Slappers Go East Sunday 12th July

[Kwacky]

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Current forecast

[Itchy]

Doesn't look as bad for Rutland though.

It'd better not chuck it down, I just washed and polished the bike!

[Kwacky]

I'm on the loan bike so I can't push it anyway.

Looks like it's just us two, as they've all bailed out on 675cc and there's no interest on here or z1000sx.co.uk

[Itchy]

I'm such a popular guy!

[Kwacky]

They don't want to be shown up by the Versys

[Itchy]

I'm on the loan bike so I can't push it anyway.

See, you say that, but we all know you not pushing it will still see me clambering around the bike like an amphetamine-fuelled monkey trying to keep up, despite my Bhp/torque advantage!

It's all good, I'll find some straights to catch up!

[Kwacky]

erm, you're leading. I don't know where we're going

[Blade]

Kwacky take a video camera Kwacky take a video camera watching Itchy do an amphetamine fuelled monkey impressions sounds too good to miss

All joking aside have fun and stay safe guys

[Kwacky]

The camera mount is on the sx. Sorry.

[Blade]

Itchy will have to come to Wales then in a few weeks so we can all see his antics first hand

Have a great day lads, and get some photos

[StMarks]

..... I think they prefer to ride alone to be honest!

Oi young Rossgo , I resemble that remark.

Have a good time out there tomorrow you lot, some of us will just be working hard as usual.

[Rossgo]

..... I think they prefer to ride alone to be honest!

Oi young Rossgo , I resemble that remark.

Have a good time out there tomorrow you lot, some of us will just be working hard as usual.

Hahaha!! Not everyone StMarks but you have to admit some of the threads for ride outs are hilarious, eg leaving to have a ride anyone want to meet me at such and such a cafe at 11am. (Posted 10am) haha!!

[Kwacky]

A14 is shut from the M6. I'm at the services. Itchy, send me your number and I'll call you about 10 to let you know where I am

[StMarks]

....Hahaha!! Not everyone StMarks but you have to admit some of the threads for ride outs are hilarious, eg leaving to have a ride anyone want to meet me at such and such a cafe at 11am. (Posted 10am) haha!!

Actually, if you look carefully at what I wrote, you may notice that I did actually agree with you mate.

Fwiw if I'm ever to be found riding with others, then there's probably going to be a track or something involved to encourage me out of myself.

[Kwacky]

Good day out, although the weather could have been better in the morning.

The Versys did ok for a small engined bike. I was certain glad of the smaller engine when I saw Itchy try to sidestep his bike on a metal manhole cover

Thanks for sorting today. Good to catch up with you (which I had to do a few times)

[Itchy]

Good start to the day...


Still, it wasn't raining when I set off, so fingers crossed.

One light shower on the way to Huntingdon but by the time I'd filled up and met Kwacky I was dry.

I had the route in my head heading towards Rutland, this unfortunately coincided with a rather grim looking cloud.

Onto the A47 and BOOM, the heavens seemed to open and empty themselves into our leathers.
Onto the B6047 which can be quite an enjoyable and technical road. However when you're riding through your second road-width puddle/food/ford/small ocean that had totally enveloped your boots(complete with hanging-off sole and small hole), it's less of a fun time and more of a wash out.

Soldiering on to a fuel stop at Oakham, as Kwacky says, had a little spinny tyre moment going over a metal drain cover, yikes, before stopping at Ashwell for more refuelling...




Bellies full, kit still damp, but the weather had turned, there was almost sunshine.
By the time we'd gone through Stamford and Bourne, the sun was well and truly making an appearance.
The B676 to Melton Mowbray was fast and flowing, and brought back memories of my past life here. Up the A607 to Grantham, still sunny!

Then, my personal nirvana of UK biking roads, the B1176 from Grantham.
Sun still shining, little traffic, just lots and lots of glorious bends.

Love it.

The morning's weather was forgotten, all cares and worries floated away, just me, a mate, our bikes and the road! Wasn't pushing especially hard but reduced the chicken strips a bit too...


The second section of the B1176 isn't so great, poorly surfaced and covered in mud and debris. Still, it got us to Stamford and stopped for a leg stretch.

After that we went our separate ways home.

About 6 and a half hours out and about, 278.3 miles for me and I'm glad I didn't stay out any longer, I'm a bit achy because I haven't ridden nearly enough this year and I'm not used to that long in the saddle.

Maybe shouldn't have bothered washing the bike yesterday...




Kwak, I owe you a breakfast!

[Kwacky]

Your riding was nice and smooth today. If I can point one thing out you need to stop comfort braking though before a corner. A lot of times you only touched the brake, it barely took any speed off, so you know you don't need to do it.

I had a great day, despite the weather early on. Thanks for sorting out the route, much appreciated.

[Itchy]

If I can point one thing out you need to stop comfort braking though before a corner. A lot of times you only touched the brake, it barely took any speed off, so you know you don't need to do it.

You know what? I was thinking that a few times today myself. I've been told it in the past as well, I think/hope it's just because I've not ridden much this year and I've just regressed a bit to my old ways.

But thanks for pointing it out, I can concentrate on it next time I'm out, hopefully get a bit more experience before the good weather disappears totally!

Thanks for sorting out the route, much appreciated.

That was my pleasure mate, good to get out on the old stomping grounds again.


Did you get your phone sorted in the end?

[Kwacky]

You'll have to head over this way next time. I might see if I can get out next Sunday.

Yep, sorted. No idea what was wrong with the phone or why it locked me out but thankfully I've got a backup on the laptop which I used to get it going again.

[Itchy]

Ah sweet, at least it's not buggered then!

You'll have to head over this way next time.

There's a plan in the offing, I may be able to attend many more Tankslap rideouts before too long. I'm not jinxing it though, I'll 'fess up in a couple of weeks!