I've threatened to come down to Oz and now it has become a reality. 

Approval has just been given for me (and a non-biking colleague) to travel down to Oz for a international works meeting in Sydney between 16 and 22 Apr. This is the same meeting (made up of Americans, Canadians, Brits, Aussies and Kiwis) that took me across to Halifax Nova Scotia (with the skroll) around the same time last year and enabled me to meet up and spend time out with Crazy Frog.

There was much uncertainty about the meeting this year, not helped by the plan for me to change sections at work just 2 weeks before the gathering but, sadly, my replacement cannot go , and it is with heavy heart and much reluctance, I said that for the good of the team I would go if I had to..... Who am I kidding? - yeeha, great result!!!!

It will be quite a busy week of meetings (Mon to Fri), but due to the travel time, the plan is to get into Sydney (if my booking is accepted) very early on Sat 16 Apr (about 5am) and then fly out again on Friday 22 Apr afternoon. It is a bit of a hectic visit, but if there are any of the Krew within striking distance of Sydney on 16/17 Apr, it would be fantastic to meet up with you either individually or as a group and get a few coldies in maybe. Also available for socialising in the evenings Monday to Thursday (we normally have a group meal one night) but generally hit the town every night looking for suitable food and refreshments.

I suspect Sydney in April will be a little warmer than Halifax was - with considerably less sea-ice!!

If you're interested, let me know.

That's great news. Providing you are allowed in through our Customs, I suspect you shall not be left alone.
When you get sorted let us know which part of town you'll be staying in so plans can be made.
April is nice, less humidity but still warm.
RT

Born Again Eccentric wrote:
If you're interested, let me know.

There is no "if".

Bill

This has the makings of an interesting tale..............excellent one Paul.

Please can you bring 500 oil filters, 400 fuel filters, 50 water pumps, 100 fuel injectors, 25 air filters.................and anything else you can fit in your bags.

Good news is that from London its only one tube stop......

Fabulous news Paul! I will certainly see you there - plenty of time to make arrangements but you certainly won't be lonely.

Possibly the weekend in the Hunter before you get into your work stuff and then some evening meet ups with Sydney based Krew during the week.

If that sounds interesting I'm happy to pick you up from airport or lodgings and deposit you back again at the appropriate time. Maybe in the car so you can snooze your way up to the Hunter and be ready for a bit of a ride around up here. What's your helmet size?

Cheers

this sounds great Paul , like Rt said , let us know which part of town , it will help plan an itinerary.
Is Sunday 17th worth putting aside as a tentative . 
I am camping up at Gloucester 10- 25 April, but have asked the home office for leave to join festivities .
Gaz , maybe a ride can be put together for Paul.
I was talking to Al recently about a ride to Katoomba and the 3 sisters , great photo location , can I throw this in as a thought. 
Possibly Kurrajong to Katoomba on the Bells line of road.

Wow guys - great response! I'm blown away by the Kamaraderie.

Flights are now booked, come in on the BA flight (via Singapore) arriving on Sat 16 Apr at just after 5am. I intend to get as much shut eye on the plane as possible so that jet lag doesn't screw me up and I can get as much out of the weekend as possible before the work starts. Fly out again on Friday 22 Apr mid afternoon. Our Aussies hosts for the week have got a block booking at the Wynyard Travelodge near Circular Quay(?), but I haven't booked yet - just seeing if there is anywhere else in the vicinity (and in budget). Will be booking somewhere this week and it will definitely be somewhere within walking distance of Circular Quay. Really looking forward to it. 

Really looking forward to meeting the Krew too (or meeting again as in one case like Gaz).

RT - I've heard about your Customs! I look forward to the experience and will try not to upset them or draw attention to myself.

Bill - spoken like a truly hospitable  Irishman Australian - thank you.

Garry - yes, delighted in the last minute turn of events that has given me this wonderful opportunity again after it had been cruelly snatched from my grasp. A trip out to experience the fabled Hunter would be great. The work meetings tend to complete daily by about 16:00, so I'm definitely up for evening meet ups with those that can get into town. If I could get a little K ride in, so much the better. I have a generous 2 bag baggage allowance (23kg each) so can pack my bike gear (don't suppose I'll need the thermal linings!) - I could even bring my helmet (are European lids legal in NSW?) - probably as carry on luggage, though, to stop it getting squashed in the hold! If not my helmet is large 59-60cm. What about insurance?

Olaf - you make a very good point. It certainly has the makings of an excellent adventure but if there is anything (within reason) that I can legally bring in like oil filters, fuel filters, clutch cables etc, RAM shocks. etc. then any of the Krew can PM me and I/we can check prices and maybe get some orders in to James Sherlock/Motoworks /Realm etc. I'm certainly not going to have 46kg of clothes with me, so the suitcase room/weight allowance will be there. If stopped, I'll tell the Customs that I'm picking up a bike and going rideabout in the bush and need the spares for personal use. Actually, thinking about it, the shocks might worry the airport security people...but you never know?

Ed - I like the thinking, I need to get on google maps to suss out the places you mention. So much to do, so little time. I wish I could have blagged a little more time over there, but it is a busy time of year at work and my boss only begrudgingly agreed my time out of office as it is.

I like to think this will be a taster visit - and will whet my appetite for a longer visit as soon as I can get back with some more time on my hands. Perhaps I can coerce Olaf and Will into planning an adventure of a lifetime? How soon do I/can I retire?

I don't think either Will or myself would need too much coercing......more finances and time are the issue. However if either of us wins the Lotto we will be down on the next tube.

Hold baggage isn't so rigid as its safety rather than security down there......

What about insurance?

I recently had an 'Merican friend borrow my K75C.  As I carry fully comprehensive insurance on the bike, all that was required was that he have a licence, his full name and date of birth.  A phone call and NO extra cost involved. 

The policy is with QBE. Simplezz.

Re insurance, in NSW I'm pretty sure that the same as TacKler described will apply here. The only caveat would be extra excess (and maybe premium) if the rider was under 25 or not much riding experience. Can't see that applying to Paul.

Paul, given that your licence is in English, there will be no need even for an international licence.

There are moves afoot to recognise helmets with European standards in NSW, but I don't think they're completed yet. You'd have to have a pretty picky copper, or one you'd been pretty rude to, to have an issue with using your own helmet. Mine was bought in Luxembourg, though I always use my Aussie bought one. 

Bill

Will be a great opportunity to meet up BAE, especially if you get to visit the Hunter region.

Re insurance.... most comprehensive policies only require that additional riders be named on the policy. Otherwise a higher excess applies.

Cheers.

TacKler, Indian & Kaptain,

Thanks for the info on insurance etc. - sounds promising. I only insure my bikes third party, fire & theft in the UK (with additional legal protection and breakdown cover) as the write-off value of the bikes is so low that there is little point in paying higher premiums. Obviously, if I do get to ride in Oz and repay the kindness by lying a bike down, we would be talking moral responsibility for making good the damage and not an insurance claim. A minimum of Third party protection though is essential - legally and because I don't want to be paying out for damaging someones tin box or pet kangaroo.

I've had a few very positive PMs already, with some very generous and tempting offers. I just wish that time wasn't so short. It would be fantastic to meet up with as many of the Krew as possible, but I appreciate that my visit timing isn't great (stuck between Easter and ANZAC day). A mass gathering/rideout would be great, but individual meets in town during the evenings would also work well.

"if the rider was under 25"  - sadly, Bill, you're right! I can't claim to fall in that age range - right numbers, wrong order! Since my biking rebirth, I have got myself another 4 years of riding experience (daily commuting and touring) and about 40k miles under my belt - all weathers, but never underestimate the effect of some unusual terrain or distracting scenery.

I will be fighting the dreaded east bound jet lag (consensus agrees that it is worse when going east), but I aim to be firing on at least 3 cylinders (seems good enough for a K75). If I fall asleep in my beer, I apologise. If I fall asleep on a bike, try to keep me upright and/or leaning the right way into the corners!

Only downside at present, the eejit UK politicians are squabbling about the vote on continued membership of the European Community and this is screwing up the value of the GB£ at the moment - typical! Exchange rate with AUS$ is currently heading firmly in the wrong direction.

Well BAE, from what I can gather I will be closest regular forum member to you being only 30 minutes away.
Looking forward to fitting in with whatever is planned.
rosskko

(Apart from Warren C of course, but I knew that)

Just a few more thoughts for everyone to consider for Paul's weekend. Paul assures me that he has a technique for dealing with the jetlag (hope it works for him because I'll try it next trip) so assuming that he is in reasonable shape on arrival how about;

Someone in the Sydney region organises a bike for him and if guides are available start off with a look at the sights of Sydney then cruise up to Newcastle by whatever route the knowledgeable ones deem most suitable, meet some local experts for a look around the sights of Newcastle then gather at my place for the evening/overnight. Ruth and I are happy to have a gathering here similar to our recent Kristmas Krew event.

Plenty of room for camping or swags/airbeds under cover around my workshop area and two beds in our guest room plus a couple more up in our loft area if its not too hot.

On Sunday after breaky ride off through the vineyards across to the Putty Road and head south and through East Kurrajong, up the Kurrajong Heights to Bell then across to Mt Victoria and back down into the Sydney basin with stops at some of the famous Blue Mountains landmarks to a Sunday evening gathering somewhere in Sydney to catch up with those from the surrounding area.

I haven't looked into probable travel times etc. yet - just throwing the idea out there.

Paul, don't worry about people in the Krew going to too much trouble while you're here because Somerset is likely to be invaded by the Krew and your couch could be booked out for months.

Good thing you weren't here today as this was our local Hunter Valley forecast snapshot mid-afternoon and western Sydney was hotter than us.
 

Cheers

some great suggestions there Gaz , plenty on offer for the krew to get involved with. I'm sure Paul will be well looked after during his stay .
Rosskko , we need to find some Kebab shops .

Gaz80 wrote:Paul assures me that he has a technique for dealing with the jetlag (hope it works for him because I'll try it next trip) - I hope it works too! 

Paul, don't worry about people in the Krew going to too much trouble while you're here because Somerset is likely to be invaded by the Krew and your couch could be booked out for months.

Good thing you weren't here today as this was our local Hunter Valley forecast snapshot mid-afternoon and western Sydney was hotter than us.
 

Cheers

I hope my technique works too - I am quite resilient, but whilst I aim to rise with the larks, I can't promise to be soaring with the owls into the wee hours too (do owls soar, or is that just eagles etc?).

A Krew invasion of Somerset is both very welcome and encouraged (I would even extend that courtesy to any immediate family of krew e.g. kids on European walkabout, if they needed a place to stay for a while). Second K100LT available and waiting for some local rides. If there's not enough to do hereabouts (which there is), then I have some exceptionally hospitable neighbours just over the water on yon Emerald isle who would be equally welcoming.

I like your forecast, better than what I've got here right now (which is much better than it has been of late). Getting bored of the -2 deg C ride to work in the morning and the risk of icy patches and looking forward to Spring and the Aussie Autumn.


If I can get a bike Gaz, your plan sounds excellent.

With my generous 46kg baggage limit, I figured that I could nearly bring one of my own bikes. If I remove all fairings, panniers, top box, knee pads, drain all fluids, remove battery, remove centre stand, leave behind all the come in handy spares (clutch cable, plugs etc) and perhaps take the wheels as carry on (will they fit in the overhead bin?) I might get the weight down to about 146kg - that's only 100kg of excess baggage....on second thoughts, it would be cheaper to buy a K100 in Sydney and leave it behind at the end of the week!

Born Again Eccentric wrote:....on second thoughts, it would be cheaper to buy a K100 in Sydney and leave it behind at the end of the week!

Sounds like an excelent idea BAE, just so long as you leave it at my place mate....
Cheers

Born Again Eccentric wrote:With my generous 46kg baggage limit

Sounds like Business Class to me. Some people don't even know they're born!

Nah, not business class Dai, only premium economy. Nearly tried to blag business class, but figured that the additional approvals needed would raise the trip profile to where I didn't need it raising - that discussion often ends with a "no" and my initial negotiations had already met with a firm "no", which was then revised into a more acceptable "yes" after I pointed out how much I was putting myself out to even consider going . Sometimes, it's good to keep just under the radar.

Kaptain - just had a look at Gumtree. Couple of bikes that I suspect will be known to forum members, including the oldest K in Aus which must be gone by Friday (that's today for you isn't it?). No idea how your rego system works, but could prove an additional complication for a flying visit by a non resident alien pom. 

It would be pretty cool to be struck down by multi continental k-pox though and amass a Kollection of K's around the world under the care and protection of fellow forum members.

I am odd man out. I get jet lag going west, not east.

Maybe Eccentrics Inc could leave a K somewhere in Oz?????

Would love to see some Krew up this way too......starting with Rossko!! GroverK is due a visit too.......88KE found an insurance solution for anyone coming up this way.

rosskko wrote:Well BAE, from what I can gather I will be closest regular forum member to you being only 30 minutes away.
Looking forward to fitting in with whatever is planned.
rosskko

I look forward to meeting up with you Rosskko - some ambitious and exciting plans in the making, hope whatever is finalised fits with you.

Kebab shops? Sounds like the start of a story...

rosskko wrote:Well BAE, from what I can gather I will be closest regular forum member to you being only 30 minutes away.
Looking forward to fitting in with whatever is planned.
rosskko

Sounds like a few plan's are comming together - I might add that I'm the closeset "irregular" forum member - and either 5 minutes away or 45 minutes depending on what time of day it is!

And can personally recommend the following establishment which is a stones throw from the city .....

Watering Hole

Good input Warren - can't beat local knowledge.

Cheers

Born Again Eccentric wrote:

I will be fighting the dreaded east bound jet lag (consensus agrees that it is worse when going east), but I aim to be firing on at least 3 cylinders (seems good enough for a K75). If I fall asleep in my beer, I apologise. If I fall asleep on a bike, try to keep me upright and/or leaning the right way into the corners!

Maybe I should put a taxi sign above the Kart , and give the poor bloke a free lift.

GroverK wrote:Maybe I should put a taxi sign above the Kart , and give the poor bloke a free lift.

Uber K?

If your heading to the Blue Mountains via the Putty, what about - 

   Get to Richmond, Castlereagh rd, Springwood rd to Springwood (stop Hawkesbury LO) 
   Head up to Katoomba (Cliff drv, 3 Sisters etc) Then to Mt Victoria -

      - 1. From Mt Vic, down Mt Vic Pass (good views - ongoing road works top & bottom of Pass) turn right into Browns Gap rd then into Lithgow. Pick up Chifley rd which becomes Bells line of rd back to Richmond.
      - 2. From Mt Vic, right into Darling causeway, left into Hartley Vale rd (Comet inn [pub], stop?) A few km's of good unsealed road, then on to Lithgow - Bells Line of Rd - Richmond.

   All up i think about 200km and maybe 3 to 3 1/2 hrs - not including pitstops, sightseeing etc.

To far?  then from Mt Vic [delete the Lithgow section] continue along the Darling Causeway to Bell, turn right onto Bells Line of rd back to Richmond. Saving about 30min.

  Just a thought   Dale

TacKler wrote:

GroverK wrote:Maybe I should put a taxi sign above the Kart , and give the poor bloke a free lift.

Uber K?

GroverK & TacKler, I like your thinking....


(apologies for the wilful cloning of one of your Tassie pics Ed!)

 gotta give Tackler the credit for that one , 
great response Paul .
the offer is still there .

Paul, I have given my wife a little heads up on what is going on so I should be good for (almost) anything.

One thing you will need to do is get to your hotel and dump your bags. Unless you hire the Uber Kart? Most hotels will have storage available before you get into your room.

Happy to help out with a lift from the airport to the city and then drag you off to whatever else may be organised.
I may,  at the time, also have 3 registered bikes. One may be a Katana, but a K is a K.

Lastly, Sydney airport does not open till 6am. We need our sleep and those planes are noisy. Given unloading time, being held up in customs, collecting all the duty free grog to share around and collecting your bags I think you will be good to go around 8.30ish

rosskko

unless you have already had a better offer.

Rosskko great news on the permissions thing - doesn't your wife fancy coming along too?

I deliberately booked the hotel for the 15th Apr, so will be able to check in to my room as soon as I arrive - I did that so that I could dump my bags, have a shower, gather my thoughts and (if a bike is available) slip into something more road worthy. Bit decadent, but I didn't fancy having to hang around until 2pm. Interesting about the airport not opening until 6am - my flight definitely says it arrives at 05:05. Maybe it is just a really long taxi way?

Hmm duty free - best I remember to get a bottle of something sociable at the duty free shop!

Some delay is expected with customs and baggage reclaim etc. and then the transfer to the hotel. There will be a few of us pitching up at the same time, so probably will get the hotel shuttle or a taxi. I think you're right about the 08:30 thing being the ready to play time though.

Still up for all/any offers of a bike for the weekend - the uber kart looks comfortable, but it would be better to be riding. Depending where said bike may be, I may be grateful of a lift to there.

Paul, there is no question about "if a bike is available", it's just a matter for those of us with multiple registered bikes to decide on the logistics of which spare bike is most convenient to make available for you.

So you will need your riding gear.

Cheers

Fantastic - thanks for the reassurance Gaz.

Looking at the member location map, you are all quite well spread out across the area, but much like the Irish Eccentrics, it seems that distance/riding time to a meet is of little concern.

I haven't had any bids for bike parts/spares to bring with me yet, plenty of time to go, but if I can save anyone some extortionate shipping costs, then please let me know. 

Best I apply for my entry visa soon...

Hi Paul

Maybe you can bring the Banner back with you, they have had it back for long enough

Simon , It will be here a little while longer , maybe till Paul has been at least . 
 If you need another look at it to see how it is going , you are most welcome to pop on over .
A lot more has been added since your ventures with it .

I like it.

indian036 wrote:Re insurance, in NSW I'm pretty sure that the same as TacKler described will apply here. The only caveat would be extra excess (and maybe premium) if the rider was under 25 or not much riding experience. Can't see that applying to Paul.

Paul, given that your licence is in English, there will be no need even for an international licence.

There are moves afoot to recognise helmets with European standards in NSW, but I don't think they're completed yet. You'd have to have a pretty picky copper, or one you'd been pretty rude to, to have an issue with using your own helmet. Mine was bought in Luxembourg, though I always use my Aussie bought one. 

Bill

 ECE helmets are legal in all states bar SA and WA now I think.  NSW is certainly no problem the last picky bits are just about helmet sales, certainly legal to use.  Note this does not apply to US DOT helmets.

Al

I've just checked my calendar and unfortunately I will not be available Sunday at all as Marie and I are running a BMW club event which I cannot not attend :{

Saturday would be shaky too except for maybe for a short a meet at PITS.

Al

I'm in , not sure how much of Saturday as we may be breaking camp in Gloucester on Saturday morning .
I spoke with Gaz about Grey Gums , and now have some new details available for consensus  Konsensus by the Krew . 

I spoke with Kim at the Grey Gum Cafe on the Putty Rd , and she has offered the following , 



We can display the sKroll on the flagpoles for a pic on Sunday 17th, as we travel down to Katoomba.
 Koffee with sKones and Kream will be available on the day. maybe morning tea break around 9.30am or so.
I'm sure that this will be a highlight of the trip for Paul . 

I also spoke with Kim regarding the hoisting of a forum flag , of which the forum does not yet have .
The Grey Gums offers any group /club to apply for the manufacture of a flag to the clubs design , to be ordered, and raised on a flagpole.
The cafe incurs all costs for the supply of the pole and flag ,which remains the ownership of the cafe.
 All that is required of the club / group is to submit desired artwork in Jpeg or PDF format . 
and they require 4 weeks ordering time , for the flag to be made .

It would be a great occasion for the forum here in Oz to participate in raising their own flag , which would help promote the forum amongst our peers.
As this cafe has now become a much frequented spot for many of our East Coast riders and groups. 
I'm thinking this would need some time and consideration for design and approval by admins and members , and would possibly be best structured as a ride event for when TWB returns later in the year, his first official act as 2IC.



If this is something that Admin are ok with to help promote the forum in Oz , and the Krew would like to approve, 
 we just need to decide the flag design ,
 ie; Berts banner on the portal header,





 the "spinning logo " 

 or other suggestions . 


hope it is ok . Cheers Ed.

Shouldnt that be Konsensus?

Al

 sorry Al. will try better next time.

This just gets better an better!

Garry - excellent plan, I love it. Particularly looking forward to trying the much acclaimed Loffee.

Al - thanks for the update of the helmet; I'll definitely bring my own lid as it saves an additional (dare  say it) headache. Sorry to hear that you're otherwise engaged for the weekend, but if you can make the PITS stop, it would be great to meet up with you.

Ed- fantastic idea about the flag at the Grey Gum Cafe, that would be quite a tribute to the Kamaraderie of the forum that has made this whole adventure possible. There's just enough time to get it done ready for the visit. I like the idea of using the forum header as the main feature, perhaps include the www address too - it would be really cool if it could be edged with miniature flags of each country with forum members (separate flags for England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland or just the Union Jack). Does Crazy frog have a full list of countries represented? On reflection, this appears to be a huge task - according to the portal page, there are 112 countries represented...might make the flag a little too busy!
Flag aside, Koffee, Skones and Kream sound like just the ticket.

On in Newcastle Saturday 16th April

Boardwalk Beer Festival

Very interesting Ed. Definitely need to consider this in more detail. Depending on numbers likely to attend our Saturday evening get together we may be able to appoint a couple of designated drivers and have our get together there.

Thanks

will check the uber situation closer to the date. 

Hey BAE, after your recent 31 hour adventure to the Emerald Isle clocking up 1,170 kms you're going to fit right in over here when you can get back again after this upcoming exploratory journey for a more extended and relaxing visit. Some of the rallies and kamping trips we attend are in the order of 2-3 thousand kms round trip.

Our endless summer seems to have slightly turned towards autumn in the last couple of weeks so by the time you get here it should have cooled down to about your normal summer temperatures which will make for very pleasant riding. I have heard a slight hint that at least one of the Krew who is quite a way north of the Hunter Valley is trying to line up the time to be down this way while you're here.

Cheers

BAE certainly had a great training trip last weekend. Looking forward to hearing about the Gaz80 get together too. We might try a Skype link up on that one.  It sort of coincides with JediGril [Magda] coming back from honeymoon on 17th April. More anon about that.

These English guys are prone to strange activities. One was spotted up a tree in the Slieve Blooms last weekend, said he 'was taking photos'.

The flag idea is really good..........but we will let BAE advise you on whether Northern Ireland Wales and Scotland should have separate flags or just the Union Jack.....we will let ukip on that thought.

The Olympic flag uses colours that are designed to represent at least one colour from every flag of the world......just a thought.

Gaz80 wrote:Hey BAE, after your recent 31 hour adventure to the Emerald Isle clocking up 1,170 kms you're going to fit right in over here when you can get back again after this upcoming exploratory journey for a more extended and relaxing visit. Some of the rallies and kamping trips we attend are in the order of 2-3 thousand kms round trip.

Our endless summer seems to have slightly turned towards autumn in the last couple of weeks so by the time you get here it should have cooled down to about your normal summer temperatures which will make for very pleasant riding. I have heard a slight hint that at least one of the Krew who is quite a way north of the Hunter Valley is trying to line up the time to be down this way while you're here.

Cheers

Hi Gaz, it was a perfect training run and a great weekend outing, but far too short to really be able to enjoy some of the kompany. 

I greatly look forward to my fast approaching exploratory visit down under and am sure that I will be itching to come back for a much longer visit. Sounds like just my cup of tea. I might have to read up on some of your more exotic critters before I go kamping though - in the UK, the worst you get is an itchy bite (midges/mosquitos), a moderately painful poisonous fish spine in your foot (weever fish) and, if you're really really unlucky, a painful snake bite (adder is the only poisonous snake in UK). I hear that in your place there are a number of snakes and spiders with real venom and things in the sea that either eat or sting you. Not a problem if you know what to avoid, but it reminds me of a university diving expedition to the Caribbean a few years back - I spent the first 2 weeks avoiding some completely harmless stuff and then brushed up against the real fire coral that I was trying to avoid! Didn't make that mistake twice. My ignorance when living in America for a few years resulted in a painful encounter with a sting ray and an irritating brush with poison ivy.

I like the sound of some of the further flung krew making it down to the meet while I'm over.

Have we decided on a final plan for the week end yet or are you waiting on me making a decision? As Olaf knows, sometimes you need to take charge of Englishmen, or we are prone to wandering unpredictably. There is a danger that I have had so many great offers and offers of a loan bike that everyone assumes that I'm sorted and it then suddenly becomes too late to actually make the necessary arrangements. That would be a real shame. Obviously, I will need to give somebody my details so I can get added to their bike insurance and will need to know arrangements for picking up and returning said bike and, perhaps a little chaperoning to stop me getting lost.

Don't wind your summer down too much too soon - I'm looking forward to some warmth!

Born Again Eccentric wrote:

. There is a danger that I have had so many great offers and offers of a loan bike that everyone assumes that I'm sorted and it then suddenly becomes too late to actually make the necessary arrangements. That would be a real shame. Obviously, I will need to give somebody my details so I can get added to their bike insurance and will need to know arrangements for picking up and returning said bike and, perhaps a little chaperoning to stop me getting lost.

Don't wind your summer down too much too soon - I'm looking forward to some warmth!

Don't fret BAE. At worst there will be a lovely little 750 popup (K)atana waiting for you. Guaranteed to cure any jetlag within the first 3 hours of riding. Given you may never walk or sit again properly, but there will be a bike.

As I type, a little care package is on its way over from Motorworks that should hopefully get bike #3 back on the road. Even if no other bikes eventuate there will be a choice of Katana, 1100RS or the old faithful K100RT slightly modified for our extended summer (read nekkid).

rosskko

I also have a couple spares if all else fails, Gaz has already organized back up bikes just incase.