CD's, guitar strings or a Buell for Xmas

[Dave King]

Hi All

Hope you had a happy Xmas :-), couldnt be bothered to wait for the cds and socks this year so bought myself a nice big red Buell Firebolt :-)...

Not a blues matter I know but am of to Spain on it later in the year. if anyones interested let me know, be fun with a few of us going.

Dave King

[lee holliday]

Stop Hogging the forum!

No time for bike chit chat get back to the workshop so I can resonate into the new Year!

Regards Lee

[LouisianaGrey]

I quite fancy a Buell myself. I bet it goes around corners a lot better than a Harley.

Whereabouts in Spain are you going, Dave?

If you're interested there's some pictures of my Spanish trip last year on my Triumph at www.petewoodmanguitars.com/images/

[Michael Messer]

Hi Dave, is this the bike?

It looks wonderful and very fast ;D

Happy New Year!

Shine On
Michael.

[Dave King]

Yes thats the one Michael,,,

Looked at the pics Pete, looks like you had time to do it all properly,,, I'm planning to go at the end of July, first stop Cognac Blues Passions festival which I go to every year (and I believe Michael is playing there in 2006) then on to Spain,,, only a couple of days just to say Ive ridden there and back. So if any ones up for a long bike ride in a short space of time let me know,,,,,

Happy new year , Dave

[Mairena Red]

Hi everybody,

Going round corners quicker than a Harley? That wouldn't be difficult! Seriously though, the Buell looks very tasty Dave, and should give you hours of fun. Sounds like you won't have time to get down to my part of the world (Seville). Pity, as we have great weather and spectacular mountain roads though I don't ride in July and August as it's too hot!

What sort of Triumph do you ride, Pete? From your pictures it looks like you did Portsmouth-Bilbao on the ferry rather than ride through France. This is a shame as France is very biker-friendly and has great food and even better wine. If you ever get this far south I can show you some spectacular rides (and the biking isn't bad either!).

All the best for 2006,

Joe (aka Mairena Red)

[LouisianaGrey]

Hi Joe,

My wife is an Anglo from Montreal, so she isn't too keen on the French!

Actually, despite this we were down near Toulouse in 2003 (http://www.triumphrat.net/modules.php?set_albumName=album141&op=modload&name=Photo_Album&file=index&include=view_album.php) and we rode through France from Calais then, but it felt like a long haul. Don't forget for us we've already spent a day riding down through England from the Isle of Man ferry, so it's nice to just chill out on the boat for a couple of days.

The trip around the middle of Spain was just a try-out really. We certainly plan to get around Andalucia on the bike some time soon - probably Plymouth/Santander and then straight down (although there's a great restaurant at Lerma that's worth an overnight stop).

The bike is a Legend, by the way, it's one of the Thunderbird variants.

[Mairena Red]

HI Pete,

I can understand your wife's reluctance to travel through France, the French can be a difficult lot at the best of times. I was always very lucky as I spoke good French (I did a French and Spanish degree and spent 6 months at Bordeaux University), but I always felt sorry for the people who didn't as they got a very cool reception. Pity really, as the French can be great fun when you get to know them. I had a lot of good times in Bordeaux and went back several times to pick grapes (and drink the end product!) in St Emilion.

I had forgotten that you lived on the Isle of Man. I grew up in North Wales (Colwyn Bay) and as a child and a teenager caught the ferry from Llandudno pier on many occasions. I knew the Moore family quite well as David taught me English at school (he later went on to become a leading political figure on the island). Sadly I never managed to get to see the TT or the Manx GP (I did not take up biking until I was 40) and I imagine that these days they are both a shadow of their former glory. My bike is a five year old CBR 600 which is a great all-rounder if a little lacking in character. I have been thinking of trading it in for something with a bit more character (a BMW GS or a Ducati Monster) but wonder if I might miss the impeccable performance and reliability. Decisions, decisions!

I can definitely recommend biking in Andalucia and your idea of the Plymouth-Santander ferry is a good one. I don't know the place in Lerma but I would recommend you stop over somewhere on your way down here as Santander-Seville is a lot of hours in the saddle. The best time of the year is the spring as you will fry in July and August. Let me know when you are thinking of coming and I will make some more detailed suggestions.

All the best,

Joe