--- 2009 ---
Riding the local Roads
around
ridersrest...
January the 1st 09
A short ride of some 150 kms South on the D940 to Tulle in the sunshine -
East along the N89 (D1089) to Egletons getting colder
then North on the D16 through the snow back home through Treignac
and more sunshine...
Tulle and the new A89 Viaduct
D16 From Egletons to Treignac
Thursday 8th January 09
Well the weather just
wasn't going to warm up enough for the roads to clear of ice or snow in a
hurry
so I bit the bullet and trailered the Stelvio into Ussel some 50 miles to
have the Moto Guzzi Dealer take
the lid off and see what all the noise was about.
The-Lovely-Wendy helped me push it onto the trailer and get is secured ready
for the journey.
I hate trailering bikes I always feel that they should be ridden and
trailering them always
makes them feel different when I get back on it the suspension seems
different...
I know it is just me but hey.
Anyway I got there no
problems besides all the damn salt on the roads which is destined to eat
my bike alive while MG head office approve any work and send out any parts
required.
Once the head was off and some farkling about it was quickly discovered that
the rocker (ringed
in red has
worn sufficiently to cause concern, I now await Moto Guzzi's verdict on how
to proceed.
I have been on the Moto
Guzzi
forums and it is a known problem - though no one knows the
cause yet (except MG maybe) Looking at the oil residue I doubt it is oil
starvation as it looks well lubed, the whole rocker and valve assembly needs
changing, that is the new part of the technology of the 4v engine, the rest
looks sweet nice and easy to work on.
The dealer is a top
bloke and will take this up under warranty for me even though it is a
UK registered bike - fair enough as it generally doesn't pay him much to
especially when he didn't
even sell it to me. I know he should anyway as a dealer but I would have
understood if he had sent me packing ;)
so I am grateful to him.
I will keep you appraised as and when I hear anything...
January the 11th 09
The sun was shining - So I took the FJR out for some fresh air
had to watch for the odd Ice patch where the sun couldn't get through...
Headed out to Pompadour via Uzerche along the D3
February 19th The sun was shining - So I took the FJR out for some fresh air
had to watch for the odd Ice patch where the sun couldn't get through but
rode to Ussel to check on the Moto Guzzi Stelvio to find it is ready for me
to collect tomorrow ...
February 20th The sun
was shining and it was an unbelievable 12 degrees warm - Perfect for picking
up my
now repaired Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 8V and going out for a ride down those
narrow winding
lanes this bike was built for and also a short piece of dirt track...
Wendy
attempted to capture some pictures from the car on the way home from Ussel...
Once home I was out again for some long overdue Stelvio
riding.
February 26th Glorious day so
got all the bikes out and rode each one...
February the 27th 09
Out again today - madness not to 18 degrees...
February the 28th 09
Out again today - madness not to 18 degrees again went to visit some
Chateaux...
On the route Richard the Lion Heart
March 09
Has been a mixed Month some more snow and some brilliant warm days reaching
temps of 21 degrees Odd.
We also managed a run out with our new neighbour
Dave Edge who professed at being a bike enthusiast
Suzibabes from the SEM
popped out for a visit 30th Mar - 5th Apr
April Rides Our friends Dave and Jackie rode over for a few days as
did Debs (Polished Arrow from the SEM)
We got out for a few rides to Rocamadour, Castle De Val, Puy Mary (the pass
was blocked by snow),
back through Argentat plus a run to Lac Vassivire and Oradour-sur-Glane.
This is Dave P videoing me on a run on the D940 to Payrat Le Chateau
21st April did 9 Chateaux in 1 day today - long day 10 hours
in the saddle...
April 23rd Another day out in St Georges day and 24 degrees
24th April Still 24 degrees but rain forecast for the weekend so went out for a
run...
26th April Managed to get over to Brive to help a guest get a new rear tyre then
scrubbed it in by riding to Colonges-La-Rouge and Argentat dodging the rain
Which caught up with us only as we closed the garage door on are return to
Ridersrest.
During the 1st 2 weeks of May we had 2 large Groups
May continued to be busy with some seriously hot weather with a little rain
sprinkled intermittently.
Paul made it over on his R111
Managed to get out with 3 likely lads, Gary, Steve and
Nigel...
and again for some adventure riding on the rocket with Paul...
June and we are still enjoying amazing weather
Enjoying the cafe culture that is France...
A rare day when Wendy manages to get out for a ride with me.
Always makes me proud to see her riding in my wing mirrors ;)
Coffee stop Chalus - Where Richard the Lion Hearts Heart is
buried in the Chateau
This is the town of Rochechouart which was the epicentre of a
meteorite
strike 2 million years ago which levelled the area for 300 miles
The stone from the Meteor was used to build the Chateau and other surrounding
buildings
Once parked we were surrounded by British Bikers on Tour
Wendy and I again enjoying the Cafe Culture and the peaceful
roads
During June the weather wasn't always sunny but no excuse not
to ride...
Breva V1100 after a dramatic off (rider and Pillion fine Bike remarkably un
damaged)
Still on the theme of finding new and interesting roads to
ride and places to visit
I went in search of a Troglodyte village in the mountains by Super Besse...
We have also had the opportunity to see the workings of the Triumph Rocket 3
not mine though Dave's who heard a grinding noise from the rear of his...
Lucky we had the technology to strip it down and look.
Still June and still riding...
July and I managed to get the Moto Guzzi Stelvio
registered in France Yeah!
July 5 - 10 we had the Two Wheels All Talk forum
members come over for a Rallye Hopefully the 1st of many
Friends arrive for a weeks riding from the
SEM and the R111 (Bikes and Mates) 18 - 25th July - I didn't take too many pictures...
