Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 10:55 am
Drenched to the Bone
Well the weeks slip away. Travelling to South Hook on a daily basis despite the weather is ok. The Vulcan has travelled through more water than the one in Thunderball these last few weeks.
The Pembrokeshire county show diverted me to the A477 off the A40 for 3 days. An ok road providing there is no other traffic on it as parts have very little place to pass – the ninja behind me found a space but I wasn’t pushing the vn’ s luck that far.
Generally, the drivers in West Wales are a lot more considerate than going East. When they see you looking to pass they indicate and pull over to let you pass.
However, there have been the exceptions :
A poxy KA that manoeuvred to the inside lane to pass me (I was at 80 plus) with traffic ahead would have then cut me up when pulling back out –as he came alongside I mouth my disapproval and added a little more fuel into the twin.
A Focus at Cross Hands almost shunted me as I slowed for the roundabout – If someone is going to get that close to my arse I prefer them to wear a condom.
Rain – Haven’t known so much. Looking at the wheel arches of the vehicles I pass I thought I saw surfers riding the tunnel of water. But generally on the open road it has taken no more that 7 % of the speed – a lot less than the 4 plus wheelers.
Aqua planning is their danger as a wheel loses grip and the car swings off the highway as happened to some poor sod just prior to Carmarthen. The VN thunders on.
Rain so bad had to spend the day in work with boots and socks off – bare foot in safety shoes not nice - drenched to the bone.
Happier times - passing and being passed by a blonde in a BMW she lets me pass again – must be the 85 cu incher throbbing between the legs – although I regret to advise that is in truth a 1475 cc metric cruiser. On that topic the VN still handles less well in right handers, must be the weight hanging on the right – the exhausts of course - it ‘s not me or I’d be in films. It’s a real bummer on the Briton Ferry Bridge with the winds of late – don’t know what is best – slow down out of the buffeting or power on beyond it – the speedo runs around one o’clock - you guessed power on.
Things to avoid:
Missing the 100 yd warning for a junction and stopping at 50 in approx 50 yds – arse end does not point in the same direction as the front end – disappointingly the film didn’t reflect the cheek clenching experience.
Overtaking – always make sure you have changed over to reserve on the fuel if you plan on overtaking when the tank is reaching the limit of its normal range – especially when you are looking at 4 wheels coming in the opposite lane.
I have begun to judge my journey’s time by the people you pass and where:
Around Gorseinon an unknown bike (we pass on opposite carriageways at around 80 a piece and have yet to clock what it is) but the rider looks like Kroenen (in mask) from Hellboy .
On time at Penblewin Roundabout and a new vw beetle with the herbie paint job coming in the opposite direction – any sooner and I am late.
Thursday the 28th August saw the VN clock up 50,000 miles - 45k of them mine.
New Brakes fitted to the rear are so sodden just not holding.
Dry cold crisp day
Hold up 80-0=90 to Carmarthen – at cross hands 2 fiat vans pass at 90 ish but pass them on the roundabout at Cross Hands. Smoothly up the box and the VN powers on – they pass me as approach Carmarthen but I pass on the roundabout as they peel off to Llanelli.
The roundabout at St Clears is a joy to sweep around and the vn lies low in the sweeping right hand turn. Hold up a good rate to Haverford west chasing down an Audi at 90 most of the way.
Run home at Carmarthen – tailed by a VW and a Ford on the roundabout and power through and on .They become smaller in the mirrors – eat my carbon foot print.
Tuesday 09/09 Wet really wet. Can only hold 65 -70 until I clear Bont Abrahm. Up to 80 plus thereafter – hold of f the BMW sport to Carmarthen.
Weather eases to just heavy rain. Used to seeing the winding misty snake at my rear – so long as that’s the only snake at my rear !
Reach Haverfordwest to see the result of a 4 wheeled BMW in the front of a bus. It’s a straight road and don’t know how he could miss a bus – but then he didn’t.
Well the VN is now at 51585 miles – due another oil change and will need new tyres in 2 weeks. (that is around 12 k on the back). Have also ordered some Highway Hawk baffles for the Vance and Hines (that day is due soon and I can’t be arsed to fit the stocks.). (arrived today).
PS Just bought a lottery ticket – my luck as I check the numbers tonight (discovering I have the winning ticket) the particle accelerator will whip it out of my hand and hurtle it off to Switzerland – closely followed by everything else.
Drenched to the bone – Times they are a-changing – Bob Dylan.
Well the weeks slip away. Travelling to South Hook on a daily basis despite the weather is ok. The Vulcan has travelled through more water than the one in Thunderball these last few weeks.
The Pembrokeshire county show diverted me to the A477 off the A40 for 3 days. An ok road providing there is no other traffic on it as parts have very little place to pass – the ninja behind me found a space but I wasn’t pushing the vn’ s luck that far.
Generally, the drivers in West Wales are a lot more considerate than going East. When they see you looking to pass they indicate and pull over to let you pass.
However, there have been the exceptions :
A poxy KA that manoeuvred to the inside lane to pass me (I was at 80 plus) with traffic ahead would have then cut me up when pulling back out –as he came alongside I mouth my disapproval and added a little more fuel into the twin.
A Focus at Cross Hands almost shunted me as I slowed for the roundabout – If someone is going to get that close to my arse I prefer them to wear a condom.
Rain – Haven’t known so much. Looking at the wheel arches of the vehicles I pass I thought I saw surfers riding the tunnel of water. But generally on the open road it has taken no more that 7 % of the speed – a lot less than the 4 plus wheelers.
Aqua planning is their danger as a wheel loses grip and the car swings off the highway as happened to some poor sod just prior to Carmarthen. The VN thunders on.
Rain so bad had to spend the day in work with boots and socks off – bare foot in safety shoes not nice - drenched to the bone.
Happier times - passing and being passed by a blonde in a BMW she lets me pass again – must be the 85 cu incher throbbing between the legs – although I regret to advise that is in truth a 1475 cc metric cruiser. On that topic the VN still handles less well in right handers, must be the weight hanging on the right – the exhausts of course - it ‘s not me or I’d be in films. It’s a real bummer on the Briton Ferry Bridge with the winds of late – don’t know what is best – slow down out of the buffeting or power on beyond it – the speedo runs around one o’clock - you guessed power on.
Things to avoid:
Missing the 100 yd warning for a junction and stopping at 50 in approx 50 yds – arse end does not point in the same direction as the front end – disappointingly the film didn’t reflect the cheek clenching experience.
Overtaking – always make sure you have changed over to reserve on the fuel if you plan on overtaking when the tank is reaching the limit of its normal range – especially when you are looking at 4 wheels coming in the opposite lane.
I have begun to judge my journey’s time by the people you pass and where:
Around Gorseinon an unknown bike (we pass on opposite carriageways at around 80 a piece and have yet to clock what it is) but the rider looks like Kroenen (in mask) from Hellboy .
On time at Penblewin Roundabout and a new vw beetle with the herbie paint job coming in the opposite direction – any sooner and I am late.
Thursday the 28th August saw the VN clock up 50,000 miles - 45k of them mine.
New Brakes fitted to the rear are so sodden just not holding.
Dry cold crisp day
Hold up 80-0=90 to Carmarthen – at cross hands 2 fiat vans pass at 90 ish but pass them on the roundabout at Cross Hands. Smoothly up the box and the VN powers on – they pass me as approach Carmarthen but I pass on the roundabout as they peel off to Llanelli.
The roundabout at St Clears is a joy to sweep around and the vn lies low in the sweeping right hand turn. Hold up a good rate to Haverford west chasing down an Audi at 90 most of the way.
Run home at Carmarthen – tailed by a VW and a Ford on the roundabout and power through and on .They become smaller in the mirrors – eat my carbon foot print.
Tuesday 09/09 Wet really wet. Can only hold 65 -70 until I clear Bont Abrahm. Up to 80 plus thereafter – hold of f the BMW sport to Carmarthen.
Weather eases to just heavy rain. Used to seeing the winding misty snake at my rear – so long as that’s the only snake at my rear !
Reach Haverfordwest to see the result of a 4 wheeled BMW in the front of a bus. It’s a straight road and don’t know how he could miss a bus – but then he didn’t.
Well the VN is now at 51585 miles – due another oil change and will need new tyres in 2 weeks. (that is around 12 k on the back). Have also ordered some Highway Hawk baffles for the Vance and Hines (that day is due soon and I can’t be arsed to fit the stocks.). (arrived today).
PS Just bought a lottery ticket – my luck as I check the numbers tonight (discovering I have the winning ticket) the particle accelerator will whip it out of my hand and hurtle it off to Switzerland – closely followed by everything else.
Drenched to the bone – Times they are a-changing – Bob Dylan.