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
A third fine morning despite the dire forecast so another unexpected ride opportunity. I stayed on the routes near the coast to avoid the low cloud and murk inland. This ride in my oldest Dainese leathers, with matching gloves, boots and D-tec helmet. All still fit and nothing broken but the 2005 style now looks antique.
Another welcome but unexpected ride opportunity whilst the weather isn’t as bad as forecast. Again up on the roads in the pine forests around the Circuit du Castellet. My photo was despite the distraction of the sound of a rider cutting a quite a few fast laps on the track nearby. Then I took the heavily-banked road down to the commune of Le Beausset, collecting not a few insects on the way. Fuel for the bike then lunch for me at a boulangerie run by two well-inked bakers. Excellent Viennoiseries.
Not the dream weather in Marseille, the dawn flight from Heathrow re-routed to avoid storms over the Cévennes. More storms forecast in this Episode cévenol so - after a rest - I took a local ride to grab some ride time while it’s still dry enough to refresh my reflexes and enjoy some revs and apexes. Riding in a favourite old set of twin-zip leathers.
Loweswater
Bassenthwaite
Route riding four of the less-visited lakes in Cumbria. Away from Keswick there was a lot of mist so I chose to ride in the gear I got for the CRF300 rally bike (now sold). A fine ride round misty lakes and misty mountains.
Stele at 2802 m., Cime de la Bonette
Only the one clear day showing for this week and with several cols of the Route des Grandes Alpes closed with roadworks, I made for the best col road around, it’s also the “The highest in Europe”. The north side road of the Bonette has long been my firm favourite, rising more than 1500 m. altitude with a variety of road styles and of course lots of curves that make almost anything in England look like a putting green. Probably more apexes than you get on a track day.
More photos: Route de la Bonette (2802 m.): cols du Restfond (2680 m.) & Bonette (2715 m.)
Subcategories
Alps Biker 2016
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.
