Thumper Club Forum
Club House => Chatter => Topic started by: timbo on December 31, 2015, 07:46:57 PM
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Well mate, let us all know how your wild camping trip to the highlands went? And a Thumptastic New Year to you all :)
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YES.... Happy New Year everyone, lets hope for a good one ;D
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Hi Timbo. All went very well.
Rode up to the Loch Fyne on the Sunday in dry weather. A very long ride and got there in the dark after a ferry crossing and some very small roads to finish me off!
The site (well a space at the side of the road) was very wet and I nearly came off as I went down onto the space and ended up wedged betwen a tree stump and at about 45 degrees! Managed to get bike upright without dropping or stalling it and got it to a dry space where I could park. Got the tent up and bits off the bike and had a cuppa. I'd prepared a meal of stew a day earlier so had a good wholesome meal and got the charcoal burner going. The evening was dry and I spent it under the tarp with the company of a botte of whisky!
Had a good nights sleep and decided after the obligatory bacon and tea breakfast decided to put on the new horn that I had brought along.
Got my tools out, rolled out a tarp on the ground as it was a bit moist and fitted the new horn. Tried to start the bike to check and..........nothing! All dash fired up as usual but no start on the button. Bugger, I'm in the middle of nowhere withg no phone signal and no telling if anyone else would turn up. Took clutch switch off to check, sidestand connector and bypassed, still no joy! Took handlebar switch off with the start button to check, still no joy. with the ignition on I put my pliers across the terminals of the starter solenoid and hey presto she fired up. No fault codes, revved freely and all other lights and switches worked OK. So it must be the starter solenoid, no clicking etc.
So.................with my bits and bobs container I pulled out a couple of bits of wire with eye connectors already on and proceeded to make up some small cables to make a new switch. I had a quite big toggle switch which I put in the circuit and connected the wires to each of the terminals on the solenoid. Now, when I switch on the ignition all I have to do is to flick the switch until the engine saatrs and then switch it off again. Result, charging at 14 volts and no fault codes. PHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Al, one of the other guys pitched up at around 1 ish (in his car, he's getting a new Africa Twin!) and got himself tented. We made a shanty with various tarps that we had. Another fellow pitched up later just before dark (KTM 950) and got himself organised with and extemely small tent.
We spent the evening with the charcoal burner out again and a small fire in a 'Hobo' burner that Al had made. I again had the rest of my stew and watched on in amusement as Al tried various crappy old stoves to cook some potatoes!
After food Al retired early as he was not feeling too good, but Steve and myself spent the rest of the evening with more whisky and the usual banter.
It rained later and got very muddy buy I had a dry evening under the tarps and retired quite late. I wnet back to my tent and decided to have a last cup of tea, not before a very strong gust of wind bellowed down the Loch and flattened my tent! Bloody hell, by this time it was raining hard and the wind really had increased. But I managed to put the tent back up (no damage) and this time put out the guy ropes, which I should have put out in the first place.
Had an uneventful and deep sleep and woke about 9 ish. Al, who was still not feeling good had decided to go home (to Glascow) and Steve had only on night in any case. The weather forecast was not good and I decide to 'hop' it as well. The morning was dry and as usaul I was the last to pack. I had tried the bike and my repair was still working so I set off to catch the ferry from Hunters' Quay. Got to the ferry Ok but weather was truning and the ticket collector suggested that I stand by my bike. I pushed it right alongside a bulkhead and left it in gear whilst I stood by it. As the ferry was approaching the other side I got on the bike and startd it, unfortunately it was still in gear and I was embarrassingly thrown to the deck with the starter still whirring away. Jumped straight up and switched it off and a big bloke helped me lift it back upright. Senior moment or what!
Set off back home on the M way system. Very blustery and tiring but 3 stops later I was back home.
Dropped the bike off at my mates house and left it with all the gear on to come back the next day to unload.
I suppose all ends that ends well. A good ride, about 780 mile round trip. A few others off the ABR forum said that they would come but didn't attend. I thought that this sort of thing is what Adventure Bike Riding is all about, a mini adventure.
I do have a couple of pics on my phone which I'll try and access and Al has posted some on the 'Wild camping' thread on the ABR
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On the ferry going across the first time, very calm.
(http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af71/Teneheric/Loch%20Fyne%20005_zpsx1pcgs2k.jpg) (http://s995.photobucket.com/user/Teneheric/media/Loch%20Fyne%20005_zpsx1pcgs2k.jpg.html)
Now that's what I call a machette! ( I wonder who brought that!)
(http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af71/Teneheric/Loch%20Fyne%20008_zpsy7oxeiq9.jpg) (http://s995.photobucket.com/user/Teneheric/media/Loch%20Fyne%20008_zpsy7oxeiq9.jpg.html)
Hobo fire, OK burns hot but very labour intensive!
(http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af71/Teneheric/Loch%20Fyne%20010_zpsiaium48u.jpg) (http://s995.photobucket.com/user/Teneheric/media/Loch%20Fyne%20010_zpsiaium48u.jpg.html)
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Excellent report Steve. What biking is all about, you put the so called GS go anywhere bikers to shame ;)
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Yeah I do agree Timbo, but then it's not so much about the bike as the riders' attitude.
I was dry, warm, slept well, fed well and drank well. The bike was up to the job and I managed to fix it (temporarily)
Oh and by the way I was getting water from a tube that came out from under the road, rainwater drain off! Scotlands Best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bloody tiring tho'. I wish I could have stayed another day but then the weather would have cought me out so it was probably for the best that I came back early
My Besy to you and Ali for next year (and the dogs) See you then.
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Steve, ..... With a great deal of respect, I dof my cap to you ..... ( Yep, the flat one )... I hope you have had a nice New Year... You have certainly earned it. Regards, Tony
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What a fabulous report of what sounds like a fun adventure. I look forward to hearing of future trips.
Ian
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What a fabulous report of what sounds like a fun adventure. I look forward to hearing of future trips.
Ian
Cheers Ian. I'm a bit old school and like to be totally independant. I grew up with bikes and building nthem from scratch and I mean scratch. From making plain timing side bearings for my old C15 to valve seat cutting tools for my ES2. I used to be a Toolmaker.
As regards biking, I'm too old to get wet or cold or uncomfortable. There is plenty of choice for good equipment and I get really annoyed at these persons that will spend good money on a buike but then scrimp on riding gear. Similarly with camping gear, I like to camp all year around and the weather can make the experience miserable. I like to be prepared for any eventuality. It does mean carying a lot of gear that doesn't get used but then every bit of is considered and is of the best quality. Like he guy I met at the weekend, his stove was old and didn't work. He had brought a bag of wood but didn't have a method to split it. He would have been quite miserable if I had not turned up with my extra tarps etc. Anyhow that's me!
Happy new year, keep an eye on the forum and we can meet up for a beer sometime.
Cheers Steve
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Hi Steve
My mate Dave and I share your philosophy to a less accomplished level. We both ride all year round and whenever we go on a bike trip we try to make it as much of an adventure as we can, using small, empty roads where possible and camping when we can. Neither of us has an engineering background (Dave runs his own photography/design company and I am a specialist care worker) but we do as much of our own maintenance as we are able.
This year we fancy trying rough camping as we have used tarps in the past to good effect. Who knows maybe we could join in with a future trip of yours and enjoy a good natter and some ideas swapping.
Ian
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Absolutely Ian, any excuse to see another part of our fair Isle and have a few beers.
The Dragon will be my next, then who knows where after that. Ireland later in the year but I'm gonna try and get at least one meet per month in.
Cheers Steve
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ExceLlent. I will be at the Dragon so I will look out for you there.
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Brilliant read Steve, really enjoyed reading that :)
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An excellent read Steve you are the MAN!
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ExceLlent. I will be at the Dragon so I will look out for you there.
Smithy,did you get sorted for friday night digs for the Dragon?
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Hi
No I haven't got anything sorted yet.
Ian
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Remember, there is also room at the bunkhouse in Llanfairfechan near Conway, where a crowd of us are staying on the Friday night :)
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Thanks Timbo. I was going to ride up on Saturday with some guys from Nottingham but it looks like my plans have to change. If there's room on the floor of the bunkhouse I'd like to use that if possible.
Sorry to the person from Nottingham who said they were riding up on Saturday I can't find the post again and sadly I've forgotten your name. I blame old age!
Ian
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Yep, it looks like all the bunks are now taken, but you'll just need an airbed on the floor in the kitchen. Means you'll miss all the snoring though ;)
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Also, the other guy from Nottingham, is Trophydave, and you can find his post in the Events section, under Dragon Rally 2016, if that helps at all :)
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OK, this is good. I have been in touch with Sam at the bunkhouse and she advises me that building work is underway and should be finished by the time we get there. I have also asked that if extra bodies turn up we should be able to put them somewhere. We have a good relationship with the farm and they usually go out of there way to facilitate us.
If anyone doesn't know where the farm is I will post up directions closer to the date. It's very close to the centre of Llanfairfechan and can be found here www.plattsfarm.com.
Hope this helps..Steve
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A good read Steve, great to see you getting out and about, I'm getting pissed off with this weather and can't wait for the cold dry stuff.