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Well, first day back in work. The journey was quite pleasant - chest a little tight. Held the VN down to 70 all the way in and the traffic was quite light - a little weaving around Culver to Cardiff gate.
A few bikes pass and all acknowledge. As I approach the Bridge I see a black ring running ahead of me in the outside lane drifting into the central reservation - ease back on the gas in case this (what looks like a tyre) comes back out after hitting the barrier. On my left just after the exit for the M48 a van is coming to a halt on the hard shoulder. The ring is his tread which has completely come adrift from the tyre walls. Well, that will not have done his rim any good. Leg aches a little on arrival at work.

The journey home takes me via the old bridge (exposed to the wind on this badly maintained relic). The reason for the different journey is that the M5 has major delays as apparently a lorry carrying biscuits has shed its load (no jokes on "oh crumbs" please). Well get to see a different route for a while and that can't be bad. Weather OK and good run home - again hold it down to 70 - may save some fuel and oil. No leaks No smoke but use around 1/2 litre every 4000 miles. Is this the norm for the big V twins? Need to get a cruiser stand as the fork oil is due for a change and she has no drain plugs. Have now clocked up just short of 15000 miles since October. Either my padding in the helmet is loosening up or the V&H are getting loader.

Just a note - had an enjoyable chat with the radiologist during the angiogram - runs a Norton Come and Go In A State - sorry that's what we called them in 76, The Norton Commando Interstate. - It took my mind off the catheter being inserted.

Speak to you soon
Ade

Glad your back. Good luck on the angioplasty. Kinda scary I bet, but I hope youll feel a whole lotbetter when its done.

22/5/07
Sunny day – run in a little quicker than yesterday. After Cardiff Gate a sports saloon passes me on the inside. Move up behind and pass her as she’s blocked herself in on the inside lane, by moving between her and the car alongside her. Once passed ease back. She passes once more and I am now more interested in where she’s going. Newport – who rushes to Newport? Arrive at work before 9 – this is a first.
The home run and as I watch the lights opposite change I begin to pull off at a junction prior to my lights changing – pull up sharp as cameras on this junction. (17 at Cribbs) On the M5 and M4 for home. Around Cardiff Gate I begin manoeuvring between the 2 lanes of traffic travelling around 60plus as I hold around 70 plus – a trail style bike on my tail. As the varying vehicles pull over to let me pass I acknowledge them with a raised hand of thanks – which is more than I can say for the axxs behind me.

23/5/07
Another sunny day high point or low point is the guy in a green Renault megane mpv who joins the motorway munching on an apple (looking more like a hog roast than a hog) and passing a number of vehicles on the inside and cutting in the outside lane. The fellow in the Vauxhall passes the Renault on the inside and cuts him up.
I decide that first opportunity pass both and stay ahead of them. The rest of the journey is sunny and uneventful.

24/5/07
Misty day in but quite a good run with no delays. Forget to switch over to reserve before the splutters – 122 miles from brim to reserve (around 46mpg that‘s UK gallons). Homeward bound is really sunny (Death Rays from Outer Space) but the warmth is on the skin is great. As I cross the bridge a Suzuki street machine (I ‘m no good on models at present) sits on my tail. As we stop in the toll queue we have a chat. He commutes from Cardiff to the Cotswolds (180 miles round trip per day) – My 130 miles seem an afternoon stroll. He asks if the cruiser is comfortable – I confirm and advise that I am too old for being bent over a tank. He acknowledges its killing him and is considering changing. My parting comment is if he is looking at cruisers to try to have foot boards as easier on the legs. The journey to Cardiff is at 80 all the way and he sits behind the whole journey until he pulls off and we wave our farewells. Soon make it home to a jacket potato with cheese and baked beans.

25/5/07
Weather damp and misty – where the waterproof trousers. By Newport begins to lift but still overcast.
Home journey is sunny and a pleasure. At the tolls I am behind a Rocket 3. The guy is ahead of me as I am held up as only one bike at a time. Over the next 8 miles I close the gap down and once the traffic logjams around Coldra I pass and move through the traffic being smaller than him (there are advantages to having, in comparison, a small 1500.). Well that’s the first week back – enjoy the riding as it takes my mind off the ache in chest which I am getting everyday. Think I‘ll drop in the Doc’s on Tuesday. Busy week next week have to fly up to Newcastle (will ride to CWL) and anticipate a day or two in Edinburgh the following week or two. Contract mobilisation.

Finally, the wife and I take our eldest (7 – almost to see POTC At World’s End. Great – my compass also aims for the Rum.

Speak soon.
Ade

Don't know where the cool smiley came from
should have read 7 almost 8
Ade

aw58, you mentioned having and angiogram. I had to do one as well in the hours (days? way too drugged to know) following my accident. The hole in my groin area was not a pleasant one to find, but, the idea of injecting dye into my blood vessels was incredibly cool

Anyhow, I hope things go smoothly in regards to getting mended back up.

Take care

Thanks to Shorts for your well wishes. Ade

28/5/07
Really Sunny Day – Warmth on the face all the way in. Traffic reasonably light until a little after Cardiff Gate. Traffic begins to slow down I work my way through the 3 lanes, up to High Cross and as I descend toward Brynglas tunnels the reason lies on the other carriageway – multiple pile up – emergency services in attendance. Once clear my fellow travellers no longer having a spectacle to gape at begin to increase speed (plebs). The opposite carriage way is log jammed to Magor – quite a few miles.
What I do notice is the smell of summer coming above the smell of exhausts – the trees (elm, hawthorn, oaks) the meadows, grass, ferns, and gorse, bringing back memories of childhood.
The journey home tonight is earlier than normal as have doctor’s appointment at 1630 hrs. Make it in time without much trouble. Doc advises take some time off. I point out I work for Balfour Beatty not own them. (My boss found that funny).

30/5/07
Raining – really raining. However, other drivers still think its yesterday and as I join the motorway its log jammed with a several mile tailback as there has been a multiple car pile up just before Bridgend. It is really cxxp driving between vehicles in this weather. Clear the accident and lo and behold another accident around Llantrisant – probably through trying to make up lost time.

Home run quite sunny but I am still damp from the morning.

31/5
Another wet day, rained most of the way in. Accident around high cross causing some delays. So far, including the work environment it’s been a pretty cxxp week.
Home traffic heavy, old biddy cuts across me in traffic at Cribbs – obviously deaf as well as blind. Traffic lightens up by Cardiff and open up to 85 -90 to try to make up lost time. Wife is late for work tonight. I need an early night as flying to Newcastle in morning.

1/6/07
Leave the house at 0615hrs and the sun is already riding high. Head for the motorway and then have to double back toward Bridgend forgetting I am not going to Bristol. A roads most of the way to Cardiff Airport. This is ok as have got bends to content with. The run through the Vale of Glamorgan is great and as I am within a few miles of CWL I pass under trees, and it becomes dark, damp and clammy as moss and other vegetation hangs above in the braches – but even this is pleasant in a curious way. Park up, say my farewells to the VN and book in for the flight North ( A jetsream 41 – seats around 25 – twin engined prop with what can only be described as Short Shots as exhausts). A day in the North (well - offices in Gateshead being just round the corner from the Angel of the North). Picked up by colleague, nice to catch up as we are scattered over the UK and meet too infrequently. Return on the 1700 hr flight. As I load up the VN with my laptop and files I am approached by a guy waiting to collect his wife. Asks if it’s a Shadow (which its not) and then if it’s a 750 or 900- again not. He runs a HD sportster on weekends and whilst he thought his was load, accepts that the VN is a tad loader. We say our farewells and then run the short 25 miles home – picking up birthday cards for the wife – meal out tonight.

Well 8 months and 16000 miles have passed – due for another 8 weekly service.
Speak soon
ADE

Just managed to upload a photo to add to my ramblings. This was at Cardiff Airport on my journey to Newcastle. Photographed the VN because I'd miss it - not to remind me where I'd parked it. Thanks to Shorts for the info on uploading.
Now I can bore you with photos of my past.
Speak soon
Ade

aw58 wrote:
Just managed to upload a photo to add to my ramblings. This was at Cardiff Airport on my journey to Newcastle. Photographed the VN because I'd miss it - not to remind me where I'd parked it. Thanks to Shorts for the info on uploading.
Now I can bore you with photos of my past.
Speak soon
Ade

That's good stuff You're more than welcome

Last week (w/c 4th June)
Sunny but uneventful
7th June
Went to Poulton Le Fylde by train - Left home at 6 am
Train was late
Missed connection at Bristol
Headed North on Virgin Trains
Changed at Birmingham
on to Preston
On to Poulton where the train didn't stop
Arrived Blackpool
Taxi back to Poulton £8.80
Arrived 12 45 hrs
Worked the day and caught the 1700hrs home
Virgin trains to Bristol and then First Great Western
Virgin Trains are all new rolling stock with plugs for the lap top
Back on First Great Western and you can hear the fat controller saying
" you're a really useful engine Thomas" almost the Bxxxxy dark ages.
Home at 23.30 hrs
Wish I gone on the VN
11th June
Set off to work sunny - after 8 miles the darkness of Mordor descended and the sun seamed to be blotted out. Traffic heavy at Coryton the lanes switch to opposite carriageway.
Several miles on opposite carriageway and return at to the proper side at Cardiff Gate. Drop down to 3rd at 50 and accelarate away from the traffic.
Continue the journey - traffic jammed on opposite carriageway heading for the narrowed lanes. Pass a motorcycle just before the bridge on the hill climb to Almondsbury he's gaining - I keep it down to 70 no rush.

Journey home via old bridge for a change pleasant journey until Cardiff Gate where the jam starts. wind my way through the queues - gap too small between Peugot and Artic as I jam the brake lever on the mirror of the Peugot and my left mirror on the trailer of the artic. As the artic pulls off - I free and continue my weave. Cause of the problem - 3 car shunt in outside lane of roadworks.
Clear the cxxp and open up for home.

nb stopped to photo old bridge on way home
Speak soon

12th June, 07

Weather a bit mirky this morning. Leather jacket, cotton trousers, shirt/tie, cowboy boots (ideal for footboards), gloves open face and aviator glasses (waterproofs in saddlebags). Hope I don't have to stop for rain.
Out on to M4 and holding a respectable 80 plus until coryton. Just prior the blue lights of a Volvo approaching in mirrors. Ease up a little - he passes. Pick up speed and then traffic jams up at Coryton and the coming miles of roadworks. No sign of the Volvo - assume off at junction. Weave my way to the contra flow and hold the 50 limit behind traffic in single lane. Back to 2 lanes at Cardiff Gate and drop down and let the VN growl its way ahead of the crowd. Rover Soft top ahead, and pass on inside as she holds the outside lane. Power through High cross, acknowledging bikes on oposite carriage way, despite being layed over in the windy bits.( the laid back position of the cruiser helps). Through the tunnels around 60 and back up to the respectable speed around Coldra.
Weather holds and a pleasent journey.
homeward bound - Pass a Ninja on prior to the Bridge - older guy (assume so) with young son on back - advantage of riding solo - no worry for a passenger. Just prior to the tunnels have a X5 BMW up my rear - not impressed with this - let them pass with irritation - wave my appreciation with 2 fifths of my hand.( Pass the cXw a little later on with a pleasant glower). Settle back to a quick run home - hold up reasonable pace. Not too bad a 49th birthday run. (29 years ago I was just getting out of Hospital after bending my T100 head on with a TR6 on the 9th- not recommended)

Boots from Sheplers - have 2 pairs one in Black Cherry and one in Brown and Black - really comfortable.