2004
France – 2004
June 2004 saw yet another successful trip across the channel by Bob, Bonzo, Chinny and Windsor to explore the delights of Northern France.
Biker Friendly Cafes
The Food Stop Bikers Cafe, Quatford
Quatford Food Stop is also known as Alan’s Cafe or Quatford Cafe has long been a favourite biker’s cafe is a very biker friendly cafe just outside Bridgnorth in Shropshire.
Bikes
Ray’s 2002 CBR954RR Fireblade
Ray bought his Fireblade in 2002 and rode it all around the UK including some very long trips to France. The only modifications Ray did to his Blade was to fit a Givi rack and box. In August 2004 Ray Read more
Product Reviews
Scottoiler
Let me get this bit out of the way first, this must be the one of the best items ever produced for a motorcycle (unless you have a shaft or belt driven bike of course) A Scottoiler is a small chamber Read more
2004
Big Bikes Motorcycle Show
You may have noticed from previous bike rides that this show is one that we have visited for the last 2 years, it’s a shame to say that this year will might be the last time, unless something radical is Read more
2004
Elan Valley
To commemorate (or should that be celebrate?) Bonzo’s moving from the Midlands down to Wales we decided to have a little ride out into Wales and have a wander around the historic landscapes and thriving wildlife that makes up Elan Valley. Read more
2004
Imperial War Museum Duxford
The Imperial War Museum is a collection of five museums that include IWM London, IWM North in Greater Manchester, IWM Duxford, The Churchill War Rooms in London and the historic ship HMS Belfast, moored in the Pool of London on Read more
2004
Horseshoe Pass
East? or West? That was the question of the day, should we head into Wales or go east towards Lincolnshire? After weighing up the pros and cons our bellies made the decision for us and told us to head for Read more
2004
Royal Air Force Museum Cosford
The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is located in Shropshire and offers a fun, entertaining day out for all the entire family. Situated next to an active airfield, this is the only place in the Midlands where you can get Read more
2003
Bletchley Park
Bletchley Park, for those who haven’t yet had the pleasure of learning about this historic marvel, became the secret HQ of the Government Code and Cipher School during WWII—a team of absolute brainiacs who cracked the infamous Nazi Enigma cipher, Read more
2003
France and Spain – 2003
In June 2003 Bob, Ray and Bonzo to take a ‘Bob weekend’ (10 days, you know what plumbers are like) to ride the 1,600 miles from the Midlands to the north of France, down through France and into Spain and Read more
Biker Friendly Cafes
Midway Truck Stop, Whitchurch
The Midway Truck Stop is located on the A41, just outside Whitchurch, Like the Salt Box Cafe, the Midway is a very popular with lorry drivers (they even have their own seating section) and is the home of the world famous “Desperate Dan” breakfast. If you think you have a large appetite, the try one of these!
Bikes
Bonzo’s 2001 Red Honda Blackbird
September 2002 Bonzo traded in his excellent Triumph Trophy 1200 for yet another Honda Blackbird! December 2005 Bonzo traded this 2001 Honda Blackbird for a brand new 2005 black one!
Product Reviews
Altberg Clubman Roadster Boots
May 2002 Altberg (also known as Alt-berg) is a small company based in Richmond, North Yorkshire that originally and still do make excellent walking boots, I believe that a number of the employees at the company ride motorcycles and so Read more
Whoops a Daisy
Windsor’s Honda VFR800 – 2001
Windsor’s got no excuse for this little incident, whilst approaching a bend his Honda VFR was happily content with the usual method of going around via the bit in the middle (known as the road) but Windsor had an idea Read more
2011
Cat and Fiddle
Bob and Windsor had a quick ride up around Buxton and while they were in the area decided to have a quick run along the A537 Cat and Fiddle with a sly stop at the Cat and Fiddle pub for Read more
Bikes
Bob’s Yamaha FJ1200 Sidecar
Bob’s FJ isn’t your average bike, in case you have missed it, it’s got a bloody big sidecar attached to it! Bob’s has what the medical profession call a `Fooked right leg’ after a motorcycle related incident a few years Read more
Bikes
Bonzo’s Triumph Trophy 1200
It’s May 2001 and Bonzo’s Back! After almost 2 years unable to ride a bike (some would say that Bonzo has never been able to ride a bike) Bonzo’s got himself another bike and he’s back on the road. He’s Read more
Bikes
Bob’s Triumph Legend
Bob’s epic return to motorcycling journey really kicked off back in 1999 when he sauntered into Ideal Garage in Birmingham and made the life-changing decision to purchase a shiny new Triumph Legend. This wasn’t just any old bike—it was his Read more
2011
Laugharne Castle
Laugharne Castle is a castle in the town of Laugharne in southern Carmarthenshire, Wales and is another location that’s needed for this years Grim Riders Castles Ride, do Bob and Bonzo headed over to Laugharne to bag this castle. Websites: Read more
Bikes
Hank’s CBR900RR Fireblade
Back in 2001, Hank had a moment of motorcycling clarity—or maybe it was a midlife crisis disguised as genius. Either way, he decided that his trusty Honda VFR800, while perfectly reliable and all, just didn’t have enough “oomph” to match Read more
Bikes
Bob’s 2001 Honda Blackbird
In July 2001, Bob waved a fond goodbye to his trusty 2-year-old Triumph Legend and decided to kick things up a gear—or several—by getting himself a Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird. This wasn’t just any bike; it was the two-wheeled equivalent Read more
Bikes
Chinny’s Honda Blackbird
July 2001 both Bob & Chinny decided to trade in their bikes for Honda’s flagship sports tourer, the Honda Blackbird CBR1100XX. Chinny’s Honda Blackbird is a brand new 2001 model in red and Chinny’s added quite a few accessories along Read more
Biker Friendly Cafes
Dinkys Dinah, nr Shrewsbury
Dinkys (Diner) Dinah is located within a large lay-by on the A458 just outside the village of Ford near Shrewsbury heading towards Welshpool, It’s a very common stopping off place with people travelling to the welsh cost as there are toilets and parking facilities.
England
A57 – Snake Pass
The Snake Pass, another gem in the Peak District’s treasure trove of epic roads, is a biker’s playground that never disappoints. Winding its way from Glossop to Sheffield via the A57, this legendary route has a little bit of everything Read more
England
A537 – The Cat and Fiddle
One of my favourite areas in the UK to ride my bike are the roads around the Derbyshire Peak District in particular the roads around Buxton, Matlock Bath, Glossop & Ashbourne. The most famous road in the Peak District for bikers Read more
England
B6047 – Melton Mowbray to Market Harborough
This route is really an extra section to the Ashby-De-La-Zouch to Melton Mowbray route. Starting from Melton Mowbray. find the B6047 (Dalby Road) and head south, after 11 miles or so you will come to a junction with the A47 Read more
Whoops a Daisy
Bonzo’s Triumph Daytona 1200 – 2000
Bonzo had just had a new set of tyres fitted, travelling home from the tyre centre in the pouring rain, by a bend in the road he crossed the white painted markings and the bike slid from under him. Bonzo Read more