Of Man offer similar roads; which I have ridden.
Got caught by The Plod at 130mph in a 30 zone!… Expensive….
-
Enjoy XS650.com? Consider making a donation to help support the site.
XS650.com receives a small share of sales from some links on this page, but direct donations have a much greater impact on keeping this site going.
Just Ride.
- Thread starter Jim
- Start date
Parts of the Isle Of Man offer similar roads; which I have ridden.
Got caught by The Plod at 130mph in a 30 zone!… Expensive….
The Isle of Man is on my bucket list (the races, the hike around the island edge, and riding the roads by vintage bike) before I keel over in this world. 
.
Go there you will not regret it.
.
Everyone there is a biker at heart.
The friendship and joy of bikes is the pulse of the island.
Its a mind changing place of friendship, and the world looks different when you leave. The racing is a bonus.
Bloody hell I was a bit far out there man!
but it’s true. I love the place even with the dangers for the racers.
Just do it once.
Bob Wegman
XS650 Addict
Those are beautiful pictures you took. Thank you.
Except the retiree nimbys who work gradually behind the scenes trying to poison the well.
They hate their little retirement world being upset by smelly noisy bikers.
Riding in Eastern WA State is much different than riding the West side of the State.
Tri Cities area is surrounded by open spaces and mostly tree less rolling hills. Very agricultural. Large farms of which many have become wineries, grape fields and many orchards. It’s easy to find country roads with not much traffic so cruising speeds are often mid 70’s or more.
Weather and fine temperatures are still holding. I have found that early and mid day riding is best because this time of year evening bugs get real serious
Attachments
You have a lovely bike and great riding geography.View attachment 253806
Riding in Eastern WA State is much different than riding the West side of the State.
Tri Cities area is surrounded by open spaces and mostly tree less rolling hills. Very agricultural. Large farms of which many have become wineries, grape fields and many orchards. It’s easy to find country roads with not much traffic so cruising speeds are often mid 70’s or more.
Weather and fine temperatures are still holding. I have found that early and mid day riding is best because this time of year evening bugs get real serious
Bob Wegman
XS650 Addict
That is one fine looking motorcycle.View attachment 253806
Riding in Eastern WA State is much different than riding the West side of the State.
Tri Cities area is surrounded by open spaces and mostly tree less rolling hills. Very agricultural. Large farms of which many have become wineries, grape fields and many orchards. It’s easy to find country roads with not much traffic so cruising speeds are often mid 70’s or more.
Weather and fine temperatures are still holding. I have found that early and mid day riding is best because this time of year evening bugs get real serious
REALLY NICE RIDE YOU HAVE.View attachment 253806
Riding in Eastern WA State is much different than riding the West side of the State.
Tri Cities area is surrounded by open spaces and mostly tree less rolling hills. Very agricultural. Large farms of which many have become wineries, grape fields and many orchards. It’s easy to find country roads with not much traffic so cruising speeds are often mid 70’s or more.
Weather and fine temperatures are still holding. I have found that early and mid day riding is best because this time of year evening bugs get real serious
Yes some truth in what you say. A lot of residents, including a friend of mine, go on holiday abroad during the races.
Some rent out their properties and earn some coin. The economy of the island is boosted hugely by the race fraternity; it's a massive part of the economy.
After dropping a tree this morning
Took Madness to town and entered her in a show.
Two bikes and other was a spick and span 75 Commando with 2100 miles on the clock.
Show wasn't judged, whew. About 100 cars some were top notch.
Got back home in time to split and stack the tree.
Took Madness to town and entered her in a show.
Two bikes and other was a spick and span 75 Commando with 2100 miles on the clock.
Show wasn't judged, whew. About 100 cars some were top notch.
Got back home in time to split and stack the tree.
Good work with the lumber Gary.After dropping a tree this morning
View attachment 253879
Took Madness to town and entered her in a show.
View attachment 253881
Two bikes and other was a spick and span 75 Commando with 2100 miles on the clock.
Show wasn't judged, whew. About 100 cars some were top notch.
Got back home in time to split and stack the tree.
View attachment 253880
Bike looks great too and not shamed by the Norton.
Last edited:
Chilly with sunshine predicted for the northern Catskill mountains on wednesday of this week, so I loaded the '82 on the trailer at 7am for the 12 hour trip I do about twice a week during riding season. 3.5 hours to Mine Kill State Park in Blenheim, 5 hours of riding, load back up, then 3.5 hours for the return trip. The park was in bloom:
View attachment 253743
Not being one for bike racks, I've usually used a backpack, but recently I figured out an effective mounting of a leather barrel bag for the '82 and '83 Heritage Specials. Easy on and off, velcro securing the front self-constructed straps and a clip for the rear.
View attachment 253745View attachment 253746View attachment 253747
Up on Mount Pisgah looking south:
View attachment 253749View attachment 253748
Stopped at the Middleburgh Stewarts Shop for gas, ice cream, coffee and conversation. The picnic tables outside make for a great gathering place for bikers.
View attachment 253752
View attachment 253753
"The Rev" showed up on his new Royal Enfield; one of many friendly riders in the area.
View attachment 253757View attachment 253756
This coming week is inviting us with partial sun and upper 60's, so I'll be back for what might be the last bike trip.
Then through November it will be all MX-5 touring, which is almost as good.
View attachment 253758
72° Upcoming weekend in the Prattville area. Definitely riding weather. Maybe we'll bump into each other, I'm in that area a lot.
.
Eh?
JohnDaddy said: "72° Upcoming weekend in the Prattville area. Definitely riding weather. Maybe we'll bump into each other, I'm in that area a lot. 
"
Cool! Looks like I'll be back this week, JohnDaddy.
.
"Cool! Looks like I'll be back this week, JohnDaddy.
.
Yeah, my sister has one of those Mazda's.
Well, that's all she (2023 riding season) wrote! Almost certainly the last ride for me; beautiful late fall day; blue sky, scattered cumulus clouds, stiff westerly breeze as the temp dropped from 19*C in the morning down towards the 5*C that it is now. Decided I'd ride each of the current runners today. First up was the trusty XT. No quirks or complaints with this bike:
Next up was the newly acquired SG. First ride of any duration which was revealing; lots of improvements to make this bike what it should be performance-wise and comfort-wise. It started misbehaving at the very end of the ride, stumbling off-idle and stalling at stops. Needs attention.
Last up was the 77D. It has its own list of fixes needed, mostly focused on the clutch and shift mechanism. Needed to keep this ride short, which turned out be a good thing. Within 500 meters of home, it started stumbling worse and worse until it quit altogether. Guess what? Out of gas!!! How fitting on the last ride. Damn near killed myself pushing it home.
Cloudy day tomorrow with a high of 6*C and a mix of rain and snow on Monday with sub-zero temps. Looking forward to next year!
Next up was the newly acquired SG. First ride of any duration which was revealing; lots of improvements to make this bike what it should be performance-wise and comfort-wise. It started misbehaving at the very end of the ride, stumbling off-idle and stalling at stops. Needs attention.
Last up was the 77D. It has its own list of fixes needed, mostly focused on the clutch and shift mechanism. Needed to keep this ride short, which turned out be a good thing. Within 500 meters of home, it started stumbling worse and worse until it quit altogether. Guess what? Out of gas!!! How fitting on the last ride. Damn near killed myself pushing it home.
Cloudy day tomorrow with a high of 6*C and a mix of rain and snow on Monday with sub-zero temps. Looking forward to next year!
Last edited:
I rode both my blue tracker and the Red Bike on Wednesday. The Tracker I assumed the last ride before I start in on my "Adventure bike" conversion. It ran flawlessly, pulls hard and now has such flaccid forks that they seriously need a fork rebuild.
Parked the Tracker and ran some errends on the Red Bike. This bike has been the definition of "civility" since the last jet change, 180 main/25 pilot. In the colder damper weather of Wisconsin October I felt hesitation and missing. The difference may be "pretty good BS38 jetting/not quite there VM34 jetting".
BEACH BUMS, HISTORIC BUILDS AND ELVIS!
What to do on Sunday? No pressure so a 'lie in bed' then decide.
Got up at 7.30am, late for me, ran a hot bath to contemplate the day whilst having a soak.
Mrs C calls out as I enter the bath 'You do realise the clocks went back'.
'Shit' I mutter under my breath as I slide into the water.
Getting dressed I look out the window to see the daylight coming out of the night gloom.
The rain has stopped and its the roads are dry.
Decision made; investigation into Taffy's misfire will have to wait. This could be the last ride of the season in the Autumn sunshine.
Time to get to the shop and get The Brat out for the day.
THE ROUTE...... Go West young man :
Drive down to the shop. Top up the tire pressures. Don leathers and away we go.
CARDIFF - COWBRIDGE - LLANTWIT MAJOR = 25 miles
A48 A fast wide road once out of the Cardiff sprawl, towards Cowbridge. Past scenic fields the road rises and drops over the fields.
Through pretty little villages such as Bonvilston with thatched covered stone cottages and even a vineyard!
Take a left at Cowbridge onto the B4270 towards LLantwit Major. A pretty village of mixed stone houses and shops.
Go through the Village which is just waking up, and follow the Beach Road.
A single track road for about 2 miles alongside a small river through a shallow valley. You can already smell the salt sea air on the approach.
LLANTWIT MAJOR BEACH.
The Cafe is not yet open so I park Taffy near the sea wall and go for a stroll along the cliff top. What a stupid idea in full leathers and boots! The sun is up The wind is blowing strongly from the western sea. Its cold but I'm sweating like a Monk in a Brothel in my biking kit!
Its mostly a pebble beach with some sand spits. A few early birds are taking their dogs for a
on the beach!
The seafront Cafe has opened so I have breakfast of eggs and bacon toast and tea.
Time to move on.
LLANTWIT MAJOR - ST DONATS CASTLE = 3 miles:
Follow the coast road towards St Donats, along Dimlands Road. This 'B' road drops and rises through the trees that form a golden tunnel overhead. Autumn has arrived and is a glorious riot of red, gold and brown; this is my favorite time of year.
I ignore some of the smaller sea coves along the way.
St Donats Castle is now a UWC Atlantic Collage for students that wish to better mankind
More here: https://www.atlanticcollege.org/
Some famous names attended.
The castle is situated in a wonderful position. It has its own jetty and a sea pool that fills at high tide.
A popular venue for weddings for the well healed.
ST DONATS - NASH POINT LIGHTHOUSE = 3 Miles.
More 'B' road shenanigans through the trees; its not fast but very pleasant.
We quickly arrive at Nash Point Lighthouse.
A functioning lighthouse on the coast.
NASH POINT - SOUTHERNDOWN / DUNRAVEN CASTLE = 7 Miles.
The road opens up now as it follows close to the cliff tops. Its faster along here and fun.
Dunraven as it is now above. It has a strong position with its own beach Dunraven Bay.
Below is the same building as it was:
More here: https://glamorganhistoryandarchaeology.blogspot.com/2020/05/dunraven-castle-house-through-time.html
DUNRAVEN BAY / SOUTHERNDOWN
Above image is looking around the Southerdown headland towards Porthcawl in the distance.
SOUTHERNDOWN - OGMORE & OGMORE CASTLE = 5 Miles
A quick dash across the cliff tops to Ogmore. A lovely place to live if you like the coastal life.
At Ogmore the River Ogmore (Afon Ogwr in Welsh) empties into the sea over a sandy beach area.
It looks idyllic most of the time, but the tide can rip through here and takes no prisoners.
Below looking up the river towards the castle. Land is formed from natural sand dunes.
OGMORE CASTLE
This is probably my favorite castle due to its position on the river. Its a magical place to visit, and feels special.
Its is one of of a trio of castles linked castles that were a main defense against the Welsh.
The others are:
COITY CASTLE. Which is further inland.
NEWCASTLE BRIDGEND
You can read more about our heritage here: https://cadw.gov.wales/
PORTHCAWL = 9 Miles ............ Just because.
Porthcawl is a seaside holiday town today. Typical town promenade looking out to sea.
It has no great history, but does have one amazing feature.
That feature is....................
THE PORTHCAWL ELVIS FESTIVAL! The largest Elvis festival in the World! (Allegedly)
Every year during September over 40,000 people descend on this sleepy holiday town and it goes bonkers.
The Elvis enthusiasts dress up as The King and get Sht faced.
I must admit I have never attended this event; but 50 people from my local pub, including the landlord and landlady spend three weeks there getting wasted!
The rain is now coming in from the West, so I leg it down the M4 East back to Cardiff. Thankfully I stay ahead of the rain and make it back dry. Back to Newport to meet the Sunday gathering in the pub for 'man chat' and beer.
A great ride of about 90 miles all in.
Cheers
Ads.
What to do on Sunday? No pressure so a 'lie in bed' then decide.
Got up at 7.30am, late for me, ran a hot bath to contemplate the day whilst having a soak.
Mrs C calls out as I enter the bath 'You do realise the clocks went back'.
'Shit' I mutter under my breath as I slide into the water.
Getting dressed I look out the window to see the daylight coming out of the night gloom.
The rain has stopped and its the roads are dry.
Decision made; investigation into Taffy's misfire will have to wait. This could be the last ride of the season in the Autumn sunshine.
Time to get to the shop and get The Brat out for the day.
THE ROUTE...... Go West young man :
Drive down to the shop. Top up the tire pressures. Don leathers and away we go.
CARDIFF - COWBRIDGE - LLANTWIT MAJOR = 25 miles
A48 A fast wide road once out of the Cardiff sprawl, towards Cowbridge. Past scenic fields the road rises and drops over the fields.
Through pretty little villages such as Bonvilston with thatched covered stone cottages and even a vineyard!
Take a left at Cowbridge onto the B4270 towards LLantwit Major. A pretty village of mixed stone houses and shops.
Go through the Village which is just waking up, and follow the Beach Road.
A single track road for about 2 miles alongside a small river through a shallow valley. You can already smell the salt sea air on the approach.
LLANTWIT MAJOR BEACH.
The Cafe is not yet open so I park Taffy near the sea wall and go for a stroll along the cliff top. What a stupid idea in full leathers and boots! The sun is up The wind is blowing strongly from the western sea. Its cold but I'm sweating like a Monk in a Brothel in my biking kit!
Its mostly a pebble beach with some sand spits. A few early birds are taking their dogs for a
on the beach!The seafront Cafe has opened so I have breakfast of eggs and bacon toast and tea.
Time to move on.
LLANTWIT MAJOR - ST DONATS CASTLE = 3 miles:
Follow the coast road towards St Donats, along Dimlands Road. This 'B' road drops and rises through the trees that form a golden tunnel overhead. Autumn has arrived and is a glorious riot of red, gold and brown; this is my favorite time of year.
I ignore some of the smaller sea coves along the way.
St Donats Castle is now a UWC Atlantic Collage for students that wish to better mankind
More here: https://www.atlanticcollege.org/
Some famous names attended.
The castle is situated in a wonderful position. It has its own jetty and a sea pool that fills at high tide.
A popular venue for weddings for the well healed.
ST DONATS - NASH POINT LIGHTHOUSE = 3 Miles.
More 'B' road shenanigans through the trees; its not fast but very pleasant.
We quickly arrive at Nash Point Lighthouse.
A functioning lighthouse on the coast.
NASH POINT - SOUTHERNDOWN / DUNRAVEN CASTLE = 7 Miles.
The road opens up now as it follows close to the cliff tops. Its faster along here and fun.
Dunraven as it is now above. It has a strong position with its own beach Dunraven Bay.
Below is the same building as it was:
More here: https://glamorganhistoryandarchaeology.blogspot.com/2020/05/dunraven-castle-house-through-time.html
DUNRAVEN BAY / SOUTHERNDOWN
Above image is looking around the Southerdown headland towards Porthcawl in the distance.
SOUTHERNDOWN - OGMORE & OGMORE CASTLE = 5 Miles
A quick dash across the cliff tops to Ogmore. A lovely place to live if you like the coastal life.
At Ogmore the River Ogmore (Afon Ogwr in Welsh) empties into the sea over a sandy beach area.
It looks idyllic most of the time, but the tide can rip through here and takes no prisoners.
Below looking up the river towards the castle. Land is formed from natural sand dunes.
OGMORE CASTLE
This is probably my favorite castle due to its position on the river. Its a magical place to visit, and feels special.
Its is one of of a trio of castles linked castles that were a main defense against the Welsh.
The others are:
COITY CASTLE. Which is further inland.
NEWCASTLE BRIDGEND
You can read more about our heritage here: https://cadw.gov.wales/
PORTHCAWL = 9 Miles ............ Just because.
Porthcawl is a seaside holiday town today. Typical town promenade looking out to sea.
It has no great history, but does have one amazing feature.
That feature is....................
THE PORTHCAWL ELVIS FESTIVAL! The largest Elvis festival in the World! (Allegedly)
Every year during September over 40,000 people descend on this sleepy holiday town and it goes bonkers.
The Elvis enthusiasts dress up as The King and get Sh
t faced.I must admit I have never attended this event; but 50 people from my local pub, including the landlord and landlady spend three weeks there getting wasted!
The rain is now coming in from the West, so I leg it down the M4 East back to Cardiff. Thankfully I stay ahead of the rain and make it back dry. Back to Newport to meet the Sunday gathering in the pub for 'man chat' and beer.
A great ride of about 90 miles all in.
Cheers
Ads.
