Naturale Bike Wash!

30 foot drop into fast flowing river. 30 foot out with a 90 degree left handed through trees. Easy

I got very wet.

The trick is to come down hill, wheelie so the front wheel does not hit the water with the rear driving you through. That will be for the next course then!

You want us to go where?

First off - spot the instructor. Yep that little figure top of the hill on the left of the track. Aim for there! Now spot the bike just over half way up. Now try and figure the gradient out. Lets put it this way, with the loose gravel you would have difficulty to walk up it as it was so steep!

Now how do i get from where i am sitting taking the picture to where the instructor is? Err, first avoid the deep water filled ruts, go downhill a bit, cross a deep rutted fire road that goes left to right, staggered junction, get the bike into second, floor it and aim for the top, whilst trying to stay on! Easy when you know how. Oh, and just where the bike is, remember there is a 10 foot flat bit, so roll off the throttle a bit, then back on to ensure you get to the top.

Great instruction, the right machinery and a bit of bravery gets you to the top. What did we all do when we got to the top - laughed so much it hurt and asked to do it again! Were all just a bunch of big kids with big toys.

Sorry officer the accidents always seem to be behind me!

Sorry for the delay in posting. Been traveling around like crazy with work (Paris, Zurich etc), but Friday and Saturday i got sometime to myself. Got off flight Thursday evening from Zurich and 3hrs later i find myself in mid-wales.

It's time for the advanced off road bike course. Luckily there were only 3 others on my course and we zipped through the theory and got out on the trails. This is the aftermath of riding too close together - i lost a bit of traction on a steep climb at the top, dean launches 240kg of BMW into the trees and Jeremy panics and drops it mid-way up! I did the decent thing and took a photo then went to help pick the bikes up! You will notice the the bike at the back of the photo 2 blokes are picking it up! More photos soon!

Commute to Work

Decided to ditch the taxi and walk to the office on Wednesday.

26 degrees + blue sky. Some interesting sights on the walk in - beats Maidenhead any day!

Whisky galore!

Thanks to one of my colleagues (Mr McG your a star) i am the proud owner of a bottle of Balvenie whisky. I received it whilst in our Cheshire office on route to Paris. Couldn't resist a wee nip when i got to Paris. Very smooth and as it's matured in two casks it lovely! Apologies for the coffee cup. It was the only thing i could find! http://www.balvenie.com/

Friday evening went to a clay shoot and supper with Alan courtesy of my wife (the final birthday celebrations). Alan also found me a bottle of whisky for my birthday that i have never tried before. Old Pulteney from Wick. Also superb. http://www.oldpulteney.com/whisky.php

Thanks guys - one happy Scotsman :)

Before it got dirty.....

2nd bike has arrived. Been out for x3 seperate hours. I always come back knackered. Today i went out and tried some routes over the south downs. Managed to get 73mph on a road section and then experienced a tank slapper! That woke me up! Also towards the end i was kicking it down the box to slow down and then it would cut out. Couldn't work it out to begin with as it was a bugger to restart - thought i had flooded it! In the end i figured out what it is. The fuel feeds from the back of the tank. I was low on fuel and as i was slowing down rapidly i was starving the bike of fuel! I am pampered on the GS as it has gear indicator and a fuel guage. No luxuries on the KTM! Also learning how to deal with chalk paths, tree routes and the bank end stepping out.

Gleneagles

As part of my 40th I was asked what i wanted for presents. I decided it would be good to do activities and see friends and family rather than go mad on things!

My dear wife organised a surprise trip for me on the Friday before my 40th. 7am flight from Southampton to Edinburgh, pick up rental car then 1hr drive up to Gleneagles for 200 clays and a gun dog lesson, before heading back home on the late night flight.

Shooting was great. Didn't miss much and i always like shooting at gleneagles. Staff are great, layout is varied and i always have a good time. Was not sure of the gun dog lesson going up - but i found it educational and great fun. Gleneagles is the only place in the UK where you can "borrow" a dog and learn. Everywhere else you have to take your own dog.

Rental company gave me a convertible. Blue sky's all day, 21 degrees, no rain or wind. Both flights on-time. Perfect day.

4th decade here we come!

Worrying i look like the guy on the right today - but i think that has to do with the last 2 weeks of birthday activities - Centreparcs joint 21st, 40th and 50th birthday weekend, a surprise day to Gleneagles (more news on this), black tie ball last night and the new bike getting delivered. I will not mention the alcohol, the dancing girls or the rock 'n' roll or the activities to come this week!

If this is what your 40's are like - bring it on.

Start Ya.....

At work today got chatting with young Richard - a native of Australia. The discussion was about the KTM being delivered this weekend and how it gets started. Luckily for me its got an electric starter but backup is a kick start! This reminded Richard of past difficult engines in the past and a product that's made in Australia called - "start ya bars^%d".

How i laughed when i read the product description - "Nulon's SYB high potency, highly concentrated, highly flammable formulation is designed to instantly fire-up difficult-to-start engines"

Gotta love the ozzies.

I have seen the future....and he has a career with a clipboard

All i can say is that the National Trust has a sinister side to it. Oh yes, very good at preserving historically important things, restoration and keeping the older generation off the streets and in voluntary jobs.

The dark side? it's introduces youngsters to the art of the clipboard. When i was proofing a set of photos all that came into my mind when i saw the attached photo are careers like - planning inspector, civil servant, health and safety. Surely our kids have better prospects? What about rocket scientist, rock star, racing driver...you know those high income bracket jobs that help their kids ensure their Dad figures out what the phrase "semi-retired" and "retired with kids" actually means!

Thank you national trust for screwing up my retirement and introducing my kids to the dark side!