Tuxford Windmill

Last week, I went to Tuxford the first time on my motorbike. It was a little bit of a hassle to have to get off the bike on a slope and open the gate. The flour was worth it though.

 

Wrawby Windmill

Wrawby Winmill only opens a few Sundays or Bank Holidays a year, I have been meaning to go, and it finally came the chance.  It is the first Post Windmill I have been in. I think I tried to go to the one in Suffolk and I saw the one in Thorpness.

It was interesting, the volunteers were all very friendly.  They were selling Maud Foster flour, so I bought some.  Nice little trip.

Haribo Factory Shop

I stopped by Haribo shop, and it is now mostly the same price to their shops in outlets.  So I just picked up one tub.

Women in Moto in Uttoxeter

Another biker joined me to Women in Moto, Cardo did a good job taking us around the cities.  We arrived in good time and managed to get onto some test rides.  I went to a moto gymkhana session, it was a good refresher.  The CBR650R was very good bike, but it hurts my back.

For the test rides and the moto gymkhana session, it was worth my entry.  The food offers were not very good...

Bradfield Moor Wildfire

Because of Bradfield Moor wildfire, the Strines was shut and we had a very long diversion on our ride out.  Who would have known, there are so many gamekeepers on that Moors. 

GBMCC @ Earby - Day 4

How time flies.  There were a lot of food left, so I encouraged a lot of people to take food home.  And because of that, I had to go straight home before going into the office.

I had a few things to do in the office, including a Teams meeting.  It was a long day!

GBMCC @ Earby - Day 3

On the second day, people were slowing down on their breakfast already.  I took the direct route to Devil's bridge and waited for everyone to arrive.  We then rearrange, and went onto Kewsick to meet up with the rest. 

I, rather, Cardo Ride, led us back from Keswick. Of course there were some holiday traffic, but we were on single track roads all the way from Windermere to Sedbergh.  It was tolerable that it has been dry.

From there, I thought about going on yet more scenic route, but I thought we could just do the direct scenic route instead.

We had Tawa for Four at the curry house, it was a meter wide Tawa with all the food on it, on a catering flame candle.  It was interesting.

GBMCC @ Earby - Day 2

Everyone was up early making bacon sandwiches.  The rolls all went on one day. 

I fired up my Cardo Ride to take us to Glasson Docks, but the road between Dunsop Bridge to Lancaster was shut, so we skipped Glasson Docks, we swam through the road works and went to Arnside.  On the way back, we stopped at the cheese shop, got myself a lung full of mould spores.

GBMCC @ Earby - Day 1

This is the second time I organised the Earby Weekend.  I went to Earby via scenic route, which is also congested on the Friday...  I got there early to take in the Sainsbury order.  I fired up all the ovens, got everyone settled and we all ate around the table, mostly supermarket pizza.  The salad was less popular than expected.  

Cardo Ride III

So I just worked out I can save planned route on Cardo Ride.  I have got all the rides programmed for Earby weekend, let see how it goes.

Puncture Near Miss

When I left the bike shop, I heard a funny noise.  I stopped and look and could not see anything.  Then I rode another mile or so, I saw a screw...  So I went back to the bike shop, and luckily, it had not punctured through...

Kirkdale Ford

Calimoto took us through a ford, Kirkdale Ford, quite a big one.  It has been very dry, so the ford was dry, but plenty of debris.  

Chain It

I had to park on the street, and all the signs say chain it, so I was moving my heavy chain around.  That is the price to pay for security.

Barton Bike Night 2026

Barton Bike Night is as impressive as I remember it.  It was a fairly dry day, and the England has minimal effects on people turning up.  Rebel Curves are there also.  I got a high vis strap from the Humberside Fire stall.

I navigated it there with my iphone, and it nearly killed it, so I managed to buy a snack.  I really should get some cash or cards with me.

MAG Farmyard Party - Day 3

I planned to wake up early to take down the tent before clocking in for my shift.  I woke up at 4 am and saw the sunrise, but I wasn't ready to get up, so I went back to bed.

I overestimated how fast I could take down my tiny tent, so I clocked in a little late.  And my last shift is also traffic management, so watching bikes goes and be a lollipop lady for the morning.

We had some lunch buffet before I rode home.  I am glad I have ticked Farmyard Party off.

MAG Farmyard Party - Day 2

The music did not stop till 2 am, and earplugs are useless against heavy bases...  We were so close to solstice, so the light were up early.  It rained a little, and I was a little cold at night.  Welcome to camping in England.

I wandered around the stalls again, chatted more about bikes, and then clock in.  Stamping people's hands and ask them to get off the road, whilst watching clouds past in a gazabo's shade.  

After work, I caught the back end of the comedy show, then I had my dinners, and went to walk down to the river, it was a long way down, and I did it twice...

I turned in early again, this time I was wearing earphones with podcast, much better.  I did wake up slightly around midnight, but I wasn't about to get dressed and go to watch the adult entertainment...

MAG Farmyard Party - Day 1

I went up again after I finished with work.  I went on the road I knew, again, I didn't know how they look exactly, so I am glad I can see it now.

I pitched up and clock in for work, which is traffic management, watching bikes coming through, and chatted about bikes all afternoon,

MAG Farmyard Party - Day 0

I have been meaning to check out the Farmyard Party, this year worked out perfectly, just.  I had to pop up for an induction on the Thursday.  I also take the opportunity to take in some scenic roads.  I really like being able to see where I actually went on like this, thanks Cardo Ride.

 

Ireland Motorcycling Day 4 + 2

I rang up AA Ireland first thing to confirm she is being moved.  And I was told the job has been accepted and in progress, so I gathered my stuff up and went to the bike shop.  The bike shop has free coffee, which was very nice.

And Unthank turned up, finally!  She was straight on the bed, it took a little while to find the broken wire, and once that was jointed and everything put back together, we were on our way!

I went to the Howth headland for a little ride.  I was tempted by their seaside fish and chips.  At the end, I opted for a supermarket lunch box. I fueled her up so I can ride straight home without stopping.

I fueled up and went straight to the port.  Whilst waiting at the port, I start putting together my travel insurance claim...  I also emailed everyone else that I should be back at work the next day.  It was a resounding sound of relief for all.

Home at last!

Ireland Motorcycling Day 4 + 1

I decided to go to the first motorcycle shop early to get an early answer if they can look at Unthank.  I took a bus there with all my luggage.  They said they don't really have time to have a look.  So I called the other bike shop, the other bike shop said it is possible, so I called to get the bike recovered to that bike shop, all assuming Unthank will get there.

I made my way onto another bus, for a long bus ride to the other side of the city.  I got to the bike shop.  Sofia was so nice, and let me leave all the luggage and helmet behind the counter.  So I went to get a breakfast before I chase them again.

As it turns out, AA Ireland cannot find a tow to move a motorcycle by 9:30 in the morning, so the bike won't make it till the next day.  And they only let us know after I chased and it was by then a little late to get her moved privately.

I found somewhere else to stay, nearly.  I grabbed a few essentials and went to the lodging.  I was lucky that I was allowed in before official check-in, and I even used her washing machine.  I emailed everyone to update and amend my Tuesday plans.  I went to Aldi to get some food and settled in.