Motorbiking

"Biker" for me usually means motorbiking, though I also have a couple of mountain-bikes... see Trail Bike

My current motorbikes are a Honda CBR600RR ABS 2017 and a Kawasaki Ninja Z250SL.

Previously I have owned: Kawasaki ZX4-RR (Ninja anniversary edition), Honda CRF300 Rally, Honda CBR600RR 2005, Honda CBR600FW, Honda VF750F, Yamaha FJ600, Suzuki GSX750EX, Yamaha FJ750, Yamaha XJ900, Kawasaki Z750 and I passed my riding test on my Kawasaki KH250.

See also my Motorbiking web links

NX500

NX500

Just an initial look, mainly to see if my feet would sit easily on the ground, unlike the CRF300 Rally I was riding a couple of years ago. Yes is the answer (see grin!), meaning NX500 is a possibility for a riding project I’m considering for 2025. Thinking of a small adventures bike with light weight and manoeuvrability more important than power. Next step is a test ride.

La Camargue

Aigues Mortes
Aigues Mortes

Great weather so a day out riding the roads of the Camargue, the delta of the Rhône between Marseille and Nîmes. Long straight roads then 90° corners, quite different fun to the mountain cols. Coffee in a traditional bar in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in the Alpilles meeting with Jonathan from one of the biker groups online.
My picnic lunch at a drive-in artisan boulangerie at Aigues Mortes was something rather different: Roquefort quiche then a pain-aux-raisons with pistache and raspberry jam filling.
One of my best days of riding this year, topped off with watching the thrilling MotoGP from Phillip Island, Australia.

More photos: La Camargue

Col de l'Espigoulier

Col de l'Espigoulier

An afternoon’s ride-out to the Col de l’Espigoulier (723 m.) to enjoy the hazy sunshine and air at 27°. By no means the only bike out for a session on this fun road just outside Marseille. Photo-bombed as well as out-run on the road while I was working on lines and apexes. Also, keeping the speed well down and being very careful as this was the afternoon following a dawn flight from Heathrow. The usual battle with the Marseille traffic was worthwhile!

Read more: Col de l'Espigoulier (723 m.)

Splashing through puddles on Caldbeck Fell

Splashing through puddles on Caldbeck Fell

Splashing through puddles round the back of Blencathra and Skiddaw and enjoying that smell of mud on hot exhaust with the cool splash of puddle on boots... Any excuse to pull on the big TCX Comp boots and ride!
These little roads are around Caldbeck Fell. The Ninja Z250SL isn’t meant for them but is lighter than many MX bikes and at least as nippy, but unfortunately there aren’t off-road or adventure tyres available for its wheel size.
I could do more of this...

Lakeside - Windermere - Lake District National Park
Lakeside, Windermere

Thirlmere - Lake District National Park
Thirlmere

Exploring Westmorland roads around the west side of Windermere. Conkers, lovely dappled light and autumn colours in the mixed woodlands. Not an early start, just 3.4°C in my garden at 7 am.
Took a break at the mega transport hub of Lakeside: lake steamer and standard gauge steam train of the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway meet road and footpaths through the woods.
Back home on the biker favourite road, the magnificent A6 from Kendal to Penrith over Shap Fell. Lots of midges: Scotland isn’t far away!
Green leathers greatly improve Road Presence on the little Ninja Z250SL.

Read more: Lakeside - Windermere - Lake District National Park

Subcategories

 

En route from Marseille to the Alps

I'm riding light for a week on the mountain roads of the Alps. No laptop, although I do have my SLR camera but photos will have to wait till I'm back in Marseille..

I left Marseille for a long ride north via the Col de la Croix Haute (1179 m.) to Saint-Gervais under Mont Blanc. A bit of rain towards the end of the day which cleaned the Provence dust off my white leathers and boots but didn't soak me through.