who riding tonight?

[Doctor T]

Hi everyone. Just wondering if anyone is out tonight on their bikes.
Am packed up and leaving in 10 minutes(9 pm). 190 miles to do to get to my relatives in Tonypandy in Wales. The wife is already there but i had something to sort out before i could leave. We do this trip every year. Hopefully, the M3 and M4 are quiet. Happy Chrismas

[David.]

Santa is getting geared up.

[burridge01]

I'm usually abroad on a bike at Christmas, can't do it this year cos of me accident, gutted doesn't cover it.Good luck and a safe ride to all who venture out on the bikes,especially the big man on the sledge

[simbo]

Not me! Three days of heavy drinking Merry Christmas

[Doctor T]

There's a plus as i don't drink mind bending fluids.
Am back after more or less 400 mile round trip. Raining on the way there and the same on the homeward journey. On my way to Wales, only saw one other biker and he was delivering food. Changed my route a bit. M27, A34, and M4 made more sense from my home. This year my cousin also rode his R1250R. He rode from Hemel Hempstead. Of course, the usual bike chat happened to compare tyres. Mine has RoadTec 01 and he had just fitted a pair of BT32. He said so far they have acted as expected but they take a while to heat up.
Found out my Richa over suit is 100% waterproof and surprisingly so were my cheap winter gloves.

[Steve398]

Pleased you survived the trip Doc, my bike hasn’t touched the road in weeks. I’m at an age where if it’s wet or cold I’ll take the car… It may make me a wuss, but a warm wuss!

[Doctor T]

I hate to start a journey when it's raining. I didn't really suffer from the cold. All i wore was my jacket with the liner and a long sleeve Decathlon body layer. It's the same on my trousers too with again a pair of Decathlon Base layer leggings. I didn't wear any jeans under the suit.
Been using Decathlon base layer stuff for about 5 years and swear by them. Just bout a new set, cost under £20. I've tried the expensive types but they are not as good.
I've always ridden all year round. Was a London dispatch rider for years and i rode in all sorts of weather 10 hours a day. Each term break i would do this to pay for my tuition Uni fees.

[Steve398]

I actually quite enjoy riding in the rain (as long as I'm dressed for it), it's just cleaning the bike afterwards that brings on the pain. For me it was 14 years on Police bikes and we were allowed 30 mins at the end of the shift for washdown as the bikes had to be clean, and I've never really got out of the habit.

However our riding kit was obviously chosen by people who didn't ride bikes because it was useless at keeping the rain and cold out. I do agree on Decathlon though, great stuff and a very good price... sizing and colours can be a bit strange though!

Today would have been a great day for a ride out but I got nabbed for grocery shopping.

[Doctor T]

Yeh, their sizing is a bit strange.
I know what you mean about riders not getting the right gear. I worked for City Link when they first started. They bought in a load of Kett gear. They leaked more than a colander.